Packers Vs. Bears: First Impressions
No Bryan Bulaga. No David Bakhtiari. No worries.
The Packers ran it with Ty Montgomery for five of their first six play calls. Clearly trying to establish a run game with shifting personnel.
Clay Matthews is officially the Green Bay Packers' all-time sack leader with 75, moving past Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila.
The point of emphasis tonight was the quick passing game, and Randall Cobb was going to be on the receiving end of that. Quick guy, quick routes, quick release for Aaron Rodgers, and it's showing up tonight.
The Packers are lucky they got Kentrell Brice back tonight, because with Josh Jones out, he can easily slip back into his usual nitro spot.
Lightning delay after the first quarter.
I'm not saying some rain will make the Bears' ball security better after they've already fumbled twice, but...
Ty Montgomery apparently suffered broken ribs on the first play of the game... He carried the ball five times on the Packers' first drive, likely worsening his injury. Not very smart.
The Packers may have to hinge greatly on the passing game now with no Montgomery, now Jamaal Williams is hurt. It's the Aaron Jones and Aaron Ripkowski Show.
I'm not officially on the "Get Rid of Damarious Randall" train, but Christ, seems like he's giving up some kind of big play every week.
I like Josh Hawkins. Not sure if I've made that clear to you all yet after writing 538 articles on him.
Davante Adams' touchdown was called back on one play due to Justin McCray's holding call, and on the next, he's leaving Lambeau Field on a gurney. What an awful turn of events.
Danny Trevathan should've been ejected -- but he wasn't. The next-best hope is that he'll be suspended, because his hit on Adams was absolutely unnecessary and disgusting.
I get the rivalry aspect of this game, but at the end of the day, that's all it is: a game. No player should ever be hit the way Adams was.
Jordy Nelson has 10 receiving touchdowns in his last nine regular season games dating back to last season. He's basically just a machine.
Both Clay Matthews and Blake Martinez are quietly having a fantastic start to the season.
The Packers get the win, but it's truly the last thing any fan may be worried about right now with Adams en route to the hospital. Packers did announce he had movement and feeling in all of his extremities.
__________________________
Zachary Jacobson is a staff writer/reporter for Cheesehead TV. He's the voice of The Leap on iTunes and can be heard on The Scoop KLGR 1490 AM every Saturday morning. He's also a contributor on the Pack-A-Day Podcast. He can be found on Twitter via @ZachAJacobson or contacted through email at [email protected].
Comments (51)
EdsLaces
September 28, 2017 at 11:28 pm
Danny T. you are in fact worthless.
HankScorpio
September 28, 2017 at 11:45 pm
I hope #12 is circling the Nov 12 rematch on his calendar for the opportunity to demonstrate to Trevathon just how worthless.
dobber
September 29, 2017 at 07:17 am
...and to think how many people were clamoring for him to be signed by the Packers two years ago? Congrats, Mr. Travathan. May you rot in football hell.
If the league is serious in any way about player safety, they won't need to look at that play more than once to know they need to give him a 6-8 week unpaid vacation.
jeremyjjbrown
September 28, 2017 at 11:31 pm
It's tiresome to hear the NFL play lip service to player safety and then watch the refs fail to protect players in a totally irresponsible manner.
That said, the Packers are really ,really good at the short passing game. I hope they keep using it when the Tackles come back.
HankScorpio
September 29, 2017 at 07:31 am
Beyond that, it's tiresome to hear defensive coaches pay lip service to good tackling technique and then consistently allow their players to take their eyes off their target to use their helmet to inflict pain. It's supposed to be a game. The objective of the defense in the game is tackling opposing ball carriers. Head down tackles are less likely to meet that objective but more likely to inflict injury. So what are defensive coaches really teaching?
