Good morning, everyone. On Sunday at 12:00 PM Central Time, the Green Bay Packers will take on the Chicago Bears in the 200th meeting of the historic rivalry. It is very fitting that the 200th meeting between these two teams is at Lambeau Field. As always, I am here to give you my thoughts on what the Packers need to do to win on Sunday. Let’s get started.
On offense, the key for the Packers is to get the running game going early. The best way to tire out the Bears’ pass rushers (including Khalil Mack) is to have Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams run the ball at them. Both running backs contribute very well to the offense, but it‘s been seen that the Packers move the ball more efficiently with Aaron Jones on the field. Whether it’s Jones or Williams running the ball, they need to get plenty of positive yards on each carry. If the Packers can run the ball well, then it can keep the defense from attacking QB Aaron Rodgers on passing downs. The play-action passing game can also be established with a great rushing attack. In terms of the passing game, Aaron Rodgers needs to find the open receiver and throw it to him instead of holding the ball for a long time. Last week, he lost a fumble as a result of holding the ball too long against Washington. He must avoid doing that during these last three games. The offensive scheme designs plays to make the receivers (including Davante Adams, Allen Lazard, Jake Kumerow and Marquez Valdes-Scantling) open. Rodgers has to throw to them accurately and in stride for big plays. I am sure that the tight ends will be used effectively in the passing game as well. It also doesn’t hurt for Rodgers to hit the check down pass to the running backs every once in a while. Hopefully there is a wheel route touchdown pass to Danny Vitale or the two running backs. None of this can be possible without the offensive line protecting Aaron Rodgers from sacks and pressures. The offensive line also needs to create the running lanes for the backs to run through the Bears defense. For the Packers to sustain long drives, they need to convert third downs (especially ones that are 5 yards or less). Avoiding any turnovers (including fumbles and interceptions) can also help Green Bay win the time of possession battle. In order to put more pressure on the Bears, the Packers need to score touchdowns instead of field goals in the red zone. Doing all of these things on offense will help the Packers win on Sunday at home.
They key for the Packers on defense is to shut down the Bears running game. The defensive front (which includes Kenny Clark and Dean Lowry) needs to make sure the gaps are closed and that David Montgomery and Tarik Cohen have nowhere to run. Stopping them for little or no yards (bonus points for negative yards) can hopefully force the Bears to become one-dimensional on offense. When it comes to facing Mitchell Trubisky, the defense needs to make sure that he stays in the pocket, as he can scramble for yards if there is an opportunity. In Week 1, the Packers did this very well. I think that they will do it again on Sunday. Even if he is kept in the pocket, the pass rushers (including Za’Darius and Preston Smith) need to get pressure on him and force him to throw passes that could be easily intercepted. Plenty of sacks of Trubisky will be an added bonus for the Packers defense. The defensive backs need to cover the receivers and tight ends very well in order to avoid easy catches. In terms of matchups, I think that Jaire Alexander will be against Allen Robinson for most, if not all, of the game. It would be very satisfying (again) to see Adrian Amos get another pick of Trubisky on Sunday, just like he did in Week 1. As always, the defense needs to stop the Bears offense on any third down that they face (especially ones over 10 yards long). The defense also needs to force the Bears to settle for field goals in the red zone, whenever they get to there. Any and all turnovers (including interceptions and strip-sacks) will give the offense more chances to put points on the scoreboard. Doing all of these things on defense will increase Green Bay’s chances of winning on Sunday.
Special Teams, in my opinion, will play a huge part on the game between these 2 teams. The Packers coverage unit needs to make sure that any kick or punt return by either Cordarrelle Patterson or Tarik Cohen are not very long ones. It would be a bonus if Mason Crosby kicks the ball out of the end zone for a touchback. On the other side, new returner Tyler Ervin needs to make the most out of his opportunities on any kick or punt return. It would be very nice if he breaks out a return for a touchdown to give Green Bay plenty of momentum in the game. As always, Mason Crosby needs to make all of his kicks, whether they are field goals or extra points. JK Scott needs to continue flipping the field with his punts, even in the cold weather. Hunter Bradley needs to do his part by snapping the ball accurately to make sure that everything goes smoothly with the kicks and punts. The line needs to make sure that the kicks and punts are not blocked. On the other side, it would be awesome if the Packers get a blocked field goal or punt for a touchdown. As long as the Packers do these things on Special Teams (in addition to avoiding penalties and turnovers), they will have a good chance of winning the game.
If the Packers are able to do all of these things on Sunday, then they will win and also eliminate the Bears from the playoffs. Even though the game is at Lambeau Field, I think that this will be a very tough game for the Packers. I think that they will get it done on Sunday and get to 11-3. Regardless of the outcome, I will be here with my post-game thoughts on Monday morning. Have a great day, everyone. Go Pack Go!
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