The Green Bay Packers took on their division rival Chicago Bears during Thursday Night Football. After the Pack lost in embarrassing fashion to the Dallas Cowboys last week, they needed to respond in a big way. They did, beating the Bears 26-10. The Packers appear to be fighting for a Wild Card spot at this point in the season with the Minnesota Vikings yet to suffer a loss. They will need to play much better than they have recently, and it started on Thursday night. Here are the Green Bay Packers week seven takeaways.
Green Bay Packers Week Seven Takeaways
Aaron Rodgers Looks Much Better
Aaron Rodgers, the Packers pride and joy, had been struggling recently, and fans were noticing. He would finally break 300 passing yards, which he hasn’t done in 14 games. With both Eddie Lacy and James Starks due to miss several weeks, even more weight fell on the shoulders of Rodgers. And he responded, as he threw the ball 56 times, completing 39 passes. He threw two touchdowns to Davante Adams, and threw Randall Cobb’s first receiving touchdown of the season, for three on the night.
Rodgers finally looked like his old self during the second half of the game. He sat back and picked apart the Bears, who rank seventh worst in the league against the pass. If Rodgers wants to get rid of all the negative scrutiny, he’s going to have to continue to perform well against better defenses. His opportunity will come in week ten against a top 12 defense in the Tennessee Titans.
Ty Montgomery Steps Up
Eddie Lacy was placed on injured reserve earlier in the week. This came along with the news that James Starks was going to miss at least four weeks. So, Packers were coming into this game very thin at the running back position. They traded a seventh-round pick to the Kansas City Chiefs for 25-year-old Knile Davis. They also promoted Don Jackson form the practice squad, and named him the starter before the game. Jackson and Davis combined for just four carries and seven yards. Ty Montgomery would step up and play a big role in the backfield.
Montgomery carried the ball nine times for 60 yards, 30 coming on one play. He would also catch ten passes on 13 targets, coming both out of the backfield and playing his natural wide receiver position. Both Jackson and Davis are questions marks, as Davis got hurt and wouldn’t return, and Davis was a fourth string back in Kansas City. The emergence of Montgomery may solidify his role as a hybrid back that this team may need.
Week Eight Preview
The Packers have a ten-day break between games, and should look to take advantage. This team still needs work, both with the passing game, and getting their running backs up to speed. Coming off less than 250 yards allowed, the defense will face a much tougher test in the offensive powerhouse Atlanta Falcons. They play the Falcons next Sunday in Atlanta.
