One of the most anticipated matchups of Week 14 in the NFL will be a divisional showdown between the red-hot Chicago Bears and Jordan Love‘s Green Bay Packers. These two NFC North heavyweights will go head-to-head in two of the next three weeks, with the division crown more than likely on the line.
That said, this week’s matchup and the Week 16 battle will be crucial for both storied franchises, as they will give the winner some much-needed momentum, along with bragging rights, heading into Week 16’s matchup at Soldier Field in the Windy City.
Ben Johnson Makes Bold Claim About Packers’ Defense
GettyHead coach Ben Johnson of the Chicago Bears.
Ahead of Week 14’s potentially season-defining game at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Bears head coach Ben Johnson had nothing but high praise for the Packers, especially on the defensive side of the football.
“It might be the best defense we’ve seen all year,” Johnson said during his media availability. “So, all hands on deck. It’s going to take all three phases for us here this week.”
Johnson was then asked what he feels particularly dangerous about the Packers’ defense heading into this NFC North division showdown.
“Personnel-wise, they’re pretty loaded across the board,” Johnson said. “You’ve got multiple guys up front that you have to be aware of. Starting with Micah doing a great job moving around, so it’s hard to get a beat for where he’s going to be. Rashan Gary’s still playing at a high level, and then they’ve got a lot of depth up there too. But you can tell they’re really well coached.”
The Bears will be riding a five-game win streak heading into this crucial divisional matchup, as Chicago has been one of the hottest teams in the league, which is now in contention to secure the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
Green Bay has also gotten hot as of late, winning three straight games, and something has to give come Sunday in Wisconsin.
Disappointing Update on Packers WR Jayden Reed
GettyJayden Reed #11 of the Green Bay Packers.
Even though the Packers have been on a hot streak lately, beating the New York Giants, Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions in consecutive weeks, the team still doesn’t have star wide receiver Jayden Reed back on the field.
Reed hasn’t played since Week 2, when he went down with a broken collarbone in the win against the Washington Commanders. The talented wideout has seemingly been trending toward returning, but he has yet to be cleared, as Packers head coach Matt LaFleur pointed out this week.
“The plan is to see where he’s at at the end of the week, and if he’s good to go, then–he’s gotta get cleared first,” LaFleur said. “I know he’s back to practicing, but he’s ultimately gotta be cleared to go out there and play in a game.”
With Reed on the mend, the Packers have leaned on wide receiver Romeo Doubs to shoulder the load in the passing game. Doubs has caught 45 passes for 542 receiving yards and five touchdowns so far this season.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Bears’ Ben Johnson Sounds Off on Packers Defense Ahead of Crucial Matchup appeared first on Heavy Sports.