(670 The Score) It’s here. The Bears have to go play Aaron Rodgers at Lambeau Field on national television. We’re all exceedingly aware of how this song and dance goes: The Packers are good, the Bears are bad and we get to hear faux-cryptic messages all week about how this game matters more to the McCaskeys. So before Rodgers goes off to Denver or wherever next offseason, let’s run it back one more time, just for old time’s sake. Here are the Bears-Packers matchups to watch before you fall asleep midway through the game Sunday night.
Packers QB Aaron Rodgers vs. Bears CB Jaylon Johnson
The Bears' 24-14 loss to the Packers on Oct. 17 was probably Johnson’s worst performance of the season – guarding Green Bay star receiver Davante Adams will do that. Lined up against Adams for most of the game, Johnson allowed four receptions on five targets for 90 yards, the most yardage he has allowed at any point this year. And if you’re into Pro Football Focus grades, his overall number (28.2) for that game was far and away the worst he’s had. Rodgers seems like the type of dude who's acutely aware that this is probably his legitimate chance to embarrass the Bears, and what’s more enticing than that? The Bears' pass defense has been, in a word (or three), very very bad –Johnson holding his own against Rodgers and Adams is going to go a long way toward keeping the Bears competitive.
Bears QB Justin Fields vs. Packers LB De'Vondre Campbell
Fields is back! Did you hear? All is well again. Fields’ return makes so many aspects of this game more interesting, and we’ll get a good sense of just how healthy those three cracked ribs feel when Fields tucks the ball and tries to run through/past/around Green Bay’s linebackers. After kicking around the league for two different teams over five years, Campbell has put together the best season of his career and played like one of the NFL’s elite linebackers all season. And despite Campbell being on the COVID/reserve list this week, Packers coach Matt LaFleur told reporters that he's asymptomatic and the team expects him to be back in the building Friday. Does Fields feel good enough to take some of the hits that he hasn’t been shy about taking through his rookie year? Are Bears coach Matt Nagy and offensive coordinator Bill Lazor even going to move him around in the first place? I’m sure it’ll be fine.
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You vs. your bedtime and also your temper
Packers games aren't for the faint of heart. Last time these two teams played, fans at Soldier Field quite literally paid to watch Rodgers tell them that he owned them (and still owns them! And has always owned them!). If it hasn’t arrived already at 4-8, Bears Apathy isn’t far away – and getting worked on national TV usually expedites the process. You’ll have an entire weekend to yourself, free to spend it how you will. Then around the time the Sunday Scaries usually hit, you’ll sit down and watch three hours of Bears-Packers. It’s a tough ask. Do you have the stamina to stay up until 11 p.m. on a school night? Do you know what you’re going to throw at the TV when the Bears false start out of a timeout? Preparedness is key in these situations. It’s only a bad time if you make it a bad time -- or if the Bears lose 55-14.
Cam Ellis is a writer for 670 The Score and Audacy Sports. Follow him on Twitter @KingsleyEllis.