Chicago (4-12) will face off against Green Bay (11-5) on Sunday at 1 p.m. EST, with the game being broadcast on Fox. The current odds from BetMGM favor the Packers by 10 points. In terms of covering the spread, the Bears stand at 7-7-2 while the Packers have a record of 9-7. Historically, the Packers lead the rivalry with a record of 108-95-6. In their last encounter, Green Bay defeated Chicago 20-19 on November 17, 2024.
Last week, the Bears had a disappointing loss, falling 6-3 at home to the Seattle Seahawks. Conversely, the Packers suffered a close defeat, losing 27-25 against Minnesota.
Looking at their offensive statistics, the Bears rank last overall (32nd) in the league, 25th in rushing, 29th in passing, and 29th in scoring. In contrast, the Packers boast a much stronger offense, ranking 7th overall, 5th in rushing, 12th in passing, and 8th in scoring. On the defensive side, the Bears are 25th overall, allowing 27th in rushing, 18th in passing, and 12th in scoring, while the Packers rank 8th overall, 6th against the run, 17th against the pass, and 6th in scoring defense. The turnover differential favors the Bears at plus-8, while the Packers lead at plus-12.
For Chicago, quarterback Caleb Williams is a key player to watch. As the first overall draft pick, he is set to make another start, with the team weighing the benefits against the injury risks. Williams has endured a franchise-record 67 sacks this season, leading the NFL and marking the fourth-highest total in league history. He has started every game, accumulating 3,393 passing yards and throwing 19 touchdowns against 6 interceptions. His impressive streak of 353 passes without an interception finally came to an end last week.
On the other hand, Edgerrin Cooper, a linebacker for the Packers and a second-round pick from Texas A&M, is someone to keep an eye on as well. Cooper had a standout performance in his rookie season, making four tackles for loss against the Vikings last week. This final regular-season game presents him with the opportunity to build on his momentum before his first playoff appearance.
A crucial matchup in this game will be the Bears’ running game versus the Packers’ run defense. The Packers previously surrendered a season-high 179 rushing yards to the Bears in their earlier matchup. Despite struggles in recent weeks, the Bears recorded notable rushing performances by D’Andre Swift and Williams during that game, which may create concern for the Packers.
In terms of injuries, the Bears will be without left guard Teven Jenkins (calf), defensive back Elijah Hicks (ankle/foot), and running back Travis Homer (hamstring). For the Packers, cornerback Jaire Alexander (knee) will miss his seventh consecutive game and is unlikely to return for the playoffs. Additionally, the Packers will be missing linebackers Quay Walker (ankle) and safety Zayne Anderson (concussion), among others, with some players listed as questionable.
Historically, Green Bay has enjoyed significant success against the Bears, winning their past 11 matchups, marking the longest winning streak between the two teams. This impressive run began with the arrival of coach Matt LaFleur. Chicago almost broke the streak earlier this season, losing narrowly due to a blocked field goal attempt. In recent matchups, the Bears have struggled to score over 20 points consistently against Green Bay.
Statistically, the Bears have been on a downward spiral, enduring a 10-game losing streak for the second time in three seasons under GM Ryan Poles. This follows a franchise-worst 14-game stretch in the previous year. Notably, they have allowed a total of 67 sacks this season, surpassing their prior record. Recent defensive performances showed promise despite tough offensive challenges, including some noteworthy individual statistics from players on both sides.
As for fantasy implications, while starters are expected to play on Sunday, their game time may be limited as the Packers prepare for the playoffs and the Bears approach the offseason. However, if the Packers find success early, it would be wise to keep an eye on running back Josh Jacobs for a potential touchdown opportunity, as he seeks to break a franchise record.
