The Green Bay Packers had a bounce back game against the Chicago Bears in week two. It was a much needed win for the Packers after a horrible week one against the Minnesota Vikings. This game against the Bears showed how the Packers are going to play this season until the young receivers are able to get on the same page as Aaron Rodgers. Even when they do, this will still be the formula for success for the Packers this season.
What stood out on offense for the Packers was the way they used Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon. Both running backs had a great game against the Bears. Aaron Jones had 15 carries for 132 yards and a touchdown, while also having 3 catches for 38 yards and a touchdown. Jones had a phenomenal game and the Packers will need him to keep having these types of games early in the season. AJ Dillon also had a big game. Dillon had 18 carries for 61 yards, but the stats don’t really show the impact that he had on this game. Dillon was a great runner, but also was a great blocker. On several runs by Jones, Dillon would be the lead blocker and really clear the way. This is the first time for the Packers with Aaron Rodgers at quarterback where the run game will be the focal point of the offense. Green Bay’s offense has always been to rely on Rodgers to make amazing throws. With the receiving core being the worst it has been since Rodgers took over as the starting quarterback in 2008, this offense will be centered around Jones and Dillon. The Packers need these two running backs to play well this season or this offense won’t be very successful.
The defense was under a lot of scrutiny after the week one loss to the Vikings. The secondary was getting torched the entire day by Justin Jefferson. In week two against the Bears, this defense really responded well to all the adversity. They were able to hold Justin Fields to 70 yards passing and Jaire Alexander was able to pick him off once too. The Bears went down and scored pretty easily on that opening drive. After that, the Bears had no success at all and were only able to only get three points the rest of the game. The defense has a ton of talent and is going to need to step up, especially early in the season.
This Packers team is a lot different from what we are used to. We have been spoiled by Aaron Rodgers and these great receivers in the past. Although this offense won’t be as flashy, they could definitely find some success, just in a different way. Running the ball and setting up play action is how this offense is going to be with no true number one wide receiver. If the Packers are able to run the ball and play great defense, the sky’s the limit for this team.
