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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Zach Kruse

Instant analysis and recap of Packers’ 38-20 win over Bears in Week 1

The Green Bay Packers used a dominant performance at the line of scrimmage from both sides of the ball and clutch plays from quarterback Jordan Love and running back Aaron Jones to race past the Chicago Bears and get to 1-0 with a 38-20 win on Sunday.

Chants of “Go Pack Go” echoed inside Soldier Field during the fourth quarter as Love scored his first win as the Packers starting quarterback and Matt LaFleur improved his record to 9-0 against the Bears since becoming the Packers head coach.

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An instant analysis and recap of the Packers’ season-opening win over the Bears:

Final score: Packers 38, Bears 20

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – SEPTEMBER 10: Romeo Doubs #87 of the Green Bay Packers catches a pass for a touchdown against Tyrique Stevenson #29 of the Chicago Bears during the second half at Soldier Field on September 10, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
1 2 3 4 F
GB (1-0) 7 3 14 14 38
CHI (0-1) 3 3 8 6 20

 

It was over when...

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – SEPTEMBER 10: Quay Walker #7 of the Green Bay Packers returns an interception for a touchdown against the Chicago Bears during the second half at Soldier Field on September 10, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

…Jordan Love hit Romeo Doubs for a 4-yard touchdown pass early in the fourth quarter to extend the Packers’ lead to 31-14, and Quay Walker provided the final dagger with a 42-yard interception return for a touchdown three plays into Chicago’s ensuing drive.

Game balls

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – SEPTEMBER 10: Jordan Love #10 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates a touchdown pass to Romeo Doubs (not pictured) against the Chicago Bears during the second half at Soldier Field on September 10, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

QB Jordan Love: In his first game as the starter, Love threw three touchdown passes and had a passer rating of 123.3. He made big play after big play in big spots, especially third and fourth down.

RB Aaron Jones: His 11 touches generated 127 yards and two scores. He had a 51-yard catch-and-run and a 35-yard touchdown on fourth down.

WR Romeo Doubs: Despite a hamstring injury, Doubs caught a pair of touchdown passes from Jordan Love.

DL Devonte Wyatt: The 2022 first-round pick had 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble for a Packers defensive front that dominated.

K Anders Carlson: The rookie made a 52-yard field goal and was a perfect 5-for-5 on extra points.

Key stat

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – SEPTEMBER 10: Aaron Jones #33 of the Green Bay Packers runs the ball for a touchdown against the Chicago Bears during the second half at Soldier Field on September 10, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

4: The Packers, despite not having speedy receiver Christian Watson, produced four passing plays of 30 or more yards. Aaron Jones had catches of 35 (touchdown) and 51 yards (set up touchdown), Luke Musgrave had a 38-yard catch (set up touchdown) and Jayden Reed had a 30-yard catch (set up field goal before half).

Jordan Love Watch

Sep 10, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) passes in the first half against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports

Love wasn’t perfect, especially early, but he still completed 15 of 27 passes for 245 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions during his first appearance as the Packers starting quarterback. He took just one sack and was excellent on third and fourth down. Love’s passer rating was 123.2. Consistently poised, Love made the big plays when the Packers needed them and avoided negative plays. This was nothing short of an excellent start to the Love era.

Play of the game: Aaron Jones 35-yard TD

On 4ht-and-3, Jordan Love hit Aaron Jones — who ran an angle route against new Bears linebacker T.J. Edwards — for a 35-yard catch-and-run into the end zone. The score gave the Packers a commanding 24-6 lead in the second half and set the stage for the blowout.

Injury updates

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – SEPTEMBER 10: Aaron Jones #33 of the Green Bay Packers runs the ball past T.J. Edwards #53 of the Chicago Bears during the second half at Soldier Field on September 10, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Aaron Jones left the game in the second half after injuring his hamstring on a 35-yard touchdown catch. He was questionable to return but never re-entered the game. Quay Walker was elevated for a concussion after taking a big hit at the end of his 42-yard interception return for a touchdown. Jayden Reed had cramps but returned.

What's next

Sep 10, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier (25) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Carolina Panthers during the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

The Packers will stay on the road in Week 2 with a trip to Atlanta to face the Falcons, who beat the Carolina Panthers in their season opener earlier on Sunday. The Packers have won two straight games over the Falcons, including a 30-16 win at Lambeau Field in 2020.

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