RobinsonDavis
September 28, 2017 at 11:39 pm
So, besides Adams (Get well soon, Davante!), if I count right, we have Thomas, Montgomery, & Williams leave and not return. Wonder who is going on IR this week?
croatpackfan
September 29, 2017 at 04:44 am
Probably Adams, Thomas and Williams. Mongomery will be back in 4 weeks...
Since'61
September 28, 2017 at 11:44 pm
Packers were dominant on both sides of the ball. Love getting 4 turnovers. Rodgers was very efficient. Packers defense basically stuffed and stomped the Bears offense.
Good to see Hawkins replace Randall after Randall let the Bears receiver run away from him on the Bears first TD. Great to see Josh Jones come back into the game and make some plays. Make shift OL got the job done and some valuable experience as well. Wouldn't mind seeing Hawkins and King as starting corners even when House is healthy.
Trevathan should have been ejected. Fortunately it sounds like Davante is doing OK. Get some rest and get healthy guys. Go Pack Go! Thanks, Since '61
HankScorpio
September 29, 2017 at 06:31 am
I would not say the Packers were dominant on both sides of the ball. A look at the game stats suggests a defensive struggle and a very close game. The Bears had slight edges in run yards, pass yards and T.o.P but neither team was all that impressive with those stats. The Packers did slightly better on 3rd down at 50% to 41%. The Bears had better average per pass and the Packers better per rush--both with numbers that were less than eye-popping.
Make that save one stat--turnovers. The Packer dominated that one, 4-0.
On the field, the score was such that Hundley got in to replace Rodgers mid-way through the 4th. That's always a nice sight.
It all goes back to a CHTV article from earlier this week. Turnover margin is everything in the NFL. Win the battles of turnovers in a given week, you're likely to win the game. Win that battle consistently and you're a playoff team. That's what separates Rodgers from other NFL QBs...he understands that above all else, he must take care of the football. I think watching Favre for three years take a more cavalier attitude toward that NFL truism was the best teaching tool possible.
dobber
September 29, 2017 at 07:19 am
Yep. The TOs staked the Packers to short fields on more than one occasion, and then to a big lead that they could protect. It's hard to say what the stats would've looked like if the game was 10-7 at half.
porupack
September 29, 2017 at 07:22 am
I didn't see packers being dominant. They got fortuitous bounce on one fumble. Got 2 INTs from an inconsistent QB Glennon. Yes, Matthews's play contributed to the defense's honor. But without those turnovers, the Bears at times were gaining big chunks on the ground (6 and 8 yards). That is unacceptable especially when it is late and Bears were giving up, and decidedly running the ball. Packers couldn't stop it. I get that packers just wanted to run out the clock and avoid big pass plays....but the front 7 still has to beat their man.
Other times, Glennon looked like Matt Ryan getting big chunks of 10-12 yards passing.
Until the defense can shut down the opposing offense (especially a mediocre offense) at will, this is not a dominant defense by any means. The "bend but don't break' label is going to continue to stick.
dobber
September 29, 2017 at 07:29 am
There's nothing wrong with 'bend but don't break' so long as you're scoring TDs and generating TOs. Hopefully last night was a step in that direction.
Since'61
September 29, 2017 at 08:23 am
Dobber - exactly! The Packers moved the ball at will, capitalized on the turnovers and short field opportunities. Yes, the Bears had a drive and scored a TD during garbage time but that means nothing.
I was more concerned about the TD the Bears scored at the end of the first half. But the Packers adjusted to that by replacing Randall with Hawkins. If Jordy doesn't drop the slant pass from Rodgers on the Packers last first half possession the Packers probably run out the half and go in 21-0 at the half.
The Bears literally did nothing against the Packers until their meaningless TD in garbage time. And the Bears needed to go on a 4th down and make it to keep that drive alive.
Yardage and TOP stats are meaningless. TDs, turnovers, and most importantly points for and against are the only stats that matter. The Packers had less yards because they needed less yards to score.
Thanks, Since '61
JDK52
September 28, 2017 at 11:44 pm
I almost threw my phone at the TV after Trevathan's hit on Adams. Praying he recovers fully!
