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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Robert Zeglinski

NFL Week 1 Awards: Jordan Love’s Packers look like they’ll embarrass the Bears for another 30 years

Jordan Love Packers NFL Bears Fox Aaron Donald Deshaun Watson Geno Smith Justin Jefferson Aaron Rodgers

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

Week 1 of the 2023 NFL season was supposed to be the start of a brilliant new era for Justin Fields and the Chicago Bears. With Aaron Rodgers now calling New York home, the Bears were supposed to take advantage of an inexperienced Jordan Love. They were supposed to announce their presence to the NFC North and the rest of the league.

Instead, the Packers laid an absolute beatdown. The 38-20 final score was not nearly indicative of how Green Bay outpaced and outclassed Chicago in every facet. And as the Packers notch their ninth straight win in an extended 30-year run of dominance over their rival, it’s fair to wonder: Are Love and Co. about to tack on another 15 years to that number?

It’s only Week 1, but that’s how atrocious the Bears looked in every phase. I would not be remotely surprised if 30 years became 45, then 60 …

But Week 1 wasn’t bad news for everyone. Well, it was still bad for Patrick Peterson after talking so much trash about Brock Purdy. But, again, some people did have fun weeks!

Let’s have some fun and hand out awards from a truly wild and unpredictable opening NFL Sunday.

Best job of maintaining dominance in a rivalry: The Packers and Jordan Love in Chicago

Bears-Packers was close for a half before Love and the Packers predictably blew it wide open, making plays like this in a commanding 38-20 win:

Worst job of trying to hype up a new starting QB with a musical: FOX with Jordan Love

I still can’t believe someone thought an actor playing Love singing “I’m Just Ken” would be a good idea:

Best job of keeping the Cardinals' unofficial tank job going: Kyzir White on this dirty hit on Sam Howell

We were MINUTES into the season and White took this reckless cheap shot. There’s no place in the game for plays like this:

Worst job of trash talking a better team and QB: Patrick Peterson against Brock Purdy and the 49ers

I mean, my goodness. It’s been a while since trash talk like this blew up in someone’s face so horrifically:

Best job of saving a horrific Sunday of poorly-played football: The Dolphins and Chargers in an instant classic

36-34? In Week 1? In a week filled with gross quarterback play? Thank the heavens for Miami and Los Angeles.

Best job of understanding he's in immediate danger: Geno Smith when he saw Aaron Donald coming at him

Smith knows the deal. There are few more terrifying sights in football than an unblocked Aaron Donald:

Best job of ringing in the new year with a trademark stiff arm: Derrick Henry

Another year and another season of Henry making grown men look absolutely silly in the open field with his brute strength:

Best job of backing his QB up after an awful INT: Justin Jefferson on this hit

You gotta hand it to Justin Jefferson. Apparently, he’s a great receiver AND linebacker. Kirk Cousins should count himself extremely fortunate:

Worst job of keeping a play alive: Deshaun Watson on this all-time bad INT

Deshaun Watson — who once faced more than 20 allegations of sexual misconduct in what the NFL would later characterize as predatory behavior — is going to want this throw back:

Best job of living up to the hype right away: Bijan Robinson on this beautiful TD run

Call it a hunch, but I think he’s going to be EXTREMELY good, perhaps even special. What a hot take, I know:

Best job of playing to the whistle: The Colts on this bizarre defensive TD

Every JV football coach in America loved seeing DeForest Buckner not give up on this play. Every JV football coach in America was also scratching their head at Tank Bigsby. DON’T. STOP. PLAYING:

Worst job of mounting a credible comeback: Mike Vrabel and his cowardly FG decision

The Titans could’ve won! They had a real chance to score a touchdown! But Vrabel turtled like a coward when his team needed more from the sideline:

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