The Green Bay Packers are in a terrific position to make the postseason in Year 1 of the Jordan Love, but a familiar foe stands in the way during the regular season finale on Sunday: the Chicago Bears.
Matt LaFleur’s team cruised past the Bears at Soldier Field to open the Love era in Week 1. Can the Packers repeat the feat on Sunday at Lambeau Field and clinch a playoff spot?
To help preview Packers-Bears, we asked five questions of Alyssa Barbieri, the managing editor of Bears Wire. Here’s the Q&A:
1. What has ignited the Bears resurgence on defense? Montez Sweat? Better coverage?
Bears Wire: Sweat has transformed Chicago’s defense from one of the worst into one of the best in the NFL. His presence alone makes everyone else’s jobs easier – not to mention he’s been quite productive, leading both the Bears (6.0) and Commanders (6.5) in sacks this season. Sweat, fresh off his first Pro Bowl nod, has revived Chicago’s league-worst pass rush, and the pressure the defensive front has been able to get on quarterbacks has also made the secondary’s job easier. It also helps that everyone is healthy and a young, ascending secondary has made huge strides in coverage, led by Pro Bowler Jaylon Johnson.
2. Where is Justin Fields at in his development/progression as he enters the final game of his third NFL season?
BW: It’s been a whirlwind of a season for Fields, who looked like he was on the way out early in the year. But ever since returning from a right thumb injury in Week 12, he’s made substantial improvement as a passer. Obviously, he’s a threat to make a play with his legs on every snap, but he’s also shown an ability to stretch the field as a passer. The Fields-DJ Moore connection has been one of the most lethal in the NFL, and we’ve really seen it flourish through these final games. The addition of Moore and an improved offensive line has certainly helped Fields grow, but the question is whether GM Ryan Poles believes Fields is the guy to lead the Bears to a championship. With Chicago possessing the first overall pick once again, Poles will have to decide between trading back (again) for a huge haul and building around Fields or starting over with a rookie like Caleb Williams. Bears players have been quite vocal about wanting Fields back, as they believe they’re building something special. And I think Fields has shown enough for Poles to stick with him instead of a rookie. But the only thing that matters is what Poles thinks.
3. The Packers are so dependent on disrupting up front on defense. How has the Bears offensive line been playing?
BW: Chicago’s offensive line is the best it’s been since Justin Fields was drafted. While they’ve always been great in run blocking (as evidenced by their top-2 run game), they’ve shown significant improvement in pass protection. That’s thanks in part to the tackle duo of Braxton Jones and rookie Darnell Wright, who have been among the best offensive linemen for the Bears. If there’s been a weakness, it’s in the interior of the offensive line. Left guard Teven Jenkins has been solid, when healthy, but there are questions at center with Lucas Patrick and right guard Nate Davis. If the Packers are going to exploit the Bears’ offensive line, it’ll be along the interior.
4. The Bears are eliminated, but how important is this game?
BW: This game is important for many reasons. Obviously, this has been a one-sided rivalry for the past couple of decades. Not to mention, Chicago has lost nine straight to Green Bay. While the postseason might not be within reach, if the Bears were to snap that losing streak and manage to keep the Packers out of the playoffs, it would be huge for the fans and the team as a whole heading into the 2024 offseason. Then there are job implications involving Matt Eberflus, Justin Fields and Luke Getsy. I’m not convinced this game alone can save or lose Fields his job in Chicago, but a win would be huge alongside his improved performance since his return from injury and the team rallying around him. I’m pretty convinced Eberflus is returning next season – barring some colossal meltdown – but I can’t say the same for Getsy.
5. How do the Bears win? What must they do, and what must they avoid?
The Bears need to not beat themselves in this game. I think they’ve much better equipped to face the Packers now than they were back in Week 1. They’re a different team than Week 1, and they’re a confident bunch that knows what’s at stake – potentially knocking their hated rival out of the postseason. If they’re going to win, they need to find a way to pressure Jordan Love, which is something they failed to do in Week 1, when he had his way with Chicago’s defense. But that’s been one of their better improvements this season. The Bears also need to contain Aaron Jones, who was held in check on the ground in Week 1 but proved to be a threat as a pass catcher. Chicago needs to avoid the kind of self-inflicted mistakes that have plagued them in some of their worst losses of the season. That means protecting the football, playing disciplined and, if it comes to it, closing out a lead in the fourth quarter.