Hell of a ride in. It is playoff time. Lions are tru NFC North champs but refs and injuries got them in 2025. Bears and Packers are in the dance though so let’s preview the wild card round.
Packers at Bears Saturday 8 PM on FOX
Jordan Love is back from his concussion from the last Bears game. The Packers rested everybody to hopefully get some health for this wild card matchup. The teams split the season series with a late Keisan Nixon pick for the Packers win and a crazy onside recovery and dime from Caleb Williams in OT for the Bears win (to win the NFC North essentially).
The Bears run the ball well with DeAndre Swift (1,089 yards at 4.9 YPC) and rookie Kyle Monangai (783 yards at 4.6 YPC). Caleb Willaims can run with 388 yards at 5 YPC but hasn’t as much under Ben Johnson. Caleb Williams (3,942 yards 27 TDs and 7 interceptions, 58.1 %, 90.1 QB rating) was fine in year 2 but had some nice 4th quarter comebacks. Bears are hoping to get Rome Odunze back (661 yards 6 TDs in 12 games) with DJ Moore 682 yards 6 TDS) and rookie Luther Burden (652 yards and 2 TDs). Rookie Coleston Loveland actually leads the team with 713 yards and 6 TDs. Bears have some weapons but need Odunze to be the number 1.
Bears defense was 23rd in league (worst in North) allowing (24.4 PPG) but did force a league leading 33 turnovers. Montez Sweat gets the most pressure with 10 sacks but nobody stepped up opposite him with Odenigbo on IR. Austin Booker has shown promise with 4.5 sacks though. Jaylon Johnson and Tyrique Stephenson are fine at corner but CGJ is hurt with concussion to monitor (and Kyler Gordon on IR) so nickel can be exposed. Nashon Wright has played well on the outside filling in for Jaylon Johnson most of the year though.
Packers will be happy to get Jordan Love back (101.2 QB rating, 23 TDs and 6 ints in 14.5 games). Josh Jacobs has been banged up but has 929 yards at 4 YPC on the year. Emmanuel Wilson is a fine backup at 496 yards and 4 YPC but they really need Jacobs. Christian Watson emerged off the ACL with 611 yards and 6 TDS in 10 games. Doubs leads the way with 724 yards and 6 TDs and will want to make up for the onside kick gaffe. Golden has 361 yards and 0 TDs and the Unicorn only has 252 yards filling in for the injured Tucker Kraft. Jaydeen Reed is back with 207 yards and 1 TD in 7 games. Packers offense should still have success on the Bears defense, especially if they can run the ball well.
Bears haven’t had too much success until late in games against the Packers. Packers are missing Parsons and Wyatt but still should be able to bottle up the Bears if they can stop the run. Can Trevon Diggs make an impact for the Packers at CB from waivers. If Packers can’t stop the run, could be higher scoring game than you think.
Prediction Packers 27 Bears 24
Other Predictions
49ers over Eagles
Rams over Panthers
Bills over Jaguars
Patriots over Chargers
Texans over Steelers
Playoff football. Get some