Bears week is always special in Green Bay, but even more so after they beat you twice last season, including in the playoffs.
The Packers dominated the rivalry for over 30 years, but Chicago believes they have the upper hand now. Much of that is due to a cocky second-year head coach, Ben Johnson, and his No. 1 overall pick quarterback Caleb Williams.
With Williams set to miss another week as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury, Green Bay will face a backup quarterback for the second straight week. But instead of an undrafted rookie, it will be Tyson Bagent, a more experienced backup who completed 25 of 34 passes for 268 yards in last Sunday’s win over the Jets to help the Bears improve to 3-1.
The Packers are 2-2 coming off a narrow
three-point victory over a then-winless Buccaneers team. Needless to say, a revenge win over the Bears and reestablishing themselves in one of the toughest divisions would be huge for Green Bay.
Here are three key matchups that could significantly impact how the Packers fare in Week 5:
Packers run defense vs. Bears rushing offense
No team is running the ball better than Chicago right now, and that should worry a Green Bay defense that gave up 242 yards on the ground in a loss to the Falcons two weeks ago.
D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai form one of the best 1-2 punches in the league at the moment. Both are over 300 rushing yards for the season, which is more than the Packers have as a team.
Monangai is coming off a career day against New York, totaling 30 carries for 146 yards and two touchdowns. Swift is currently battling hip and knee injuries while Monangai is dealing with thumb and toe ailments, so that’s a positive for Green Bay.
Even if the Bears’ backfield is hobbled or shorthanded, it will be the top-ranked rushing offense in yards per game vs. the 28th-ranked defense in rushing yards allowed per game. The Packers’ defense has their work cut out for them on Sunday.
Packers RB Pierre Strong Jr. vs. Bears run defense
In addition to having one of the league’s worst rushing defenses, Green Bay’s rushing offense is dead last in the NFL through the first four weeks, averaging just 58 yards per game. Without Josh Jacobs, the Packers' ground game has been nonexistent, but maybe this week’s signing from the practice squad can provide a boost.
Brooks suffered an ankle injury down in Tampa Bay, prompting the team to elevate Strong for added security. Strong has appeared in 46 career games, but none for Green Bay. The 2022 fourth-round draft pick rushed for 58 yards and averaged 3.9 yards per carry in the preseason, and he had a strong camp overall.
There’s a chance MarShawn Lloyd or Kaleb Johnson will see less field time after both ball carriers had fumbles against the Buccaneers. If that’s the case, I’m excited to see Strong get an opportunity.
Packers WRs Christian Watson and Matthew Golden vs. Bears CBs Jaylon Johnson and Tyrique Stevenson
Watson and Golden have had their moments this season, and that success could continue for both wide receivers in Week 5 against the Bears’ struggling outside corner tandem.
Johnson has been targeted 19 times and allowed 15 receptions (78.9% catch rate) for 248 receiving yards and a 118.8 passer rating against his coverage this season. Meanwhile, Stevenson has already surrendered three touchdowns and allowed a 145.8 passer rating against his coverage, per Pro Football Focus.
Watson and Golden have combined for 38 receptions for 605 yards (15.9 yards per catch) and six touchdowns in four games. Can Green Bay’s top receivers keep hitting for big plays? Sunday’s game presents a favorable matchup for both.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers vs. Bears: 3 key matchups to watch in Week 5
