The Bears travel to Lambeau to take on a sputtering Green Bay Packers. Both clubs are coming off of completely different week 1 results. Green Bay struggled to do anything against the Minnesota Vikings, losing 23-7. Chicago stole a game from the 49ers in a monsoon that turned Soldier Field into a giant slip n’ slide.
Bears Off To A Hot Start While Packers Stumble Out Of The Blocks
Future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers failed to throw a touchdown pass and accounted for two turnovers. Rodgers’ only milestone in the game, throwing an interception vs an NFC North opponent for the first time since the final game of the 2019 season in Detroit. The Packers’ signal caller wasn’t the only one failing to pull his wait. The “vaunted” Green Bay defense pissed down their leg, letting Captain Kirk and Justin Jefferson pick them apart to the tune of 184 yards and 2 touchdowns. Joe Barry had an offseason to game-plan for Minnesota and got torched, failing to adjust.
Chicago’s Justin Fields and the rest of the offense had an abysmal first half. Fields had only thrown for 19 yards going into halftime and the ground game couldn’t get going either. Weather conditions dictated how both teams would play making it easier for defenses to key in on the run game. The Bears defense had a couple miscues in the secondary leading to a 10-0 score at the half. A sign of a team that has bought into a coaching staff and culture is second half adjustments. Those adjustments were carried out perfectly; the defense didn’t allow another point and the offense scored three consecutive touchdowns leading to a 19-0 victory.
How The Bears Can Keep The Good Times Rollin’
So, if the Bears are to win in Lambeau for the first time since Thanksgiving Day in 2015 here’s what they have to do:
1. Get Monty going. Chicago has to control the ball and keep Rodgers off the field as much as possible. Khalil Herbert had a great game, picking up the slack last week, but Montgomery is still the workhorse they need to lean on. A successful ground game is key for any offense, but especially for a young quarterback that thrives on play-action.
2. Darnell Mooney needs more than three targets. Arguably, getting Mooney involved early in the game could be more impactful than a successful night for Monty. Pushing the ball down field and showing you aren’t scared to take shots is equally important as running the ball to keep a defense honest.
3. The Bears defense must stay disciplined. You won’t fool Rodgers too often with pre-snap alignments, so trusting instincts and coaching to stick to your assignments will be imperative. This week they’ll trade in an underwhelming Trey Lance for Rodgers, and an elite receiving corps for the Packers well-documented lackluster group. The Packers weak receiving corps against a loaded Bears secondary should give the defensive front a few coverage sack opportunities. Following coach Eberflus’ HITS principle will pay dividends a second week in a row.
4. Last, but not least; Justin Fields must build on last week’s second half. After the start of last week’s game it would’ve been easy to pack it in and call it a day. Instead, the young man showed his resolve and led his team to victory against a Super Bowl caliber defense. Fields will have to stay patient just like last week and trust his eyes. It doesn’t have to be a banner day for him, but he will need to make plays when they present themselves and keep the field flipped.
This Isn’t Your Dad’s Bears
Don’t tell the national media this, but the Bears and Packers have far more in common than may think. Unproven receivers, Solid defense, Make-shift O-line, great running back rooms, and a new offensive coaching staff. Aaron Rodgers will always be the great equalizer, but he’s human, and lacking help in skill positions. The Vikings are not a very good team and they dismantled this Packer team. The Bears beat down a “Super Bowl contender” with a supposed MVP at quarterback. Any Given Sunday isn’t just a great movie, it’s also the most true sentiment regarding NFL matchups.
Chicago has been criminally underrated all offseason. Will the Bears make the playoffs and run away with the division? Most likely not, but the national media has refused to consider any move the Bears made to be positive. People like Dominique Foxworth and Dan Orlovsky have already been forced to eat their words. Building through the draft, and bang-for-your-buck free agency signings is how you consistently contend.
It’s a loose locker room with guys that are about the team instead of “me” personalities. You will see a competitive football team playing with great discipline on top of talent being developed. This isn’t a Marc Trestman/Matt Nagy guru-type led team. There are legitimate leaders on the field and on the coaching staff and they are developing a winning culture. You’re not a winner until you are, and that’s what this franchise is creating. That, of course, starts with beating the Packers – Bears win this one 27-21.
BEAR DAHN!
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