Gotta say, Aaron Jones has some juice. He was fun to watch. Hawkins appears to be an upgrade over Randall.
Here we are at the end of September sitting at 3-1. I'd be much happier with that were it not for the injury cost. Bittersweet to say the least!
ottscay
September 28, 2017 at 11:46 pm
I don't know if I've ever been as shaken watching a hit as the one that knocked Devante out of the game. Absolutely pointless and vindictive. I would have loved the rest of the game (the other injuries were obviously bad but they weren't dirty), but it really puts the game into perspective when someone's health is pointlessly jeopardized like that. I hope he's OK.
Since'61
September 29, 2017 at 08:29 am
ottscay - yes, that was hard to watch. But there were a number of times when a Bears player led with their helmut during that game. Also, there were a few illegal crack back blocks not called by the officials. One on Dix during the Bears 4th quarter TD drive without which Dix makes the play and probably stops that drive. I thought the Bears played dirty throughout the game. Thanks, Since '61
Gman1976
September 28, 2017 at 11:54 pm
Question: What was Davante Adams scooping for the other players after he scored his touchdown?
That’sWhatCheesehead
September 29, 2017 at 12:18 am
The only thing I could think of was that the Pack was servin' it up on a platter.
CAG123
September 28, 2017 at 11:55 pm
This is the kind of win I felt they needed just not at the price paid wishing Adams a speedy and safe recovery. That play was just so Bears rather then play harder Danny Travathan ol frog faced a** decided to cheap shot. Here's to a good ol Bear beat down and the series lead.
#PrayforTe
Otto
September 28, 2017 at 11:57 pm
2 terrible calls:
Not throwing Trevathan out of the game.
The running into the punter non-call.
Nice game refs.
Flow49
September 29, 2017 at 12:03 am
Prayers with Adams for a full recovery. Awful and disgusting play by Trevathan. My bears friends were calling for his ejection as well that should tell you all you need to know. I liked this Oline pairing much better than the last ones. Not perfect but better. Jordy still continues to amaze! Jones needs more touches he has burst, speed and vision. Williams hasn't shown me much to expect anything yet. Go Pack!
Flow49
September 29, 2017 at 12:05 am
Also it was nice to see the new signal caller for the Bears protect the tradition of getting #21 some touches!!
Fire_Gute
September 29, 2017 at 07:46 am
Same old Jay lol
stockholder
September 29, 2017 at 12:07 am
The offensive line was great. What a patch job. Hard work paid off tonight. Jordy Nelson was so open.!
fthisJack
September 29, 2017 at 07:57 am
weren't u bichin about 5th round OL men yesterday when they could have kept Sitton? what a hypocrite.
Lane and Patrick had a great game on the left side protecting Rodgers backside!
stockholder
September 29, 2017 at 01:02 pm
No - I bitched when Sitton was released. Not a way to go to the super-bowl. #2 . It seems you have this confused with a prediction. My prediction was based on the OL play this year. The OTs directly. The Sacks, INTs. And A-rod was going to get a concussion because of it. I thought it was the best patch since Trotter. Really NICE JOB. Glad the packers won and everyone is happy.
Mojo
September 29, 2017 at 12:31 am
The key to the game was ARod bought in to the short passing game with the patched-up o-line. The Bears rarely had a chance to put a lick on him. Smart - exactly what he need to do.
It didn't hurt that the Bears turned it over 4 times, either killing drives or giving the Pack a short field.
Ty is just too fragile to play RB. I'm not big into the injury prone label, but in his brief running back career he's had a very difficult time staying on the field. Aaron Jones looks like he has a little bit of wiggle and after T-Mo appears to be their best RB. Would like to see what Mays can do. Got a feeling it will happen against Dallas.
D was OK, but I didn't like that Chicago basically telegraphed they were going to run in garbage time yet we couldn't stop them.
