Offense breaks out, shows whats possible in dominant win over Bears

Wes Hodkiewicz

GREEN BAYXavier McKinneysaw nearly everything on the field Sunday, evidenced by his interceptions to help catapult the Packers to a much-needed 31-7 win over the Chicago Bears.

The postgame locker room was a different story, though.

McKinney was locked in on the horde of media standing before him in the middle of the Packers' locker room whenEvan Williamsquietly slid behind him and surprised McKinney with a quick message to the cameras.

"Best in the world," said Williams, pointing repeatedly to the back of McKinney's head for effect. "Best in the world."

The scene drew a wry smile from McKinney, who indeed reminded the NFL of his All-Pro credentials during a dominant win over the Bears.

The 28-year-old safety was back to his old playmaking ways, beginning with his interception of Chicago QB Tyson Bagent midway through the first quarter.

Ranging over the top of the defense, McKinney was right where he needed to be whenJavon Bullardtipped Bagent's pass intended for Luther Burden. The ball fell into McKinney's grasp for second INT of the year.

The Packers parlayed the takeaway in a 10-play, 45-yard scoring drive, capped byMarShawn Lloyd's 7-yard touchdown run to put Green Bay up 14-0 early in the second quarter.

"Man, X everywhere," said Bullard of his reaction to seeing McKinney's INT. "He might be in front of you one play, beside you the next, behind you afterward. I don't know. He be everywhere. I'm glad he was there on that play, for sure."

McKinney wasn't done. Chicago had just converted a fourth down at midfield when McKinney jumped in front of a Bagent pass intended for Colston Loveland to notch his fourth NFL game with two interceptions.

Green Bay scored three plays later on another Lloyd touchdown run to extend its lead to 31-7 to put the game virtually out of reach.

The Bears benched Bagent in favor of veteran Case Keenum after McKinney's second INT, which began a streak of four consecutive defensive series with a takeaway.

Ty'Ron Hopperpicked off Keenum, thenZaire Franklinforced a fumble of Rome Odunze, andDevonte Wyatthad a strip sack of Keenum that Williams recovered.

Green Bay's five takeaways were its most in a game since Dec. 11, 2016, vs. Seattle (six takeaways).

"When you get takeaways, that changes the game," McKinney said. "A lot of times when you get more takeaways than them, your percentages of winning are gonna be high. We always try to pride ourselves on that, especially the DB group."

With three interceptions, the Packers have already tied their 2025 season total of seven in the first five games of 2026.

Likewise, McKinney's team-leading three interceptions have already surpassed his two picks from last year and given him 13 INTs over his first 39 regular-season games in Green Bay.

"I think Xavier McKinney is the best in the league, and I don't think he gets enough credit for that, though," Bullard said.

"Week in, week out, we talking about year in, year out, what the dude got, like 23 picks in his career? I don't think he get enough shine, enough recognition for his style play for what he brings to our defense. So, I'm not surprised at all. He had two today. I expect a lot more from him."

Chicago finished with just 165 total passing yards while Bagent and Keenum combined for 23-of-40 passing for 195 yards and three interceptions for a 39.1 passer rating. Green Bay also limited the Bears to just 81 yards on 24 carries (3.4-yard average).

McKinney credited defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon for his game plan and play calls but also felt the 11 players on the field showed what was possible after an up-and-down first month of the 2026 season.

"We gotta do this every week no matter who the opponent is," McKinney said. "I think today we came out here and we were able to show the world and show ourselves what we're capable of doing."

A day of explosive plays:The Packers finished with seven plays of 20-plus yards thanks in large to the receiving tandem ofChristian WatsonandMatthew Golden.

Watson caught six passes for 143 yards and two touchdowns while Golden produced a career-high 123 receiving yards on six catches (20.5 avg.).

Together, Golden and Watson became the first Green Bay duo with six-plus catches and 120-plus receiving yards each since WRs Davante Adams and Jordy Nelson did so vs. Tennessee on Nov. 13, 2016.

"I feel like with me and Christian, we can get really anywhere, underneath, over the top," Golden said. "It's a lot of things we can do. With speed, it's hard to really cover it, but like I said man, me and Christian got a lot of confidence in each other. We push each other each and every day. I know it's a lot more plays for us to go out there and make."

Watson sparked the offense at the start of the game with a 42-yard TD on Green Bay's opening drive and then did it again when he hauled in a 53-yard bomb fromJordan Loveto start the third quarter.

The latter was especially critical given it came on third-and-22 after Clay Martin's crew called offensive pass interference onJ. Michael Sturdivantduring what would have been a 43-yard TD on the previous play.

"It was a desperate situation, so we needed a play," Watson said. "We needed a chunk play. Honestly, that's one of the plays that we rep in that situation. Obviously, we have a few, but in that situation, a lot of them are going to be a shot or it's going to be a screen."

Hopper and the Bears:There is something about playing the Chicago Bears that seems to bring out the best in Ty'Ron Hopper.

Nine months after picking off Caleb Williams in the NFC Wild Card playoffs, the Packers' third-year linebacker did it again when he stepped in front of a fourth-and-goal Keenum pass and picked off the 38-year-old quarterback in the end zone.

Throughout the game, Hopper and veteranIsaiah McDuffieplatooned in the linebacker spot that was vacated due toEdgerrin Coopertearing his Achilles last week vs. Tampa Bay.

"I told him since OTAs I believed in his talent and just who he was as a person, as a player," Franklin said. "He ain't new to this. I told y'all earlier this week, Hop done made plays against Chicago in big games, so he just kept that rolling. I was happy for him."

Pep talk:Tight endTucker Krafthas been on MarShawn Lloyd in recent days, reminding the Packers' third-year running back to run "behind his pads."

Lloyd did as he was told and showed what was possible while bulldozing through Chicago cornerback Jaylon Johnson on his way to the first of two TD runs on Sunday.

"I've been talking to MarShawn every day," Kraft said. "You see him take off, run somebody over, get in the end zone. He got in the end zone twice today. Just testament to his work."

Familiarity up front:The Packers had the same starting five offensive linemen for the first time this season, asTravis Gloverstarted at right guard for the second straight game.

That unit paved the way for Green Bay to produced 428 total yards and his highest point total of the year.

"I think what we had going these past two games has been great," centerSean Rhyansaid. "Keeping '10' cleaner than the first (three) games. Running the ball, opening up the passes. I mean, MG and Christian going crazy. We love that. Just players making plays."