Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) reacts after a pass against the New England Patriots during the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory credit: Image by Mike Dinovo-Imagn After bidding adieu to their bye week, the Green Bay Packers hope to score the elusive division victory by building on the dominance of the wobbling rival.
Chicago Bears (4-5) can’t get much right lately, especially in the offense, where the new coordinator Thomas Brown is tasked with sparking a quick turnaround against the visiting Packers (6-3).
After scoring at least 24 points in four of the past five games, Green Bay has had little trouble moving the ball. Meanwhile, the extra rest allowed quarterback Jordan Love to build distance from the knee and groin injuries that plagued him in the first half of the season.
“Of course, when you’re limited in the lower half as a quarterback, really any type of thrower, that can have a big effect on your ability to just move around in the pocket or throw accurately,” said Packers coach Matt LaFleur. “So, it’s better if he practices on the belt if he’s healthy.”
Offensive struggles continue for quarterback Caleb Williams and Chicago. The Bears have allowed 10 sacks the past two games and have scored just 27 points in their three-game losing streak heading into their first NFC North game of the season.
Some Bears fans booed coach Matt Eberflus’ firing during their 19-3 loss to struggling New England at Soldier Field last week. He is 0-4 against the Packers.
On Tuesday, the organization fired offensive coordinator Shane Waldron.
The offense led by Williams, the number 1 overall draft pick, and flanked by several offseason acquisitions has sputtered for an average of 277.6 yards per game, the third best in the league, and entered Sunday on a streak of 23 consecutive possessions without a touchdown. .
The Bears are treading water in the division but opportunities to jump in the standings will be plentiful starting Sunday. After hosting the Packers, the Bears take on the Vikings (7-3), pay a Thanksgiving Day visit to the Detroit Lions (8-1) and start December with a trip to San Francisco (5-4).
If they keep going during that run, they’ll get by all three of their division opponents and the Seattle Seahawks before the regular season ends.
Injuries along the offensive line didn’t help, resulting in Williams’ 38 sacks. Last week he started behind a line that featured two backup tackles. On Wednesday, Chicago released veteran guard Nate Davis, who signed a three-year, $30 million contract before last season.
Eberflus reiterated that he made the decision to fire Waldron. When the players vented their frustrations about the offense, they did not ask that Waldron be removed.
“He just wanted to do more,” Eberflus said. “Individually and as a group. They want to be more productive. More effective. Score points for our football team.”
Brown will pivot from passing game coordinator to take the reins as offensive coordinator. He was promoted to offensive coordinator during the season with the Carolina Panthers last season.
Green Bay has dominated the NFL’s oldest rivalry lately. The Packers boast a 10-game winning streak against the Bears, tied for the most in the series and leading the way as the league’s longest winning streak by one team against an opponent.
The Packers have outscored the Bears by 127 points over the span behind an opportunistic offense and defense that has limited Chicago to 20 points or less eight times while amassing a plus-19 turnover differential.
Green Bay, which has captured three of the past five NFC North titles, is off to a rare 0-2 start in the division but has won four of five overall. The Packers lost 24-14 to the Lions in Week 9 but had more total yards, 411-261.
“We’ve been pretty good as a unit and it’s crazy, because it’s like we can be better,” Packer running back Josh Jacobs. “So, I think the most exciting thing about the end of the season is trying to chase perfection.”
–Field Level Media
