All offseason Green Bay Packers’ head coach Mike McCarthy preached how the team needed to get off to a fast start. By beating the Chicago Bears in what was basically a season opening trap game, the Packers have positioned themselves to do just that. They have four of their next five games at home where they didn’t lose once last year.
Even being at home it won’t exactly be easy, the Seahawks are up next and will will be in redemption mode after losing to the Rams yesterday. Those same Rams will be in Lambeau on Oct. 11 and yesterday proves they are no slouch. Following Seattle is the resurgent Kansas City Chiefs, and after the Rams comes the San Diego Chargers. The Chargers and Chiefs look to be real threats to the Broncos’ 4-year AFC West reign.
Yesterday may not have been pretty, but the talent level between the two teams is just too great. Bears’ running back Matt Forte ate up the Packers in the first half and quarterback Jay Cutler displayed his new game manager style of play that new OC Adam Gase brought to Chicago with new head coach John Fox.
For 56 minutes the Bears were within striking distance, they even led 13-10 at the half, but “same old Jay” was still lurking inside Cutler and came out with the game on the line. With a receiver open underneath, Cutler tried to force a pass to tight end Martelllus Bennett but Clay Matthews was right there to make the interception and return it 41 yards. Seven plays later Eddie Lacy scored and it was game over.
It’s nice to get the win but the Packers have some improving to do, especially on defense. They gave up 105 yards rushing to Forte in the first half alone and had not for some odd play-calling by the Bears they could have down by much worse than three points. In all the Packers gave up 189 yards on the ground to the Bears, a number that is not acceptable when you have Super Bowl aspirations, especially with Marshawn Lynch and Jamaal Charles on deck the next two weeks.
On offense the Packers looked a little out of sync sans Jordy Nelson and the less than 100% Randall Cobb. That can be expected but the addition of James Jones looks like a good one and should help keep defenses from focusing on Cobb and Davante Adams exclusively.
Eddie Lacy looks like he ready for another great year, grinding out 85 yards on the ground and making one spectacular catch when Aaron Rodgers was forced to get rid of the ball quickly. Speaking of Rodgers, it didn’t look like missing the last two preseason games affected him at all. While he only threw for 189 yards it was mostly because Lacy was running well and there were huge running lanes for Rodgers himself, who tacked on 35 yards on the ground on eight carries. It was a very efficient day for the offense, which really took the game over by going 59 yards for a TD and the lead to start the second half.
All in all it was a game the Packers should have won and they did. They also showed there still work to be done as the competition gets much tougher here on out. I enjoyed my Victory Monday, but now I’m on to Seattle.
Go Pack!