The Chicago Bears cannot beat the Green Bay Packers on Sunday. That is the truth in the eyes of every expert. It’s hard to blame them. This team hasn’t beaten them since 2018 and already lost earlier this year 27-10 in Green Bay. Aaron Rodgers is playing against a defense that just gave up 31 points to Mike White. Darnell Mooney is done for the year with an ankle injury. Every ounce of logic says Chicago will lose and probably lose badly. However, the NFL doesn’t always conform to pre-game narratives.
There is always a chance for a team to pull a shocking upset. For it to happen, the Bears will need somebody to step up. Two guys seem well-positioned to play the hero. Both of them have quietly developed reputations for saving their best work for the Packers. First is David Montgomery. In his last four games against them, he’s rushed for 336 yards on 58 carries. That is 5.7 yards per carry. He loves playing Green Bay.
The other is Trevis Gipson. While the defensive end has been quiet for a long time lately, he, too, saves his best for the Packers. He has three sacks in his last two games against them. With left tackle David Bakhtiari out for the game, he’ll have some legitimate opportunities to get Rodgers on the turf.
The Chicago Bears’ game plan isn’t overly complicated.
On offense, they must run the ball and control the clock. Green Bay has the second-worst run defense in the league. Montgomery and Justin Fields should be able to exploit it for chunk plays. That should allow them to control time of possession, keeping Rodgers on the sideline. As for the defense, their goal is to somehow get off the field without surrendering points three times. It’s a foregone conclusion Green Bay will score. Chicago can’t stop anybody. Their objective is to get a turnover or two and maybe force a punt at some point. Don’t let the Packers reach 40 points. If they can keep it to around 30, the offense might be able to make it interesting.
Subscribe to the BFR podcast and ride shotgun with Dave and Ficky as they break down Bears football like nobody else.
Montgomery should get the largest dose of carries in this game. That is good. He’s more dangerous when he is able to wear an opponent down. As for Gipson, he’ll need the run defense to somehow slow down Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon enough to create pass rush opportunities. Rodgers is still ailing from multiple injuries, so he’s somewhat vulnerable. This game isn’t completely out of reach. If those two step up, then magic may happen.
I was sort of hoping the packers lose out, finally get a high end draft pick, but god knows what they would do wit it
Packers 34 Bears 18.
If the Bears win, that will be a disaster for their offseason. They need to lose out
Bears 35 Packers 24