In the last regular-season game, the Chicago Bears aim to exclude the Green Bay Packers from the postseason.
The Bears (7-9) would love nothing more than to terminate the Packers’ season on Sunday at Lambeau Field, even though they have little chance of qualifying for the postseason and already have the first selection in this year’s draft.
Bears QB Justin Fields stated, “I think it would mean a lot to the team, the fans, and the city.” “I think that would be fantastic. We are aware of the significant stakes Green Bay is playing for.”
The Packers (8-8) aim to prevent a recurrence of the season-ending loss to the Detroit Lions, which cost them a chance to advance to the postseason.
Matt LaFleur, the coach of the Packers, stated, “I think it’s just a totally different squad.” This place has a distinct atmosphere and way of thinking. We must launch an assault. That’s the essential point.Even if they lose on Sunday, the Packers still have a remote shot of making the playoffs, but they’d need a lot of assistance.
Nine games in a row, including the season opener against Chicago, which Green Bay won 38-20, have seen the Bears defeated. In the game, Jordan Love of Green Bay completed three touchdown throws without giving up an interception.
Since then, Chicago’s defense has improved significantly under head coach Matt Eberflus, who took over as defensive coordinator and added pass rusher Montez Sweat before the trade deadline. With 22 interceptions, the Bears lead the NFL in both run defense and interceptions.
Love, who has thrown 16 touchdown passes with just one interception in his last seven games, will now face another defense. The Packers have won two straight and six of nine games, while the Bears have won two in a row and five of seven. Both teams are performing well.
“You play for these moments, these opportunities to play in the competitive games,” Love stated. “To have an opportunity to go to the playoffs, you want to be participating in these games. We’re exactly at that point, and I believe that everyone is eager for it. It will be enjoyable.
FIELDS’ ENDURING?
Fields’ future is uncertain going into the championship game.Thanks to a trade with the weakest team in the league, Carolina, in which they also acquired standout wide receiver DJ Moore, the Bears have the first selection in the draft this March. They may choose to replace their QB with Drake Maye or Caleb Williams.
Fields just wrapped off one of his most comprehensive shows. In a 37-17 victory over Atlanta, the former Ohio State standout passed for 268 yards, scored a touchdown pass and a running touchdown, and even had Soldier Field supporters shouting his name.
“At the end of the day, I’m just doing my job,” Fields stated. “I’m doing out my assigned duties. I thought I could have performed better. didn’t play well enough, but as I mentioned, the team won and everyone did a wonderful job in all three football phases.”
THE BACK OF ALEXANDER
Jaire Alexander, the cornerback for Green Bay, was suspended by the Packers for one game for behavior that was detrimental to the team, but he returned to practice this week. For the Packers’ Christmas Eve victory against Carolina, Alexander had named himself captain and fumbled the coin toss.
This week, Alexander stated that he has to improve his communication with team officials. He talked about what it would take to make the playoffs this year and his chances of sticking in Green Bay after this season.
“It’d be pretty cool, very, very deserving of this season that we’ve had,” Alexander stated. “This would put the candle on the cake.”Alexander might be necessary for the Packers to contain Moore, who caught nine passes for 159 yards and a touchdown in the game against the Falcons.
PACKING SACKS
Sweat has the opportunity to lead two teams in sacks by the end of the season. At any time during a season, he is the first player in NFL history to accomplish that.With a career-high 12 1/2 sacks, including six in eight games for Chicago, Sweat is tied for 10th in the NFL. Before being traded, he had 6 1/2 in eight games for Washington.Jonathan Allen leads the Commanders with five and Justin Jones leads the Bears with four and a half.
The Surge of Stevenson
Tyrique Stevenson, a cornerback for the Bears, is capping off a strong rookie campaign. The Miami Marlins second-round draft choice has intercepted four passes in the last five games.
Stevenson is the current NFC defensive player of the week after recording two interceptions and four passes defensed in the victory over Atlanta last week.Love’s three touchdown passes in Green Bay’s 33-10 victory over Minnesota have earned him the title of offensive player of the week for the conference.
ALONG THE RUN
Late in the season, the running backs on both teams are at the top of their game.Aaron Jones of Green Bay has gained at least 120 yards via the air in each of his past two contests. Khalil Herbert of Chicago has scored at least 112 yards in two consecutive contests.