Final prediction for Bears vs. Packers Week 1 game

We made it, Bears fans. Week 1 is here, and it’ll be special.

Justin Fields and the Chicago Bears welcome Jordan Love and the new-look Green Bay Packers to Soldier Field in a game that will go a long way in determining which team is ahead in the NFC North arms race.

Fields vs. Love is the big storyline to watch. Both quarterbacks are former first-round picks who are still works in progress. Fields has more starting experience than Love but needs more refinement as a passer from the pocket. Love, meanwhile, hasn’t had a chance to prove himself on the field over the last three seasons because of Aaron Rodgers’ role as the unquestioned starter in Green Bay. Rodgers is now a New York Jet, paving the way for Love to make his debut as the Packers’ next-gen QB in Week 1.

The edge in the quarterback matchup belongs to Fields for a few reasons. First, he is more experienced than Love, even if his passing needs work. He’s already proven that he’s one of the NFL’s top playmakers who’s capable of dropping 30 points on any defense. He nearly broke the single-season rushing record for a quarterback in 2022.

Second, Fields has a new WR1 to throw to in DJ Moore. Unlike the last two seasons, Fields finally has a receiver he can trust to make plays for him. That trust will lead to more confident throws and more plays downfield.

Lastly, Fields knows the Bears’ offense on a much deeper level this year. It’s his second season in Luke Getsy’s system, and it’s fair to expect him to come out of the gate firing in Week 1.

Love is a great mystery, and he’ll make his first meaningful start without his top wide receiver, Christian Watson. The second-year wideout will miss the game with a hamstring injury.

Love’s No. 2 receiver, Romeo Doubs, will play, but he’s on a snap count with a hamstring injury too, according to multiple reports. There’s a very good chance that Love’s top targets in Week 1 will be a collection of rookies, some of whom were undrafted.

Love has just 83 pass attempts in his NFL career. It’s hardly a big enough sample size to know whether or not he can be a long-term starter. Maybe he’ll be fine. He’s had a chance to sit behind Rodgers and learn the pro game from the sideline, but nothing replaces on-field experience. Love simply doesn’t have any, and the Chicago Bears defense will take advantage of that.

Speaking of the Bears’ defense, this is where I think Chicago will surprise in Week 1. It’s a revamped group with six new starters, including Yannick Ngakoue, who will provide a big boost to a pass-rushing group that finished last in the NFL in sacks in 2022.

Love’s inexperience will lead to some poor decisions, and the Bears’ athletic secondary will take advantage of them. I fully expect at least two interceptions from this group. And if Kyler Gordon and company do their part and give Justin Fields extra chances, Chicago will score points. In bunches.

So, who wins? I got the Bears, 27-17.

Subscribe to The Bears Talk Podcast: APPLE | SPOTIFY | GOOGLE