Packers’ D, Rodgers beat Bears 10-3 in opener
CHICAGO — Aaron Rodgers doesn’t have to lay waste to a defense to enjoy Packers football.
He sure had a good time seeing what his guys on the other side of the ball did Thursday night to the archrival Bears.
“Yeah, it was fun to watch,” Rodgers said after Green Bay opened the NFL’s 100th season with a 10-3 victory over Chicago. “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen a performance like that. Obviously, a lot of credit to Mike Pettine and his staff, but to those players, just incredible.
“We didn’t do them a whole lot of favors with our performance on offense. I mean every time we needed something a stop, they came up with some really big plays.”
It was a defensive battle also marked by sloppy offense and penalties. A lack of action in the preseason clearly damaged both offenses, and Rodgers at times looked uncomfortable in the attack designed by new coach Matt LaFleur. But he is a two-time league MVP, and he hit Jimmy Graham in the second quarter for the only touchdown.
That aggressive Green Bay defense would have made Vince Lombardi proud in the latest edition of the NFL’s longest rivalry, which the Packers lead 98-95-6. Green Bay has won 16 of the last 19 regularseason meetings, and Rodgers is 17-5.
Chicago’s defense hardly slacked, getting five sacks — tying the most it has had against Rodgers. But it could do little with the ball and the Packers had five sacks of Mitchell Trubisky, who never found his stride, and was sacked on Chicago’s final offensive play. Former Bears safety Adrian Amos picked off an end-zone pass into double coverage with 1:58 remaining, the only turnover of the contest.
“It feels real good,” Amos said. “It feels great to come back to win and how we did as a defense.”
Mason Crosby made a 39-yard field goal in the final period for Green Bay, while defending NFC North champion Chicago got a 38-yarder from Eddy Pineiro.
The NFL opted to go for a history-tinged opener rather than having the Super Bowl champions host the first game. New England will be at home to Pittsburgh on Sunday night.
Dak Prescott, Amari Cooper and Ezekiel Elliott are all together again.
The Dallas Cowboys had an obstacle standing in their way as they try to become the first team to win consecutive NFC East titles since the Philadelphia Eagles did it four straight seasons from 2001-04.
Ezekiel Elliott, the two-time NFL rushing champion, signed a $90 million, six-year extension that makes Elliott the highest-paid player at his position.
Prescott has led the Cowboys to a pair of division titles in three seasons, but watched Carson Wentz get a $128 million contract extension from the Eagles despite finishing the last two seasons on the sideline while Nick Foles led Philadelphia to four playoff wins, including a Super Bowl title.
Prescott is willing to play for his $2 million base salary knowing he's going to get a deal likely worth in the area of $30 million annually. Cooper also is content entering the final year of his rookie deal because he will make nearly $10 million.
"I want to be a Cowboy forever, the people doing the deal feel the same way, so there's no rush," Prescott said in the spring. "I know it'll get done. It's all generational money, life-changing money. I know I'll get taken care of."
The NFC East is a two-team race between Dallas and Philadelphia. The Eagles have a stacked roster, but their biggest question centers on Wentz's health.
He tore his ACL in 2017 and suffered a back injury in 2018. Foles is in Jacksonville now, so the luxury of having a Super Bowl MVP backup is gone. Wentz arrived to camp in the best shape of his life and has plenty of talent surrounding him on offense.
"I think we have the ability to do something really special with this group, but it's going to take a lot of work," Wentz said.
Things to know about the NFC East:
Dynamic offense
If Wentz stays healthy and plays like he did in 2017 when he finished third in NFL MVP voting, the Eagles should have one of the league's most powerful offenses.
The addition of wide receiver DeSean Jackson to join Alshon Jeffery and Nelson Agholor gives the team a deep threat who will open the field underneath for everyone else. Rookie wideout J.J. Arcega-Whiteside has Jeffery's jump-ball skills.
Tight ends Zach Ertz and Dallas Goedert may be the best 1-2 tandem in the league. The run game should be improved with Jordan Howard's arrival from Chicago and rookie Miles Sanders, who has shined in camp.
Lame-duck coach?
Cowboys coach Jason Garrett enters the final year of his contract and has two playoff wins in nine seasons. He has to win now or owner Jerry Jones will have to make a tough decision. He's got the players on offense to help him. Prescott thrived once Cooper arrived last October, but was sacked 56 times, second most in the league.
The return of center Travis Frederick should bolster a unit that includes sixtime Pro Bowl left tackle Tyron Smith and five-time Pro Bowl right guard Zack Martin.
There's so much potential on offense that tight end Jason Witten left the Monday Night Football broadcast booth after one year to return for his 16th season.
All about youngsters
Rookie Dwayne Haskins, veteran Case Keenum and longtime backup Colt McCoy are competing to be Washington's starting QB. Haskins, the 15th overall pick in the draft, may not be under center Week 1 but is expected to see plenty of action.
The Redskins have another exciting rookie first-round pick to watch, defensive end Montez Sweat, and everyone is waiting to see second-year running back Derrius Guice return from a knee injury that cost him his rookie season. Coach Jay Gruden is on the hot seat and his job status could hinge on the development of the young players.
Eli’s replacement
The New York Giants drafted Eli Manning's eventual successor with the sixth overall pick, but it's uncertain when Daniel Jones will take over.
The 38-year-old Manning hasn't won a playoff game since winning his second Super Bowl in February 2012 and is nearing the end with a rebuilding team. Odell Beckham Jr. is gone, one of several unpopular moves by general manager Dave Gettleman. At least the Giants have Saquon Barkley. The dynamic secondyear running back is worth the price of admission and can almost help the team pull off upsets by himself.
Predicted order of finish
Philadelphia, Dallas, Washington, New York Giants.