The Ben Johnson Effect is real, but it still lacks the validation that matters most in these parts — beating the Packers.
Johnson’s Bears are facing a team that has had their number for most of the last 20 years — and most of the post-Ditka era, for that matter. The Packers always seem to have an answer against the Bears, especially in big games. If it’s not Aaron Rodgers -tormenting them, it’s some unsung hero — Erik Walden, Jarrett Boykin, James Starks or Ty Montgomery. Brett Hundley once beat the Bears when Rodgers was out.
Even victories have been unfulfilling. When the Bears beat Rodgers and the Packers to win the NFC North in 2018, safety Eddie Jackson suffered an ankle injury returning an interception and missed the rest of the season — likely a factor in the 16-15 loss to the Eagles in the playoffs. When the Bears beat the Packers at Lambeau last year, the Packers still made the playoffs. The Bears just lost three spots in the draft. The Bears never seem to inflict much pain on the Packers.
And the hex seemed to continue in Week 14 at Lambeau. Caleb Williams came in leading the NFL with five fourth-quarter victories of varying degrees of difficulty. But against the Packers, he crapped out, throwing an interception in the end zone to clinch the Packers’ 28-21 victory.
Now Johnson gets his chance to reverse that trend in a real chess match just two weeks after losing to the Packers. And maybe their fates are changing. When DJ Moore’s production became a major issue after he had one reception for minus-4 yards against the Packers when Rome Odunze was out with an injury, Moore responded with four receptions for 69 yards and two touchdowns. When edge rusher Micah Parsons never being held this season became a big issue in Packer-land after that game, Parsons not only didn’t draw a holding penalty against the Broncos last week, but he suffered a season-ending knee injury. Hmmm …
That probably has nothing to do with the football gods, but Moore’s production after a week of scrutiny was not happenstance. The Bears consistently have responded to issues under Johnson. When the running game was an issue at the bye, the Bears responded by averaging an NFL-best 172.2 rushing yards afterward. When James Odunze made his son Rome’s production an issue after he had no receptions in a 47-42 victory over the Bengals, Rome caught a nine-yard pass on the first play from scrimmage against the Giants and had six receptions for 86 yards and a touchdown in a 24-20 victory at Soldier Field.
Responding to the chatter seems to be a Johnson trait. And a killer instinct is another — he loves to attack when an opponent is on tilt. Therein lies the biggest battle Saturday, with Parsons out with a torn ACL. The Packers have a knack for compensating for the loss of key players. But Johnson has a knack for attacking weakness. The Bears won’t have Odunze or Luther Burden. The Packers won’t have Parsons. Considering the circumstances, it might be the biggest test yet of The Ben Johnson Effect.
When the Bears have the ball
The Bears’ offense is generally much better when it doesn’t have to face a pass rusher who has to be accounted for on every snap. So facing the Packers without All-Pro linebacker Micah Parsons — out for the season with a torn ACL — could yield more production than the Bears had in the 28-21 loss to the Packers on Dec. 7 at Lambeau Field.
Then again, the Bears, who were without leading receiver Rome Odunze in that game, will be without Odunze (foot) and rookie Luther Burden (ankle) this time. The Packers have had a knack for compensating for the absence of key players, and Lukas Van Ness, who did not play against the Bears in Week 14 because of an injury, figures to start. But Ben Johnson figures to have an edge in the next-man-up department with DJ Moore, tight ends Colston Loveland and Cole Kmet (questionable, ankle/knee), wide receiver -Olamide Zaccheaus and an intact -offensive line.
Even with Parsons playing, the Bears found a groove against the Packers’ defense in the second half of the Dec. 7 tilt — 247 yards and 18 points after being held to 71 yards and three points in the first half.
Bears quarterback Caleb Williams faces yet another big test against a quality defense. The Packers rank eighth in points, fifth in yards and eighth in passing yards allowed. He completed 19 of 35 passes (54.3%) for 186 yards, two touchdowns and a fateful last-minute interception against the Packers at Lambeau.
When the Packers have the ball
Packers quarterback Jordan Love usually plays his best against the Bears. He threw for 234 yards and three touchdowns (with one interception) for a 120.7 passer rating in the last meeting.
But Love could be short-handed in this one, with three key starters injured — running back Josh Jacobs (knee/ankle), wide receiver Christian Watson (chest/shoulder) and right tackle Zach Tom (back/knee) are all questionable. Watson had two touchdown receptions (23 and 41 yards) in the last meeting. Jacobs had 20 carries for 86 yards and a two-yard touchdown.
The Bears’ defense has been surviving on takeaways all season. It leads the NFL with 30 takeaways, including three interceptions of Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders last week. The Packers have just 10 giveaways — tied for the second-fewest in the NFL. But Love has thrown three interceptions in the last two weeks (including one against the Bears) after throwing three picks in his first 12 games.
And with the Packers feeling the wear and tear of the season, the Bears’ defense is getting healthier. Cornerback Jaylon Johnson will be playing in his fourth consecutive game since coming off injured reserve. Linebacker Tremaine Edmunds (questionable, groin) could return after missing the last four games on injured reserve.