The Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers have played some classic games in the past couple of years. It seems like each one carries higher stakes each time. While this one might not be quite at that level, it does hold considerable importance for the men involved. The Bears want to continue their chase for 1st place in the NFC North. The Packers want to avoid going 0-2 in the division and falling even further behind. People might try to downplay the importance so early in the season. They would be mistaken. It matters. The intensity on the field this Sunday will prove it.
Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers backstory
These two teams have always been adversaries, but hate hasn’t been infused in it for a long time. That has changed drastically. Head coach Ben Johnson made sure of that when he began taunting Matt LaFleur from the moment he took over. Now the two teams are taking snipes at each other all the time. There is genuine bad blood on both sides, made only worse by the massive consequences of last January’s playoff game. Green Bay is desperate for revenge. Chicago wants to bury them.
Injuries
LB Edgerrin Cooper (Achilles)
With Micah Parsons still out of the picture, the Packers’ defense has needed somebody else to step up. That had been Cooper, who’d been a major factor in each of their victories this season. His ability to defend the run and pass made him such a pain to deal with. Having him out of the lineup is a devastating blow for Green Bay. Their run defense is already among the league’s worst. Removing him from the equation threatens to see the bottom fall out. To say nothing of how his absence could expose their coverage over the middle.
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RB Kyle Monangai (turf toe)
The former 7th round pick has become one of the Bears’ best offensive weapons. His 146 yards and 2 touchdowns last week against the New York Jets were further proof of this. He’s also played well against the Packers, posting 93 total yards in the last regular season meeting. If he can’t go because of this toe injury, it puts a lot of pressure on D’Andre Swift to carry the load, with the one-dimensional Roschon Johnson as the primary backup. It could change how the Bears deploy the run game.
Key matchups
TE Tucker Kraft vs. LB Devin Bush
Kraft has been Green Bay’s primary weapon in the middle of the field, taking advantage of their speed at wide receiver. Getting him going usually yields positive results in the win-loss column for them. This is partly why the Chicago Bears have invested in linebackers with speed who can play coverage. Bush is their most recent addition. He’s been a constant presence, able to plug passing lanes with his range and instincts. He must do everything possible to limit Kraft’s opportunities.
WR Rome Odunze vs. CB Brandon Cisse
Odunze had somewhat of a breakout game last week with 96 yards against the Jets. He no doubt hopes to build that momentum up in Green Bay. If the Bears are hunting for a matchup, then Cisse is the guy they want. The Packers’ cornerback has struggled against larger wide receivers this season. You saw it against Justin Jefferson on opening day and again with Drake London against the Falcons. Odunze fits that same mold of size mixed with good route-running. Cisse is a rookie. This should be a matchup advantage.
X-factors
WR Christian Watson
Of all the players on Green Bay’s roster, few have given the Chicago Bears more headaches than Watson. His mix of 6’4″ size and blazing speed has made it a nightmare for their cornerbacks to cover him. He had 150 yards against them in the 2024 November meeting and 89 yards with 2 TDs at Lambeau Field last year. You can bet LaFleur will be hunting for matchups on slower defensive backs like Tyrique Stevenson all night.
EDGE Montez Sweat
The Packers have scrambled to fix their offensive line problems by signing multiple veteran guards like Kevin Zeitler and Laken Tomlinson. All the while, their weakest link remains left tackle Jordan Morgan, who’s given up 14 pressures so far this season. Sweat will be the primary guy going against him in this game, and the Bears’ top pass rusher has two sacks in the past three games. He can and should be a big factor.
Prediction: Bears win 28-23
On paper, Chicago seems to have the advantage. Their running game is a big matchup problem for Green Bay, and the Bears’ defense has played considerably better to start the season. The problem is that this is a rivalry game. Rivalry games are always weird. Dismissing the possibility of the Packers winning would be foolish. That said, the Bears in no way will treat this showdown lightly. They ride a strong offensive performance to victory.
