This is the game.
This is the week.
This is the moment.
This game is the reason the Chicago Bears hired Ben Johnson.
This is why they drafted Caleb Williams with the No. 1 overall pick.
This is why Ryan Poles
traded for Joe Thuney, Jonah Jackson, drafted Darnell Wright and Ozzy Trapilo.
Everything the Chicago Bears have been building for the past couple of years is for games like this.
It’s all to be able to play in games like this one on Saturday at Soldier Field. Taking on the Green Bay Packers with real playoff implications.
To have a coach and a quarterback who shine in the game’s biggest moments and aren’t afraid or deterred by recent history or whatever mental baggage comes with Chicago’s past 30 years of this rivalry.
Chicago can’t wait to see what this team can do.
Green Bay Packers
SB Nation site: Acme Packing Company
Record: 9-4-1
Last week: 34-26 loss to the Denver Broncos
Game day, time, TV: Saturday, 7:20 p.m. CT, FOX
Spread: Packers -1
Bears all-time record against: 96-109-6, including postseason
Historical meetings: Week 16 2008. The 8-6 Bears hosted the 5-9 Packers on Monday Night Football.
In a peek into what the series would look like for years to come, Aaron Rodgers took the Bears to a 14-3 halftime lead. However, the Bears regrouped in the second half.
Kyle Orton found Greg Olsen for a 3-yard TD pass. The defense held the Packers to only a Mason Crosby field goal in the second half.
Matt Forte rushed for a 3-yard score with just over three minutes left in the game to tie it.
Rodgers drove the Packers down the field, but Crosby game-winning kick attempt was blocked by Alex Brown.
In overtime, Orton drove the Bears down the field and Robbie Gould hit the game winner to give the Bears a 20-17 win.
Last meeting: Just two weeks ago, the Bears lost at Lambeau Field.
After clawing their way back into the game with a strong second half, Caleb Williams’ potential game-tying touchdown pass attempt was intercepted on fourth down.
Packers 28, Bears 21.
Injury report: The Packers list 15 players as limited or not participating in Wednesday’s practice.
Limited participation
- RB Chris Brooks (chest)
- T/G Darian Kinnard (neck)
- LB Edgerrin Cooper (shoulder)
- DL Lukas Van Ness (foot)
- WR Christian Watson (shoulder)
- WR Dontayvion Wicks (ankle)
- RB MarShawn Lloyd (calf/hamstring)
- OL Zach Tom (back/knee)
- G John Williams (back)
- WR Savion Williams (foot)
Did not participate
- DL Devonte Wyatt (ankle)
- RB Josh Jacobs (knee/ankle)
- LB Micah Parsons (knee)
- WR Jayden Reed (NIR-personal matter)
- TE Josh Whyle (concussion)
- S Evan Williams (knee)
Offense: The Packers come into the game ranked 10th in points and 13th in yards.
Their passing offense ranks 12th and their rushing offense ranks 18th.
Jordan Love (66.4 pct. cmp./3,304 yds./23 TD/6 INT) is still leading the charge, but is looking to bounce back after taking three sacks and throwing two picks against the Broncos.
His weapons include Romeo Doubs (47 rec./578 yds./5 TD), WR Dontayvion Wicks (26/307/2), and Christian Watson (28/481/5). First-round pick Matthew Golden (27/341/0) is off to a slow start. And now that all-world TE Tucker Kraft is out, they’re leaning on TEs Luke Musgrave (21/214/0). Dontayvion Wicks (27/313/2) is making plays, too.
On the ground, Josh Jacobs (218 att./890 yds./13 TD) leads the way and is a good two-way back, as he actually is third on the team in receptions (33 rec./270 yds./1 TD). With him not practicing, Emanuel Wilson (90/354/3) might be the next man up.
Defense: The Packers defense ranks eighth in points and sixth in yards.
Their passing defense ranks eighth and their rushing defense ranks eighth.
Without Micah Parsons (12.5 sk/1 FF/12 TFL/26 QB hits), Rashan Gary (7.5 sk/1 FF/7 TFL/17 QB hits/1 PD) and Lukas Van Ness (1.5 sk/3 TFL/6 QB hits) are going to be asked to step up.
Quay Walker (102 tkl/1.5 sk/7 TFL/6 QB hits/4 PD), Edgerrin Cooper (105 tkl/4 TFL/3 PD/2 FF/3 QB hits) and S Evan Williams (92 tkl/4 TFL/3 INT/5 PD) are leaders in the middle and back of the defense.
In the secondary, Xavier McKinney (2 INT/9 PD/1 sk/88 tkl) and Keisean Nixon (56 tkl/16 PD/1 INT/1 FR/3 TFL) are making plays in the passing game. And LB Isaiah McDuffie (74 tkl/3 TFL/3 QB hits/1 INT/1PD) is also playing well.
Key match-ups: Forthe rematch the Bears have to do a better job covering the Packers’ receivers downfield. They were killed by in-breaking routes and a lack of pressure on Jordan Love.
We saw what Christian Watson and Jayden Reed can do downfield. Josh Jacobs may be out, but they still have to slow down Emmanuel Wilson.
Injuries have taken a toll on Green Bay, but that won’t make them easier to defeat. We’ve seen Chicago overcome injuries this season plenty of times.
On offense, start fast. Establish the run and protect Caleb. If Chicago can put points on the board and control the clock, Green Bay will be caught reeling.
Key stats
- The 34 points the Broncos scored last week was the second-most points the Packers have allowed this season. The most was the 40 points in their tie with Dallas.
- Opposing QBs have an 89.3 rating against Green Bay.
- Green Bay’s rushing defense is allowing the second-lowest yards per carry average (3.8).
- Packers kicker Brandon McManus 30th with a 76 percent field goal percentage
- The Bears clinch a playoff spot with a win and a Detroit loss.
Can the Bears get the biggest win of the season on Saturday night? What will it take to dispatch the Packers?
