Rodgers thrilled with low-scoring win: 'We've got a defense'
The Green Bay Packers won Thursday's season opener in a manner rarely seen during the Aaron Rodgers era, riding their new-look defense to an important 10-3 win over the NFC North rival Chicago Bears.
The star quarterback believes the performance sent a clear message to the rest of the NFL.
"What we did on defense, I think we showed the league and folks watching that we're not just an offensive football team anymore," Rodgers said, according to Mike Spofford of Packers.com. "We've got a defense."
The Packers terrorized Bears quarterback Mitch Trubisky throughout the game. Trubisky was sacked five times and hit another 11; Green Bay also broke up nine of his passes.
Rodgers said he hadn't seen a defensive display on that level from the Packers for "a long time." The two-time MVP's appreciation for defensive coordinator Mike Pettine's efforts was clear on the sideline:
Aaron Rodgers is happy he finally has a defense pic.twitter.com/5LwzBpAukF
- Jake (@SeedsofJake) September 6, 2019
The Packers bucked their usual approach to free agency and spent big on defense this offseason. Their aggressive approach paid immediate dividends, as new additions like safety Adrian Amos and pass-rushers Za'Darius Smith and Preston Smith were key to holding the Bears to just a field goal.
Amos, who left Chicago for Green Bay, intercepted Trubisky in the end zone late in the fourth quarter and had four tackles for loss. Meanwhile, the Smiths combined for 2.5 sacks and six QB hits.
Chicago's talented defense wasn't to be overshadowed. It kept Rodgers and Co. in check for most of the game, sacking him five times and holding his No. 1 target, Davante Adams, to just four catches for 36 yards.
But at the start of the second quarter, Rodgers found some magic to hit Marquez Valdes-Scantling on a 47-yard deep ball. The lone big play set up the only touchdown of the contest - an eight-yard score to tight end Jimmy Graham.
Rodgers admitted that his play and offense as a whole must improve. But with an intimidating defense finally on his side, the 35-year-old is optimistic about Green Bay's season.
"I hold myself to a high standard, and I didn't play great tonight," Rodgers said, according to Eric Edholm of Yahoo Sports. "But you watch a defense like that, and it gives you a lot of confidence about where this team can go in a game where most people thought we were gonna get probably trounced. To have them play that well and to win a game against the reigning NFC North champions, that's gonna be a fun plane ride."
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