The Green Bay Packers defeated the Chicago Bears on Sunday night, 24-23, concluding the NFL's first full Sunday of action.
PFF's ReFocused series this season features immediate takeaways and a key to the victory from two Senior Analysts who graded the performance, watching every player, on every play of the game. For more data and analysis from the game, utilize our Premium Stats 2.0 dashboard to expand your knowledge on the key players, signature stats and much more.
FINAL SCORE
Green Bay Packers 24, Chicago Bears 23
Analyst Takeaways
For most of the first half, the Bears used a lot of short passes and outside runs to get their skill players in position to make defenders miss. By doing so, they managed to move the ball and establish a rhythm.
Running back Jordan Howard used his patience and vision to hit the holes the Bears offensive line opened up. The biggest concern over his career has been his inability to catch, however against the Packers, he was a factor as a receiver, catching five passes.
Edge defender Khalil Mack was dominant at times, especially in the first half when he recorded several pressures, topping it off with a strip sack fumble and interception return for a touchdown.
The Bears secondary played well most of the night but breakdowns in the second half doomed them. Green Bay had scoring plays of 39 and 75 yards in the second half.
After struggling a bit early then going down with an injury, quarterback Aaron Rodgers orchestrated a marvelous comeback. He caught fire when he returned to the game, throwing three touchdowns and leading the Packers to an exciting win.
The trio of Davante Adams, Randall Cobb, and Geronimo Allison combined for more than 270 receiving yards as the Bears struggled to contain the passing game in the second half. The Packers scramble routes put tons of pressure on opposing secondaries and Chicago fell victim tonight.
Interior defensive linemen Mike Daniels was a force in the run game, making multiple tackles for a short gain.
Cornerback Jaire Alexander had a couple of key defensive plays, including knocking down the fourth-down pass (later converted from a roughing the pass penalty) against wide receiver Taylor Gabriel.
Key to the game
Bears: The Bears played a near-perfect first half which gave them a chance to win the game, however, it was not to be as multiple errors and a dropped interception cost the Bears late.
Packers: Aaron Rodgers and his trio of receivers caught fire in the second half, while breakdowns in coverage and big plays led to a Bears loss.
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