Sep 28, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Green Bay Packers running back Eddie Lacy (27) runs with the ball during the second half against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Green Bay won 38-17. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Defensive Line (D)
They were without two starters in Ratliff and Allen, but holy cripes. Just awful especially when you consider where a big chunk of offseason money was spent. trying to fix the defensive line and pass rush specifically. The saving grace for the defensive line is holding Eddie Lacy to 48 yards rushing on 17 carries. I guess when the Packers had so much success flinging the ball all around the field, why bother trying to run the ball. Aaron Rodgers just had to hang his jersey back up in his locker for the next road game, because it didn’t get dirty at all. The Bears’ lone “sack” was when Ego Ferguson chased Rodgers out of bounds.
Linebackers (D+)
Da Windy City
Lance Briggs and Jon Bostic actually graded out well on ProFootball Focus with +2.2 and +2.7 respectively, but let me know if they stood out to you. I was considering moving their collective grade up to a C- but then I remembered about DJ Williams’ phantom “piling on” penalty that cost the Bears the chance to get off the field and actually force a Packers punt.
Safeties (F)
The Packers sliced and diced the Bears defense all day. It was as if they were playing a player or two short all game. Aaron Rodgers knows right where the holes in the Bears defense are and they’re mostly aimed right at the safeties. Chris Conte was supposed to get his redemption from last season’s Week 17 debacle, but he graded out as the Bears’ worst defender with a -2.7 via PFF.
Cornerbacks (F)
Kyle Fuller got taken to school on Sunday. As well as he’s played in his first couple of games, we have to remember he’s still a rookie. Jordy Nelson and Aaron Rodgers vs a rookie cornerback is just not fair. Tim Jennings at least had a pass defended to go on his stats sheet. Isaiah Frey at the nickelback position looks like a really bad mistake.