3 takeaways from Packers’ win over Bears in Week 6
Another season, another Green Bay Packers win at Soldier Field.
An important one, too. A loss would’ve put the Chicago Bears in first place of the NFC North. Instead, Green Bay pulls away with a two-game cushion over the rest.
What did we learn from the win in Week 6?
1. Aaron Rodgers still owns the Bears
“I still own you,” Rodgers politely reminded Bears fans at Soldier Field after rushing for the game-sealing touchdown.
He sure does.
Rodgers was once again too good for the Bears, only throwing six incompletions with two touchdown passes, one rushing touchdown, and a passer rating of 128.0. Yep, that will do.
It’s quite incredible how dominant the Packers have been in this rivalry during the Rodgers era. The Packers have only lost on one of their past 12 trips to Soldier Field.
In games Rodgers has started, the Packers are 22-5 against the Bears, including the playoffs. One of those five defeats came in 2013 when Rodgers only attempted two passes before leaving the game with a broken collarbone.
Rodgers is part owner of both the Milwaukee Bucks and Chicago Bears. It was another strong performance in Rodgers’ home away from home today.
2. Packers defense steps up
No Za’Darius Smith. No Jaire Alexander. No Kevin King. The Packers then lost Preston Smith and Darnell Savage to injury during the game.
Despite that, the defense stepped up. Green Bay allowed just 14 points in the game, while Chicago only reached the red zone twice (although both resulted in touchdowns).
Even with all the injuries in the secondary, there wasn’t much room for the Bears’ receivers. The secondary impressed. Green Bay’s defense also came up with four sacks and four QB hits. According to Pro Football Focus, Rashan Gary had four pressures and three stops in run defense. Exactly the type of performance the Packers need from their third-year edge rusher.
Savage had an interception before he exited the game and Adrian Amos almost got another pick against his former team.
Credit where it’s due. Joe Barry’s defense came to play.
3. The injuries keep on coming
It wasn’t all good news, however.
As noted above, the Packers have already lost a number of key players, and three more starters exited Sunday’s win. Savage and Smith both left the game due to injury, and rookie center Josh Myers suffered a knee injury and wouldn’t return.
The injury bug has hit this team hard in 2021. But they still find ways to win. At 5-1, they’ve battled through the injuries to set the foundations for another run in the NFC.