Keys to the Game
Packers
- Dominate the Trenches
- Ride Josh Jacobs
For Green Bay to come out victorious on Sunday’s rivalry matchup, it needs to dominate the trenches (as it has all year). In addition to earning the highest PFF pass blocking grade so far, the Packers have taken only 12 sacks this season, which is the least in the entire NFL. The Bears pass rush has been strong (5th in pressure percentage), but its prowess will probably be cancelled out by Green Bay’s impressive group up front. On the other side of the ball, the Bears offense has surrendered the 2nd-most sacks in the NFL (38), a stark difference from Green Bay. The Packers’ pass rush is mediocre, but will probably have an uncharacteristically impressive performance against the pitiful Chicago offensive line.
Offensively, the Packers should aim to ride running back Josh Jacobs into the sunset this week. Chicago’s secondary is phenomenal, especially at limiting wide receivers. Tight ends are commonly opposing teams’ leading receivers. This could be a decent week for TE Tucker Kraft, but Green Bay should really focus on dominating the run game. Chicago’s defense has a hole in that department with the loss of nose tackle Andrew Billings. The Bears allow the 7th-most yards per carry.
Bears
- Rally Around Waldron Firing
- Let Caleb Be Himself
Chicago’s keys the to game are less statistical this week. Obviously they need to increase the pressures, decrease the sacks, and find more efficiency in all facets offensively. But broadly, they need to rally around the firing of offensive coordinator Shane Waldron. Situations like this tend to give players something to reunite over and provide a spark. This, combined with the emotion that surrounds Packers-week, should ignite something within the locker room. The team hasn’t been playing as hard over the past few weeks, and hopefully this change leads to some improvements.
Piggybacking off of the firing of the OC, QB Caleb Williams needs to be himself. Williams has played poorly since the bye week, but hasn’t thrown any interceptions. While this may sound like a positive on paper, it feels like he has been holding back. His creativity is what makes him so special and with no risk comes no reward. With Thomas Brown now calling plays and coaching up Caleb, his style of play should change. He needs to be slinging the ball around the field on Sunday in an effort to get Odunze, Allen, Moore, and Kmet involved. This Chicago offense is too talented to be playing this poorly.