Sunday’s showdown between the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears has the potential to tilt the race in the NFC North, and reshape the race for the No. 1 seed and homefield advantage throughout the postseason.
But, whether it is the Packers’ stout run defense against the Bears’ dominant ground game, or Jordan Love’s ability to continue the offensive fireworks in the vertical passing game going, there are several key matchups that could shape the outcome in what has the chance to be one of the most consequential games of this season, in the division.
How Packers can prepare for Bears’ takeaway-hungry defense
Green Bay has done an outstanding job protecting the football this season, but head coach Matt LaFleur’s team faces its most difficult challenge to date, a Bears defense that thrives on creating takeaways.
Creating turnovers is in the DNA of coordinator Dennis Allen’s Bears defense, with Chicago entering Sunday’s showdown forcing a league-high 17 turnovers. It’s noteworthy, that the Rams have forced the second most, with nine.
“It’s something that we’ve harped on all season, so we’ve got to go out there and do a great job of just protecting the ball,” QB Jordan Love Told reporters. “And that’s everybody. That’s me, the receivers, the running back, tight ends – anybody that’s carrying the ball.
“Their DBs are aware of the ball, and they’re making plays when it is in the air. They’re doing a good job at hunting the ball right now and flying around.”
“On tape, you can see the confidence that their defense is playing with,” receiver Christian Watson told reporters this week. “When they get a chance to make a play, they’ve made them.
“I feel like we’ve got to play some sound ball, protect the football on offense, don’t give them those opportunities and we’ll be all right. I think there’s definitely still opps to make big plays against them, too.”
