Chicago Bears Lose Season Opener to Green Bay Packers 31-23

Former Bear James 'Big Cat' Williams on the Packers Win at Soldier Field


The outcome was as expected: the Super-Bowl caliber Green Bay Packers beat the rebuilding Chicago Bears in the season-opener at Soldier Field. But the Bears ability to effectively run the ball, limit penalties, and run a more up-tempo offense surpassed most fans' expectations. Quarterback Jay Cutler threw a costly fourth-quarter interception, and the defense struggled to contain Packers wide receiver James Jones. Still, the John Fox-led Bears looked more encouraging than discouraging.

Former Bear James "Big Cat" Williams joins Ann Kreiter to give us his take on the first game of the season. Find out what "Big Cat" thought of Matt Forte's 141-yard rushing effort, Robbie Gould's record-setting performance and the game plan of the new coaching staff.

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Also, don't miss our preview of next Sunday's game with Craig Morgan, a Chicago native and Arizona sports reporter, below.

Forte Totals 166 Yards from Scrimmage

Bears running back Matt Forte totaled 166 yards from scrimmage (141 rushing, 25 receiving) in Sunday’s game against Green Bay. It was the 24th game of Forte’s career with at least 150 yards from scrimmage, the most in the NFL since he joined the league in 2008.

Wilson Grabs Career Long 50-Yard Reception

Third-year Bears wide receiver Marquess Wilson had two receptions for 59 yards in Week 1 against the Packers, including a career-long 50-yard reception. Entering the game, Wilson’s career-long reception was 17 yards on Dec. 21, 2014, against the Detroit Lions.

Bennett Hauls in Touchdown in Season Opener

Bears tight end Martellus Bennett had five receptions for 55 yards, including a 24-yard TD catch in Week 1 against Green Bay. This was the fourth consecutive season opener that Bennett has recorded a touchdown reception (one with the New York Giants in 2012, three straight with Chicago from 2013-15). In three seasons with the Bears, Bennett now has 12 touchdown receptions in 33 contests.

The 0-1 Bears next test will be at home against the 1-0 Arizona Cardinals this Sunday at noon.


Share Your Fan Photos with Us

How do you celebrate the Bears? Send us your fan photos and we'll add them to our online gallery. We may even use them on the air during our weekly "Big Cat" segments. Use the form below – no signup required – to show us how you tailgate, paint your face, feed your friends, dress you pet and ... well, you get the idea, right?

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Craig MorganCraig Morgan Bears vs. Cardinals Preview

Craig Morgan, a Chicago native and Arizona sports reporter, covers the Cardinals for arizonasports.com. He gives us his take on what Bears fans can expect from the Cardinals next Sunday at Soldier Field, after their season-opening win over the Saints.

Chicago Tonight: The Bears famously passed over Bruce Arians for the head coaching position in 2013, hiring Marc Trestman instead. But the Cardinals quickly named Arians as their new head coach. What’s his rapport been like with the players, fans, and media?

Craig Morgan: This city is in love with Bruce. He’s great in front of the camera. He waited so long to get this head coaching opportunity, and he knows he’s at the end of his career, so he doesn’t really care what he says. And people love him for it. He’s very candid with us.

CT: Expectations for the Bears are low in Chicago. What’s the story in Arizona, how are fans and media feeling about this Cardinals team?

CM: There’s a sense around here that the window of opportunity is closing on this cast of characters. Carson Palmer is 35 years old – how much longer can he sustain this level of play? We thought last year was the one. But then Carson went down (with a season-ending knee injury) and then (backup quarterback) Drew Stanton got hurt. It was a house of cards. So there’s really a heightened sense of anticipation about getting it done this season.

CT: Carson Palmer is coming back from his second major knee injury. How confident are the Cardinals that he can hold up?

CM: I think we got a sense in the offseason that he was going to be just fine by the time the season rolled around. It was clear during the preseason that he just needed reps. If they lose him at any point again, the season unravels. They need to keep him healthy, which is incumbent upon the offensive line.

CT: Running back Andre Ellington hurt his knee in Game 1 against New Orleans. What’s his status?

CM: There are various reports, most likely it’s his PCL (posterior cruciate ligament) and he’ll be out 2 to 3 weeks, so it’s not that severe. There are always question marks about his durability. That’s why signing running back Chris Johnson (in August) was a good move.

CT: What’s the word on the street around Cardinals camp about the Bears?

CM: There’s a lot of awareness of what’s going on in Chicago. From a media standpoint, I’m not sure there’s a lot of respect for the Bears. Most think the Cardinals can go in there and get a win. But there is respect for John Fox. It’s just a matter of how long it takes for him to get his plan implemented. 

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