(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — The Chicago Bears (4-8) play the Green Bay Packers (9-3) at 7:20 p.m. Sunday at Lambeau Field. WBBM Newsradio’s Jeff Joniak looks at the matchup; pregame coverage begins at 4 p.m.
OFFENSE
—Rookie QB Justin Fields returns from cracked ribs to start a second time against the Packers. It’s his debut at Lambeau Field. His mindset is on point, and his demeanor calm and cool. Nothing seems to rattle Fields, and his play for the rest of the season should continue to reveal incremental growth.
—His primary focus against the Packers is protecting the ball and protecting himself from unnecessary hits in or out of the pocket. The protection scheme and performance by his blockers are critical in this game. Keeping Fields healthy is as important as anything in the remaining snaps of the season.
—Turnovers ruined the Bears last week against Arizona. They have to make sure that doesn’t happen again, and we know why. Every single mistake becomes an opportunity for Aaron Rodgers.
—No different than last week, it would seem to be the right idea to shorten the game, control the clock, run the ball and take a few shots to get points on the board, jump in front — and don’t dig many big holes, to keep Rodgers at bay.
—As much as anything, the offense is as important in quieting Rodgers as the defense that will be trying to stop him.
—David Montgomery, Khalil Herbert and Damien Williams will get their chances in two phases to move the ball and be difference-makers. The Packers are a solid defense, but wearing them down in the run game is important.
—Herbert ran 19 times for 97 yards in the first meeting at Soldier Field. He ran for seven first downs, including a touchdown. Montgomery has averaged 4.3 yards/carry, and run for 14 first downs in his career against the Packers, including a 57-yard run. They can shoulder the load.
—The Bears in the trenches have to quiet the impact of defensive tackle Kenny Clark, outside linebacker Rashan Gary (6.5 sacks) and inside linebacker DeVondre Campbell, who has made a huge difference in the Packers defense.
DEFENSE
--There were positives in the Bears defensive plan to minimize the damage of Aaron Rodgers in the first meeting, but he seems to always find a way out of trouble and finds a way to get the win. What defensive coordinator Sean Desai does in the chess match at Lambeau will say a lot about the outcome.
—It begins with pressure, and keeping Rodgers penned up in the pocket. His unique ability to escape to find windows of opportunity results in big plays, or scrambling first downs or touchdowns. Lock him up and do it relentlessly.
—There are matchups to win up front against the Packers, and the Bears have to be consistent, persistent, creative and deceptive. You may not fool Rodgers, but making other members of that offense have to think a little bit could open an avenue to a big play.
With Rodgers, the biggest task for the back seven in coverage is to hang on to that coverage for as long as possible. It’s not easy, but nothing comes easy against Rodgers.
—Rodgers can lean on his ground game, so the Bears have to curtail the success of Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon. They are also good in the pass game, so it’s another big ask of inside linebacker Roquan Smith and of the overall tackling of the unit. They will have to want to tackle the 247-pound Dillon in the hole, or in space.
—It is a significant challenge trying to defend Davante Adams. He is once again among the league leaders in yards-after-the-catch, fueling an offense that ranks 2nd in the league in percentage of passing yards after the catch. He’s also a significant challenge on 3rd down, leading the NFC with 49 3rd down catches since the start of 2020.
SPECIAL TEAMS
—It will be a cold night in Green Bay, and I’m sure the wind will kick up, so the conditions will be challenging for both kickers. Nothing is more challenging than Soldier Field, so I have no concerns about Cairo Santos for the Bears. Mason Crosby is having some difficulties, and the Bears have to avoid giving Crosby easier opportunities in terms of field position by avoiding penalties that could improve his range.
—Field position in every Bears-Packers game is critical. Patrick O’Donnell must be better than Packers punter Corey Bojorquez. The Bears have given up the 2nd most punt return yards, at 299; Borjorquez and the Packers have allowed just 111 punt return yards.
INTANGIBLES
—Here’s hoping the Bears can start very fast and grab a lead. If it goes the other way, its demoralizing. Rodgers has a knack for that, as did Brett Favre before him. Falling behind is a recipe for disaster. The Packers are 8-0 with a halftime lead, and they tied for 8th in the league in second quarter points with 100.
—They also start fast to start the second half with a co-leaders in the league with 48 points on 1st possession drives, including six touchdown drives and two field goals.
—Winning in the red zone on both sides of the ball is critical for the Bears. It is an area Packers coaches feel needs attention in both phases. Take advantage of every opportunity because that could be the difference in the game.
—Make it a fist fight and go hard every snap and release the building frustration of decades of Packer dominance.
Jeff Joniak is the play-by-play announcer for the Bears broadcasts on WBBM Newsradio 780 AM & 105.9 FM. Follow him on Twitter @JeffJoniak.
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