Green Bay Packers v. Bears: Gut Reactions & Highlights

In a game with huge playoff implications, the Green Bay Packers get the win over the Chicago Bears. As always, here are the gut reactions and highlights from the performance.

Early on, this game looked much like the week one matchup between the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears, with the defenses dominating. But after two third quarter touchdowns, Green Bay was able to take a three score lead. Unfortunately they weren’t able to put the game away and Chicago made a run to cut the lead to 8 points. However, as they’ve done all season long, despite it not always being pretty, the Packers would prevail.

And as always, here are my gut reactions and some highlights from Green Bay’s performance.

• From a production standpoint it was a slow start to the year for Kenny Clark, but in recent weeks he’s been racking up the numbers and today, he was a wrecking ball. Coming away with two sacks and three tackles for loss.
• The Green Bay run defense has been suspect this season but they were up against a Bears team that has really struggled rushing the ball, and in the end, it was the Packers defense who would prevail.
• The opening drive from the Green Bay Packers’ receivers was very worrisome and a microcosm of what we have seen all season long. Marquez Valdes-Scantling misplayed a pass downfield, while Geronimo Allison just flat-out dropped one.
• Speaking of MVS, his snap count has been decreasing and after misplaying that pass on the opening drive, he may not see much of the field moving forward.
• Once again we saw aggressive Matt LaFleur and it paid off with a beautiful touchdown pass to Davante Adams!

• Credit to the Green Bay Packers’ offensive line who were up against a fierce Chicago pass-rush and only allowed one sack today.
• Tyler Ervin started the game with a 12 yard punt return and then added a 45 yard kick return before half. I’m pretty sure his statue is currently under construction outside of Lambeau Field.

• It pains me to say this, but have to give some credit to Mitch Trubisky, he came up with some big time throws over the course of the game.
• It was a slow start to the game for Aaron Jones and he didn’t rack up a ton of yardage, but he did have a fantastic touchdown run to start the second half and another on the following drive.

• The Chicago offense tried to really play up-tempo to throw the Packer defense off, but Green Bay was able to hold strong.
• In the 2nd quarter the Bears had a big fourth down play in Packers’ territory but Chandon Sullivan forced the incompletion on the deep throw by forcing Anthony Miller towards the sideline.
• And credit to Sullivan, he has been low-key good this season.
• Davante Adams has returned to form as he’d total seven catches for over 100 yards with a touchdown.
• Although they were more effective in the second half, once the opening script ran out in the first half, we saw this Green Bay Packers’ offense sputter once again.
• Rashan Gary had a HUGE sack in the red zone.

https://twitter.com/packers/status/1206290206837628928

• More Allen Lazard, please and thank you. I’m very surprised I still have to ask this.
• On that final pass from Aaron Rodgers before halftime, what the heck was that throw for?
• Also on that final drive before half, we saw a throw to Jimmy Graham in the flat, I’m not sure what that play is called, but burn it and never use it again.
• In a one score game, that first drive in the third quarter was enormous and it included a big run from Aaron Rodgers.

https://twitter.com/thecheckdown/status/1206298594807963651

• It was an unusually quiet game for Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith as far as pressuring the quarterback goes.
• But it was also a quiet game for Khalil Mack. We hardly heard his name called.
• KUMEROWWWWWWWWW!

• Jaire Alexander spent the day blowing up wide receiver screens like it was nothing.
• It was tough sledding early, but eventually the duo of Allen Robinson and Anthony Miller were able to get going, which is to somewhat be expected.
• Dean Lowry. What. A. Play.

https://twitter.com/thecheckdown/status/1206316961795198976

• And as expected, this Chicago passing game was at their best when Mitch Trubisky was able to get out of the pocket and use his legs. Coming into the game, containing him was a huge key to victory.
• Green Bay’s red zone defense continues to be one of the best in football as they held Chicago to just one touchdown in three red zone appearances.
• Lastly, nothing is going to come easy this season, is it?

Per usual it wasn’t easy, but a win is a win. And the Green Bay Packers move to a critical 4-0 within the NFC North and that could very likely be huge when it comes to tie-breakers with the Minnesota Vikings. Not to mention that they are still the two seed in the NFC and have essentially eliminated the Bears from playoff contention. Which is always an added bonus.