The NFL is officially back and there are few better ways to kick off the season than featuring the 207th matchup between the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears on opening weekend.

"Well, I think you have to state what it is. I mean, it's a heck of a rivalry, right? It's the best tradition [and the] best rivalry in football, you know, so you got to state that that's a fact," Bears head coach Matt Eberflus told reporters Wednesday.

Both teams have new eras underway. The Jordan Love Era enters Year 1 in Green Bay and Year 3(ish) of the Justin Fields Era is what will define the Bears' 2023 season.

A lot of questions surround both players, especially the former in Love. That's primarily because Fields simply has more tape, therefore, more people are familiar with his abilities, strengths, and weaknesses. 

But still, even though it's a very limited sample size, you can see what Love is capable of if you're watching close enough.

"We think love is very athletic," said Eberflus. "We think he's got good escape ability [and] he's got the ability to move in and out of the pocket. He's exhibited that when he's been in there, and certainly on his college tape, he did too. He's a he's a very good athlete."

Love has a strong arm and he really showed off his mobility during the Packers' final preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks, as he ran three times for 21-yards. Two of those runs went for first downs, including Love's five-yard scramble on a 3rd and 3. He even finished the preseason as the best running QB among QBs with at least 37 dropbacks, per Pro Football Focus. 

There are multiple facets to Love's game and the Packers are going to need him to utilize everything against the Bears and against future opponents.

Eberflus also praised Packers Pro Bowler Kenny Clark

It's not all on Love's shoulders, however, as the Packers defense is going to have to deal with what should be a much-improved Fields and the rest of the Bears offense.

As with most things, it'll start up front, which means Kenny Clark will have to anchor the front seven in order for everyone else to have a good shot at making plays.

Fortunately, for the Packers, Clark is one of the best interior defensive lineman in the game. If anyone can handle the responsibility – he can.

"The get off [and] the power, you know, the speed-to-power that he has [and] the athleticism," said Eberflus. "[He] is a good run player. He's a good with one-on-one matchups – so he's a very good player."

The Bears interior offensive line has been shuffled around a bit since starting guard Teven Jenkins was placed on IR. Backup OL and former Packer, Lucas Patrick, is going to fill in at center while Cody Whitehair, who was initially penciled as the starting center, slides back over to guard.

It's not a huge drop-off, but at the same time, Clark will have an opportunity to really flex his muscles on Sunday. And if the Packers defense wants to get off to the fast start it needs, Clark's going to have to make sure he takes advantage of every bit said opportunity.

Predicting the winner of every single 2023 Packers game

The Packers are young and dynamic, which should make for a fun year.

Featured image via Wm. Glasheen USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin