Tag: Bears offense

4 things the Bears need to do to beat the Packers in Week 17

While the Packers probably will win this game, there’s a chance that the Bears can actually shock the world with a win. Here’s how.

With a trip to the playoffs on the line, no one is giving the Chicago Bears a chance to defeat the Green Bay Packers in a pivotal Week 17 showdown. And while it’s true that the Packers should win this game, there’s a chance that the Bears can actually shock the world with a win.

But if that’s going to happen, this needs to be a collective effort — offense, defense, special teams, coaching — if Chicago is going to pull off the upset.

Here are four things the Bears need to do if they want to beat the Packers on Sunday.

Matt Nagy expected to return to Bears in 2021

Following a late-season turnaround, it sounds like Matt Nagy’s job is safe in Chicago in 2021.

There was a time not too long ago when it was believed the Chicago Bears brass were going to blow everything up. That’s what a six-game losing streak will do to a team.

Following a brutal Week 13 loss to the Detroit Lions, there was an overwhelming belief that the Bears would part ways with general manager Ryan Pace, head coach Matt Nagy and perhaps even president Ted Phillips.

But a surprising turnaround that has Chicago just one game out of a postseason berth has certainly changed things.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Bears are retaining Nagy as head coach in 2021. Also, Rapoport noted that Nagy has become more involved in play-calling since handing over the duties to offensive coordinator Bill Lazor.

In three seasons with the Bears, Nagy has never had a losing season. Nagy led his team to a 12-4 record and a postseason appearance in his first season. He is 28-19 over the last three seasons.

Nagy has a chance to lead his team to its second playoff appearance in three years. That is assuming Chicago can beat the Green Bay Packers on Sunday — or if the Arizona Cardinals lose.

5 New Year’s Resolutions for the Bears in 2021

There are plenty of things that the Bears need to address to better their football team.

There are plenty of things that the Bears need to address this offseason to better their football team for next season.

Week 17 Picks: Who are the experts taking in Bears vs. Packers?

The experts don’t have a lot of confidence in Chicago as 93% of experts are picking the Packers to beat the Bears in Week 17.

The Chicago Bears are looking to stamp their ticket to the playoffs with a victory over the Green Bay Packers in the final week of the regular season.

While the Bears can still get into the playoffs without a win — if the Arizona Cardinals lose to the Los Angeles Rams — it would certainly be sweeter to get to the postseason by beating the Packers.

Chicago is coming off a 41-17 rout of the Jacksonville Jaguars, where the Bears offense put up 30 points for the fourth straight game. Chicago’s offense has been rolling over the last five weeks, and they’re going to need another strong performance if they’re going to have a shot at beating Green Bay.

Despite the Bears’ impressive offense and three-game win streak, there’s still not a lot of confidence in Chicago heading into this game as 93% of experts are picking the Bears to lose to the Packers on Sunday, according to NFL Pick Watch.

It’s not exactly a surprise that so many are picking Green Bay to beat Chicago, especially given the Packers’ dominance in this rivalry over the last couple of decades. Since 1992, Green Bay is 43-15 against Chicago, including 20-4 since 2009.

Can the Bears stun the football world with a win over the Packers? Or will Green Bay continue its dominance over Chicago?

We’ll see Sunday when the Bears and Packers kick things off at 3:25 p.m. CT on FOX.

[listicle id=465304]

 

Looking back at the top Chicago Bears headlines of 2020

In many ways, this year has felt like 3 different seasons with the Bears. As we kick off 2021, let’s take a look back at the top headlines.

In many ways, this year has felt like three different seasons with the Chicago Bears. It’s certainly been a rollercoaster of a ride — from an unlikely offseason to a 5-1 start to a six-game losing streak to a late playoff push in Week 17.

As we kick off 2021, let’s take a look back at the top Bears headlines from 2020.

Childhood Bears fan Cole Kmet hated the Packers growing up

There’s a certain hatred of the Packers that comes with being a Bears fan. Just ask rookie TE Cole Kmet, who grew up in Chicago.

[jwplayer e8VNMlRX-ThvAeFxT]

There’s a certain hatred of the Green Bay Packers that comes with being a Chicago Bears fans. Not only are the two teams the oldest rivalry in the league, but it stems from Green Bay’s dominance over Chicago for the better part of the last couple of decades.

You don’t need to tell that to Bears rookie tight end Cole Kmet, who grew up a Bears fan and knows that hatred well. When asked if he hated Green Bay growing up, Kmet all but confirmed it. Because, of course he did. He’s a Bears fan.

“There was no green or yellow growing up in my house,” Kmet told reporters Thursday. “Let’s just put it that way.”

