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.
An instant analysis and recap of the Packers’ season-opening win over the Bears:
Final score: Packers 38, Bears 20
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...
…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
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
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
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
35-yard TOUCHDOWN! 🙌#GBvsCHI | #GoPackGo
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/PWnVHFnfk9
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) September 10, 2023
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
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
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.
