The Green Bay Packers drilled the Chicago Bears last night 35-14 in the NFL's week 4 opening salvo.
Aaron Rodgers was devastating last night, tossing 4 touchdowns in the game, including a pair in the second half to Jordy Nelson (pictured above) while leading the Packers to a 3-1 record on the season.
But as impressive a win as it appears on the scoreboard, the Bears clearly have an issue trying not to stay out of their own way.
Bears coach John Fox, obviously frustrated after the game, would neither confirm nor deny that quarterback Mike Glennon is the answer going forward.
Glennon turned the ball over last night four times, intercepted twice while fumbling the ball on a pair of occasions, which clearly made the Packers job much easier.
Fox told reporters after the game, that in addition to Glennon's struggles, there were problems everywhere.
"We need to make a lot of changes," Fox said. "We will evaluate everything. We've got a lot of work to do before we line up against Minnesota. We are going to look at everything."
And by everything, that may also include a change at the quarterback position.
The Bears (1-3) maneuvered themselves during the offseason to select Mitch Trubisky in last spring's NFL Draft, taking the North Carolina signal-caller with the second overall pick.
Glennon signed a $16 million guaranteed contract with the Bears during the offseason. But to say he's been a bit of a disappointment thus far -- with eight turnovers in four games -- is probably an understatement.
The game was marked by a massive hit in the third quarter by Bears linebacker Danny Trevathan, who unloaded on Packers wide receiver Davante Adams, who had to be stretchered off the field and sent to a local hospital where he is currently still being evaluated for head injuries.
The Packers did confirm along with emergency officials that Adams did have movement in all extremities, but would still require attention.
Referee John Hussey issued a 15-yard penalty against Trevathan for what was called a "hit to the head."
It remains unclear whether the NFL will move forward with further penalties against Trevathan, which may include a fine or suspension for a targeting violation, or a hit with the crown of the helmet.
This is a thorny issue for the league, already mired in its own ongoing public relations kerfuffle as it relates to the continuing protests of the national anthem. The hit by Trevathan is hard to watch. Multiple Bears defenders had Adams wrapped up when Trevathan lowered his head, hitting the front of Adams' face hard enough to send his mouthpiece flying.
In addition to it being deemed against the rules on the field, it easily could be defined as a dirty play.
If the league suspends Trevathan, it will likely be appealed. If the league does nothing, detractors will immediately call out the league for being inconsistent in regards to protecting players from such violent hits.
Stay tuned...
It appears that Aaron Rodgers' request for a little bit of FETUJ went largely ignored.
Earlier this week, Rodgers invited Packers fans to join the team in what he called a show of "Freedom, Equality, Tolerance, Unity and Juice" during the pregame ceremonies leading up to their game against the Bears, in particular the national anthem.
It appears the fans had little interest in participating.
A few smatterings of fan unity aside, most Packers fans seemed disinterested in the ceremony. Moments before the playing of the anthem, fans could be heard chanting "USA, USA".
And before someone wants to call me out for never attacking the media, let me take this opportunity to do just that.
We've been very quick to pounce on the anthem protests story so long as there are good soundbites and video clips which fit the narrative.
It would be nice if we'd be equally as eager to pounce onto the story when it falls flat.
The anthem protests are only going to be effective if they're not dumbed down to the point where it becomes an "us vs. them" issue. Fans who paid to get into football games want to be entertained, they don't want a civics lesson.
And while those sitting at home do have any number of choices to turn to if they don't want to partake in this little chapter of the national dialogue, those in attendance cannot simply change the channel. It would be wise to not make them feel ostracized by those very entertainers they came to see.
And it would do us media types a bit of good to call attention to when these measures backfire. It doesn't add to or diminish anything from the storyline of what these players are attempting to call attention to, but it does give the purveyor of news an opportunity to see both sides covered, fairly and accurately.
And that's all really a lot of people are asking to see.
Today is "National Coffee Day".... I didn't know that was a real thing till my boss told me earlier this morning, as I was pouring another cup of caffeinated goodness down my throat.
So have an extra cup of coffee, on me. Enjoy that.
Coming up on FIRST SPORTS, today at 9am ET on I Heart Radio, we've got a preview of Sunday's game between the Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Rams with Kristi Scales of the Cowboys Radio Network. We'll also chat up some of the NFL and college football's best bets with Lee Sterling of Paramount Sports.
And we'll catch up on the world of the Monster Energy NASCAR Playoffs with Sam Atwell of the Race Report.
You can hear FIRST SPORTS, weekdays from 9am to Noon ET, across America on the I Heart Radio app at foxsports1340.com, or locally on the radio dial at AM1340/93.9FM!
And it's gonna be a busy weekend of sports and sports talk right here.
Tonight, Westwood One Sports presents the first of two college football games with 5th ranked USC traveling to Washington State to face the 19th ranked Cougars. Tomorrow afternoon, SEC teams collide as Georgia squares off with Tennessee.
THE FAST TRACK, presented by SunRay Park and Casino, has plenty of best bets in horse racing, airs weekend mornings at 10am ET.
And Denver Broncos football takes center stage Sunday on the Broncos Radio Network as they host the Oakland Raiders.
So, please, enjoy the weekend. Feel free to protest, to sit, stand, kneel, whatever it is that's in your heart.
I'm not judging.
Enjoy the game.
You're welcome, America.