The Green Bay Packers (1-1) rode a brilliant performance from running back Aaron Jones to build a big lead and then got a goal-line stand in the fourth quarter to beat the visiting Chicago Bears (1-1) by a 27-10 final score in the home opener on Sunday night at Lambeau Field.
It was over when…
… Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers hit Sammy Watkins for a 55-yard completion just four plays after Justin Fields was stopped on 4th-and-goal from the 1-yard line. The Packers eventually got a field goal, widening the lead to 17 points with 2:28 left in the fourth quarter.
Game balls
– RB Aaron Jones: He made big play after big play. The Pro Bowl running back finished with 132 rushing yards, 170 total yards and two scores.
– OLB Preston Smith: The veteran edge rusher produced two sacks, three quarterback hits and a half-dozen total pressures.
– P Pat O’Donnell: Revenge game! O’Donnell hit a 72-yard punt and a 61-yarder inside the 20-yard line.
Key stat
37: The number of touches for Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon. The duo had only 23 in Week 1.
Best play
TD x2 for @Showtyme_33! 🙌#CHIvsGB #GoPackGo
📺 NBC pic.twitter.com/YDtQ9CCAZq
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) September 19, 2022
Quick takes
– The Packers wanted to get the ball to No. 33 and No. 28. Mission accomplished. The running back pair created 237 total yards on 37 touches.
– Jones looked especially dangerous. His combination of vision, patience, burst and balance is incredible. Through two games, Jones has rushed for 181 yards on just 20 carries.
– This was an identity-building performance, especially on offense. And while not perfect, the Packers can win a lot of football games playing this way.
– The defense struggled to stop the run and didn’t tackle well for the second straight week, but Justin Fields ended up with 48 net passing yards (30 came on one play on the first drive) and the Bears scored just 10 points. On this night, it was a winning performance.
– Sammy Watkins created explosive plays on three scoring drives, including the dagger 55-yarder on the final drive. Get him a free release off run-action and he can still get open.
– Aaron Rodgers took three sacks but was otherwise efficient distributing the ball, completing 19 of 25 passes for 234 yards, two scores and zero interceptions.
– Rodgers when targeting wide receivers: 13 of 16 for 179 yards and one touchdown. His passer rating was 134.1.
– The Packers will be disappointed in the second half. There were too many squandered opportunities to really put the Bears away. The fumble between Rodgers and Dillon and the wayward snap killed two potential scoring drives.
– Veteran kicker Mason Crosby made both field goals and all three extra points, O’Donnell boomed two punts, Jack Coco snapped well, Amari Rodgers had a 20-yard punt return and the Bears didn’t have a game-changing special teams play.
– I think it looked like Justin Fields scored on 4th-and-goal in the fourth quarter, but without a crystal clear view of where the ball was exactly, it’s understandable that the officials didn’t overturn the call. Odd play. It was a crucial play in determining the winner.
– Incredible play by Jaire Alexander to finish it off. He cover a lot of ground and made a great sliding catch to finish the interception.
What’s next
The Packers (1-1) go back on the road to play the unbeaten Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-0) next Sunday afternoon.
