Running back Aaron Jones had 170 total yards and two touchdowns to lead Green Bay past Chicago, 27-10, Sunday.
Twelve months ago, the Green Bay Packers had a dreadful Week 1 performance and were routed by New Orleans, 38-3. The Packers responded with a 35-17 win over Detroit, rolled off seven straight wins and eventually earned the NFC’s No. 1 seed.
This year, Green Bay was almost as dreadful in Week 1 when it lost to Minnesota, 23-7. Following a similar script, though, the Packers rebounded with a 27-10 win over Chicago Sunday night.
Whether or not these Packers can catch fire like the 2021 squad did remains to be seen. For one night, though, Green Bay gave its faithful reason for hope.
Here’s the good, bad and ugly from Green Bay’s victory.
AARON JONES: Green Bay’s explosive running back had just five carries in Week 1, and everyone inside 1265 Lombardi Ave. insisted it wasn’t enough.
Jones showed why on Sunday, when he was the best player on the field.
Jones carried 15 times for 132 yards — a whopping average of 8.8 yards per rush — and had a 15-yard touchdown run. Jones also caught three passes for 38 yards and had an 8-yard touchdown reception.
“I’m not frustrated,” Jones said after Green Bay’s Week 1 loss to Minnesota. “I just do what I can when my number is called and make the most of every opportunity I get.”
On Sunday, Jones got plenty of opportunities — and made the most of them.
AARON RODGERS: The Bears’ principal “owner” was back it Sunday, tormenting his rivals from the south.
Rodgers completed 19-of-25 passes for 234 yards and two touchdowns. He completed a career-high 14 straight passes and finished with a quarterback rating of 131.1.
Rodgers was particularly good in the first half when he completed 13-of-19 passes for 164 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions.
Rodgers is now a remarkable 24-5 against Chicago since becoming Green Bay’s starter in 2008. Back then, the Bears held a 90-79-6 lead in this series. Today, the Packers hold a 104-95-6 lead.
Along the way, here are some other marks Rodgers has hit:
• Rodgers has won seven straight starts against Chicago and 11 of 12.
• Rodgers has posted a 100-plus passer rating 15 times against the Bears and the Packers are 15-0 in those contests.
• Rodgers has thrown 63 touchdowns against Chicago, more than any quarterback in history against the Bears.
• Rodgers has gone seven straight games without an interception against Chicago (minimum 15 attempts), the longest streak ever vs. Chicago.
• And Rodgers has registered passer ratings of 128.0, 132.2, 147.9, 141.1 and 131.1 against the Bears in his last five outings. He now has 11 games with a passer rating of at least 125.0 against Chicago, the most by a quarterback against a single opponent.
In October, 2021, Rodgers capped a game-clinching drive in Chicago with a 6-yard touchdown run.
