3 Big Things from the Packers Week 2 Win Over the Bears

Feast or famine for Green Bay Packers defense

Overall, the Green Bay Packers’ defense was able to control this game. However, when the Bears were able to move the ball, they were able to do so with relative ease.

Chicago marched down the field on their opening possession to score seven points behind some wide running lanes and a flea-flicker, giving themselves the early lead. Led by David Montgomery, who had 122 rushing yards and broke quite a few tackles along the way, the Bears averaged an impressive 6.7 yards per play.

The Bears’ offense would average 5.6 yards per play, which for reference, following Week 1, would have ranked 11th in the NFL. So despite some success from the Packers’ defense, it’s not as if Chicago was completely stifled either.

But with that said, outside of a few possessions where Chicago was able to move the ball, this Packers defense kept them in check. Following the opening possession touchdown, the Bears would punt four straight times. They finished the game with only 11 first downs, were one for eight on third and fourth downs, and ran only 41 plays, holding the ball for just under 23 minutes.

As effective as they were on the ground, which came and went, Chicago really struggled moving the ball through the air, with Justin Fields throwing for only 70 yards. The Green Bay pass rush began getting home quite often, with the edge rushers, in particular, doing a very nice job of keeping Fields in the pocket.

Joe Barry’s M.O. as a play-caller is to take away the pass first, which the Packers certainly did. But at what point does there need to be an added emphasis on the run game when the opponent is having that much success? The defense is trending in the right direction, but there is still plenty to clean up.

Now, having said that, holding any opponent to 10 points is an impressive performance.