Ladies and gentlemen, the wait is (almost) over…. The NFL’s oldest rivalry takes center stage Saturday night at Soldier Field as the Chicago Bears host the Green Bay Packers for the 212th meeting in a game with huge playoff implications and first place in the NFC North on the line.
Chicago enters at 10-4, holding a slim lead over Green Bay (9-4-1). The Packers beat the Bears 28-21 two weeks ago, but now the rematch comes to Chicago’s home field… Soldier Field.
This is only the third Bears-Packers game in the Super Bowl era in which both teams are at least five games over .500 (and the second time it’s happened in just two weeks). A win for Chicago would reclaim the division lead, push it to 1.5 games, and give the Bears a 95% chance of making the playoffs.
Here’s everything you need to know before the biggest Bears-Packers games in years (we’re so back).
Key Injuries That Could Shape the Game
GettyBears WR Rome Odunze
Starting off with some bad news: The Chicago Bears will be without two of their top four receivers – Rome Odunze (foot) and Luther Burden III (ankle) both ruled out. That puts added pressure on DJ Moore, tight ends Colston Loveland and Cole Kmet, and a rushing attack that has surprisingly carried Chicago. D’Andre Swift is listed as questionable with a groin issue but is expected to play and star linebacker Tremaine Edmunds is also expected to return.
Meanwhile, Green Bay’s biggest loss comes on defense. Micah Parsons is out for the season after tearing his ACL last week, removing the league’s most productive pass rusher from the Packers’ front. Now the Packers will be forced to lean more heavily on Rashan Gary, Lukas Van Ness, and Kingsley Enagbare.
The Packers also enter with some key offensive players listed as questionable, including Josh Jacobs (knee/ankle), Christian Watson (chest/shoulder), and right tackle Zach Tom (back/knee).
Key Matchups to Watch
GettyBears RB D’andre Swift
Bears Run Game vs. Packers Front Seven
With two receivers sidelined, Chicago’s ground game becomes even more central to the plan. Since their Week 5 bye, the Bears are averaging 171.7 rushing yards per game, best in the NFL, and are the league’s only team with two rushers over 650 yards in D’Andre Swift (935) and rookie Kyle Monangai (681).
Bears Pass Rush vs. Jordan Love
The Bears sacked Jordan Love only once two weeks ago, and well… That didn’t work out (Bears lost 28-21). The Bears lead the NFL with 30 takeaways, but they must generate more pressure this time. Fun fact: Jordan Love is 7-0 this season when the Packers commit no turnovers and winless when they commit multiple.
This is the game that determines everything. Will the Bears control their playoff path or spend the final two weeks chasing it? Win, and Chicago sits on top of the NFC North with January in sight. Lose, and everything tightens once again… Everything is on the line for the Chicago Bears at home against the Packers in the biggest game of the year.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Everything You Need to Know Before the Bears-Packers Saturday Night Showdown appeared first on Heavy Sports.