New year, new Quarterback, same ‘ol Bears. It shouldn’t come as a shock that the NFL’s worst team in 2022, got worse over the off-season, ended up getting…worse. While Chicago isn’t great, despite what their fan base chirped about for months, the Packers did what they were supposed to do, as did Jordan Love. Love ran the offense, not perfectly, but executed well enough to put up 31 points. What separated Love’s performance from a-manyd expectations, was his production on money downs (3rd & 4th downs). Love was a perfect 158.3 QB rating on those downs, and that was the difference in the entire game.

Following the 1st drive, where the Packers scored a touchdown on 11 plays, they went to running backs 7 (63.6%) of those plays. On drive 2, 3, and 4 of the game, the Packers got away from the rushing attack, running 12 plays only accruing 33 yards. Green Bay ended up sticking with the rush attack, even though it didn’t produce a ton. Of the 60 plays Green Bay ran in the game, the Packers rushed it 32 (53%) times, which is a great balance. By doing so, the Packers only had 92 yards on the ground, for a measley average of 2.9 yards/rush, but they controlled the game throughout, and it opened the passing game for Jordan Love. Jones and Dillon combined for 26 touches and 163 total yards (6.3 yards/touch), with 2 touchdowns. It was mostly Showtime’s production, but continuing to feed the running backs is the name of the game for the Packers, should they want to be successful this year.

In addition to Love, Jones, and the offense doing its part – Quay Walker and the defense brought their lunch pail too. The D gave up 20 points, took it away twice, and scored on the lone interception of the ballgame. The Packers controlled the line of scrimmage, which dictated the outcome of the game. Keep that up all year and this team could be dangerous.

Has Atlanta Rebuilt to a Contender?

Now Green Bay travels to one of the coolest stadiums in the NFL, Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Located in the heart of downtown Atlanta, it does have the new field turf, which has (correctly) received much backlash for the Aaron Rodgers achilles injury, as well as the huge uptick in injuries occurring on that type of field.

The Falcons are a different team than Chicago, and they’re a bit better. Atlanta did, however, give up 154 yards rushing which Green Bay should capitalize on with their likely-continued ground attack. Look for the offense to run (pun intended) through Showtime (Aaron Jones) and to make things easier – again – for Jordan Love in the passing game. This is the best recipe for any QB at any level; balance.

There are a few players to watch when Atlanta rocks their throwbacks…uber-athletic TE Kyle Pitts (#8), the highest-drafted running back since Saquon Barkley, Bijan Robinson (#7), and WR Drake London (#5).

The Packers should benefit from MLB Quay Walker passing concussion protocol and being available to help cover all 3 of these guys – especially Bijon and Pitts. Should Green Bay generate pressure and get QB Desmond Ridder to rush a few throws and believe he’s under more duress during the game than he actually is, while that’s great to get vs. all opposing QBs, he really seems to struggle and it could create a looooong day in Hotlanta.

Packers 27 (+1.5)
Falcons 24

Season: 1-0
Overall: 88-52