3 and 1 with 10 days before the next game is about the best we could hope for. Wish one of the three was against Atlanta, but I'll take a win over Chicago and ta da - the lead in the all-time series. Finally.
Bearmeat
September 29, 2017 at 06:32 am
The late running didn't bother me. Sucked that clock - just get the game over.
dobber
September 29, 2017 at 07:23 am
I don't think of contact injuries like broken bones as being player fragility. I tend to point to the soft-tissue stuff, non-contact injuries, and nagging sprains as signs of fragility. That said, I tend to see #88 as being susceptible, but the sample size is still pretty small.
tm_inter
September 29, 2017 at 05:16 am
Damarious Randall was two yards away from the Bears' receiver who caught TD pass in the endzone. Randall should be demoted to No. 6th CB behind Lenzy Pipkins. Wasn't Randall supposed to be speedy? What was his excuse this time for his extremely poor coverage?
HankScorpio
September 29, 2017 at 06:34 am
That was a real head-scratcher. How did he get beat so badly so quickly? He looked like he was jogging.
porupack
September 29, 2017 at 07:11 am
I think we've seen enough of what Damarius Randall is, and he should be on bench, and released by end of season.
Fire_Gute
September 29, 2017 at 07:50 am
I could see him getting the Ahmad Carroll by the end of the week
fthisJack
September 29, 2017 at 08:01 am
he was waaay slow to react to the receiver crossing in front of him....almost like he didn't realize it was his guy until he was 5 yards past him.
dobber
September 29, 2017 at 08:06 am
I suspect he's bought himself a permanent role on ST and limited defensive snaps.
Packer_Pete
September 29, 2017 at 05:36 am
The whole week I heard how good the Bears are, and how the Packer will lose. I posted 'stop their run game and you stop that team', and 'they have Mike Glennon at QB and not a legitimate NFL WR on the roster'. Turns out I was right on all counts.
That hit was disgusting. If one isn't thrown out for that, what does one have to do? But I remember, lots of people wanted to see Travathan in Packers uniform when he was available....
NickPerry
September 29, 2017 at 06:27 am
First and foremost my prayers go out to Davante Adams. That hit made me sick, not just because it was put on a Packers player, but because it was so damn dirty. I know 2 wrongs don't make a right but the thoughts floating around in my head on how I'd like to see Trevation handled ain't pretty.
That referee crew was absolutely terrible last night. There were some questionable calls last night including the holding call on McCray. Adams SHOULD have been back on the bench celebrating his TD catch. Instead he was being carted off the field. The call on the punt was as bad as I've seen in a long time. They weren't close to deflecting the ball.
Been saying it for over a year, Randall is an absolutely terrible. True to form from last year Randall throws up his hands and turns to his teammates as if to say "It's YOUR Fault" after the TD play. After the play he's pouting and sitting away from his teammates to further make his point. The guy's a bust and what's worst the Packers keep playing him. Sit his ass, heck don't even dress him against Dallas, maybe longer. He can't be trusted in the secondary at any point.
Too bad about Monty and Williams but I'm excited about Aaron Jones. He showed more than Williams has at any point IMO. I think the Packers have found themselves another RB!
Happy as hell to see Josh Jones come back on the field. Nance and Romo never mentioned it but I saw where Jones head was jammed back on the fumble recovery by Martinez and it wasn't pretty. I was REALLY concerned when I saw him going to the locker room.
Rest up and get healthy!
HankScorpio
September 29, 2017 at 06:42 am
"I know 2 wrongs don't make a right but the thoughts floating around in my head on how I'd like to see Trevation handled ain't pretty."
Exactly my thoughts as well. On the one hand, a healthy Adams (fingers crossed) delivering a blind-side crack back squarely on Trevathan's knee would be a certain amount of poetic justice. On the other hand, it would be the same cheap BS that has me fairly worked up right now.
In the end, I prefer humiliating the Bears on November 12 by running up a ridiculous score.
