Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson said he wanted blowouts, and a blowout is exactly what he got as the Green Bay Packers hosted their division rivals and won in commanding fashion, 31-7. After a ton of well-warranted criticism that the Packers couldn’t hold onto leads, they took complete control of the game on Sunday, and never took their foot off the gas. Let’s take a look at the best and worst as the Packers come out of Week 5 with a 3-2 record.
Loser: Trey Smack
We’re starting with our big loser today, and honestly,
I don’t even care. The rookie kicker battled against the elements in an extremely windy stadium on Sunday, and missed 2 FGs and an XP as a result. It’s obviously not ideal, and the team will want Smack to improve moving forward. In a 24-point win, however, it almost felt like good practice. Smack’s lone successful FG was 35 yards, and he made 2 XPs.
Winner: Matthew Golden
The WR’s breakout year continued in convincing fashion on Sunday. On more than one occasion, the deep threat found himself wide open, and the Packers took advantage of it. When the team needed a first down, Golden was there. When they attempted a 2-pt conversion to make up for Smack’s missed XP, he was there again. His hands were super solid this week, a welcomed sight after some ugly drops to start the year. Golden finished the day catching 6 of 7 targets for 123 yards, and returned 2 punts for 27 yards with a long of 17.
Winner: Christian Watson
Look, I knew a WR duo of Matthew Golden and Christian Watson had the potential to feed families…but I was still unprepared. After years of trying to reassemble the receiving corps in the wake of the Davante Adams trade, it feels like we finally did it. It was a fun 4 years with Romeo Doubs. Dontayvion Wicks never reached his full potential with the Packers. But these two…I feel like the heavens are shining down upon me.
Like Golden, Watson was left wide open multiple times on Sunday. Jordan Love found him again and again, for some big gains, and big scores. When Christian Watson is this open, there’s no stopping him.
Even when he wasn’t wide open, there was no stopping him. His second touchdown catch of the day was one of the best catches I’ve seen from a Packer, and he brought it in like it was nothing. Same Micah, same.
Watson finished the game leading all receivers with 6 catches on 8 targets for 143 yards and 2 TDs. In 7 career games against Chicago, Watson has 22 catches for 456 yards, 46 rushing yards (you are reading that correctly) and 6 total TDs. We’ve got ourselves a new Bear Killer.
Winner: MarShawn Lloyd
After a frustrating few weeks for the Packers RB, he finally turned things around, and it couldn’t have come at a better time. Lloyd’s vision and decision making seemed a lot better on Sunday, and as a result, he scored the first two rushing TDs of his NFL career. He also sent CB Jaylon Johnson straight into a brick wall, which was fun. Lloyd finished the day with 10 rushes for 31 yards, 1 catch for 6 yards, and 2 rushing TDs.
Winner: Xavier McKinney
After an unsuccessful first drive for the Bears offense, they stepped onto the field for drive #2, ready to respond. They certainly did respond, by throwing the ball into triple coverage, and gifting S Xavier McKinney his first pick of the game.
It didn’t end there for X. In the second half, as the Bears were trying to kickstart a comeback, they were denied when McKinney came down with his second pick of the day. This one was impressive.
Winner: Keisean Nixon
CB1 has been having a pretty outstanding season so far, and Sunday’s game was no exception. He was on his receivers like glue, and forced multiple incompletions which prevented touchdowns and forced punts. Had any of these catches been completed, the game could’ve gone in a totally different direction. Nixon has always talked the talk, and today he continued to walk the walk.
Winner: Dani Dennis-Sutton
The rookie LB had the best game of his career thus far, and what a joy it was to see. He had some massive stops, including one on 3rd down as the Bears offense was approaching the redzone. Their resulting FG attempt was then missed. He also had the below demolition of QB Case Keenum to close things out. Dennis-Sutton finished the day with 3 tackles, 2 TFLs, 2 QB hits, 1 sack, and 1 PD. Micah Parsons told DDS to be ready to work when he was drafted by the Packers. I think he listened.
Winner: Jordan Love
It’s always a good day when QB Jordan Love gets to Sling that Thing™. The offensive line did their job today, and as a result, the receivers were able to get open, and Love was able throw deep pass after deep pass. Look at this beauty of a passing chart.
Love had some absolutely gorgeous throws today, including his TD passes to Christian Watson, and the below heave to Matthew Golden. For the first time this season, the Packers were able to crack 30 points, and it looks like things are finally clicking for the offense. Love finished the day 25 of 31 (80.6%) for 367 yards, 2 TDs, and 0 INTs for a 137.5 rating. His 367 yards are the most by a QB against the Bears at Lambeau Field.
The Packers have won two straight games now, and are looking to keep it rolling in Week 6 as they stay at home to face off against the 2-3 Dallas Cowboys during Sunday Night Football. Will Micah Parsons be back on the field against his former team as the Packers seek their third straight win?
