Dhruv Koul shares his in-game reactions, thoughts and observations from the Packers-Bears game at Soldier Field. Follow him on Twitter @DhruvKoul to continue the conversation.
CHICAGO -- The Chicago Bears came into today's game against the Green Bay Packers with a unique opportunity. After soundly defeating the Las Vegas Raiders on the road to grab some much-needed momentum, everything they wanted for the rest of their 2021 season was laid out in front of them.
A couple things in that thread that are worth highlighting again:
- Bears with a unique opportunity to grab first place of the NFC North after six games (with a difficult gauntlet of games still ahead), be 2-0 in the division and grab a clutch head-to-head victory over Green Bay.
- Aaron Rodgers' possibly last game at Soldier Field as a member of the Packers. Even if you're a Bears fan, it's time to acknowledge a truly unique era possibly coming to an end with maybe a hint of melancholy? (I know I am.)
Thoughts and Observations
1a. (PREGAME) -- The Matt Nagy Era started exquisitely, with a 12-4 campaign in 2018. The expectations going into the 2019 season were unlike we've ever seen. The NFL's 100-year celebration, Packers-Bears to kick off opening night (the first time in a while the Super Bowl champion didn't host the kickoff game), and a Chicago crowd unlike I've ever heard to kick off a game. And then the Packers (with rookie head coach Matt LaFleur) came into Soldier Field on opening night and stunned the Bears, 10-3. That was the infamous "Make Mitch play quarterback" game. That kick-started two arduously inconsistent seasons that have led the Bears to where they are, now:1b. The Packers came into today's game down their best pass rusher (Za'Darius Smith) and an elite CB in Jaire Alexander. However, they got some reinforcements on the offensive line which will help an offense that is destined to score their points, no matter what. The good news for the Bears is all of their "Questionable" starters -- Khalil Mack, Allen Robinson, and Akiem Hicks -- are all active and will play today. Hicks' return is huge for the Bears as they prepare for the gauntlet of games coming up even after today (@ TB, vs. SF, @ PIT, vs. BAL).
2. Great start for the Bears in this one. After the Packers took the opening kick to the Chicago 36, a 2nd and 10 great display of coverage by Jaylon Johnson on Davante Adams brought up 3rd and 10. Khalil Mack sacked Aaron Rodgers on the next play for a punt.
The Bears then took their first possession right down the field for a touchdown. A beauty of a back shoulder throw to Allen Robinson and a PI in the end zone (clear) were drive highlights. Khalil Herbert then punched it in for a touchdown.
The Bears then got to Rodgers again on the next drive (Robert Quinn) to force another punt. A truly excellent start for Chicago.
3. Rough break for the Bears on their next possession. After a great run by Herbert and a gutsy 4th down call to pick up a first down, what appeared to be a free play on a Packers DL jump wasn't called. Fields, who thought it was, launched a deep ball for fun that was picked off in the end zone. Clearly a case of "whatever it's free", and it wasn't called. Terrible.
4. This game has changed, folks. The Packers took advantage of the no-call by driving all the way for a touchdown to tie the game. The Bears promptly went three-and-out, with Fields getting sacked (after the holding the ball for a while) trying to escape the pocket and getting pulled down.
The Packers went right down the field, aided by a huge run by A.J. Dillon, to get into the red zone. They should've likely gotten a touchdown out of it (that Equanimeous St. Brown OPI will be debated), but they did get a field goal . A pretty sizable robbery of momentum here by Green Bay. Packers up 10-7. 5. That was a miserable end to the half for the Bears. They retained possession basically til the end, but played themselves out of field goal range. Fields missed a wide-open Allen Robinson (didn't even see him) for a touchdown early in the drive. Fields then threw up another prayer that should've been called an INT in the end zone by Adrian Amos, but they survived on a technicality on possession of the ball.
Fields was then sacked on third and long trying to get back into field goal range. He is not seeing the field very well today and it's apparent they are beating themselves. Bears missed an opportunity for points there. They are now down 10-7 at halftime, but this game seems to be getting away from them right now. They get the ball back after halftime with a chance to respond better than they just did.
6. It goes from bad to worse for the Bears. After halftime, the Bears got one first down before punting, and then the Bears' defense let Green Bay march right down the field for another touchdown to take a 17-7 lead. The drive, however, was not without its issues. A phantom PI call on Jaylon Johnson on third down extended the drive near midfield (absolutely brutal), and then the referees spotted a first down after a 2nd and 1 run *maybe* got back to the LOS. It's looking bleak at this point.
7. The Bears have some life. After another early drive punt by the Bears, they finally got a stop after an Allen Lazard pick-play wasn't called for OPI. A clutch third-down sack by Akiem Hicks killed Green Bay's drive, though Hicks grabbed at his groin area (the injury that's held him out recently).
The Bears then sustained a very strong drive (even after a phantom holding call wiped out a Khalil Herbert TD) to score a TD and make it a 17-14 lead for the Packers. A solid response after what appeared to be a back-breaking call. Fields found Darnell Mooney on a drag on the goal line.
8. Cole Kmet is having himself a game. He's finally getting involved in the passing game and making an impact in the middle of the field. He high-pointed a ball for a first down on that TD drive. And I don't need to mention -- Khalil Herbert has been outstanding today in his first career start. Absolutely outstanding. 9. Jaylon Johnson is an excellent CB. But he against Davante Adams, especially when Adams motions into the slot, has been a brutal matchup. Adams is just too good. He is cooking, and there are no answers for him. Ever. That said, Eddie Jackson has been a liability yet again. His tackling has been brutal. 10. Aaron Rodgers does it himself on a scramble inside the 10-yard line, pumping, and then running to the pylon for a touchdown to put GB up 24-14. That's the likely, appropriate dagger.
After the touchdown, Rodgers said to the Soldier Field crowd: "I own you! I still own you!" No real arguments there, right? 11. Bears drive to the Packers' 36 and then it falls apart. Fields got sacked quickly, and then got sacked on an inexcusable play on third down (the play call called for deep routes, but they needed him to throw that ball away).
Fans can call it a learning experience, and maybe it is, but Fields played very poorly overall today. And this was at home. 12. The Bears head to Tampa Bay next week to take on the Super Bowl champion Buccaneers. The Bears, of course, shocked the NFL when they upset Tom Brady and the Bucs at Soldier Field last year. That game, it appeared, to kick-start the Bucs into gear for their SB run. I don't have a lot of faith in the Bears competing in that one. The Bucs have too much firepower on offense, and Brady is as good as he's ever been this year. Early prediction: Buccaneers 34, Bears 17.
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