Packers-Bears defensive battle picks up where NFL left off

GREEN BAY, WI - SEPTEMBER 09: Mitchell Trubisky #10 of the Chicago Bears and Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers meet after the Green Bay Packers beat the Chicago Bears 24-23 at Lambeau Field on September 9, 2018 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

The first game of the 2019 NFL season left off right where the 2018 season ended.

Less than a year ago, the Los Angeles Rams defeated the Kansas City Chiefs in Mexico City on Monday Night Football in a shootout, 54-51.

Mere months later, the team that had won the highest-scoring game of the year, combined to score the fewest points ever in a Super Bowl. The New England Patriots defeated the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LIII, 13-3.

On Thursday, the Green Bay Packers overcame the Chicago Bears’ stingy defense in a 10-3 defensive battle.

It was after that famous Monday night Rams-Chiefs epic — when both teams combined for 1,001 total yards and 105 points scored — when everyone was concerned about where the NFL was headed. The way the game had been officiated, played into these beliefs of NFL fans and people around the league. Could you blame them? Especially after watching what was the NFL’s version of a Big 12 game.

Not an aberration, the NFL’s opening game in the 2019 season, picked up right where last season left off. The defensive slugfest, produced a combined 10 sacks, one turnover, and sloppy play on both sidelines. There’s certainly rust to be shed for both starting units, after a less-than-ideal amount of reps for both in the preseason but while being led by offensive minded head coaches, the preparation was definitely underwhelming.

Trubisky and Rodgers missed plenty of throws and the receivers had their fair share of drops, but it was the defensive side of the ball that flexed their muscles. The Packers showed off their pair of Smith acquisitions in Za’Darius and Preston getting consistent pressure on Trubisky, while Chicago’s endless talent on the front seven made Rodgers night a tough one.

While the league is constantly changing, and teams are looking for the next big thing, especially on offense. This game coupled with the Super Bowl puts back the idea that defense is being neglected. Defense is still half the game. Defenses are still required to make adjustments year over year and week over week to combat opposing offenses.

Given enough time, defenses will find a way, given the right leadership and personnel. That’s what ultimately happened when Bill Belichick and the Patriots were able to undermine the superior offensive mind and system of Sean McVay.