NickPerry
September 29, 2017 at 07:03 am
I'd prefer the same thing at the end of the day but I'd bet my last dollar several Packers players have already circled November 12th on the calendar. A 55-10 win just like a few years ago would be fitting.
dobber
September 29, 2017 at 07:27 am
I understand the frustration of playing on a losing team. I've played on plenty. But don't potentially take away a man's livelihood out of frustration.
Trevathan knew exactly what he was doing and if he wants to claim that he was trying to "knock the ball loose" from a guy stood up by his teammates, we need to ask him when the last time was he played with a football painted yellow with a big "G" on the side.
stockholder
September 29, 2017 at 01:40 pm
Randall- You can't bench a TT draft pick. That won't happen. He'll succeed somewhere in this defense.
Finwiz
September 29, 2017 at 03:21 pm
Not if he left the bench without permission.
This could be over very quickly, and they won't miss much if it is.
Just heard that Ian Rappaport reported a fight/argument on the sidelines between coach and Randall after he was benched, and he was sent to the locker room. He got in his car and left the stadium, not there for the entire 2nd half.
I'd say old 23 is gone from the Packers within the next few days. This guy got the complete zap put on his brain, and he's completely lost it mentally. Talk about a wasted draft choice, when they certainly could have used someone productive at that point, with top draft talent so scarce with the position they draft in year after year.
NickPerry
September 29, 2017 at 03:42 pm
Just think what Eric Kendricks or Malcom Brown would/could have added to this defense. BOTH players were selected after Randall. That draft class keeps getting uglier and uglier
Bearmeat
September 29, 2017 at 06:45 am
3-1 is something to be proud of with all these injuries, but we need to get healthy. Not going to be able to handle Dallas in Dallas unless we've got our A game players out there.
RCPackerFan
September 29, 2017 at 07:18 am
3-1 and winning 2 of those games without your starting OT's, and best defensive player.
The Dallas game we have to have our OT's back, and Daniels back.
Hopefully House will be able to play again. This mini bye is definitely needed.
dobber
September 29, 2017 at 07:28 am
With this script it could be SO much worse at this point. 3-1 is pretty good.
Gforcetrivers
September 29, 2017 at 08:01 am
The ref said he didnt see it well enough to eject him. ??? Isn't an unconscious player laying lifeless enough?
Funcrusher
September 29, 2017 at 08:28 am
Wish McCarthy wouldn't need to have his top four tackles out for him to switch to a shorter passing game. The offense is better when Rodgers is getting the ball out of his hand quick. They move the ball and eventually the bigger plays open up down field. Bears have a pretty good defense, and tonight the Packers offense made it look easy.
Spock
September 29, 2017 at 09:03 am
As others have posted it took the enjoyment of watching the rest of the game away after that vicious hit. My mind kept going back to Adams. Hope he is alright and can keep playing football (full movement is good, but who knows what happened to his neck) as that is his career and he's still on his rookie contract. How the refs could not see the roughing the kicker and make a non-call is beyond me. I still can't believe they didn't eject Adam's hitter; that was one of the most blatant dirty hits I've ever seen. Glad the Packers got a convincing win, even gladder they have ten days until the next game. Yikes, but this has been a snake bit team to start the year. Wish Adams all the best.
4thand10
September 29, 2017 at 11:44 am
First....prayers to Adams and hope for a speedy recovery.
Secondly , I'm glad I was wrong on several fronts. I had seen 3 DL more than once and without Mike Daniels they limited the run game. Williams prior to injury even though it didn't look like much was moving the pile. Aaron Jones is making me a fan of him.
I have been super impressed with our punter this year.
Is it just me or has officiating just been horrible across the board this year. Almost reminds me of the year we had collegiate refs filling in.
Cartwright
October 01, 2017 at 11:07 pm
Would like to have seen some Packer take Travthian's helmet off and Nick Perry coming over and clubing him with his new hand. Maybe next game.