Early NFL picks, predictions for Week 1 of 2023 season

GLENDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 12: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates after Super Bowl LVII against the Philadelphia Eagles at State Farm Stadium on February 12, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona. The Chiefs defeated the Eagles 38-35. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images) /

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NFL Picks: Justin Fields #1 of the Chicago Bears reacts against the Buffalo Bills at Soldier Field on December 24, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

Green Bay Packers (8-9) @ Chicago Bears (3-14)

Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, Soldier Field, Chicago

This battle of two NFC North teams will no longer feature Chicago Bears owner Aaron Rodgers.

Too soon?

In all seriousness, it’s going to be weird to see the Green Bay Packers without Aaron Rodgers. I still remember doing an internship in college, listening to ESPN radio while I was working, and it was fantasy football experts talking about how Aaron Rodgers was a sleeper pick because of how good and efficient he was in the red zone during his second season as the Packers’ starter.

Time really flies.

Now, just like Brett Favre, Aaron Rodgers has gone off to play for the New York Jets, and the Packers are officially moving into the Jordan Love era. How will Love do with the pressure of living up to this impossibly high standard of QB play in Green Bay?

On the other side of the field, how is Justin Fields going to do with huge expectations now that the team has gone out and added some major pieces to the offensive side of the ball like big-money free agent Nate Davis, first-round pick Darnell Wright, and blockbuster trade acquisition DJ Moore?

The Bears boast a new-look defense and the Packers boast a new-look offense. I think Justin Fields will pick up right where he left off last season, which was dominating on the ground. The Bears start fresh with their revamped roster and spoil the season debut of Jordan Love.

Prediction: Bears win 28-20

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