Packers and Bears meet again to kick off the NFL’s 100th season
The Packers open their season at Soldier Field vs the Chicago Bears as the NFL celebrates its 100th season.
The NFL broke with their recent tradition of having the prior season’s Super Bowl Champion host the first game of the season and the early rumors of having the Packers and Bears square off in the opening game of their 100th season came true.
For once, the Packers were the ones that made quite a few significant changes, both on the roster and the coaching staff. In recent years, it always seemed like the Bears were the ones making a major change somewhere in their organization. I will expand on this a bit later.
QB Mitch Trubisky has had some ups and downs during his first two seasons in the league. It helps that he has one of the best defenses in the league backing him up. The Packers need to make him uncomfortable all night. It’s time for this defense to once again force turnovers, something they didn’t do a great job of these last few seasons.
The last time Aaron Rodgers played in an actual game was in December. I heard arguments on both sides whether getting snaps during the preseason is vital or not. We may get our answer on Thursday. Aaron Jones and the running game will need to do something if the Packers are to have success on offense. I also think that a receiver or tight end other than Davante Adams will have to come up big for the Packers to win this game. Most of us will get our first real look at the offense that Head Coach Matt LaFleur installed during this past offseason.
We can also never forget about special teams and the impact it can have on the game. The Bears and their fans know all about this as their kicker from last season, Cody Parkey, is gone. The phrase “double doink” entered the NFL lexicon after Parkey’s missed FG that cost them a playoff victory over the Philadelphia Eagles last January. I think field position will be huge in this game as it often is.
For the first time since 2006, the Packers start their season with a new head coach. They also added some significant pieces on defense with the signings of Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith as well as Adrian Amos. Amos was on the Bears last year and now Chicago has former Packer safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix. It all adds some extra juice to an already intense rivalry.
We all remember how the Packers started last season. Aaron Rodgers got injured vs the Bears in their opening game on a Sunday night. He then returned in the second half to rally the Packers to a 24-23 victory over the Bears. Unfortunately, both teams went in different directions after that game. The Bears feel good about their chances this season while the Packers have a lot of talent on paper but many questions to answer.
The Packers have missed the playoffs the past two seasons and have experienced a lot of heartbreak along the way. They now have a chance for a fresh start with a new coach and a new direction. What better way to get the journey started than with a Thursday night win at Soldier Field?
I know it’s not how you start but how you finish. However, the Packers have a chance to make a huge statement with a win at Chicago on a night when the NFL celebrates its 100th season. I think the game will be very competitive and that it won’t be decided until late in the fourth quarter. I have confidence that the Packers will rise to the occasion and get this season started on a positive note. Let’s get this win and keep going from there!
Go Pack Go!
@DieHardPackrFan #DHPF #GregGoshaw @gg901
