The oldest and best rivalry in the NFL is renewed on Sunday between the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers, and it’s a matchup that has more juice for the first time in a long time. The Bears (9-3) have remained on top of the NFC North for the last couple of weeks and now have the top seed in the conference thanks to a big win over the Philadelphia Eagles on Black Friday. Chicago has won five in a row and is looking for their first six-game winning streak for the first time since 2012.
The Packers (8-3-1) are nipping at the Bears’ heels after their big division win on Thanksgiving over the Detroit Lions. Despite a hiccup midway through the year where Green Bay lost two in a row, the Packers have steadied the ship, and now the two teams are set to battle it out twice over the next three weeks with major playoff implications.
The last time the Bears entered Green Bay, they came away with an upset loss. Many of the Packers’ prominent players didn’t play the entire game, though, and the Bears have overhauled their roster since then, so we’ll see how these two squads match up. Here are five Packers players to watch:
QB Jordan Love
Jordan Love is quietly putting together his best season as a pro, which is impressive considering how many weapons of his have been in and out of the lineup. Love is completing 67% of his passes, throwing for 2,794 yards, 19 touchdowns, and three interceptions. His passer rating is 104.3, which would be the best of his career if the season ended today. And he’s been able to succeed despite losing his best weapon, tight end Tucker Kraft, earlier in the year.
What’s more, Love is coming off his best game of the season, throwing four touchdowns against the Lions on the road. He’s been excellent against the blitz this year, meaning defensive coordinator Dennis Allen may not be able to rely on his pressure calls like he has against other quarterbacks. The chess match between Love and Allen will be fun to watch.
RB Josh Jacobs
In Year 2 with the Packers, Josh Jacobs is still the unquestioned bell cow of the offense, but he isn’t having the same success as he did back in 2024. Through 11 games, Jacobs has totaled 731 yards on 186 carries, averaging 3.9 yards per run. That’s down from 4.4 the year prior. The large workload over the last few years could finally be taking its toll, or the offensive line struggles could be playing a factor as well.
Jacobs is still a dangerous player that could be a mismatch for the Bears. With so many linebacker injuries, the Bears have relied on dime packages more often, which could be a problem against a bigger back like Jacobs. TJ Edwards is set to make his return, though, which will be a boost for the position group. Jacobs could bounce through the Bears’ back seven of the defense, and Chicago will need to be prepared with the right personnel in place.
WR Christian Watson
The Packers have been cycling through pass catchers this season due to injuries and finally seem to have a formula figured out. That is in part thanks to wide receiver Christian Watson, who has been a dynamic weapon ever since he came back to the football field. Watson suffered a torn ACL in last season’s regular season finale against the Bears and returned to action in late October.
Ever since then, he has been a home run hitter for the Packers and Love. In six games, Watson has 21 catches for 363 yards and three touchdowns. He has served as the deep threat, hauling in multiple passes for 50+ yards, while also being the “go up and get it” receiver in the end zone for the Packers. At 6-foot-4 with blazing speed, Watson is a mismatch for most cornerbacks, and containing him will be a priority for the Bears.
EDGE Micah Parsons
The Bears have faced their fair share of dominant edge rushers this season, and now they get to see Micah Parsons twice in three weeks. Parsons has been everything the Packers were hoping he would be when they made the shocking blockbuster trade back in August with the Dallas Cowboys to acquire him.
In 12 games for the Packers, Parsons has totaled 12.5 sacks, 36 pressures, 24 QB hits, and one forced fumble. He has had at least 1.5 sacks in each of his last three games and now faces a Bears front that, while elite overall, could be susceptible to breakdowns in protection at left tackle with Ozzy Trapilo. Parsons excels as a speed rusher, whereas Trapilo isn’t as quick with his feet. Quarterback Caleb Williams has been excellent at evading pressure but now faces his toughest test yet.
LB Quay Walker
Packers linebacker Quay Walker is set to return from injury after missing the Thanksgiving game against the Lions. He has been up and down when it comes to pass coverage, but his best trait has been run defense this year, and that’s something the Bears will need to plan for.
The Packers’ run defense isn’t the same when he’s not on the field, and they will need him with the injuries they’re dealing with up front. The Bears will look to pound the rock down Green Bay’s throat, just like they did against the Eagles, with D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai. To do that, they will need to neutralize Walker to avoid him blowing any plays up.
