Packers Survive the Bears: Key Takeaways from a Sloppy Victory
The Packers got the win over the Bears, but it certainly wasn’t pretty. While Jordan Love retained ownership of the rivalry, the victory didn’t exactly inspire confidence that this team is ready to make a run for the Lombardi Trophy. Love’s performance wasn’t the sole reason for the win, as Karl Brooks’ huge field goal block saved Green Bay from the embarrassing loss. Still, this game raised a lot of questions about the overall strength of the Packers. Here are four key takeaways from this heart-attack-inducing win.
Josh Jacobs Kept the Offense on Its Feet
Josh Jacobs made it look like the Packers’ run game was slicing through the Bears’ defense like a game of Fruit Ninja. The star running back totaled 134 yards from scrimmage and found the end zone once, marking his 50th career touchdown. While the Packers had their rocky moments, Jacobs provided a steadying presence with his consistent production. Jacobs is an irreplaceable necessity for this offense, and his production will be crucial to its success for the rest of the season.
Christian Watson Showed What Has Been Known All Along
Before today’s game, Christian Watson had been having a quieter season, with just 16 catches and 233 yards. Today, however, Watson showed that his connection with Love is alive and well. The 25-year-old wide receiver finished with four catches for 150 yards, including a crucial 60-yard reception late in the fourth quarter. Watson not only made several big plays but also reminded everyone that he’s a key weapon in the Packers’ deep receiver group. Over the last three games, he’s had 17 targets, accounting for 22% of Love’s throws. If this chemistry continues to develop, it could be a big boost for Green Bay’s passing game moving forward.
The Defense Today Was Unacceptable
The Bears had been struggling to find their rhythm on offense, but the Packers quickly made it look like they had things figured out. The Bears had gone 23 straight possessions without a touchdown but managed to score two against the Packers, largely thanks to the Packers’ inconsistent, at times nonexistent, pass rush. Green Bay hoped that facing the Bears, who had given up nine sacks the week before, would bring their pass rush to life. Anyone watching, however, might have forgotten that the Packers pass rush was clocked in.
It wasn't until the fourth quarter that the defense showed signs of life, with Tedarrell Slaton and Rashan Gary each getting to the rookie quarterback on consecutive plays. On another note, in his first game active this season, Brenton Cox Jr. made his presence known with a sack and a tackle for loss. The Packers had traded Preston Smith, trusting that their younger players could step up, and Cox Jr. is helping prove that theory true. While Brooks came through in the final play to bail out the defense, the Packers must improve moving forward. The competition won’t get any easier, and if they want to make a Super Bowl run, their current level of play simply won't be good enough.
The Packers Escaped with the Win, but It Was Not Dumb Luck
Chicago came dangerously close to pulling off a rewarding win over Green Bay, one that could have finally broken the Packers’ generational dominance over them. Karl Brooks ended any shred of hope every living creature rooting for the Bears had, as they thought the win was in the bag with that 46-yard field goal attempt. Just when it seemed the Bears might actually beat the Packers, Brooks got his left middle finger on the ball, silencing all of Chicago. Watching tapes, the Packers identified a weak point in the Bears’ interior blocking. This led every player to focus on exploiting the Bears’ field goal unit’s Achilles' heel, and, when it mattered most, Karl Brooks made the crucial block.
If today’s win still leaves a sour taste in fans’ mouths, remember this, the last time the Packers lost to the Bears was when Clay Matthews and his long blonde hair were still rocking the green and gold. Sure, the Packers had some rough moments against a struggling Bears team that were tough to watch, but in the end, they got the job done. There are still plenty of areas to clean up, and with the next seven games ahead, they’ll have time to work through those shortcomings, hopefully sooner than later. After a much-needed win against a division rival, the Packers will now turn their attention to the 49ers, a team that’s always given them trouble in the playoffs.
