The Green Bay Packers exercised some demons in its win over the Chicago Bears on Oct. 11 at Lambeau Field.
After blowing the last two match-ups against Chicago last season, Green Bay played its most complete game of the season, dominating 31-7 in the league’s biggest rivalry.
With Chicago starting backup quarterback Tyson Bagent, due to starter Caleb Williams out with a hamstring injury, the Packers defense came out of the gates fast and strong. Over the course of the game, the Packers defense recorded four sacks, eight tackles for a loss, nine quarterback hits, two fumble recoveries and three interceptions.
“Man it’s amazing,” said Packers quarterback Jordan Love, on watching the defense’s performance. “It makes it a lot better for our offense obviously. You know, anytime you can keep them out of the end zone, but just to be able to give us the ball back in great field position, it’s amazing. That is a testament to the way they play.”
Giving up seven points was the least amount of points that the Packers have given up since Nov. 23 of last season.
“That was just a terrific performance by them,” Love said.
On the other side of the ball, the Green Bay offense clicked on all cylinders.
Love finished the game completing 25-of-31 passes for 367 yards and two touchdowns. Christian Watson was the leading receiver of the team, taking six receptions for 143 yards and catching both of Love’s touchdowns. Matthew Golden added in another big day, catching six passes for 123 yards. Tucker Kraft chipped in 64 yards on five receptions as well.
In the run game, MarShawn Lloyd led the way, picking up 31 yards and two touchdowns on 10 carries. Kaleb Johnson added another 26 yards on seven carries.
“From a mentality standpoint, we just wanted to be aggressive,” said Packers head coach Matt LaFleur. “We knew we were going to have to score some points and our guys were making plays down the field.”
For Chicago, Bagent finished the game completing 12-of-21 passes for 87 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions. In relief of Bagent, Case Keenum was not much better, completing 11-of-19 passes for 108 yards, no touchdowns and one interception.
Luther Burden was the leading receiver for the Bears, taking four catches for 47 yards. Rome Odunze added 40 yards on three receptions. In the run game, D’Andre Swift recorded 43 yards and a touchdown on nine carries.
Both of Bagent’s interceptions went to Xavier McKinney, while both Dani Dennis-Sutton and Brandon Cisse recorded their first career sacks.
The 24-point victory over the Bears is the biggest for the Packers in the storied rivalry since Nov. 9, 2014, when Green Bay won 55-14, as well as the most points that Green Bay scored against Chicago since it scored 38 on Sept. 10, 2023.
The win for Green Bay now gives the Packers a 110-98-6 advantage in the overall rivalry. More than that, the win boosts Green Bay’s record to 3-2 and gives the team the early tiebreaker over Chicago in playoff scenarios.
“That was a huge win for where we are at in the season,” said Love. “That was definitely a much needed win against an NFC North opponent, so yeah, it was a huge win.”
Green Bay will look to continue its win streak as the Dallas Cowboys come to Lambeau Field next week for Sunday Night Football.
Jordan Love had a record-setting day against the Chicago Bears. (Greg Mellis | Green & Gold Express)
Xavier McKinney pulled down two interceptions, giving him three on the season. (Greg Mellis | Green & Gold Express)
Matthew Golden hauled in six catches on seven targets for a career-high 123 receiving yards (20.5 yards per reception). (Greg Mellis | Green & Gold Express)
