November 23, 2024

Instant analysis: Packers coach Matt LaFleur makes good on promise to get Aaron Jones going

Aaron Jones #AaronJones

“We’ve got to be patient with them. The jump happens when don’t become a robot anymore,” Packers QB Aaron Rodgers said of Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs.

GREEN BAY — The Green Bay Packers improved to 1-1 with a 27-10 victory over the Chicago Bears on Sunday night at Lambeau Field. Here are my quick thoughts on the game:

What I liked

Matt LaFleur knew he made a mistake by not giving Aaron Jones enough touches in a 23-7 loss to the Minnesota Vikings in Week 1, and the Packers coach owned up to it both after the game and again in a news conference a day later.

LaFleur learned his lesson and Jones was featured heavily against the Bears.

He ran with authority and showed off some nifty moves while finishing with 170 total yards and two touchdowns on 18 touches. Jones rushed for 132 yards on 15 carries and added three catches for 38 yards, including an 8-yard score off a jet pass in the first half.

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We know this Green Bay offense is going to have to play differently this season without a true difference-maker at wide receiver. Getting Jones involved early and often is something LaFleur needs to continue to do.

Green Bay running back Aaron Jones (33) runs behind teammate AJ Dillon (28) during an 8-yard touchdown reception against the Chicago Bears Sunday.

Morry Gash, Associated Press

  • after missing the opener with an ankle injury and made an impact in multiple ways.
  • Lazard was only targeted three times and finished with two catches for 13 yards, a modest stat line for a No. 1 receiver.

    But both of those catches were important. The first moved the chains on a third-and-8 play on the opening series of the game, the second was a 5-yard touchdown reception that gave Green Bay a 24-7 lead in the final minute of the second quarter.

    Plus, Lazard made a key block on a 15-yard touchdown run by Jones early in the second quarter. Lazard had limped off the field earlier in the series and sat out three plays before returning. On his first play back, he took out Bears linebacker Roquan Smith to help create an opening for Jones.

    What I didn’t like

    The Green Bay offense got sloppy on back-to-back possessions in the third quarter.

    Aaron Rodgers and A.J. Dillon had a mix-up on a handoff, resulting in a lost fumble. And a shotgun snap from Josh Myers hit Christian Watson as the rookie wide receiver was in motion. The Packers were able to maintain possession that time after Dillon jumped on the loose ball.

  • Green Bay’s run defense looked shaky. Bears running back David Montgomery finished with 122 yards on 15 carries and Chicago finished with 180 rushing yards as a team.
  • What it means

    The Packers really needed this win to avoid falling 0-2 with two losses within the division and a road game against Tampa Bay on tap.

    That second quarter — the Packers outscored the Bears 21-0 — showed Green Bay’s potential after a rocky showing in the opener against the Vikings.

    Photos: Green Bay Packers host the Chicago Bears in first game at Lambeau Field Bears Packers Football

    Kim Jasinnski, of St. Paul, Minn., tailgates outside Lambeau Field before an NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears Sunday, Sept. 18, 2022, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

    Mike Roemer Bears Packers Football

    Fans tailgate outside Lambeau Field before an NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears Sunday, Sept. 18, 2022, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

    Mike Roemer Bears Packers Football

    Bart Boyden, right, of Green Bay, Wis., tailgates outside Lambeau Field before an NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears Sunday, Sept. 18, 2022, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

    Mike Roemer Bears Packers Football

    A fan tailgates outside Lambeau Field before an NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears Sunday, Sept. 18, 2022, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

    Mike Roemer Bears Packers Football

    Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers walks on the field during warmups before an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears Sunday, Sept. 18, 2022, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

    Morry Gash Bears Packers Football

    Fireworks are seen over Lambeau Field before an NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears Sunday, Sept. 18, 2022, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

    Mike Roemer Bears Packers Football

    Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers throws a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears Sunday, Sept. 18, 2022, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

    Mike Roemer packers cover photo

    Packers running back Aaron Jones celebrates with the first Lambeau Leap of the season after scoring on a 15-yard touchdown run against the Bears on Sunday night.

    MORRY GASH, ASSOCIATED PRESS APTOPIX Bears Packers Football

    Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields (1) dives to the end zone during a 3-yard touchdown run in the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Sept. 18, 2022, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

    Morry Gash Bears Packers Football

    Green Bay Packers linebacker Preston Smith (91) celebrates after sacking Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 18, 2022, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

    Morry Gash Bears Packers Football

    Green Bay running back Aaron Jones (33) runs behind teammate AJ Dillon (28) during an 8-yard touchdown reception against the Chicago Bears Sunday.

    Morry Gash, Associated Press Bears Packers Football

    Green Bay Packers wide receiver Allen Lazard (13) celebrates with teammate quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) after catching a 5-yard touchdown pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears Sunday, Sept. 18, 2022, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

    Mike Roemer Bears Packers Football

    Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones (33) runs against the Chicago Bears during an NFL game Sunday, Sept. 18, 2022, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)

    Jeffrey Phelps Bears Packers Football

    Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields reacts during the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Sept. 18, 2022, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

    Mike Roemer Bears Packers Football

    Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur reacts to a call during the second half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears Sunday, Sept. 18, 2022, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

    Morry Gash Bears Packers Football

    Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields, center, is stopped short of the goal line on a fourth down run during the second half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Sept. 18, 2022, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

    Mike Roemer Bears Packers Football

    Green Bay Packers wide receiver Sammy Watkins catches a pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears Sunday, Sept. 18, 2022, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

    Morry Gash Bears Packers Football

    Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) talks with Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields (1) after an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 18, 2022, in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers won 27-10. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)

    Matt Ludtke Bears Packers Football

    Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones (33) and quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) walk off the field after an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears Sunday, Sept. 18, 2022, in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers won 27-10. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

    Mike Roemer Bears Packers Football

    Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) talks with Chicago Bears wide receiver Equanimeous St. Brown (19) after an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 18, 2022, in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers won 27-10. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

    Morry Gash Bears Packers Football

    Chicago Bears running back David Montgomery (32) is tackled by Green Bay Packers linebacker Quay Walker (7) during an NFL game Sunday, Sept. 18, 2022, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)

    Jeffrey Phelps Bears Packers Football

    Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur talks with Chicago Bears wide receiver Equanimeous St. Brown (19) after an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 18, 2022, in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers won 27-10. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

    Morry Gash

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