One of the NFL’s longest-standing rivalries reignites this Sunday as the Green Bay Packers travel to face the Chicago Bears. The Packers, currently holding a 6-3 record, are in pursuit of the Detroit Lions for the NFC North Division lead. Meanwhile, the Bears have stumbled in recent weeks, suffering three consecutive losses that have brought their record down to 4-5. The game is set to kick off at 1:00 PM EST.
Continue reading for insights and predictions regarding this Packers vs. Bears matchup.
Packers Eye Playoff Position
The Green Bay Packers enter Chicago looking to recover from a recent defeat against the Detroit Lions at home prior to their bye week. This loss snapped a four-game winning streak and marked the third consecutive season in which the Packers have fallen to the Bears at Lambeau Field. Despite outgaining the Bears significantly, the Packers’ inability to convert scoring opportunities in the red zone led to their 24-14 defeat.
Packers coach Matt LaFleur expressed disappointment, stating, “They played a clean game, much cleaner than we did. I was disappointed with the number of penalties and self-inflicted wounds we had. You can’t do that against a really good football team.”
Quarterback Jordan Love returned to action against the Lions after missing time due to a groin injury. He completed 23 of 39 passes for 273 yards with one interception. Wide receiver Jayden Reed was a standout performer, catching five passes for 113 yards, while running back Josh Jacobs added 95 rushing yards. Collectively, the Packers amassed 411 yards of offense but only managed one touchdown from four red zone trips. Defensively, they limited the Lions to 261 total yards, with Quay Walker leading the charge with 12 tackles.
The Packers come into this matchup refreshed after their bye week, which provided crucial recovery time for Love and other players dealing with injuries. They currently rank 9th in the NFL in scoring offense and 3rd in total offense, showing strength both on the ground and in the air. However, they struggle in the red zone, placing 29th in converting those chances into touchdowns. Their offensive line has performed admirably, allowing the 3rd fewest sacks. Defensively, they rank 11th in scoring defense and 12th in total defense, excelling against the run while being average against the pass.
Key Injuries: RB MarShawn Lloyd is out. S Evan Williams, DT Kenny Clark, RB Josh Jacobs, and CB Jaire Alexander are listed as questionable.
Bears Restructure After Rough Week
The Chicago Bears have faced a tough week following a disappointing 19-3 loss to the New England Patriots at home. In response, they have decided to part ways with Offensive Coordinator Shane Waldron, signaling a potential shift in strategy if results do not improve for this historic franchise.
Head coach Matt Eberflus stated, “After evaluating our entire operation, I decided that it is in the best interest of our team to move in a different direction with the leadership of our offense.” He added that the decision was made thoughtfully and with respect for Waldron’s contributions.
In the loss to the Patriots, the Bears struggled offensively, yielding a season-high nine sacks. Quarterback Caleb Williams completed 16 of 30 passes for a mere 120 yards, with the entire team generating just 142 yards of total offense. They reached the red zone only once but failed to score. Defensively, the Bears allowed 328 total yards, including 144 rushing yards, as TJ Edwards and Kevin Byard III combined for 23 tackles, marking an end to a nine-game home winning streak.
Heading into Sunday’s game, the Bears face the challenge of quickly rebounding from their recent struggles. With a record of 4-5, they still hold playoff aspirations, but another divisional loss would be detrimental. They currently rank 24th in scoring offense and 30th in total offense, struggling both on the ground and through the air. However, they show effectiveness in the red zone, sitting 8th in touchdown conversion. Defensively, the Bears rank 7th in scoring defense and 13th in total defense but face challenges against the run.
Key Injuries: S Jaquan Brisker is out. DE Montez Sweat, OT Darnell Wright, DE Darrell Taylor, and LB Noah Sewell are questionable.
Best Bets for Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears
