In what could certainly be labeled as a surprise over the last several weeks, the Chicago Bears defense has come to play and has changed the narrative of what many expected for the 2026 season. Over the last three games against the Minnesota Vikings, Philadelphia Eagles, and New York Jets, Chicago’s defense has given up a total of 28 points combined from those three opponents.
This week, as they're headed into a rivalry matchup against the Green Bay Packers, Chicago’s defense will look to continue their strong run against an offense that has been average, at best. Green Bay’s run game has been virtually non-existent, which can be pointed back to the loss of Josh Jacobs in their backfield, and quarterback Jordan Love does not seem to have the same
confidence or output that had many people talking about him last season.
All of that has given plenty of reason for optimism with the Bears defense coming into Sunday, as they look for their fourth straight big-time performance. Here are the top three keys for the Bears defense heading into Lambeau Field:
Keep the Packers one-dimensional
Green Bay is dead last in rushing this season after the first four weeks of the season, averaging just 58 rush yards per game. With Josh Jacobs not on the field due to legal issues, Green Bay has struggled to have any resemblance of a run game with MarShawn Lloyd, Kaleb Johnson, or Chris Brooks, none of which have separated themselves as a lead back. Chicago needs to keep the ball in the air and take any threat of the run game out of this matchup.
More takeaways
Last week was the first game of the season where the Bears defense didn't force a takeaway, but still came away with the victory. Chicago has had multiple games in which they have multiple takeaways, including their wins over the Carolina Panthers and Philadelphia Eagles, and the defense should have a great opportunity to get back to it. Jordan Love has three interceptions in the first four games, and Green Bay has lost multiple fumbles, so Chicago's defense needs to be aggressive in their takeaways.
Pressure, pressure, pressure
If the Bears can make the Packers one-dimensional, then they'll have to dial up the pressure on Jordan Love in the passing game. This should be a big opportunity for Montez Sweat, Austin Booker, and Dayo Odeyingbo to create havoc in Green Bay's backfield. Love has been sacked eight times so far this season, and has a completion percentage barely over 50%, if Chicago can get to him, the defense should have a high possibility of a dominance performance.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 3 defensive keys for Bears vs. Packers rivalry game
