The NFL season is an evolving state of affairs, and week 14 finds your 9-3 Chicago Bears as the #1 seed in the NFC Playoff race entering December with a visit to the Frozen Tundra of Lambeau Field to face
the Green Bay Packers. The winner of this game takes over as the leader of the NFC North.
In this weekly series, I’ll be featuring one player from each team on each side of the ball who I believe to be integral to their respective team’s success. It’s not always about the quarterback or superstar defensive players like Micah Parsons and Myles Garrett. Importance is all relative, and while the “star” players are obviously important each week, this series will also highlight some of the other guys.
Because let’s face it, often, the unsung players are just as critical to the team’s success.
Here are the players that I will be keyed in on in this one.
Let’s get started with the Chicago Bears!
Offense: D’Andre Swift, RB
The reigning FedEx Air & Ground Player of the Week looks to continue his high level of play on the road this week in Green Bay. In his two games against the Packers last season, the Bears RB ran for 136 yards and 2 scores on 34 carries for a 4 ypc average. Considering he has only scored 1 TD in his 5 other divisional games as a Bear, it is noteworthy how much success he seems to have against the Cheese. With GB having traded away long-time starter Kenny Clark and the injury last week to former 1st rounder Devonte Wyatt, the Packers are more susceptible than ever to rushing yards up the middle.
If Swift can take advantage of the open lanes like he did last week, thanks to his offensive line, not only should it help the offense get into scoring position, but it should also offset the threat of All-Pro pass rusher, Micah Parsons. If he can’t and loses the burst and decisiveness that he’s been running with lately, GB will have a great chance at a win.
Defense: Jaylon Johnson, CB
Though he only played roughly 30% of the snaps last week in his return from the injury he sustained earlier in the season, Chicago’s CB 1 reminded fans how much he was missed with this pass coverage and awareness. This week, he should see closer to a 100% snap count and will once again be lined up 1 on 1 with Packer WR Christian Watson, who will face the Bears for the first time since tearing his ACL against the Bears at Lambeau Field last season.
A play many remember where Jaylon Johnson knelt down in prayerful support of his fallen opponent. Well, with both players having nursed injuries between now and then and both expected to be at full health, this should be a heck of a match-up. If Jaylon and the Bears secondary can force a turnover or two against Jordan Love and the Packers, Chicago should come away with the win. If Johnson fails to come down with a ball and get’s beat in his return, especially deep to Watson, GB should be able to do enough to win.
Green Bay Packers
Offense: Zach Tom, RT
By now, Bears fans should have a healthy amount of appreciation for a reliable, Pro Bowl level Right Tackle. That is exactly what Zach Tom is for Green Bay and currently their best and healthiest offensive lineman. Be it opening holes for Jacobs and Wilson in the run game, or keeping a clean pocket for Jordan Love, Tom is the key for both of those objectives.
Chicago has been vulnerable to the run this season, so I fully expect them to try and run the ball behind their stud RT. Additionally, when pressured, Jordan Love is prone to turn the ball over, so my eyes will be fixed on Tom going up against Montez Sweat and Co. this week. If Chicago can set the edge vs. Tom and the Packers and slow down the run, it should force the game into Love’s hands. If Tom can help keep Love upright, Chicago fans may witness the familiar sight of a GB QB throwing dimes against the Bears Defense.
Defense: Quay Walker, LB
After a couple of disappointing seasons in GB, Quay Walker appears to be piecing together his finest season as a pro. Leading all Packer LBs in tackles per game, total sacks, TFL and QBH while also notching 4 passes defensed. It seems the addition of Micah Parsons has helped Walker more than anyone as offenses are aiming to limit Parsons’ impact and allowing Walker to roam more freely.
With GB battling injuries to their defensive line and the temperatures to be below freezing in Green Bay, I expect Chicago to run the ball early and often against the Packers, especially up the middle. How the linebackers respond, especially #7, will go a long way in determining the outcome in this one. If Chicago’s stellar offensive line can get bodies on Walker and Edgerrin Cooper and run the ball like they did a week ago, it should be Chicago’s 2nd win at Lambeau in 2025.
What about you? Which players on both sides will you be keying on against GB? Let us know in the comments!
Recap from Week 13:
Bears O – Drew Dalman, C: Multiple key blocks for a run game that amassed 281 yards.
Bears D – Gervon Dexter, Sr., DT: Only 1 tackles, but multiple pressures.
Eagles O – Saquon Barkley, RB: 13 carries for 56 yards and no scores.
Eagles D – Jaelan Phillips, DE: 4 tackles, 2 solo and 1 pass defensed.
Remember, there’s a near-zero chance of a Bears win when all four players perform in a way that favors the opponent. Here, we keep track of weeks past to see how things unfolded:
Week 1: Loveland, Jarrett, Mason, Metellus – Vikes owned 75% this week. Perhaps 100%. L
Week 2: Jackson, Edmunds, Gibbs, Branch – Again, we were owned in 75% this week, maybe 100%. L
Week 3: Moore, Dexter Sr., Pickens, Sanborn – Finally, we dominated in all phases. At least 75% in our favor. W
Week 4: Swift, Brisker, Jeanty, Chinn – I’d say we went 2-2 here and barely squeaked away with the win. W
Week 6: Benedet, Spidey, Deebo, Payne – Split at a minimum but I say 75% in our favor. W
Week 7: Burden, Byard, Shaheed, Werner – Easily secured 3/4 of these for the win that was not as close as score would indicate. W
Week 8: Loveland, Billings, Henry, Roquan – 0/4 – L
Week 9: Monangai, Booker, Chase, Knight – 3/4 , arguably all 4 if you consider Chase’s numbers. – W
Week 10: Benedet, Edmunds, Tracy Jr., Lawrence – 3/4 , arguably all 4 if you consider o sacks allowed. – W
Week 11: Loveland, Sweat, Jones, Turner – 2/4 maybe. Went down to the wire. – W
Week 12: DJ, Brisk, Gainwell, Ramsey – 2/4, maybe 3/4 if you count Brisker’s game winning pass deflection. – W
Week 13: Dalman, Gervon, Saquon, Phillips – 3/4 though Phillips was close to doing more damage. – W
The fans and I are on the same page once again. Though you could easily include Kyle Monangai here, the run game will be paramount regardless and as we pointed out above, Swift tends to play his best ball against GB.
The return of Jaylon Johnson is another huge storyline and his health couldn’t have be restored at a better time as Love and the Packers have been playing exceptionally well of late. It will be fascinating to see if these two Bears step up like all of us expect them to.
