The Chicago Bears play the Green Bay Packers in their season finale, hoping to keep their dreaded rivals out of the playoffs.
The Bears’ 2023 season concludes this week against the same team they faced to begin the season: the dreaded Packers. This is the NFL’s oldest rivalry, albeit it has dwindled in recent years. The Bears have lost nine straight games and 21 of their previous 25 games versus the Packers.
Green Bay has had some very good teams and faced some very awful Bears teams during that period. When they met in Week 1, the Bears were on a 10-game losing run (which would eventually extend to 14). Chicago was a shambles.
This week, however, things are different. The Bears are playing their best ball of the season. They are at 7-9 after losing their first four games of the season. The defense that allowed 38 points in Week 1 has only allowed 18.8 points per game in the previous 12 games. Furthermore, the run defense is now the best in the league, while the turnovers forced are third. Things are falling into place, and they have the resources (including another first-round pick) to have another successful offseason.
There are numerous storylines to follow when the Chicago Bears face the Green Bay Packers in the season finale.
Nothing would please the Bears more than defeating the Packers and preventing them from making the playoffs. The Detroit Lions did it last season, and the Bears don’t want the Packers to feel the same way this season.
Following are some storylines to watch in the Chicago Bears’ season finale against the Green Bay Packers.
Can the Bears prevent the Packers from making a huge play, and can they make a big one themselves?
While the Packers have won all of their recent meetings with the Bears, many of them were close. A handful of games were won late in the game by making a critical play or just wearing down the Bears and pulling away in the fourth quarter.
One of the things the Bears’ defense has done is restrict big plays. Yes, in their win over the Atlanta Falcons, they allowed a 75-yard rushing score. Apart from that play, the Falcons had only 59 rushing yards during the game.
The Packers have the 17th most passing yards yet the third most throwing touchdowns. Quarterback Jordan Love has done an excellent job of gaining yards and then making a big play. If the Bears can restrict Green Bay’s big plays, this will be a competitive game with a chance for an upset.
The Bears must maintain their rushing advantage on both sides of the ball.
The Chicago Bears’ running assault and defense are two of its strongest assets. They are second in the league in rushing and first in rush defense. They are also ranked tenth in rushing touchdowns and second in rushing touchdowns allowed.
Chicago must maintain its rush domination on both sides of the ball. In this category, they clearly outperform Green Bay. The Packers are ranked 15th in rushing yards and 22nd in rushing touchdowns. They rank 28th in rushing yards allowed and 22nd in rushing touchdowns allowed on defense.
The Bears have a solid running back combination that can wear down a defense. They have Khalil Herbert, Roschon Johnson, and D’Onta Foreman on their roster. Herbert has demonstrated the explosiveness that has made him successful. He had an ankle injury and, despite his recovery, he struggled with his explosiveness. In the last two games, he has 250 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns.
The Bears have Justin Fields in addition to the three running backs. He is extremely fast and evasive. In five games against the Packers, he has 267 rushing yards and two touchdowns. He gains 7 yards per rush. He has the ability to make a huge play that can change the game.
The Bears clog up the middle pretty well on defense. Andrew Billings is on the nose, and Gervon Dexter is on the three-technique. They both did an excellent job.
While many chastised the Bears for not selecting Jalen Carter in this year’s draft, selecting Dexter in the second round may have been a better decision. He stands 6-foot-6 and weighs 315 pounds, but he is extremely swift and agile. He has the ability to explode past blocks and create havoc in the opposing backfield, and he could have a promising career ahead of him.
If the Bears dominate the rushing game, they will be able to manage the clock and keep Love on the bench. If they can stop Green Bay’s running game, they can turn the Packers into a one-dimensional offense.
Can Fields leave an indelible mark on the front office?
The Chicago Bears have the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, and Michael Penix Jr. are among the top prospects available. Many people believe the Bears should start over at quarterback and draft one with the first pick.
Many people believe Fields is the man and that the Bears should keep him.
Nobody knows what General Manager Ryan Poles and President Kevin Warren are thinking. Fields’ fate will be decided by these two. Some people still have reservations about Fields. If that’s the case, Fields has one more chance to make an impact.
While the Packers have done an excellent job of pressuring Fields and restricting his passing abilities, Fields is acting like a completely different guy. He is a more natural player who moves through his progressions more smoothly. He is now making anticipatory passes and has confidence in his receivers.
Fields also has the ability to throw downfield. He is eighth in the league in 20-yard throwing completions and ninth in passer rating on those plays. The Packers are 11th in terms of passing yards allowed and 18th in terms of passing touchdowns allowed. They are also 30th in interceptions and 20th in sacks.
The offensive line in Chicago has done a better job of protecting Fields. He might be the one making the huge throw with his better play (and if offensive coordinator Luke Getsy allows him to throw).
It’s always exciting to see these two teams compete when something is at stake. The Packers were confident that they could beat the Bears again. The Bears believe that if they win this game, they will enter the summer with great expectations.
