Packers 31, Bears 7: Love and Watson Torch a Reeling Chicago
Jordan Love posted a career-best 137.5 passer rating and Christian Watson scored twice as Green Bay forced five takeaways in a lopsided rivalry win at Lambeau.
Green Bay needed this one. After back-to-back losses to Minnesota and Atlanta, the Packers dismantled the Bears 31-7 at Lambeau Field on Sunday, climbing back over .500 at 3-2 — level with Chicago in an NFC North that unbeaten Minnesota (5-0) still leads, per Packers.com.
Love's day
Jordan Love was close to flawless: 25-of-31 for 367 yards and a 137.5 passer rating, his regular-season career high. His favorite target was Christian Watson, who caught six passes for 143 yards and touchdowns of 42 and 53 yards, while Matthew Golden added six catches for 123 yards. MarShawn Lloyd supplied the ground scoring with the first two rushing touchdowns of his career — and Green Bay's first two of the season.
Chicago's quarterback problem
With Caleb Williams sidelined for a second straight week, Tyson Bagent made the start and struggled badly: 12-of-21 for 87 yards and two interceptions, both to Xavier McKinney, before Case Keenum took over late, per Bleacher Nation. Keenum fared little better, throwing a fourth-down interception to Ty'Ron Hopper at the goal line. In all, Green Bay forced five takeaways — its most in a game since 2016. Chicago's lone score came on a fourth-down D'Andre Swift touchdown run, and rookie edge rusher Austin Booker was a rare bright spot with two sacks.
The cost
The win wasn't free. Defensive tackle Javon Hargrave was carted off with an apparent Achilles injury — coach Matt LaFleur said "it doesn't look good" — and Skyy Moore and Benjamin St-Juste also left the game.
Both teams sit at 3-2, but they're heading in opposite directions: Green Bay just found its vertical passing game, while Chicago waits on Williams and licks its wounds from the NFL's oldest rivalry.