The Green Bay Packers set a goal to get off to a better start in the 2023 season than they have in years past. Matt LaFleur was 2-2 heading into this year in Week 1 games, with the last two years being embarrassing losses.
The script was flipped this time around, as the adjustments made to the offseason plans look to have paid off. The Packers picked up a dominant 38-20 victory over their NFC North rivals, the Chicago Bears, on the road to kickstart the season.
This was a game that was very competitive throughout the first half, as Green Bay had a 10-6 lead at intermission. But, they blew things open in the second half, scoring four touchdowns en route to the blowout victory.
That is nine straight wins for the Packers over the Bears, as a win on the road against a division rival is always good for team morale, especially when it results in a 1-0 start to the season. There was certainly a lot to take away from the game, most of which was good. Here are five of the biggest takeaways from the team’s Week 1 victory.
5. Pass Rush Carries Offseason Momentum Over
Last season, the pass rush for the Packers was one of the team’s weaknesses. After Rashan Gary injured his knee in Week 9, they struggled to get after the quarterback. This offseason, that weakness turned into a strength as Green Bay got after the quarterback often in joint practices and preseason games.
That momentum carried into the regular season as the Packers had Justin Fields under siege all afternoon. Green Bay had four sacks on the afternoon and six quarterback hits. Their reshaped defensive front got the job done as Devonte Wyatt had 1.5 sacks and rookies Lukas Van Ness and Karl Brooks each had 1.0.
A key to victory was pressuring Fields into mistakes and the Packers were able to do that consistently on Sunday.
