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3 takeaways from Packers’ blowout victory vs. Bears in Week 12

By Freddie Boston

Green Bay Packers, Preston Smith - Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Green Bay Packers, Preston Smith - Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /
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Three takeaways from the Packers’ big win.

The Green Bay Packers are 8-3 after an impressive victory over the Chicago Bears on Sunday night.

The win showed the huge gap between these two teams. For the Bears, it’s their fifth straight defeat after beginning the season 5-1.

Here are three takeaways from the win:

1. Darnell Savage, Preston Smith impress

The defense needed to see more from Darnell Savage and Preston Smith. We saw that on Sunday night. The defense also needed to force more turnovers. We saw that, too.

Savage intercepted two passes in the game. After making seven interceptions in his final two seasons at Maryland, the hope was that Savage would be able to regularly come up with takeaways in Mike Pettine’s defense. Against the Bears, we saw his ability to force turnovers.

Smith also had a nice game with three tackles, a sack, two QB hits, and a fumble recovery for a touchdown. This was the Preston Smith we saw last season.

2. Aaron Rodgers continues MVP challenge

Another week, another dominant performance from Aaron Rodgers.

Up against a top-10 passing defense, Rodgers made it look easy, completing 21 of 29 passes for 211 yards and four touchdowns.

This takes his season total to 3,100 yards, 33 touchdowns, and just four interceptions. He’s on pace for 48 touchdown passes this season which would beat his career-best 45 set in 2011.

Rodgers belongs in the MVP race.

3. Packers take giant step towards NFC North title

Not only is this win number eight for the Packers, it also puts them clear in the NFC North. Green Bay now holds a three-game lead over both the Bears and Minnesota Vikings with only five more games to play.

We’ve seen some incredibly close NFC North races in recent years. The Packers have one plenty and fallen short in others.

This season, there doesn’t seem to be much of a contest. The Packers are far and away the best team in the division as their 9-1 record against NFC North opponents since the start of 2019 suggests.

And they’re now well on course to defend their division title.

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