LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) — First place in the NFC North was on the line on Dec. 7, when the Bears suffered a disappointing 28-21 loss to the Packers at Lambeau Field. On Saturday, the stakes will be the same in a new location.
The Bears (10-4) and Packers (9-4-1) will meet again Saturday evening, this time as Soldier Field, where first place in the division will once again be up for grabs with Chicago sitting a half-game ahead of Green Bay in the standings.
The winner of this Bears-Packers game will be in the driver's seat in the NFC North and can clinch a playoff berth if the Steelers beat the Lions on Sunday. Needless to say, this game will go a long way toward determining the NFC playoff seeding.
"There doesn’t need to be much of a message here this week,” Bears head coach Ben Johnson said. “They know. They know what’s at stake."
In these teams' first matchup, the Bears came up just short in a close loss. Quarterback Caleb Williams was intercepted on a fourth-and-1 play from the Packers' 14-yard line in the final minute. Of course, the Bears know well that the game didn't hinge on that single play.
The Bears trailed 14-3 at halftime after struggling on both sides of the football. They played well in the second half but know that it will take a complete effort to earn a win in the rematch.
“We feel as if we let them off the hook,” Williams said of that first game. “And part of that was us starting slow, part of that was the explosive plays and allowing something that we've been pretty good at so far this year for all sides of the ball.
“We want to go out there and play our brand of football, and it gives us the best shot to go win the game, and that's starting fast, playing physical, executing plays the way that we know we can, offense, defense, and special teams.
“We're excited to go showcase that.”
Johnson believes it will take 11 wins for the Bears to reach the playoffs, and he used that as a motivating factor ahead of their 31-3 win against the scuffling Browns on Sunday. That marked Chicago's 10th win of the season.
A victory Saturday would all but officially clinch a playoff berth for the Bears, and it would put them in great position to host a playoff game at Soldier Field. The stakes are similar for the Packers, which highlights the significance of this game in the longstanding rivalry.
“I just can’t be grateful enough to even experience it, be in the middle of it,” said Bears veteran defensive tackle Grady Jarrett, who’s in his first season with Chicago following 10 years in Atlanta. “I just want to put my best foot forward so we can be on the winning end of it.
“This is what you play football for. It’s what you dream about, the opportunity to play primetime football, a rivalry game, playoff implications, seeding implications, two prime QBs, two really good defense. I mean, you can’t ask for a better moment. I’m excited to be part of it.”
There’s great anticipation ahead of kickoff Saturday. Fans are buzzing, but at Halas Hall this week, the Bears are keeping a business-like approach.
The Bears don’t need any added motivation, because they all know what’s on the line.
“Another game,” Williams said. “Go out here and do my job, play well, start fast, get the energy going for the team and we got a real shot to go win the game.”
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.