GREEN BAY, Wis. (670 The Score) -- For all that has changed at historic Lambeau Field, so much has stayed the same. That's certainly true for the Bears, who have so often endured the same frustrating fate at the 65-year-old football cathedral.
The Bears lost 27-10 to the Packers on Sunday night at Lambeau Field, which marked their seventh straight road setback to their rival from Green Bay. Though Chicago has a reshaped roster, a new regime led by first-year general manager Ryan Poles and a new head coach in Matt Eberflus, the outcome Sunday proved to be familiar.
The Bears’ offense was inconsistent, the defense was picked apart by star quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the Packers and Chicago walked into the south stadium tunnel being showered by taunts from the local fans.
“When this happens and you have adversity, it stings and it hurts,” Eberflus said after his first loss while leading the Bears. “You have to soak that in.”
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One week prior, the Bears had earned a surprising victory over the 49ers at Soldier Field in their season opener. They made the key plays on offense, their defense held strong and they celebrated by sliding through the rain-soaked Bermuda grass on their home field. Eberflus’ HITS principle was heralded, and the Bears appeared to prove a point early on.
But Lambeau Field is where the Bears have been humbled time and time again. It has proved to be a house of horrors for the franchise, and it's the home of constant reminders that the Packers have owned the NFC North.
On Sunday, Bears second-year quarterback Justin Fields – the most important player in the team's future – finished 7-of-11 for 70 yards and an interception. Chicago offensive coordinator Luke Getsy planned for a run-heavy scheme and largely left Fields out of the equation.
Eberflus’ defense was gashed for 414 yards by the Packers, including 6.3 yards per play, 211 net passing yards and 203 rushing yards. Rodgers and Green Bay continued their ownership in this rivalry.
“Just coming out with a disappointing loss like this, it hurts,” Fields said. “But we just got to respond.”
While the Bears could’ve perhaps altered the game Sunday with a stop after a second-and-28 situation in the second quarter or with better execution on their fourth-and-goal play from the Packers' 1-yard line in the fourth quarter, the final score was indicative of where the rivalry stands.
The Packers expect to compete for a championship this season, and anything less than the Super Bowl means disappointment in Green Bay. Meanwhile, the Bears are working through a rebuilding season, understanding well that there will be frustrating Sundays like this one.
For the Bears to have success in the near future, it needs to come from Fields' development and a continued commitment to Eberflus’ defensive identity. The Bears saw Sunday how far they still have to go in their path forward.
Once again, Lambeau Field was the site of a humbling loss for the Bears.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.
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