Nik from Moore, SC
It's only one game. It's a long season. There will be bumps along the way. Lots of things to clean up still … but boys … that's a hell of a way to start.
It sure beats the alternative.
Jim from Naples, FL
Has to be the most enjoyable Inbox submissions you've had in quite some time?
Again, it beats the alternative.
Steve from Algoma, WI
Is that what a three-phase victory looks like? (Asking for a friend.)
The Packers won all three phases against a three-win team. As they should. It's obvious the Bears still have a lot of work to do, and that performance had to be a big letdown for their franchise and fan base. The only wildcard going in for the Packers was Love, and he's a big one. But if he's not going to turn the ball over, the Packers have plenty of pieces around him, on both sides of the ball.
Dave from North Potomac, MD
So glad to see AR12 transferred ownership of Da Bears to JL10! Great to see Love keep his cool on the fumbled snap.
Everyone is sending in "ownership" comments and I'm not going to dwell on it. Feels like chortling to me. The way Jordan Love handled the fumbled snap epitomized his composure. He had the presence of mind, once he found some space, to set up and look downfield. Lo and behold … Luke Musgrave was wide open.
Jerry from Wapella, IL
II, Sunday's game was a great first step in the Jordan Love era. Having said that it's definitely not time for chortling. Instead, we must remain committed to the process and let these young men continue to grow from week to week. I saw a lot to like about the way that Love played, but what I liked the most was the fact that plays were left on the field which indicates the potential for so much more. What did you see in the game that you are most excited for regarding the 2023 Packers?
Seeing the offense score four touchdowns without Christian Watson. That maybe happened once all last year? Or not at all? I'm not sure.
Mike from Grovetown, GA
Great win! Hope Aaron Jones is OK. I noticed when Jones was in the game, he had room to run. When AJ Dillon came in it looked like Bears had 15 guys in the box. What did they do different?
Jones did a better job making the first guy miss, but aside from that, the timing on running plays just looked different with Jones. I thought Dillon ran hard and didn't go down easily, but figuring out how to make the 1-2 punch work with a new QB could take some time.
Anthony from Provo, UT
All of the silly stats that networks throw up on the screen typically drives me nuts, but one of them really stood out during the broadcast. I didn't realize that the Packers were the worst in the league last season in goal-to-go situations. They can only go up from there, and Jordan Love did a great job of improving on those lost opportunities.
He was also 7-of-9 for 106 yards and a TD on third downs, which the Packers converted at a 9-for-16 clip (plus one huge fourth-down conversion). That'll play.
Mark from Westminster, CO
Three-for-three in the red zone. I'll take that every week.
Again, that'll play.
Bob from New Britain, CT
Happy with our victory! But what kept me from being thrilled was all the dumb penalties. Thankfully they didn't hurt us very much against da Bears, but we just can't play this undisciplined against the better teams in the league without it costing us. So many were completely avoidable. I know we were charged up and battling our rivals, but we should know better than that.
The lack of discipline was disappointing. There's an aggressiveness to this team's play style, an edge to it, which LaFleur referenced throughout the preseason. It has its benefits but must be channeled properly, and players have to be mindful of where the line is drawn. That series of flags in the third quarter let the Bears back in a game they had no business being in. As you said, it could be costly against better opponents.
Kirsten from Madison, WI
Setting aside the "third-consecutive HOF QB" hype, it's clear that Love has the skills to be an NFL quarterback. Time will tell how good he'll be. But it looks like there's a lot of benefits to drafting a talented quarterback and then letting him spend a few years learning from a quality veteran before he's expected to deliver as a starter. This can't be a fluke. Do you see this as a strategy NFL teams might start to try more intentionally? Do the egos and money allow for it?
The organization has to be in the right position, and right situation, to do it. I think other franchises are watching the Packers closely here. Long way to go. But other teams have seen success much sooner with Patrick Mahomes and Joe Burrow, too, so there's no one solution.
Janet from Auburn, WA
I loved seeing Jordan Love's mom in the stands cheering for her son and the story behind how she got her ticket. When exactly did the relationship between Jordan Love and Justin Fields develop?
They have the same agent, I believe.
The Green Bay Packers kicked off the 2023 regular season against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023.
Andrew from Burke, VA
So this is what complementary football is supposed to look like! Definitely some work to be done, but there was a lot to like all around. Is it weird if I said I'm still most excited about special teams after seeing Reed in action at punt return? It just looked like the Bears were afraid to put the ball in his and Keisean Nixon's hands. Also, I was VERY happy to see Jayden Reed back on to field the onside kick. He just looks like a classic Packers player and I'm excited to see what he becomes.
Reed has looked like he both belongs in the NFL and fits this offense, since Day 1. Nothing I saw Sunday changed that opinion.
Sean from Lakewood, CO
Rasul Douglas was my defensive MVP. Pass breakup in the endzone. Snuffed out several screen passes and made the tackle. Recovered a fumble. Also maybe a little mentorship of Nixon after the Mooney TD. So I guess my question is: Ain't he great?
I thought Douglas and Darnell Savage were all over the field in this game. I'm eager to turn on the film to get a better look at their performances, in part because there were too many in-game distractions for me. The view from our seats in the Soldier Field press box leaves a lot to be desired to start with, but then technical issues with the blog, plus the press box TVs being a full two plays behind the live action made for a frustrating three hours work-wise. Not gonna lie, that stadium might be my least favorite in the NFL to visit, and the Packers have lost only once there since 2010.
Michelle from Camp Pendleton, CA
Monday is always better with a win on Sunday. And for those of us who don't get to actually see the win take place, thank you for all of the coverage you and Wes provide to paint the picture (whether win or loss). A huge thank you especially for the live blog! That can't be easy to pull off (particularly with technical difficulties) but it makes a huge difference for many of us and we appreciate you!
Thank you for the kind words. Aside from the victory, it was a long day for me.
Mike from Toronto, Canada
Not including JL10's solid performance, what's the most encouraging part of an overall encouraging Week 1?
How the defense didn't let the occasional rough patch snowball into something worse. The Bears' two long drives in the first half didn't find the end zone. Then after allowing the TD late in the third quarter after the penalties and chunk plays, the defense got the INT its next time on the field. Any struggles weren't prolonged. That's worth keeping an eye on.
Daniel from Northfield, MN
No question, just a comment. We all got a close-up view of why the Rock calls Innis Gaines THUMP at the end of the game – wow!
He's been called that since high school.
Kelly from Stoughton, WI
Let's start with this, I am so so happy for Jordan Love. The guy never flinched. Deserves every bit of it. Can't wait to watch this chapter. That throw to Romeo in the end zone was so good. How good can Romeo Doubs be for this team or in general? The guy makes every play that is asked of him. Lot to clean up, lot to be excited about. Just beat ATL!
I loved seeing Doubs' strong hands on his second TD catch, on the fade. Those hands came and went for him, in my opinion, during an inconsistent rookie year in which he dealt with a significant injury and wasn't the same when he came back from it. Hopefully that hammy held up OK for him heading into next week. It's really early, but you can see something special developing between him and Love.
Kerry from Lakewood Ranch, FL
Have the Packers found their QB and field goal kicker for the next decade?
That's the hope. Maybe the punter and right tackle, too.
Tim from Rosario, Argentina
Big win vs. rival. Several rookies making plays, Reed and Musgrave each a couple of big catches, Karl Brooks and Lukas Van Ness each with a sack, Anders Carlson and Daniel Whelan doing their part on special teams.
I said several times, these young guys will be getting an opportunity to grow up fast. Same for some second-year players, like Devonte Wyatt, taking on bigger roles. I thought this was a nice step forward for Wyatt, too.
Paula from Apple Valley, MN
So it looks like we are back to voting on captains each week?
It would appear so, for the time being at least.
Alan from Fresno, CA
How long before guardian caps will be worked into the regular game-day uniform and painted to match helmets? One season? More? If it's such a good idea why is it only used in practice?
A popular query on the guardian caps. There are rumors the league is looking into expanding their use, but where it goes from here I don't know. Obviously the traditional helmets, logos and aesthetics that go with them are a major consideration.
Mike from Algoma, WI
So good to see Quay Walker make a huge, positive play! Hope he's alright.
That was a wicked hit he took at the pylon when he scored. This game can be so brutal.
Barton from Tulum, Mexico
What did you think about Andy Reid's bad decision to go for it on fourth-and-25 when losing by one with more than two minutes remaining, three timeouts and having the reigning MVP Pat Mahomes as his quarterback?
I was stunned he went for it, but he was certainly showing he didn't believe his defense could stop Detroit's running game at that stage. The ensuing possession proved him right.
Jackie from New Freedom, PA
Which team in this year's schedule causes the most worry for the Packers?
The next one.
Reed from Myrtle Beach, SC
Of everyone in Packer Nation, no one has to be happier than Gutey. He took so much criticism for drafting Love. So, for at least one week, he can feel pretty good.
He hasn't been shy expressing his excitement for this team. He feels he's built a pretty good roster, and a lot rests on the QB's development. So far, so good. Rough patches are coming, but a lot of analysts believe this roster is plenty competitive if the QB comes along.
Mark from Carlsville, WI
When the two of you are working during the game, are you able to enjoy the game itself or at that point is it a job that needs doing?
It's always a job that needs doing, and that's where our focus is. But I always enjoy watching major sporting events live, whether I'm working them or not. Regardless of any troubles, there's always something special about being there.
William from Rosedale, IN
Great first game. But we can't let that be the highlight of the season. One game leads to the next.
Happy Monday.
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