The biggest and most historic NFL rivalry was renewed for the 2022 season when the Packers hosted the Bears on week two’s edition of Sunday Night Football. The Bears’ defense showed up early. Angelo Blackson tackled Packers running back AJ Dillon for a loss, but Rodgers connected with Aaron Jones for a first down afterward. Besides Rodger’s completion with Jones, Green Bay resorted to the ground game most of the drive. Rodgers tried hitting Allen Lazard in the endzone, but the Bears’ second-round pick, Kyler Gordon, broke it up. Rodgers surveyed the field on 3rd and long but couldn’t see anything before Trevis Gipson smothered him, forcing a field goal. Tresten Ebner returned the Bears’ first kick, bringing it the 30. Luke Getsy’s return to Lambeau Field was beautiful. The Bears started things by pulling some tricks out of the playbook. After what seemed like a Montgomery rush attempt, he flicked it back to Fields for a 30-yard completion too, former Packer, Equanimeous St. Brown. After a couple of Montgomery carries got us inside the 10; Eberflus called a designed rollout for Justin Fields, scoring the first touchdown of the game.
The Packers’ second drive was like their first. Rodgers commanded the field, slowly pushing the offense. That was until Sammy Watkins found separation hauling in a pass to put the Packers in the RedZone. Aaron Jones started the second quarter with a 15-yard carry to the house, reclaiming the Packers’ lead. The Bears’ second drive was very uneventful. Preston Smith hit Justin Fields from behind, jarring the ball loose. After a Bears recovery, Packers nickel Rasul Douglas threaded the needle to tackle Darnell Mooney for a loss of five on a screen. The Bears punted for the first time, putting the Packers on their 40-yard line.
The Packers didn’t capitalize on their starting field position, losing two yards on a three-and-out after Robert Quinn recorded his first sack of the season. Bears fans got to see Pat O’Donnell in green and gold punt a bomb in the endzone. The Bears had another three-and-out, struggling to find any yardage in the passing game. The Packers’ found themselves with second and 28 during their third drive of the half. However, the Bears’ defense couldn’t contain the Packers. Aaron Jones reached the end zone for the second time, bringing the Packers’ lead to 10. The Bears’ streak of offensive spars continued with their third consecutive three-and-out. Aaron Jones continued to torch the defense, bringing the ball into Bears’ territory.
Rodgers rolled out the pocket and found Randell Cobb for the first time, spotting the Packers on the 14. Rodgers hit Lazard on a slant scoring the Packers’ third touchdown of the quarter and extending their lead to three scores. This first half for the Bears was much different than last week. The Bears came out shooting, looking like they may compete well against Green Bay. However, the defense looks tired already and the offense is suffocating. The Bears need to have the same second-half motivation they had against the 49ers last week to get back into this ball game.
