NEWSLETTER
The Green Bay Packers were already without Aaron Rodgers when starting right tackle Bryan Bulaga suffered a season-ending ACL tear in the team’s loss to the Detroit Lions on Monday. So while their offense has managed just 44 points over three games in Rodgers’ absence, the concerns on defense may actually be as bad.
Indeed, Monday’s loss to the Lions only further highlighted how poorly the Packers defense has been since Rodgers was placed on injured reserve. And with Rodgers unavailable to mask the defense’s issues with a barrage of points, the Packers look as vulnerable as ever.
All things considered, that should give hope to any offense, even one as conservative and unproductive as the Bears. Just take a look at what Detroit did on its eight offensive possessions:
- Touchdown pass from Matthew Stafford to Marvin Jones Jr.
- Missed field goal
- Touchdown run by Ameer Abdullah
- Made field goal
- Fumble in Packers territory
- Made field goal
- Touchdown pass from Matthew Stafford to Marvin Jones Jr.
- Made field goal
Detroit left a minimum of six points and a maximum of 14 on the field, which could have led to a more disastrous statistical showing by the Packers’ defense.
The Lions did not use their punter (save for the occasions in which he was needed on kickoff duty) and scored on six of their eight possessions. The 30-17 final would have been more lopsided if it weren’t for A) Jamaal Williams’ 1-yard plunge on an untimed down during the final play of regulation and B) the missed opportunities in Packers territory with a missed 55-yard field goal and a fumble by Abdullah on a 1st-and-10 play from Green Bay’s 27-yard-line.
Drew Brees and Matthew Stafford have combined to complete 53 of 71 passes for 692 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions over the last two games against the Packers, and that adds up to a 107.2 quarterback efficiency rating.
I wouldn’t expect Mitch Trubisky to put up those kinds of numbers, but the Bears might be inclined to let their rookie quarterback operate with a little bit more freedom this week. And they’ll be right to do it.