It’s been difficult being a Bears fan in this rivalry for the last couple of decades. Since 1992, Green Bay is 43-15 against Chicago. But if you want to focus on the last decade, the Packers are 20-4 against the Bears since 2009.

For Kmet, playing for his favorite team certainly makes the rivalry even more real. Now, he plays a part in it. And if the Bears can find a way to shock the world with a win over the Packers to lock up a postseason berth, Kmet can say he had a hand in it.

[listicle id=465257]

 

Bears vs. Packers predictions: Will Chicago secure a playoff spot?

Can Chicago secure a playoff spot with a win against Green Bay? Our Bears Wire staff shares their predictions for Sunday’s Week 17 game.

The Chicago Bears are heading into the most important game of their season that’ll likely decide whether they’ll be preparing for the postseason or closing up shop until next year.

The Bears control their own playoff destiny. If they can beat the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, they’ll make the playoffs. But if they don’t, they’ll have to hope the Los Angeles Rams beat the Arizona Cardinals.

Can Chicago secure a playoff spot with a win against Green Bay? Our Bears Wire staff shares their predictions for Sunday’s Week 17 game.

POLL: Who wins Week 17 contest between Bears and Packers?

The Bears are in control of their playoff destiny. If they beat the Packers, they’re in. But beating Green Bay is easier said than done.

The Chicago Bears are in firm control of their playoff destiny. If they get a win over the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, they’ll clinch a playoff spot. If not, they can still get in with an Arizona Cardinals loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

The Bears are coming off a 41-17 rout of the Jacksonville Jaguars, where Chicago’s offense continued its hot streak. The Bears have scored 30-plus points in four straight games, and they’ve found a rhythm over the last five weeks.

The Bears have found an identity on offense that starts with running the football with David Montgomery, who ranks fifth in the league in total rushing yards with 1,001. Quarterback Mitchell Trubisky has been a catalyst for the success of this unit, as well, and he’s going to need to play mistake-free football to help this offense keep pace with the Packers.

If Chicago is going to have any chance against Green Bay, they’re going to need their defense to redeem themselves following an embarrassing outing back in Week 12, where they gave up 41 points. That starts with the Bears’ pass rush getting after Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, which certainly won’t be an easy task.

While many were hoping Green Bay wouldn’t have much to play for in Week 17, that’s not exactly the case. The Packers will be playing for the No. 1 seed, as well as a first-round bye and home-field advantage. So any hope of Green Bay resting their starters, which would’ve benefited Chicago, is dashed.

Can the Bears stun the world with an upset win over the Packers? Or will Green Bay once again deliver defeat to Chicago?

Who wins on Sunday?

VOTE!

[listicle id=465157]

 

 

Week 17 Power Rankings: Bears control their playoff destiny

The Bears have been red-hot lately, and they continue to trend up heading into the final week of the regular season.

[jwplayer 9XFNYAPO-ThvAeFxT]

The final week of the regular season is here, and the Chicago Bears control their destiny for the final spot of the playoffs. The Bears have been red hot lately, especially on offense, but many aren’t rushing to buy-in on what Chicago is doing. This week, the Bears will have to prove to the league that they should be taken seriously heading into a matchup against the Green Bay Packers.

Let’s take a look at the power rankings heading into Week 17.

Bears open as 5.5-point home underdogs vs. Packers in Week 17

While Chicago has been on a hot streak, there’s not a lot of confidence in the Bears slaying their demons with a win over the Packers.

[jwplayer 9XFNYAPO-ThvAeFxT]

With just one week left in the 2020 regular season, the Chicago Bears have an opportunity to secure their first postseason berth since 2018. The Bears are in control of their own destiny, where all they need to do is win in Week 17 to make the playoffs.

But that’ll be easier said than done against the Green Bay Packers, a team with plenty to play for on Sunday, including the No. 1 seed, a first-round bye and home field advantage through the postseason. It also doesn’t help that the Packers have had the Bears’ number for more than a decade.

While Chicago has won three straight games and has found a rhythm on offense, there’s not a lot of confidence in the Bears slaying their demons with a win over the Packers. Chicago has opened as 5.5-point home underdogs against Green Bay, according to BetMGM.

This is the 13th time the Bears have been underdogs this season. They’ve been favored just three times this year, with two coming in home games against the New York Giants in Week 2 and Detroit Lions in Week 13, and a road game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

It’s not really a surprise to see the Bears as underdogs in this contest considering their history against the Packers. After all, Chicago only beat Green Bay four times in the last decade. And it doesn’t help that Aaron Rodgers has been playing at an MVP level.

Can Chicago hold on to their playoff spot and shock the world with a win over Green Bay? Or will the Packers once again beat the Bears? We’ll see when the Bears and Packers kick things off Sunday at 3:25 p.m. CT on FOX.

[listicle id=465107]