The Chicago Bears know these last five games will determine so many things. One is whether they make the playoffs, and the other is whether they win the NFC North title. Most agree the next three weeks will determine the latter. If they can beat the Green Bay Packers in at least one of their two meetings, it gives the Bears a huge window to accomplish that goal. However, the objective won’t end there. Chicago must finish strong. That in itself is daunting, as they have the San Francisco 49ers and Detroit Lions to end the regular season.

That last game is one they likely have circled. The Bears haven’t forgotten the 52-21 drubbing the Lions handed them back in September. Getting some revenge while also possibly knocking their rivals out of the playoff chance would be extra sweet. Their chances of making that happen have just undergone a titanic shift. News broke that Detroit’s star safety, Brian Branch, suffered a torn Achilles in Thursday’s win over the Dallas Cowboys. He is done for the season, leaving that defense in serious trouble.

The Chicago Bears know how much Branch means to the Lions.

Only Aidan Hutchinson is a more important player on that defense. Branch was third on the team with 75 tackles, had 2.5 sacks, five QB hits, and a forced fumble. He is also their second-highest rated run defender behind only Jack Campbell. Detroit has been struggling against the run since the bye week, allowing 120 yards per game. Their pass defense hasn’t been any better. That was with Branch on the field. Without him, they lose both his consistent presence and his playmaking ability.

The Chicago Bears can and should take full advantage of this. They will be at home for the rematch, which will likely take place in cold, windy weather. Their running game is one of the best in the NFL. Detroit hasn’t played in such conditions all season. Add the revenge factor, and you have the makings of a big win for the Bears, which could catapult them into the postseason. Detroit has survived injuries before, but this one hits right where it hurts the most. Ben Johnson will know precisely how to take advantage.

The best rivalry in football is back, and this one feels different. Chicago enters the week confident, healthier on defense, and with a head coach who has made it very clear he takes matchups like this personally. If the Bears win, it won’t be luck — it’ll be because their young stars rise and their coaching finally matches their talent. Here are three bold predictions for Bears-Packers this weekend:

1. Luther Burden Explodes for 100+ Total Yards

With Rome Odunze sidelined with a foot injury, attention shifts to Chicago’s rookie playmaker. Green Bay gives up the fewest yards after the catch in the NFL, but Burden thrives in manufactured touches — motion, screens, jet action. He’s explosive, slippery, and built to turn short gains into big ones. Even against a disciplined defense, Burden clears 100 total yards through creative usage and a couple chunk plays.

2. Jordan Love Throw Two Interceptions

The Bears force turnovers better than anyone right now. Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon finally string together multiple healthy weeks, while T.J. Edwards return adds real value in the middle. Chicago’s pressure looks different than last year — disguised coverage, late rotations, and tight windows. Love has been hot at times, but this defense steals possessions.

3. Ben Johnson Out-Coaches Matt LaFleur

This game is personal. Johnson’s reputation was built on game-planning, and this matchup is a chance to plant a flag in the NFC North. Expect his cleanest script of the season — run-heavy, motion, unpredictable, balanced — and the best execution we’ve seen from his offense.

Final Score Prediction: Chicago wins it late. Bears 24, Packers 23.

The Chicago Bears are preparing for their biggest game of the season. If they can go into Lambeau Field and take down the Green Bay Packers, it would put them in complete control of the NFC North and all but lock up a playoff spot. Of course, that is easier said than done. Green Bay remains a top-tier team and currently boasts one of the NFL’s best defenses. Finding ways to score against them is paramount for the Bears knowing their own defense isn’t in a position to shut opponents down. Unfortunately, that job might be getting harder with the recent news regarding Rome Odunze.

Chicago’s leading wide receiver has been a reliable presence for Caleb Williams all year, despite some drop issues. However, the Bears’ quarterback may find out what life is like without him here soon. Odunze hasn’t practiced yet this week due to a foot injury. Head coach Ben Johnson was asked whether the receiver would be able to go on Sunday or not. While Johnson didn’t outright say Odunze is out, he also didn’t seem overly optimistic about him suiting up. If so, that creates a challenge for Chicago.

