Bears vs. Packers Prediction: Rivalry Showdown

Brad Rempel - USA Today Sports

Dustin Riese · Senior Writer · 11 hours ago

The stage has been set, as this weekend's game with the Green Bay Packers is by far the biggest game of the season for the Bears. Coming into the game with a 9-3 record and leading the NFC, Chicago will look to make it six straight wins and two straight wins at Lambeau Field after winning there in week 18 last season.

Standing in their way is a Green Bay Packers team that is 8-3-1, has also won three games in a row, is peaking at the right time, and is just 1/2 game behind the Bears for first place in the Division. Talk about a match made in heaven for a late-season matchup between the two oldest rivals in the NFL.

This is what the NFL is all about, and to make things better, these two will face off in Chicago in just two weeks. Needless to say, the NFC North could be decided in the next three weeks as the Bears could create even more separation or potentially fall to third depending on what happens with the Detroit Lions over the same stretch.

Regardless of what happens, this season has been a massive success for Ben Johnson and his club, as no one saw this team sitting at 9-3 through 12 games and leading the entire NFC. What better way to cap off an incredible season than by beating the Packers once, if not twice, when we get to that point and making the playoffs in your first season?

Here are some things to look for in the rivalry matchup:

Stick to the ground game

After struggling to run the ball through three weeks, Chicago made some offensive line shuffles in an effort to jumpstart that part of their offense. Not only has that worked, but it has worked in a massive way as Chicago has emerged as one of the best rushing attacks in the game.

Anchored behind what has statistically been one of the best offensive lines this season, Chicago has used their dynamic duo of D'Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai to not only set the tone physically, but to dominate virtually every single one of their opponents. You saw that last week against the Eagles when the Bears went on the road to earn a win, gashing the Eagles for 280 yards on the ground.

Things won't get any easier this week as the Bears are going up against one of the best, if not the best, defenses in the NFC. This is a team that knows how to get after the quarterback, doesn't give up a ton of points, and makes the play when it matters. If there was one negative for the Packers' defense, it's that they have struggled against the run at times, which could play into the Bears' hands.

All eyes are on Micah Parsons

When the news broke that the Packers traded Kenny Clark to the Cowboys for Micah Parsons, it sent shockwaves through the entire NFL. You had a team in the Packers who seemingly always make the playoffs, now adding one of the best defenders in the game.

It essentially had those Charles Woodson vibes when the Packers added him back in the day, and you saw how that worked out for Green Bay as the Packers won the Super Bowl in his first year. No one is going to say the Packers are the Super Bowl favorite, but given how young their roster is, they are one of those teams to keep an eye on over the next few years.

Parsons is a big reason for that as his presence alone has transformed this defense into one of the best in the game. Even when he doesn't get to the quarterback, which he has been doing a lot of lately, teams have to account for him on the field, which does open things up for other guys. It will be imperative for the Bears to contain him early to prevent long-yardage situations.

Will the passing game get going?

There has been a lot to like about the Bears and their offense all season, which is what they envisioned when Ben Johnson was hired. Entering their game this weekend, Chicago is statistically a top-five offense in most categories, which is a pleasant surprise.

With a defense ranked 28th but tops in the league at forcing turnovers, it has been the Bears' offense that has carried this team more often than not, but the defense has started to play much better over the past few weeks. As good as their offense has been, it has been the passing game that has continued to struggle, prompting Johnson to put it on notice.

Caleb Williams has done a great job of avoiding sacks and taking care of the ball this season, but his lack of accuracy is killing this team. He is down around 60% for his season completion rate and has gone six straight games with a completion percentage under 60%. Chicago has been fortunate to get away with that for now, but at some point, the passing game needs to improve, because its rushing attack will be shut down.

Prediction: Packers 24-17 over Bears

This isn't your ordinary Packers game, as so much more is on the line this weekend. You have the top spot in the Division up for grabs, potentially the top spot in the NFC, and two teams looking to establish the bragging rights in this rivalry.

As a Packers fan, you're looking for revenge after falling to this team at home last season, something that hadn't happened in over a decade. As a Bears fan, you loved it when Johnson talked about beating the Packers twice a season, and you are hoping that translates over.

This is what rivalries are supposed to be about, and it's something this rivalry hasn't had in a while. When it comes to who wins this game, it will come down to which defense plays better, as the magic number for the Packers is 17. Score more than 17 points, and this is an 8-0-1 football team, while they are 0-3 when held under 17 points.

That is a feat a lot easier said than done, but if the Bears can run the ball to control the clock and force turnovers, they have a chance. Look for this to be a great game and one that could come down to the final play. However, this is a game the Bears will lose, as the Packers take round one over Chicago, 24-17.