It’s Packer week. Ditka joins Sweetness and the other departed legends in Heaven, and Chicago looks to get its third straight win over the Packers, and its fourth in its last five.
In this weekly series, I’ll feature one player from the Chicago Bears opponent on each side of the ball who I think is integral to their team’s success. Like seasons past, you won’t see any quarterbacks, as the nature of the position always makes them critical for a team’s success. I’ll also try and mix in a few under the radar
players from time to time.
Let’s start with the Cheese defense.
Defense: Lukas Van Ness, #90 – Edge
Much like Dallas Turner of the Minnesota Vikings, Van Ness finally appears to be living up to his first round billing this season. Not only is the former Iowa Hawkeye among the league’s best when it comes to pass rush win rate (ESPN) and time to pressure (Stats IQ), but he is also top three in run grade for edge rushers according to PFN. To put it plainly, the 6’5”, 272 lb stud is making his presence felt on all three downs in a big way. Bears reserve LT Theo Benedet will have his work cut out for him in this one, but I am sure Ben Johnson will scheme some help his way as well. If Theo and co. can keep Van Ness at bay as a pass rusher and reach the edge in the run game, Chicago should have no problem moving the ball up and down the field and scoring points. But if he can continue with his high level of play against The Beloved, Green Bay could pull off the upset at home.
Offense: Tucker Kraft, #85 – TE
After starting last season on an absolute tear before his season ending injury, Kraft has not started with anywhere near as much production this season. To add insult to injury, he has also made some pretty foolish comments about the fan support, or lack thereof, on his home turf at Lambeau. All that said, Kraft is still one heck of a ball player and I expect Tight Ends from both teams to have big games in this one after the news of Iron Mike’s passing came out this week.
When healthy, Kraft plays the game the right way and is a force to be reckoned with after the catch and an underrated blocker as well. Though he has recently struggled with drops of late, it has not been something he has made a habit of to this point in his career and feel it is just a mental slump than anything. Considering the GB offensive line is as bad as some of the dismal Bears offensive lines of recent memory, I am expecting Love to look Kraft’s way early and often as a quick outlet. If Chicago’s LBs and DBs can limit his production, particularly after the catch where he is so dangerous, it should keep the Lambeau crowd out of it and get the Packers offense off the field in a Bears rout. But if he saves his best game for the rivalry, it could be a long day for Chicago’s defense.
