Game 1: Packers at Bears - 7:20 - NBC

[Ron Swanson]

Really have a good chance to take an early division lead beating the Queens next week and having 5 of our next 6 at home.

[Kerb Hohl]

One of the things I was watching most was going to be how LaFleur handled risk of downs/time. McCarthy notoriously would play it pretty safe...he got the memo on going for it on 4th down late in his tenure but did it in the wrong situations a lot.

As luck would have it, we had 3 major tests in game one. He played them all relatively MM-ish BUT I think the matchup was huge in this.

-The punt before half: This one was very obvious to me. More time on the clock or against a better QB, yes, you can go for it on 4th there with the risk of giving the other team points. But you're punting to Trubisky and pretty much assuring them 0 points there. 55 seconds and 2 timeouts and punting to Mahomes makes no difference because he's gonna score from his own 10 or his own 45. But the Bears were going to roll over there before half. This is the one where I am most confident that it was the right call...it is stupid to risk giving the Bears points there trying to convert against a top defense.

-Playing somewhat conservatively on the plays leading up and kicking the FG late: I think with less time on the clock I'd have gone for it on 4th down before our final FG. The Bears were assuredly going to go for 2 if they scored but it wasn't a "get this first down and the game is basically over" situation yet. There's a chance you get that 1st down, still have to kick a FG, and still give it to the Bears with 3 minutes and 2 timeouts. A little concerned about the limp runs they ran leading up to the FG.

-The final clock draining possession: This one is funny because the casual fans probably lost their **** when they threw the ball but that is something that one wants to see. If Rodgers throws it better, the game is potentially over. That said, a little concerning that they ran some meek runs into the line of scrimmage BUT once again, in 90% of other games I'm aggressive there...against Trubisky the way he's playing, if I can drain the Bears out of timeouts and make him drive 80 yards in 1:30 with 1 or 0 TOs, I'm good with it.

In summary: I am a little bit concerned in the aggressiveness in trying to put away games but it's inconclusive because now we have a defense potentially and the matchup played a role. If we're in a shootout in Atlanta or something and LaFleur runs it 3 times to punt to Matt Ryan with a 38-35 late lead, I will riot.

[crkone]

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Gary sighting.

[WeekapaugGroove]

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Pack didn't rotate their D much last night. Probably a combo of being game 1 with a nice break after this game before week 2. Also helps that the bears didn't sustain long drives so guys weren't out their too many snaps in a row.

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[PintSizedBox10]

It's amazing having two competent edge rushers. Makes a world of difference for your defense.

Just heard on my podcast here that the Smith duo had 2.5 sacks in about 110 combined snaps last night.

Perry and Matthews had 5 sacks in 1000 combined snaps

[tski1972]

anyone else getting a Sean Jones vibe from Preston Smith?

[jimmybones]

Coming in to the game the season the things I were most excited about were front 7 - specifically edge rushers, and improved safety play. The Bears offense sucks yeah, but that defense was living in their backfield and it was beautiful. The last play was a prime example of what excites me, Z. Smith on the line and P. Smith standing up on the same side and they stunt and both get there.

[Mags FTW]

Someone just called The Score and asked if the Bears did poorly on offense because they have too many talented guys and Nagy is trying to make sure everyone gets their touches.

[Ron Swanson]

Has anyone posted the video of Kenny Clark absolutely cooking that poor Chicago guard to break up that 3rd & 1 play? Reggie White-esque.

[leroyjw10]

Our defense did look good but the Bears offense.... Abysmal. We'll see how they look against Denver next week.

But a sweet win nevertheless. TGIF

That is the question that'll be answered over the next few weeks. Did the Bears offense look abysmal because of the Packers defense? Or did the Packers defense look awesome because the Bears offense is absymal?

I lean more toward the Packers defense being awesome.

[WeekapaugGroove]

Our defense did look good but the Bears offense.... Abysmal. We'll see how they look against Denver next week.

But a sweet win nevertheless. TGIF

That is the question that'll be answered over the next few weeks. Did the Bears offense look abysmal because of the Packers defense? Or did the Packers defense look awesome because the Bears offense is absymal?

I lean more toward the Packers defense being awesome.

It's both. You can't really shut down the really good Os and some of last night was on Mitch.

But this D looks big and fast and like it will bother a lot of teams.

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[jimmybones]

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Gary sighting.

Trubisky sucks so it feels weird to defend him but I'm not sure what that guy is seeing. Pressure didn't allow him to step into the throw and the coverage was tight.

[LikeABosh]

Is Josh Jackson hurt?

[JimmyTheKid]

This 10-3 win is more satisfying and more promising than something like a 30-23 win would be. Defense looks so much better. Not just the results of giving up 3 points. There was pressure on the QB all game long. Defenders flying to the ball, quickly. Not a lot of coverage breakdowns where receivers are somehow wide open. Solid run D. I know it's just one game and I shouldn't be, but I'm more confident in our D than I've been for a long time. Maybe the back end of 2014, or the 2009 SB year, then like 1997 before that.

Bears have a tough schedule on paper. @Broncos (and Vic Fangio) next week, later the Saints, Chargers, @Eagles, @Rams, Cowboys, Chiefs, @GB in Dec, @Min in the final week.

Truth! The offense will come around. Excite.

[RRyder823]

Someone just called The Score and asked if the Bears did poorly on offense because they have too many talented guys and Nagy is trying to make sure everyone gets their touches.

Well those mental gymnastics should be good enough for the gold

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[GBPackers47]

Our defense did look good but the Bears offense.... Abysmal. We'll see how they look against Denver next week.

But a sweet win nevertheless. TGIF

That is the question that'll be answered over the next few weeks. Did the Bears offense look abysmal because of the Packers defense? Or did the Packers defense look awesome because the Bears offense is absymal?

I lean more toward the Packers defense being awesome.

Packers defense was awesome.

Watch highlights from Week 1 last year.

[crkone]

Where's the Vikings lead-up thread?

[WeekapaugGroove]

Is Josh Jackson hurt?

He was to start camp and Im sure that didn't help him but I think he's simply 5th in the CB depth chart right now. Brown has beat him out for the time being at least.

CBs always seem to get hurt so they'll need him eventually.

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[DigitalFool]

Trubisky sucks so it feels weird to defend him but I'm not sure what that guy is seeing. Pressure didn't allow him to step into the throw and the coverage was tight.

He doesn't go through his progressions. He kind of locks in to a route and stares it down. That's how the INT happened. He has the physical abilities, but his QB smarts will forever keep him in the bottom 1/3 of starting quarterbacks. Good for us!

[emunney]

anyone else getting a Sean Jones vibe from Preston Smith?

A little bit! Has that lanky long-strider thing going on. Really like how different the Smiths are from each other stylistically.