Za’Darius Smith and the Green Bay Packers were able to come away with a huge Week 1 win over the Chicago Bears. It wasn’t a pretty game, but the Packers’ defense was able to hold the Bears to just three points in a 10-3 victory. That kind of performance was a breath of fresh air in Green Bay.

According to Pro Football Focus, Smith actually led the NFL in quarterback pressures for Week 1 alongside Danielle Hunter. Both pass rushers ended up with 10 quarterback pressures, which is an incredibly impressive stat.

NFL Week 1 – QB pressure leaders via @PFF Za'Darius Smith: 10

Danielle Hunter: 10

Devon Kennard: 9

T.J. Watt: 7

Quinton Jefferson: 7

Terrell Suggs: 7 — Mike Johnson (@PFF_MJ) September 10, 2019

Green Bay is without question feeling very good about the big money they paid to Smith. Brian Gutekunst went out and spent big bucks to improve the Packers’ pass rush and it paid off in a big way against the Bears.

Smith ended up recording three tackles, a sack, and three quarterback hits against the Bears. The other big offseason addition, Preston Smith, had a big game as well, recording five total tackles, 1.5 sacks, a defended pass, and three quarterback hits.

Both of the Smith’s are going to be major keys for the Packers to get back to the playoffs. After two straight seasons of missing the playoffs, the pass rush has to continue stepping up. Green Bay will have another tough matchup in Week 2 against the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field.

Expect to see another heavy dose of the “Smith Brothers” for Green Bay. The Packers are going to do everything they can to pressure Kirk Cousins and Za’Darius Smith should be in line for another big performance.