Friday 6 September 2019 11:58, UK
The Green Bay Packers shut down the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field as they won 10-3 in a tense season opener.
The Packers held Mitchell Trubisky to 228 yards and forced one interception, while stifling Chicago's rushing attack to just 46 yards.
Meanwhile, Aaron Rodgers found Jimmy Graham for the only touchdown of the game in the second quarter.
The NFL's 100th season kicked off with a sloppy affair, as both offenses failed to find rhythm and plenty of penalty flags flew.
It was the Chicago defense that looked every bit as dominant as the unit that allowed a league-low 17.7 points last season as they forced three consecutive three-and-outs to start the game.
After their attack was gifted great field position by the swarming D, Chicago took the lead when kicker Eddy Pineiro opened the scoring with a 38-yard field with on the clock.
The kick - which looked wobbly as it left Pineiro’s foot but straightened up - was met by noticeably loud cheers after Chicago had exited last year’s playoffs due to a missed attempt by former kicker Cody Parkey - known as the ‘double doink’ for hitting both the crossbar and upright.
Pineiro kept his cool for the kick but perhaps showed his nerves by knocking the ensuing kickoff out of bounds.
However, outside of the three points, the Bears’ attack struggled majorly in the first half.
Allen Robinson was the bright spark on offense, but Trubisky should have been intercepted with the first play of the second quarter as he threw across his body and Kevin King stepped across his receiver, but the corner wasn’t able to secure it.
Similarly, Green Bay could not move the ball and the minus-12 yards for the Packers offense in the first quarter were their fewest in any quarter since 1994.
But with the first throw of the second, two-time league MVP Rodgers fired downfield to sophomore Marquez Valdes-Scantling for a 47-yard pickup to get the Green Bay offense going.
Just three plays later, Rodgers found Graham to give them the lead to cap a 74-yard drive.
Graham was hardly open as Rodgers flipped it up into the end zone, but the tight end used his 6-foot-seven, 265-pound frame to box out a defender and haul it in from eight yards out.
Green Bay defensive coordinator Mike Pettine will have heard all offseason how dominant this Chicago defense is, but it was the Packers unit who stifled the Bears all game. There were boos from the home crowd at Soldier Field as they punted yet again before the break.
Trubisky had managed just 10 completions for 73 yards on 16 attempts in the first half and the Bears had just 98 yards of offense as the score remained 7-3 to the road team.
There was no improvement shown in the second, as Matt Nagy's attack managed three punts, an interception, and twice turned the ball over on downs in the second half.
Green Bay kicker Mason Crosby's 39-yard field goal was the only breakthrough in the second period, after Rodgers led a strong 10-play, 73-yard drive, leaving the Bears needing a touchdown with five minutes to go.
They had their chance when Trubisky led the offense all the way down to Green Bay's 16-yard line just before the two-minute warning, but the third-year quarterback threw a crushing interception as former Bear Adrian Amos - acquired by Green Bay this summer - came down with the ball in the end zone.
Chicago had one final shot at putting together a long drive, starting deep in their own territory, but Trubisky was sacked on fourth down by another new Packers addition - Preston Smith - and Rodgers kneeled to secure the victory.
Rodgers - who finished 18 of 30 for 203 yards and one touchdown, is now 4-0 in Week One starts against the Bears. Rookie head coach Matt LaFleur secured his first NFL victory.
Next week, Green Bay will play another NFC North rival as they welcome the Minnesota Vikings, while Chicago travel to the Denver Broncos to face former coach Vic Fangio.
FIRST QUARTER
Packers 0-3 Bears: Eddy Pineiro 38-yard field goal
SECOND QUARTER
Packers 7-3 Bears: Aaron Rodgers 8-yard touchdown pass to Jimmy Graham (XP good)
THIRD QUARTER
FOURTH QUARTER
Packers 10-3 Bears: Mason Crosby 39-yard field goal
