Packers face significant challenges in Week 1 vs. Bears

The Green Bay Packers will face significant challenges when playing the Chicago Bears in Week 1.

That might not be the most uplifting statement before the game, yes, but one that must be addressed.

In my opinion, there are three factors that must be recognized before we declare defeat as impossible, especially with a schedule where every win matters more than ever.

Khalil Mack

The headline that once read “Mack and Cheese” now bears bad news.

On September 1 it was reported the Oakland Raiders had traded the former Defensive Player of the Year to the Chicago Bears for two first-round draft picks.

The addition of Khalil Mack will not only boost the Bears defense, but also provide them with a mentor for the younger players. In other words, Aaron Rodgers must be ready to get hit from both sides.

When we add Rodgers’ injury from last season into the equation, things become more complicated. The last thing Packers fans want to see in Rodgers get injured again this season.

Matt Nagy

Matt Nagy was named the Bears head coach shortly after the end of the last season. Nagy was the offensive coordinator for a highly successful Kansas City Chiefs team, with a lineup boasting names such as Kareem Hunt, Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill.

Additionally, because of Nagy’s novelty, it becomes much tougher to judge exactly what the Bears will be coming with. Without film of Nagy’s schemes with the Bears, Green Bay loses one of this biggest advantages heading into Week 1.

Yet, just about 200 miles away the coaching staff in Chicago have all the film they could ever dream of at their fingertips.

Aaron Jones

Aaron Jones played brilliantly last year, alongside Ty Montgomery and Jamaal Williams, as one of Green Bay’s most prominent running backs.

He averaged 5.5 yards per carry last year, a statistic that only elevates its importance after Mike McCarthy stressed that he would like to see the running backs avoid fancy moves, but rather stick their feet in the ground and push out 4-5 yards.

His presence will be missed in Week 1, especially since the running backs must be on their A-game to deal with the refurbished Bears defense.

Jake Ryan

Linebacker Jake Ryan suffered a season-ending injury after tearing the ACL in his right knee. He was a  player that was expected to play a big role in 2018.

His absence should ease tensions off Mitchell Trubisky, and based on how confident the Bears coaching staff seems about him, a few extra seconds off the young quarterbacks shoulders won’t be a good sign.

Josh Jones

Rookie safety Josh Jones is one of those guys the Packers hoped would undergo “the second-year leap”. After suffering an ankle injury, Jones has been ruled out of Sunday’s game. His speed and agility will be missed dearly against players such as Trey Burton and Allen Robinson.

Oren Burks

Rookie linebacker Oren Burks, a third-round pick back in April, is one that carries high expectations upon his shoulders. Since Jones will be out, eyes would have turned to Burks, with his high football IQ and quickness.

Yet, seeing number 42 on the field is questionable as well. Burks suffered a shoulder injury before the third preseason game with the Oakland Raiders, and has not been given the heads up to play since then.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, the expectations that the Green Bay Packers have this season won’t die down. However, when they lose such important pieces, the overall momentum and confidence is subtracted.

And when the opponent adds such crucial pieces, things start to add up, stacking up against the Packers’ favor. When we consider these factors, the possibility of a loss starts to increase. And that’s what makes games like the Packers vs. Bears so interesting.