No Rome Odunze means the Bears must find another focal point.

He’s typically been the target Williams trusts the most in high-leverage situations. Without him, Johnson will have to feature somebody else. The easy decision would be D.J. Moore. He’s been pretty good against the Packers, topping at least 60 yards in each of the past three meetings. He had 86 and a touchdown in the win at Lambeau last season. Then again, this might be the perfect time to fully turn Colston Loveland loose. Opposing tight ends have had considerable success against Green Bay this season. Jake Ferguson, Trey McBride, and Sam LaPorta all proved that.

Losing Rome Odunze would suck. There is no getting around that fact. He’s improved considerably from his rookie season, despite the consistency issues. He made some big plays in that first matchup against the Packers last year before the blocked field goal. Having him in the red zone would be such a benefit. Alas, that is the NFL. Injuries happen. It is up to the Bears to deal with it. They’ve weathered big losses a lot this season. Johnson is a good enough coach to find some alternatives.

*************************************UPDATE***********************************

The Bears have since confirmed it. Odunze will miss Sunday’s game with the foot injury. The team will have to figure out how to divvy up his targets elsewhere. Expect Luther Burden to get more work than usual. The rookie has done a good job taking advantage of his opportunities.

The Chicago Bears are on the cusp of making the playoffs for the first time in five years. That has been almost their sole focus for months. However, organizations must keep one eye on the future and the Bears have some tough decisions ahead of them in 2026. Due to their current pay structure, GM Ryan Poles only has $2.8 million in salary cap space. While he has ways to create more, this underscores a difficult truth. There is a strong likelihood the Bears will have to let one of their more prominent free agents walk next spring.

Nahshon Wright is probably one of them. The cornerback has been terrific this season with five interceptions, but the Bears have already paid two guys at that position. They can’t afford a third. Another dilemma for them is safety. Both Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker are free agents as well. Keeping both feels unlikely, leaving the Bears with a difficult choice. Do they keep the older Byard, who is a great leader and their best ballhawk, or do they retain the younger, more versatile Brisker, who’s injury-prone? Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune dropped some pretty clear hints about where it’s heading.

No doubt this won’t be an easy decision.

It sure looks like Byard has earned a contract extension based on his production, which is first and foremost, and the intangibles he brings to the locker room. Generally teams shy away from paying big money to two safeties. That’s not always the case, but it’s a position where teams will look to save a little money. If the Bears reward Byard with a new contract, I think it’s likelier they would look to pair him with a draft pick or another cheaper option. Looking ahead, it would make sense to get a good, young safety in the pipeline again.

Brisker’s concussion history — one in each of his first three seasons — will work against him as a free agent. Fortunately he has been healthy this season, but he missed 12 games in 2024 and that’s a bit of a red flag. Maybe the Bears value Brisker and will consider bringing him back at their price, but they’ll have to determine how they want to allocate their resources and then get a feel for what’s available in free agency and the draft.

The Chicago Bears will likely set a price ceiling with Brisker.

If he deems it too cheap and believes he’s worth more, the safety will hit the open market. That has nothing to do with the team not valuing him enough. It is a simple case of economics. They can’t risk the long-term health of their payroll for a player who, while good, is not a star. That is the unfortunate reality. Brisker is a terrific locker room guy, a fiery presence on the field, and does everything well. Sadly, replacing guys like him is easier than other positions. Byard may not have seasons like this one again, but he will be relatively cheaper to retain, and the Chicago Bears can go hunting for safety help in the draft.

After all, Poles has demonstrated a sharp eye for defensive backs in his career as a GM. He found Brisker after all. There is no reason to think he can identify good players at that position again. That salary cap money will likely be allocated towards an extension for right tackle Darnell Wright and retaining some of their defensive depth. Don’t expect the Bears to be aggressive in free agency this offseason. It will be all about maintaining the status quo as much as possible while improving through the draft.