The Green Bay Packers faced a tough test against the rival Bears on Sunday, but thanks to an infusion of returning talent, the good guys came out on top.

The frigid temperatures of the Frozen Tundra couldn’t cool the Packers’ hot streak, and heading into the season’s final stretch, Green Bay seems to be putting it all together at the perfect time.

Here are my takeaways from the Packers’ 109th win over the Bears.

Fully Stocked

On Sunday, the Packers’ wide receiver room was at full-strength for the first time this season, and the impact it had on the game was immediate.

Jayden Reed was utilized three times on the first drive in his return, and OC Adam Stenavich was able to dust off a part of the playbook that Green Bay “couldn’t use” in Reed’s absence.

That freedom led to a noticeable improvement in the variety of Matt LaFleur’s play-calls, and what felt like one of the least predictable games from the Packers’ offense thus far.

Reed finished the game with 53 all-purpose yards, and his presence opened the field to create even more opportunities for Christian Watson, who’s been unstoppable since his season debut.

Watson caught all of his targets for 89 yards and two touchdowns against the rival Bears, a stat line that only continues to cement him as WR1.

Even Bo Melton got in on the fun, catching a 45 yard score, and despite nagging injuries for Matthew Golden and Dontayvion Wicks, the Packers’ pass-catchers seem primed to challenge any secondary they face moving forward.

The offense wasn’t the only group to get a boost however.

The Green Bay Packers’ defense also got an infusion, mostly thanks to the returns of Quay Walker and Karl Brooks.

Walker has been crucial to Green Bay’s run defense and is second on the team in tackles, and Brooks will be called upon to help replace Devonte Wyatt.

Despite the loss of both Wyatt and Tucker Kraft for the season, the Packers are the healthiest they’ve been all year, and with four regular season games to go, the stars could be aligning for a deep playoff run.

With that goal in mind, there’s still plenty to workshop, especially with another game against our bitter rival upcoming.

Dropping the Hammer

If there’s one thing that the Green Bay Packers need to improve on to build upon their recent success, it’s finishing plays, especially on the defensive side of the ball.

In the second half, the defense was visibly gassed, likely in part to the weather, and that allowed the Bears to keep it close, despite the fact that the Packers had several opportunities to blow the game open.

On each of Chicago’s critical plays, it felt as if the nearest defender was just a second too late.

This was particularly apparent on the Bears’ touchdown drive to open the second half, in which both the scoring play itself and the following two-point conversion were well-defended, but not quite stopped.

The trend continued until the end of the game, and even when receivers were blanketed, Caleb Williams was able to dance his way out of several drive-killing sacks.

In regard to that pass rush, DC Jeff Hafley needs to find new ways to scheme other defenders into advantageous positions on behalf of Micah Parsons’ game-wrecking ability.

Kingsley Enagbare benefitted against the rival Bears with a sack, but for the amount of pressures Parsons generates, the complement as a whole isn’t getting home enough, and the Lion can’t do it all by himself.

In the end, Keisean Nixon was able to come away with the game-sealing interception, but it would be nice to not get to fourth and goal for the all the marbles.

Even though officiating also played a huge role, the Green Bay Packers have the chance to become one of the NFC’s most dangerous playoff teams if they can make the minor adjustments, which doesn’t seem too far-fetched.

Football is a game of inches, and the Packers were close to having this one handled early.

Maintaining the Crown

With their victory over the Bears, the Packers were able to take first place in the NFC North, and with two division games left on the schedule, Green Bay is in great position to reclaim their crown.

Next weekend’s matchup features one of the AFC’s best, the Denver Broncos, and the Packers offense will have the chance to prove that it has found its footing against a top-tier defense.

Playoff football is rapidly approaching, and with the number one seed a distant possibility, the Green Bay Packers need to keep their foot on the gas.