5 takeaways from Packers' opening-night victory over Bears
The NFL's 100th season got off to a bit of a slow start Thursday night, with the Green Bay Packers getting the better of the Chicago Bears in a 10-3 contest. The low-scoring game didn't come without its share of intrigue, though.
Highlighted by a particularly troubling performance from one quarterback, and some impressive play from both defenses, here are five takeaways from the 2019 opener:
1. Trubisky ain't it
The Bears have a problem on their hands, and it's at the most important position on the field. Granted, it was only one game - perhaps we see a completely different player in the weeks and months ahead - but the reservations about Mitch Trubisky's long-term outlook aren't new. Thursday night's disappointing performance did nothing to ease concerns that, if anything, he's going to be what keeps this talented team from going where it's capable of going.
The box score production Trubisky enjoyed last year was largely a product of a fantastic situation in Chicago. Matt Nagy gets his talented playmakers open in space as well as any play designer in football, and the defense is constantly getting the ball back into Trubisky's hands. But the ball placement, decision-making, and composure in the pocket - all issues dating back to his time at North Carolina - aren't getting any better. That was reflected in a 26-for-45 (228 yards, 0 TDs, 1 INT) outing that led to a mere three points. At a certain point, sooner rather than later, it'll be fair to wonder how long the Bears are willing to hinge their Super Bowl aspirations to such a limited passer. For now, they'll hope Thursday night was just an early-season hiccup, and that a third-year breakout is still in the cards. We're not so optimistic.
2. Big moves, big results
Unhappy with their 18th-ranked defense a year ago, the Packers and general manager Brian Gutekunst added a number of new faces to Mike Pettine’s unit this offseason.
The additions paid huge dividends against Chicago as the defense outplayed one of the NFL’s best. Edge rushers Preston Smith and Za’Darius Smith outmatched Chicago’s offensive tackles early and often. Preston, signed as a free agent from the Washington Redskins, excelled in run defense and recorded 1.5 sacks; Za’Darius, who previously played for the Baltimore Ravens, was a constant presence in the Bears’ backfield and added a sack of his own.
Green Bay also fielded two new starting safeties in Darnell Savage and Adrian Amos. Savage was selected in the first round (No. 21 overall) in April’s draft and was all over the field in pass coverage. Amos, meanwhile, made his presence felt by hauling in a clutch fourth-quarter interception in the end zone. Gutekunst deserves a ton of credit for his team’s Week 1 performance.
3. No Fangio, no problem
Vic Fangio may have bolted to the Denver Broncos, but Chicago's front seven appeared as relentless as they were a season ago. Blessed with several talented players, Chuck Pagano's unit recorded five sacks, allowed just 25 yards rushing, and consistently emerged victorious in one-on-one matchups. The front seven maintained their patented aggression that made them the third-ranked defense in 2018.
Outside of usual suspects Khalil Mack and Akiem Hicks, three youngsters stood out for the Bears. Second-year linebacker Roquan Smith was all over the field, showcasing his elite speed and ability to shoot gaps with ease; Roy Robertson-Harris, a relatively unknown player coming into the contest, recorded a sack and two tackles for loss while dominating Green Bay's interior blockers; Leonard Floyd, meanwhile, got the better of All-Pro David Bakhtiari on a handful of snaps en route to a two-sack performance.
4. Lackluster debut for Rodgers-LaFleur duo
One of the offseason's top storylines was the partnership between Aaron Rodgers and new Packers head coach Matt LaFleur. Green Bay won the game, but the duo must improve to contend in a competitive NFC North. There were certainly flashes, particularly from Rodgers and his improvisation skills, but Green Bay's scoring unit failed to consistently move the ball or convert key third downs.
LaFleur's offense averaged less than four yards per play, totaled just 213 yards, and failed to give its star quarterback enough time to throw on deep passing concepts. While fans hoped for an efficient, fast-paced scoring attack, the first-year coach often opted for a conservative play call. Green Bay converted just 16% of its third-down plays thanks in large part to an offensive line that struggled with consistency. Luckily for LaFleur, his defense came to play and stifled its opponent.
5. More replays, y'all
The good news: The new ability for coaches to challenge pass interference penalties, or the absence of which, did not lead to a ticky-tack call deciding Thursday night's opener. Fear not, though, that's absolutely coming at some point in the near future.
The bad news: The first game of the NFL season gave us confirmation that coaches will be using this new rule to challenge anything that even comes close to pass interference. Matt LaFleur's unsuccessful challenge in hopes of an offensive pass interference call when a Bears receiver slightly extended his arm at the top of his route in the fourth quarter is all the evidence we need to conclude that pace of play will be heading in the wrong direction this season. Avoiding disastrous missed calls like the one that decided last year's NFC title game is great, everything else about this rule is not so exciting.