Why the Packers are already in must-win mode entering Week 2
The Green Bay Packers did not kick off their 2022 regular season in the best way, losing 23-7 in Minnesota last Sunday.
It is hard to believe, but the Packers absolutely have to win on Sunday night against the rival Chicago Bears.
With the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looming in Week 3, the Packers need to take wins where they can get them.
The Bears, regardless of their upset win over the NFC Championship Game participant San Francisco 49ers in the rain last Sunday, are still a rebuilding team. Green Bay, for a lot of reasons, needs to take care of business on Sunday night and get in the win column.
First off, it’s important to note that if the Packers were to get upset by the Bears on Sunday night, they would start off not just 0-2 overall, but they would start off 0-2 in the division too.
Judging by the way the Vikings owned the Packers in Week 1, the NFC North might be out of reach. Green Bay needs to keep the division within reach with a win.
Next, the Packers need to take care of the Bears because of their Week 3 opponent. If the Packers lose to Chicago, they will go on the road to face Tom Brady and the Bucs with an 0-3 start looming.
If Green Bay can handle Chicago, their schedule sets up nicely after Tampa Bay. They get the Patriots at home, the Giants in London, the Jets at home, and then the Commanders on the road.
Finally, they need to beat the Bears simply because they are a better team.
When you have Aaron Rodgers (22-5 against the Bears in his storied career), a dynamic backfield of Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon, and a talented defense (back-to-back top-10 total defensive seasons), a loss against a team you have whooped for the last 15 years is inexcusable.
The Packers are competing for the Super Bowl every season. The two biggest games of Chicago’s season come when they face Green Bay.
The Packers are simply a better franchise (6-0 against the Bears in the Matt LaFleur era) and absolutely need to handle business against the Bears on Sunday night.