The Packers are set to host the NFC North leading and the current NFC 1 Seed, Chicago Bears, this Sunday afternoon. The Bears sit on top of the NFC North with a half game lead over the Packers. With a win, Green Bay can move past Chicago in the standings but it will require the Packers to protect the football, contain Caleb Williams, and find a solution to slowing down the Bears impressive rushing attack.
This will be the first of two matchups against the Bears over the next three weeks. It really is a dream scenario for both fanbases. The Packers and the Bears will play two super meaningful football games in the month of December for the first time in several years. These two games, especially, if one team sweeps the two, will significantly determine the outcome of the NFC North and possibly the NFC as a whole.
Green Bay Has to Protect the Football
When the intensity of a NFL game increases, the possession of the football becomes uber critical. The margin of error is already razor thin but when it comes to late in the season games, especially, divisional games in the month of December, the turnover battle can easily swing a game. The Chicago Bears defense is forcing turnovers at an extraordinary rate. The Bears lead the NFL with 26 turnovers and have a +17 turnover differential, the best in the NFL.
Matt LaFleur has always preached the importance of possession and winning the turnover battle. With the Bears ability to create turnovers, the Packers will need to protect the ball. The Chicago defense currently ranks 27th in total defense, allowing an average of 359 yards of offense and 37 TDs, the fifth most in the NFL. The Bears defense has dealt with a severe case of the injury bug but nonetheless, if Green Bay can control the ball, they should be able to score points.
The Packers Will Need to Contain Caleb Williams
The Bears second year QB Caleb Williams is one of the best improvising quarterbacks in the NFL. There is a case to be made that Williams is at his best when the play breaks down and he is forced to make an off schedule play. Williams can also scramble and make plays happen with his feet. His speed and elusiveness are no joke. The Green Bay defense will certainly need to do their best to contain Williams but ultimately when they have a chance to bring him down, they cannot afford to miss.
Caleb Williams ability to throw the football at a consistent, accurate rate is still a work in progress. The Packers will want to force Caleb to throw for a few reasons. It will get Micah Parsons involved, Williams completion percentage is only 58.1%, and the Bears rushing attack is in a grove right now. Williams does not throw many interceptions but if the Packers can force the Bears into third and long scenarios, they should feel good about their chances to get off the field.
Slowing Down the Chicago Rushing Attack
The Chicago Bears offense is coming off a victory against the Eagles where they had a 125 rushing yard performance from Deandre Swift and a 130 rushing yard performance from Kyle Monangai. These are two impressive numbers given the fact that the Philadelphia defensive strength is their interior linemen. Bears Head Coach, Ben Johnson, even during his time in Detroit, found his highest rate of success on the ground. Johnson knows that the ability to run the football effectively is a recipe for success.
The Packers will be without their best defensive tackle, Devone Wyatt, which raises concerns for their run defense. However, the Packers held the Lions to 119 rushing yards, limiting Jahmyr Gibbs to just 68 yards last week. Against the Vikings, the Packers held Minnesota to 93 rushing yards. The Packers are allowing an average of 98.3 rushing yards a game, 8th best in the NFL. However, the Panthers established a blue print to beating the Packers. Carolina ran for 163 yards on 33 attempts and possessed the ball for 29:50 minutes. Expect Chicago to do the same. Limit the number of possessions by effectively running the ball and draining the clock.
