Final thoughts on Green Bay Packers vs. Bears Week 2 matchup
By Paul Bretl
In what very much feels like a must-win game for the Green Bay Packers, they will attempt to bounce back on Sunday night against the division rival Chicago Bears.
As always, here are my final thoughts on the upcoming matchup between the Green Bay Packers and Bears.
– The Packers’ offense gets a big boost with the return of Allen Lazard. Of the four receivers who saw the bulk of the snaps last week, someone is going to be the odd man out with Lazard back in the mix. We will see what happens, but it should be Randall Cobb who has reduced snaps. This will keep Romeo Doubs and Christian Watson’s playmaking ability on the field and also allow more slot snaps for Lazard, where he has been very good.
– What will the Packers’ offensive line combination be this week? For what it’s worth, before David Bakhtiari started Week 18 last season, he was a full participant on that Friday’s practice, just as Elgton Jenkins was this past week.
– My prediction of what the offensive line will look like is Nijman, Runyan, Myers, Newman, and Jenkins. Ryan Wood reported last week that Bakhtiari still may not be back for Week 2. I’m guessing that Runyan will play after returning to practice–even if it was only in a limited capacity. And I think the Packers choose Newman at right guard over Zach Tom. I just think they prefer his experience, which we’ve seen from Matt LaFleur in the past when constructing the offensive line.
– Priority No. 1 for the Packers offense should be getting Aaron Jones — and AJ Dillon — more touches, whether that’s on the ground or through the air. The Packers averaged 6.2 yards per rush in Week 1, while the Bears gave up 4.8 yards per carry to the 49ers. As Aaron Rodgers said, the Packers need to stick with the run game more.
– We want more of Jones and Dillon on the field together because it really stresses the opposing defense and can open up opportunities for others. However, the Packers are ”mindful” of how often they do this because if those two being on the field makes up a large portion of the game plan and one gets injured, then the Packers are without a section of their playbook.
– Whoever the Green Bay offensive tackles are will have a tough task against these Bears’ edge rushers. Dominique Robinson, Trevis Gipson, and Robert Quinn are all coming off impressive weeks.
– Aaron Rodgers will have his trio of veteran receivers available, but as I already alluded to, Doubs and Watson need to be a big part of the game plan. Green Bay should be getting those two involved early, and I want to see Rodgers let it rip a bit more. At some point, he is going to have to trust his pass catchers.
– There is no reason that the Packers’ defensive front shouldn’t have a big day against this Bears offensive line. With that said, I want to see Joe Barry be more aggressive as well by sending pressure occasionally–don’t let Justin Fields get comfortable.
– One key for the Green Bay Packers’ edge rushers is going to be setting a strong edge in an attempt to keep Fields in the pocket more, where hopefully, the interior pressure can get to him. Last week, several of Fields’ big plays came from outside the pocket.
– Also, if there are off-script plays — which there will be — how does this Packers’ secondary handle that? Normally this wouldn’t be a concern, but after last week, who knows?
– I’d expect the Packers to play more zone once again. As Barry said, it’s what they do, but zone coverage will also make it more difficult for Fields to pick up chunk plays with his legs. However, with more zone, I do wonder if the Bears try to move Darnell Mooney around pre-snap as the Vikings did with Justin Jefferson, and if so, how do the Packers respond?
– Can the special teams unit have another decent week?
– While this Bears team as a whole isn’t nearly as talented as the Packers, they will play hard for all four quarters. If the Packers are able to get up early, they won’t be able to take their foot off the gas. Against the Browns and 49ers in the regular season are two examples from 2021 where Green Bay was up early but let the opponent back in.
– The Green Bay Packers are 9-0 in the regular season under LaFleur following a loss and win by an average of 14 points.
– Prediction: Packers 24 – Bears 17