Good evening, everyone. On Sunday night, the Green Bay Packers will be playing their 204th all time game against the Chicago Bears. The Packers are entering this game at 9-3 and rested after a bye week that was sorely needed. With 5 games remaining in the season, the Packers have a chance to once again get the number 1 seed in the NFC. It all begins with Sunday night’s game against the Bears at Lambeau Field. I am here to give you my thoughts on what the Packers need to do on all sides of the ball to win. Without further delay, let’s get started.
On offense, it all starts with the performance of the offensive line. Against the Rams two weeks ago, the line of Yosh Nijman, Jon Runyan, Jr., Lucas Patrick, Royce Newman, and Billy Turner played well against a Rams pass rush that only got one sack of Aaron Rodgers. With the coaching by Adam Stenavich, I have no doubt that the O-linemen (plus any additional blockers) will make sure that Rodgers is protected during passing situations. In running situations, the linemen need to create the holes for Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon to run through for plenty of yards (while not losing the ball in the process). I have confidence that the backs will get past or truck defenders during their runs. If the Packers are able to run the ball efficiently (which I am sure they will), then the passing game will open up for Rodgers and the receivers. Of those receivers, Randall Cobb will be unable to play because of a core injury. Even without Cobb, I am sure that Davante Adams, Allen Lazard, Equanimeous St. Brown, Marcedes Lewis, Amari Rodgers, and the running backs will provide Rodgers with plenty of targets to throw to. Rodgers needs to throw accurately to his receivers on every pass. The receivers, in turn, need to catch each pass that is not a throwaway. The most important thing that the Packers offense needs to do is to sustain long drives that should end in a touchdown each time (especially in the red zone). Converting third downs and avoiding turnovers can help the offense achieve this goal. I have a feeling that the offense will turn it up another gear and put up at least 40 points on the scoreboard. I have no doubt that Matt LaFleur and the offensive coaching staff will have a great game plan to take down the Bears.
On defense, the key for the Packers is to make the Bears one-dimensional on offense. It is up to the defensive front, which includes Kenny Clark, Rashan Gary, Preston Smith, De’Vondre Campbell, and Dean Lowry among others to make sure David Montgomery (or any other ball carrier) gets tackled for minimum gain without allowing chunk plays. Chunk plays can happen in both run plays and pass plays whenever an offensive player evaded or breaks tackles on his way to a big first down or touchdown from just a run or screen pass. I am sure that the Packers defense, which also includes Krys Barnes, will be able to keep those chunk gains to a minimum. If the Packers are able to stop the run well enough, then the pass rush should have no problem getting after Justin Fields all night long. Against a Bears offensive line that has struggled a bit this season, I have no doubt that the pass rush will get after Fields. The thing about Fields is that he could scramble for some yards. Therefore, the key is to keep him in the pocket and force him to beat them with his arm. Even if they don’t get the sack each time, pressuring Fields can force him to throw passes that can easily be picked off by the likes of Eric Stokes, Rasul Douglas, Adrian Amos, and Darnell Savage. There is a possibility that Jaire Alexander can come back either this week or in the coming weeks (he was able to practice in a limited capacity this week). I wouldn’t expect him to be back against the Bears, but hopefully he gets back before the playoffs (along with Za’Darius Smith). I am sure that the Packers defensive backs will do great covering the Bears receivers either with or without Alexander. The D-backs can’t allow any wide open catches that could result in a touchdown, especially on a deep route. Most importantly, the Packers defense needs to keep the Bears from sustaining long drives. Stopping them on third down and forcing turnovers can help the defense accomplish this goal and give the offense more chances to score touchdowns. I have no doubt that Joe Barry and his assistant coaches will get the defense ready for anything on Sunday night.
On Special Teams, all the Packers need to do is to be competent. They need to avoid mistakes like missed field goals, giving up long kick returns to the Bears, and fumbling the football. Whenever Mason Crosby is called upon for field goals or extra points, he needs to make each kick. The whole operation needs to be done well each time, from the snap by Steven Wirtel to the hold by Corey Bojorquez to the linemen blocking the defenders. I have no concerns for Bojorquez pinning the opposing team deep in their own territory with his punts. It would be a bonus if the Packers force a turnover on Special Teams like they did against the Rams. For the return coverage unit, they need to make sure that the returner doesn’t go off for a long return on kickoffs or punts. For kickoffs, the easy way out would be for Crosby to kick the ball into the end zone for a touchback. On the other side, whoever fields the kicks needs to make sure that the ball is secured in a situation where a long return is not feasible. If a big return is possible, then the returner needs to follow the blocks and evade defenders on his way to a potential scoring run (while hoping a penalty isn’t called). As we get closer to the postseason, the margin for error will get slimmer. The Packers can’t afford to allow any and all mistakes on Special Teams, especially in a close game. I have hope that they will do well against the Bears.
Overall, I feel confident about the Packers’ chances of winning against the Bears. As long as they limit the mistakes on all sides of the football, they should be able to win by a very comfortable margin. Regardless of Sunday night’s outcome, I pray that neither team suffers a major injury. I’ll be back with my postgame thoughts on either Monday or Tuesday. Have a good night, everyone. Go Pack Go!
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