Packers at Bears: Three Reasons for Optimism
GREEN BAY, Wis. – The Green Bay Packers will kick off the 2023 NFL season at the Chicago Bears on Sunday. It will be a new era, as well, with Jordan Love making his first start as QB1.
Did Aaron Rodgers sign over the papers to his ownership of the Bears? Green Bay has won eight in a row over the Bears, including an unbelievable seven in a row at Soldier Field.
It would be quite out of character for Love to scream “I own you!” but here are three reasons why that trend will continue.
1. Pressuring Fields
Perhaps Green Bay’s biggest advantage is its outside linebackers, a deep group led by Rashan Gary and Preston Smith, facing Chicago’s offensive tackles, with Braxton Jones protecting Justin Fields’ blind side and first-round pick Darnell Wright making his NFL debut on the right side.
Last year, Fields was sacked a league-high 55 times even while the Bears attempted the fewest passes in the league. Some of that is on Fields, with his inconsistent pocket presence and his desire to extend plays. Some of that is on the blockers.
Out of 53 offensive tackles with at least 50 percent playing time last year, Jones ranked 50th in Pro Football Focus’ pass-blocking efficiency, which measures sacks, hits and hurries allowed per pass-protecting snap. Wright is a high-quality prospect but this will be his NFL debut and he hasn’t seen anyone like the Packers’ barrage of pass rushers.
Defensive tackle Kenny Clark will be a problem, as well. Right guard Nate Davis, who was signed away from the Titans, will be an upgrade but left guard Cody Whitehair and center Lucas Patrick could have long days against a player who believes he has a lot to prove.
Preston Smith (Photo by Jeff Hanisch/USA Today Sports)
2. Protecting Love
It’s cliché for a reason: A quarterback’s best friend is a sturdy offensive line and the confidence that he’ll be able to sit in a clean pocket and find a receiver.
With left tackle David Bakhtiari, left guard Elgton Jenkins, center Josh Myers and right guard Jon Runyan, Green Bay has four veteran starters to protect Love. Following a promising rookie season in which he lined up here, there and everywhere and played winning football, Green Bay is confident in right tackle Zach Tom, as well.
Last year, Chicago ranked 31st in sack percentage. During a big offseason spending spree, the Bears signed Yannick Ngakoue. In seven seasons, he’s got 65 sacks and 21 forced fumbles. That includes 10 sacks with the Raiders in 2021 and 9.5 sacks with the Colts in 2022. For most of his career, he’s rushed from the defense’s right side. That would put him against Bakhtiari. While the five-time All-Pro didn’t practice this week and didn’t play in the preseason, there is confidence in his knee and his ability to shut down any pass rusher he faces.
“Pass protection’s an art. It’s a constant craft you need to keep honing in on,” Bakhtiari said this week. “Not to discredit run blocking, but I do think it’s just effort for the most part. It’s way more than that – I’m just dumbing it down – but I do think pass protection’s an art, from weight distribution to where your feet are to where you’re holding your stance, where your first kick is, that line you want to draw based on all the different types of dropbacks.”
3. Love > Fields
Aaron Rodgers won his first two NFL starts. Patrick Mahomes won his first six starts. Justin Herbert topped 300 yards in his NFL debut. Joe Burrow topped 300 yards in three of his first four starts.
The point is young quarterbacks don’t always play like young quarterbacks. Other than a diluted supporting cast with big-play receiver Christian Watson inactive with a hamstring injury, there’s no reason why Love shouldn’t come out firing in his big debut. He had three full seasons behind a four-time MVP, four training camps and three preseasons to get ready for this moment. He played eight series this preseason. He’s ready.
Fields, on the other hand, is entering his third year as the Bears’ starter. He’s 5-20 in those starts. That’s not all on him, obviously, but quarterbacks are drafted and paid to win games. He has not done so, due in large part to career marks of 59.7 percent accuracy and 24 touchdowns vs. 21 interceptions.
To be sure, Fields is a superior runner. He is coming off a season in which he rushed for the second-most yards in NFL history by a quarterback. The acquisition of premier receiver D.J. Moore will help. He’s a great fit for Chicago’s scheme with his run-after-catch ability. At this point, the Bears probably will have the better receiver corps on Sunday.
But, on third-and-8 in a key moment, there’s more reason to believe Love is the quarterback who can make the big-time throw.
Want the other side of the story? Here are three reasons to worry.
More Green Bay Packers News
Saturday's roster moves. What do they mean?
How will Packers get Jordan Love off to fast start?
