There couldn’t have been a better scenario—opening day at Soldier Field. Perfect weather. Former Bears players were in attendance and a packed stadium filled with frenzied fans who had been craving this day for 31 years. The Chicago Bears would begin to take control of this rivalry that has been one-sided for decades.
Then the game started.
When the game ended, the Packers proved once again their reign is supreme—final score: Packers 38 – Bears 20.
Green Bay deferred on the coin toss, and Justin Fields brought the offense, loaded with new weapons. The nightmare began after four plays. Facing 3rd and two from the 39-line, the Bears decide to run a gadget play, bringing TE Cole Kmet in motion. Stopping under center, Kmet managed only one yard, forcing 4th down. Rather than punting the ball to pin the Packers’ offense deep in their own territory, the Bears chose to go for a first down. Justin Fields runs a QB sneak for no gain.
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Head coach Matt Eberflus couldn’t have gift-wrapped a better present for Jordan Love and the Packers offense. Love wasted no time capitalizing on the opportunity. They pecked away at the “new” defense, taking 11 plays to score, but Love found Romeo Doubs from eight yards out, and Green Bay took a quick 7-0 lead.
The Bears had decent drives on their next two possessions but could only convert on field goals. The first drive stalled at the Packers 29 29-yard line. Cairo Santos connected for a 47-yard field goal to make the score 7-3. Their next drive stalled at the 11-yard line. Santos converted again, this time from 29 yards out.
Defensively, the defense appeared to gel after their first drive. They forced the Packers to punt on three straight drives. The half ended with a long field goal attempt from the Packers’ rookie kicker. Anders Carlson split the uprights from 52 yards as time expired, and Green Bay led 10-7.
Despite trailing, the Bears’ defense had found their legs after the first drive. Green Bay was not gashing the defense with their running game. Jordan Love was not doing anything special under center. Chicago’s offense seemed to get over their jitters with two scoring drives.
The Second Half Disaster
Chicago had to kick to start the second half, and the game’s complexion changed immediately. Suddenly, Chicago’s defense could not contain Aaron Jones. On their first drive, Jones accounted for 68 yards and scored on a one-yard run.
Justin Fields gets sacked on their first play of their first possession and the Bears were forced to punt after a three-and-out. The Bears punt coverage team allowed Jayden Reed to scamper 35 yards on the return, setting up Green Bay’s next possession in Bears territory.
The Back-Breaker
After three plays left Green Bay with 4th down at the Bears 35-yard line, the Packers decided to forego a punt or attempt a 53-yard field goal. Love finds Aaron Jones over the middle with a short pass and Jones raced to the end zone to make the score 24-6.
Chicago never recovered. After holding Green Bay to just 7 points on their first four drives, the Packers scored on their next 3 to take a commanding lead.
News and Notes
The Bears next game is at Tampa. Game time is Noon, Sunday.
After throwing for 95 yards in the first quarter, Fields finished the game with only 216 yards on 24 completions. Only four of his 37 attempts were thrown farther than 10 yards downfield.
That has to change.
@GrinBearIt.. you absolutely nailed it. In all honestly, so far, everything this regime preaches is not the product we actually see on the field. From the GM to the coaches to the players. I get this is a young team. But they look ill prepared and outmatched in every facet of the game… and again, at all levels. Outmatched in talent, coaching and execution. I won’t make another negative remark because I don’t wanna b a complete drama queen after just one game. But man, um sooooooooo tired of the same old shit… same old bad team that always looks… Read more »
I don’t want tonhear Poles and Flus rave about how great this coaching staff is at developing players, preparation etc. They are what their record says they are, a 3-15 after 18 games since their arrival. From management and coaches to players and sports science staff, this is the most over-confident group I’ve ever witnessed in Bears’ history.