Packers-Bears rivalry is in a new era, but the story hasn’t changed yet-ZoomTech News

This can be a brand new period within the rivalry between the Inexperienced Bay Packers and Chicago Bears — however to date, we’re seeing the identical previous story.

With Aaron Rodgers not being the boogeyman beneath heart and Inexperienced Bay ushering in first-year starter Jordan Love, there was optimism in Chicagoland.

“I do know I have never gotten a win since I have been right here in opposition to the Packers,” stated cornerback Jaylon Johnson. “I am positively wanting ahead to altering that round.”

“I am unable to [wait],” security Jaquan Brisker stated. “I am itching [to play] […] Individuals hate Inexperienced Bay. I hate Inexperienced Bay. So I am unable to wait.”

There are solely three gamers on the Bears roster who know what it is prefer to beat Inexperienced Bay. After Sunday’s matchup, these three stay. The Packers as soon as once more beat the Bears, this time by a 38-20 margin, to open the 2023 season at Soldier Area.

Packers head coach Matt LaFleur appeared to grasp one quite simple idea: surrounding your younger quarterback with dependable expertise will assist him. Love has been in Inexperienced Bay for 3 years. He is aware of the offense in and out. What he wanted was to lean on veteran gamers as he bought his legs beneath him.

So that is what Inexperienced Bay let him do.

Working again Aaron Jones was the crew’s main rusher and receiver. Inexperienced Bay scored on their first drive of the sport, by which Jones rushed for twenty-four yards, together with on a third-and-2 when he scampered seven yards to maintain the drive alive. 

The following time the Packers scored a landing, it was on a one-yard run by Jones. After which on the very subsequent possession, Love hit Jones in stride on a crosser throughout the center and Jones did the remainder of the work, taking the ball 35 yards into the top zone. 

All through the sport, Love saved counting on Jones. And it saved paying off. 

“Each time my quantity known as, be that dependable man, be that fixed,” Jones stated after the sport. “Each time [my] quantity known as, they do not have to fret about something and the job’s going to get accomplished. I suppose somewhat bit extra with Jordan, attempting to take somewhat strain off his plate.”

Love was additionally largely free from precise strain with Inexperienced Bay’s O-line standing tall. He was sacked simply as soon as. The crew rushed for 92 yards and its pass-protection held up. 

“The O-line as an entire, the safety was nice all evening,” stated Love after the sport. “There have been a pair occasions once I was capable of get by means of my entire learn and there was nonetheless nobody round. I used to be capable of form of go searching. An space I can clear up is simply being extra comfy again there and be capable to not get out of the pocket on a few those who I attempted to however safety was nice.”

Think about having the ability to simply sit within the pocket. In at this time’s NFL. Wild.

I requested Bakhtiari if he felt a way of satisfaction that Love can depend on them so closely. 

“Yeah, we higher,” Bakhtiari stated.

“We have now to all be certain we band collectively, give him no matter time he wants whether or not that is half a second or six seconds, does not matter,” he continued. “We simply have to guard him, let him make his reads and let him get comfy in a sport. After which clearly within the run sport open up holes and do our job. Simply be the unsung heroes that we love doin’.” 

It wasn’t a world-beating outing by any means, however there was noticeable enchancment in Love’s consolation stage within the second half. Love led an eight-play, 75-yard drive that resulted in that one-yard rating by Jones instantly following halftime. Love then adopted it up with a four-play, 42-yard drive, profiting from good discipline place. At the beginning of the fourth quarter, Love engineered a five-play, 61-yard drive that was capped off by huge receiver Romeo Doubs’ second landing of the evening. 

At halftime, Love was simply 7-of-16 passing for 81 yards and a landing that got here on the primary possession of the sport.

By the top of the sport, Love was 15-of-27 for 245 yards and three touchdowns. That was good for a 123.2 passer score. To place issues in of perspective, that score is healthier than all however two of his predecessor’s video games final season. The offense scored 31 factors (seven factors have been from a decide six by the protection), which was greater than all however three video games final yr.

Love was saved within the sport for its entirety, nevertheless it wasn’t out of necessity. The Packers led 38-14 properly into the fourth quarter. The Bears bought a rubbish time landing however did not find yourself changing the 2 level strive after, which left the rating at 38-20 the place it could keep.

Different takeaways

— Sufficient concerning the offense; the Packers protection discovered a move rush. They sacked Bears quarterback Justin Fields 4 occasions. Second-year participant Devonte Wyatt accounted for 1.5 of these as he is been touted a possible breakout defender for Inexperienced Bay this season. Wyatt is one in all eight first-round picks on the defensive facet of the ball they usually performed prefer it on Sunday. Not solely did they register 4 sacks, but additionally six quarterback hits and 7 complete tackles for loss. They broke up 5 passes, too. 

Fields was uncomfortable for many of the sport, evidenced by the actual fact he as soon as once more led the crew in speeding yards. He rushed 9 occasions for 59 yards and most, if not all, weren’t designed that method. 

Inexperienced Bay’s protection additionally compelled two turnovers, one fumble by Fields and one interception from him. Linebacker Quay Walker was the one who picked Fields off and was then capable of scamper in for a defensive landing. 

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— Issues appear a lot the identical for a Chicago Bears crew that invested closely in its offense, hoping that Fields might set up himself as a franchise quarterback. The crew bought huge receiver D.J. Moore in a commerce from the highest general spot within the draft final yr however on Sunday, Moore had simply two catches, each of which got here again to again at the beginning of the second quarter, for a complete of 25 yards. 

Moore gained a primary down on each of them, however Chicago did not get him concerned for just a few causes. One, Inexperienced Bay had cornerback Jaire Alexander on Moore for a majority of the sport. Two, the Bears offensive line was once more shuffled resulting from accidents previous to Week 1 in order that they nonetheless had no continuity to lean on. A number of gamers began at a place they weren’t anticipating to this season. Lucas Patrick, who is meant to be a backup on this present roster, got here in at heart and moved Cody Whitehair, who was presupposed to play heart this season, again to protect the place he performed final yr. 

After lacking fairly just a few practices in coaching camp and the 2 weeks main as much as Sunday, free-agent acquisition Nate Davis began at proper guard. Rookie Darnell Wright was introduced in to man the suitable facet, and he did, whereas Braxton Jones performed left deal with.

The consequence was disastrous. The Bears managed simply 14 factors for many of the sport in spurts of productiveness earlier than getting yet another rating in rubbish time with Inexperienced Bay taking part in stop protection. Fields was left to make performs out of nothing along with his legs. No working again rushed for greater than 30 yards. And after protecting the sport shut within the first half, the protection could not cease the bleeding within the second half. 

This Bears crew nonetheless has an extended approach to go and Fields nonetheless has loads to indicate earlier than the Bears could be certain about his future with the group.

Carmen Vitali covers the NFC North for FOX Sports activities. Carmen had earlier stops with The Draft Community and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. She spent six seasons with the Bucs, together with 2020, which added the title of Tremendous Bowl Champion (and boat-parade participant) to her résumé. You may comply with Carmen on Twitter at @CarmieV.

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