The Green Bay Packers demolished the Chicago Bears 31-7 to earn their first division win of the season and get their overall record to 3-2. After an up-and-down start to the season, Sunday's win was a much-needed boost to the outlook of what Green Bay can be in 2026.
Here are five takeaways from a huge win in every sense of the word:
Packers play their best game at the right time
Last week’s win in Tampa Bay was a step in the right direction on both sides of the ball, even if Green Bay took the shine off it with some late turnovers.
Sunday’s win against the Bears was the cleanest, most complete game the Packers have played this season by far, and it could not have come at a more important time. They averaged 7.3 yards per play on offense, allowed 3.6 yards on defense, did not turn the ball over and only committed four penalties.
Matt LaFleur has been the victim of his players letting him down with a lack of execution in recent games. On Sunday, they had the head coach’s back in a cathartic win against Ben Johnson and what has become an obnoxious Bears team.
Jordan Love reminds everyone who he is
Protect Jordan Love and good things happen. He diced up Dennis Allen’s defense at Lambeau Field, finishing the day 25 of 31 passing for 367 yards and two touchdowns, with a passer rating of 137.5.
Chicago’s defense has been built on a house of cards and their lack of ability to get home with four was their undoing, with Love killing the blitz as he made a habit of doing last year. He was eight of ten for 130 yards and a touchdown against the blitz with a passer rating of 152.1.
It was not a perfect day by Green Bay’s pass protection by any means, but they are clearing the bar of allowing the offense to function, and Love has shown he can do the rest. A word for LaFleur too, who called a great game on offense.
Turnovers return in bunches
Jonathan Gannon’s defense played a fantastic game even without Edgerrin Cooper, shutting down both Tyson Bagent and Case Keenum and limiting them to only seven points while generating five turnovers.
There were strong performances from all three levels of the defense, with Devonte Wyatt playing easily his best game of the year, Ty’Ron Hopper grabbing his opportunity and Brandon Cisse making multiple big plays.
Bagent in particular had a poor game, but the Packers deserve credit for their part in that, and Gannon’s unit continues to impress early in the season.
Packers pass catchers are legit
Christian Watson continues to be a Bear killer, racking up 143 yards and two touchdowns on six catches, including a stunning 53-yard reception for a vital score. He has justified his payday and then some, continuing to play like one of the best wide receivers in football.
Matthew Golden just keeps getting better and set a new career high for receiving yards at 123, just two weeks after the last time he did so when he put up 100 yards against the Falcons.
His two deep grabs were sensational, and he is a perfect pairing with Love due to his ability to adjust and reward his quarterback for giving him a chance.
Tucker Kraft had some important catches of his own including a 46-yard reception as he continues to look more like his old self. These three pass catchers give Love all the ammo he needs to light up the scoreboard as they did today.
Trey Smack's worrying day
The only phase that arguably did not hold up its end of the bargain on Sunday was special teams, as Trey Smack missed three kicks which cost the Packers an additional seven points and Cam Achord’s unit also gave up a 60-yard kickoff return.
Daniel Whelan did his part, booming punts all day long and flipping the field regularly, but there is work to do on special teams. Those points could have come back to haunt the Packers in a closer game.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: 5 takeaways from Packers' 31-7 win over Bears: Love makes a statement