What better way to launch a new era than with the only two teams that launched the National Football League in 1922 who have remained in their same cities. It’s the Green Bay Packers against the Chicago Bears for the 207th meeting all-time on Sunday afternoon at Soldier Field with a 3:25 PM kickoff. This is the unquestionable NFL rivalry, from Curly Lambeau versus George Halas to Matt LaFleur versus Matt Eberflus. I’ve had the pleasure of covering 87 of the prior 206 games, and watched another nine as a youngster from the old children’s section 7 at Lambeau Field. The memories are priceless. I cried all the way home from the first game I witnessed, Chicago’s 13-10 victory in Green Bay in 1968, wondering why Mac Percival was allowed a free kick field goal without a rush to win that day. Chester Marcol’s miracle run with an overtime blocked field goal in 1980, to Walter Payton’s dominance and William Perry’s phenomenon in the knock down, drag out battles between Forrest Gregg and Mike Ditka, Don Majkowski’s instant replay magic and the Pack’s surge to the series lead to become the league’s all-time winningest franchise during the Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers eras.
For only the third time since 1993, a new Packer quarterback will start a season under center, thus the Jordan Love era is about to begin. Where this era will take Packer fans and how long it lasts is anyone’s guess, but it will make for a scintillating start to the 2023 campaign.
Here’s a few thoughts on how chapter 207 could be written.
When the Packers have the ball.
Thank heavens for a solid, veteran offensive line save for second year starting right tackle Zach Tom, and two very good running backs in Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon. They’ll be asked to shoulder the load so all is not placed on the shoulders of a quarterback making just his second career start. Love has nothing but second year players or rookies on the perimeter at wide receiver and tight end and will be without a field stretching pass catcher in Christian Watson who hasn’t practiced all week with a hamstring injury and was ruled out of the game Friday by Head Coach Matt LaFleur. Romeo Doubs was able to recover from his similar ailment but is still questionable on the week’s final injury report. If he plays, he’ll be the featured route runner with the likes of Samori Toure who has all of five career receptions, second round pick Jayden Reed and undrafted rookie free agent Malik Heath making their NFL debuts. Throw in another second round pick in tight end Luke Musgrave. It’s an extremely green cast that will be challenged by an overhauled Chicago defense featuring six new starters. I expect the Bears to get very creative in alignments, disguises and pressures to test Love’s recognition and execution prowess. A heavy dose of Jones and Dillon on the ground could force Chicago to adjust which might allow Love to exploit favorable matchups, be it Jones out of the backfield or Musgrave running away from linebackers in coverage. The two key additions on Chicago’s defense are former Buffalo Bills linebacker Tremaine Edmunds and Philly’s T.J. Edwards, and ex-Wisconsin Badger. Downfield completions will be required at some point and the hope is Doubs or someone else can win consistently off the line of scrimmage against a secondary that returns intact with safeties Eddie Jackson and Jaquan Brisker and corner Jaylon Johnson. 2nd round pick Tyrique Stevenson at right corner could be in for a busy afternoon.
When the Bears have the ball.
Justin Fields is the Midway Monster General Manager Ryan Poles is building his team around. The construction project brought in two new starting offensive linemen, one a free agent and the other his top draft pick Darnell Wright. Poles dealt the number one overall pick to acquire another weapon for Fields in former Carolina receiver D.J. Moore. Kahlil Herbert inherits the lead back role and David Montgomery was let go. The Bears are truly a run first team, coming off a season in which they broke the franchise rushing record which is saying something when you’ve had a Payton and Gale Sayers in the backfield. Fields put over 1100 yards on the ground himself. Defensive coordinator Joe Barry isn’t a fan of taking one defender to spy Fields, he believes it requires all 11 to be aware of his penchant to run at any time and then chase him down. The key may be how well Kenny Clark and his new running mates up front, T.J. Slaton and Devonte Wyatt control the line of scrimmage. If the front seven can keep the ground attack in check, it’ll force the Bears to make plays in the air. That’s when the advantage might swing Green Bay’s way with outstanding edge pressure from a healed Rashan Gary, Preston Smith, Kingsley Enegbare and Justin Hollins. Keeping Fields in the pocket could create opportunities for Jaire Alexander and Rasul Douglas in coverage to make plays. Alexander had a key pick of Fields in Chicago last year. Arm strength isn’t the question with Fields, it’s decision making and accuracy that has slowed his trajectory.
Don’t forget Special Teams.
Two green legs will be kicking for the Pack in drafted kicker Anders Carlson and free agent punter Daniel Whelan. Chicago’s Cairo Santos missed only two of his 23 field goal attempts last year. Even though he didn’t return in Preseason games, the Packers have the All Pro Keisean Nixon who can flip the field at any moment. Coverage discipline is a must because many of the players who handled this task in August aren’t with the team in September and early season breakdowns are commonplace with a unit just starting to work together.
The bottom line.
The Bears are a slight (-1) favorite in a game they believe signals a reversal of fortune in the series. They are home for the Fox Network’s featured doubleheader broadcast. They are well aware LaFleur has yet to lose against Chicago (8-0), they know the Packers have a 104-94-6 regular season series lead and Rodgers is now tossing the ball for the New York Jets. But this is a young, energetic and hungry team about to hit the field and something’s telling me the Bears will succumb to the pressure first with key mistakes.
Can’t wait to get to the Windy City. I like the Pack, 22-19
