Opening day was a fun one for Chicago Bears fans. After watching a shaky first half against the San Francisco 49ers, their team rallied with 19 unanswered points in the second to knock off what many see as a Super Bowl contender. It was one of the most convincing wins this team has had in years. After basking in the joy of it for a bit, people at home got to sit back and watch the rest of Sunday’s game in peace. They couldn’t have known their good times weren’t yet finished. Aaron Rodgers was about to provide more.
The Green Bay Packers quarterback came into the 2022 season with his usual confidence. Despite their ugly exit from the playoffs back in January, most predicted they would again claim the NFC North crown. The Minnesota Vikings didn’t take kindly to those assumptions as they proceeded to smack the Packers around for 60 minutes. Rodgers didn’t just look mortal in that game. He looked downright bad, finishing with 197 yards, an interception, and a 67.7 passer rating.
First time sine 2019 an NFC North opponent has intercepted @AaronRodgers12
pic.twitter.com/fB9RZhpfSo— trey wingo (@wingoz) September 11, 2022
Aaron Rodgers under constant pressure from a relentless Vikings defense. #SKOL pic.twitter.com/MID4bao4yB
— uSTADIUM (@uSTADIUM) September 11, 2022
Nothing summed the day up better than late in the 2nd quarter. Green Bay had been stuffed at the goal line on the previous drive. Then they were forced into a 3-and-out with Rodgers throwing two incompletions. Cameras caught him on the sideline going through a pretty animated rant.
The guy was always easy to hate because of the team he played for. However, in recent years his off-the-field shenanigans have only made him even less likable as a person. That is why it is extra delicious when he blows a big game or gets a proper ass-whipping from an opponent. It was evident that the situation around him had not gotten better since last season. He missed wide receiver Davante Adams terribly. Their prized 2nd round pick, Christian Watson, dropped a sure touchdown pass in the 1st quarter.
Nobody else stepped up. Aaron Rodgers was also sacked four times, something he’s not used to. That offers hope for the Bears next Sunday night. While beating the Packers doesn’t figure to be any less difficult than in previous years, it looks like their timeless rivals are more vulnerable than they’ve been in years. It would be quite the moment if they could go into Lambeau Field and take one from them on national TV.
