Packers look to punch their ticket to the playoffs as they host the Bears
The Packers look to secure a spot in the NFL Playoffs as they take on the Chicago Bears at 3:25 Central Time Sunday at Lambeau Field.
The Packers are 8-8 after winning 33-10 last Sunday night at Minnesota. The Bears are 7-9 after defeating the Falcons 37-17.
It remains to be seen whether Justin Fields will be playing his final game for the Bears. He is always a threat to run and can take it to the endzone anywhere on the field. The Packers’ defense is coming off a promising performance last week vs the Vikings. They need to build on what made them successful and stop Fields and the rest of the offense. They got a few turnovers last week too. Let’s keep that going as well.
The Bears have been playing better on defense lately and have been forcing turnovers. The Packers have done a decent job not turning the ball over. That needs to continue. Jordan Love has a chance to get this team into the playoffs in his first year as the main guy. They have been running the ball well these last two weeks. Let’s keep that going.
Special teams might make a big difference in this game. Field position will be huge. Anders Carlson might be called upon to kick a field goal in a big situation. We cannot afford any missed extra points or turnovers on punt or kickoff returns.
The Bears are winding down another season in which they will fail to make the playoffs. They also have a lot of decisions to make in the offseason. Head Coach Matt Eberflus is expected to return. The Bears also have the #1 overall pick due to their trade with Carolina. Do they keep Justin Fields or do they draft Caleb Williams? This is not a team that can afford to make mistakes on these big decisions.
Which defense are we going to see from the Packers? After 3 games of horrible defense, they turned things around somewhat against the Vikings. Was it fool’s gold or a sign that they are turning the corner? They cannot afford a bad performance vs the Bears on Sunday.
The Packers have pretty much dominated this series in the past 3 decades. They have won 9 straight and have a chance to match their biggest winning streak vs the Bears on Sunday. They won 10 in a row from 1994-1998.
The Packers are in the same scenario that they were last season. All they had to do last year was defeat the Lions at home, a Detroit team that was eliminated from playoff contention before the game started. The Packers got outplayed and outcoached and saw their season come to an end.
This time around, they have Jordan Love at quarterback. Instead of the Lions, this time it’s the Bears, who the Packers officially eliminated from playoff contention with their victory over the Vikings last Sunday night. It’s simple. If the Packers win, they are in the playoffs. They could even move up to the #6 spot with a win and a loss by the Rams. A loss would not eliminate the Packers, but they would need a lot of other things to go right for them to get in. Besides, if they lose at home to the Bears when they have a chance to clinch a spot in the playoffs, they don’t deserve to get in anyway.
It all comes down to Sunday afternoon. Before the season started, how many people thought the Packers would be playing for a chance to make the playoffs in Week 18? Who would have thought that they would have a chance midway through the season? Now they have to go out there and get it done. The Bears aren’t going to the playoffs, but the next best thing for them would be to keep the Packers from going there. The Packers need to be ready for anything and everything the Bears throw at them. The Lions gave it all they had last year and pulled out some trick plays that the Packers weren’t ready for. Let’s write a different ending this time around.
Lambeau Field will be rocking on Sunday. Whether you are at the game or celebrating elsewhere, let’s be ready to cheer our team to victory and into the playoffs.
Get Loud Lambeau!
Go Pack Go!
@DieHardPackersFan #DHPF #GetLoudLambeau #GregGoshaw @gg901
