The Chicago Bears were defeated by the Green Bay Packers, 38-20, in their season opener on Sunday at Soldier Field.
It was a brutal game from start to finish, although things seemed to be within reach with Chicago trailing 10-6 at halftime. But things went downhill quickly in the second half, where Green Bay outscored them 28-14.
Buy Bears TicketsNew quarterback, same old story for the Bears against the Packers. Chicago has now lost nine consecutive games against Green Bay.
We’re taking a look at the studs and plenty of duds from the Bears’ Week 1 loss to the Packers.
STUD: WR DJ Moore
It wasn’t exactly the coming-out party we expected from Moore, but it wasn’t exactly his fault. Moore was targeted twice — on the same series at the start of the second quarter — both completions for 25 yards. And then he wasn’t targeted for the remainder of the game. Make it make sense.
DUD: OC Luke Getsy
Getsy had another brutal showing as offensive play caller, where he displayed the same conservative nature that got Chicago in trouble early last season. Bears fans were fuming about Getsy’s repeated use of failed screens and run calls, as well as failure to attack downfield. Not to mention, Moore was a complete no-show outside of his two completions. Getsy could be in hot water.
STUD: RB Roschon Johnson
The biggest bright spot on offense was rookie running back Roschon Johnson, who put himself in the conversation to be the lead back sooner rather than later. Johnson had 55 scrimmage yards — five carries, 20 yards and six catches, 35 yards — and a two-yard rushing touchdown near the end of the fourth quarter. Johnson thrived in limited action in Chicago’s committee approach, but he certainly made the case to be RB1.
DUD: Bears defense
The Bears overhauled the defense this offseason, but it was more of the same against an Aaron Rodgers-less Packers offense. Jordan Love looked confident and poised in the second half against Chicago, where he tore them up to the tune of 245 passing yards and three touchdowns. The Bears also struggled to contain running back Aaron Jones, who totaled 127 yards and a touchdown before exiting with a hamstring injury. There’s plenty to clean up.
DUD: DC Alan Williams
Like his offensive counterpart, Williams had a brutal showing against the Packers. Facing a young, inexperienced quarterback in Love, the Bears failed to blitz him — Williams apparently doesn’t know that blitzes exist — consistently rushing four. Love was comfortable in the pocket and shredded the Bears defense to the tune of 245 yards and three touchdowns. Williams’ seat is already scalding after one game.
DUD: Offensive line
New year, same story with the offensive line. After overhauling the offensive line, they looked like a carbon copy of last year’s unit. Justin Fields was consistently under pressure and the O-line simply couldn’t block. At one point, the entire offensive line was called for a penalty. While the entire unit was abysmal, it was most notably left tackle Braxton Jones, who had three costly penalties, who struggled and didn’t look like a franchise left tackle.
DUD: QB Justin Fields
It was a rough start for Justin Fields, who resembled his 2022 self. He was under constant duress, tried to force things and made some costly mistakes. Fields completed 24-of-37 passes for 216 yards with one touchdown, a fumble and a costly pick-six. He was the team’s leading rusher with 59 yards on nine carries. Fields had just four attempts of 37 past 10 yards, where he went 2-of-4 including a touchdown and interception. Fields has plenty of prove in his third season, and the season opener left fans with more questions than answers about his future in Chicago.
DUD: WR Chase Claypool
Claypool’s struggles from last season continued into the season opener where he was a non-factor against the Packers. Claypool was targeted twice, and he had zero catches — including one drop on a failed screen. He also had a penalty coming to defense of Fields, who took a hit on the sideline early int he game. It’s not the kind of start he wants in a contract year.
STUD: Bears fans
This was a brutal game from start to finish — especially as things escalated and went downhill quickly in the second half. Credit to the dedicated Bears fans who made it through that entire game — especially those in attendance at Soldier Field.
