The Green Bay Packers are 0-2 against NFC North opponents this season, but they hope to reverse that trend this week against a struggling Chicago Bears team they have beaten 10 times in a row.
This matchup comes at a good time for the Packers, who should be focused and rejuvenated after their bye week. Judging by the injury report, they may be their healthiest all season.
The Bears, on the other hand, are trying to keep the rest of the season going. After an embarrassing 19-3 loss to the New England Patriots last week, offensive coordinator Shane Waldron was fired. Time will tell how this will facilitate an offense that ranks 30th in yards per game, 24th in points and 2nd in sacks allowed.
If you’re in Green Bay, you need to feel confident going to this place. Chicago has a solid defense, but an offensive line that can’t protect number one overall pick Caleb Williams. However, a desperate team like the Bears can still be perilous.
With that in mind, here are three key matchups to watch out for this Sunday.
QB Jordan Love vs. Chicago Pass Defense
Love’s decision-making was a glaring problem in the first half of the season. He has thrown an interception in all seven of his starts and currently leads the league with 10 tackles. Let’s hope Love did some self-assessment last week and won’t make the same mistakes again. He put the ball in danger far too often and will soon face a really good pass defense in 2024. The Bears have intercepted eight passes this season and rank seventh in passing yards per game. In addition to turnovers, Love has put up impressive numbers this season, but Chicago has a stingy pass defense. It will be compelling to see what Love and the passing game look like after the bye week.
Green Bay’s edge rushers vs. Chicago’s offensive tackles
Bear’s problems with pass protection could work to Green Bay’s advantage, especially since Chicago was sidelined due to injuries to both starters, Braxton Jones and Darnell Wright. The Edge Rush room in Green Bay hasn’t lived up to expectations so far, but there’s still time to turn things around. They declined to get facilitate before last week’s trade deadline and instead traded for a productive veteran in Preston Smith. This means that Rashan Gary, Lukas Van Ness, Kingsley Enagbare and Arron Mosby will have to ensure promotion. Fortunately, they have a good opportunity to hit the ground running against the two substitutes.
S Xavier McKinney vs. WR DJ Moore
That’s not to say the NFL’s oldest rivalry needed more fuel, but it didn’t stop McKinney and Moore from fanning the flames ahead of Sunday’s matchup. Moore’s offseason was unmoved after signing with Green Bay as a free agent. McKinney responded to the clip earlier this week, stating that it has been in his memory bank ever since. He also hit Moore while mocking the receiver for walking off the field in midfield play against the Arizona Cardinals. Moore said he injured his ankle during the game, but McKinney didn’t buy it. McKinney and Moore may not see each other one-on-one on Sunday, but that doesn’t stop them from exchanging words when the two are on the field together.
