Chicago Bears winners and losers from Week 1 vs Packers

Chicago Bears Week 1 Loser No. 2: Entire Offensive Line

Everyone knew on any third down that was a passing down what was going to happen today when the Chicago Bears had the ball. It had to be either a quick hitter, or the pocket would collapse, and Justin Fields would have to make a play with his feet. That was the story of the day for the offensive line. It is important to note that Teven Jenkins is on the IR right now, which means Cody Whitehair has been back at left guard, and Lucas Patrick is at center. Still, that is only one player that is missing from the starting unit, meaning the rest of the actual starters have a lot of work to do.

There was a lack of communication on the offensive line in pass protection, which is on Fields and the veterans on the line. Also, penalties on the offensive line happened too often today. Braxton Jones had a rough game, especially in terms of his discipline. He finished with three penalties, including two holding penalties. He is one of the young players who has a lot of hype around him, but he cannot be stalling drives with penalties like that, especially having that many in one game. The Bears were great last year in terms of being disciplined and not being flagged, but Jones needs to fix that going forward for that to continue this year.

Unfortunately for the Bears offense, they just cannot give Justin Fields the time to be the pocket passer that every offense needs on key downs. There is more talent on the line this year, that is for sure. They are a lot deeper this year and that is a good thing, but the players that were brought in were also not good today. Nate Davis looked lost at times and Darnell Wright had an up-and-down game, as one would expect from a rookie. Yet, Whitehair, Patrick, and Davis being the veterans have to pick up the young guys in a game like this to give their offense a chance, and that just did not happen.

The Packers defensive line dominated the line of scrimmage the whole game, in both pass and run defense. The Bears offensive line got manhandled, that is really what it comes down to. There was a clear talent disparity between the Packers pass rush and defensive interior compared to what the Bears have to offer up front, and it was one of the biggest factors in the loss for the Bears.