The Chicago Bears are preparing to meet their long-time rivals, the Green Bay Packers, in the playoffs, where they must navigate their lack of postseason experience. Despite this, they possess enough winning skills to outmaneuver the Packers in one of two distinct ways.
After two previous encounters with Green Bay where they failed to lead until the final moments of the second game, Ben Johnson acknowledged their talent. “They are a very talented group from top to bottom,” he said. “We”ve kept the game close both times, and had a chance at the end to come out on top. However, I would like to see us play better early in the game, especially on offense. We haven”t started as fast as we would like.” Johnson emphasized the importance of winning the possession battle against the Packers.
One key to victory for the Bears will be to establish an early ground game, frustrating the Packers by keeping their offense sidelined. “In the first game, we did not perform well on third down in the first half, though we improved in the second half,” Johnson noted. “In our last game against them, the same issue persisted, and we struggled to stay on the field.” The Bears finished third in the league in rushing, making this strategy more feasible for them. The Packers” defense has shown vulnerability, allowing significant rushing yards against teams like Baltimore.
To control the game, the Bears must prioritize running the ball effectively early on. Johnson pointed out, “When their offense possesses the ball, it limits our opportunities and makes each possession more critical.” This was particularly evident in their earlier meetings, where the Bears had a notable time of possession advantage in the second half of the first game, yet their inability to score enough ultimately cost them.
Another factor in the Bears” strategy will be Caleb Williams” ability to extend plays with his legs. Johnson indicated that Williams” scrambling could significantly contribute to maintaining possession. The Bears won all four games in which Williams ran for over 30 yards this season. The Packers faced challenges against dual-threat quarterbacks, as seen in their matchup against Malik Willis, who successfully controlled the clock.
The Bears” defense, however, presents a dilemma. With a reputation for being unreliable, they must perform well to allow the offense to capitalize on their possessions. Johnson expressed the need for his team to maximize their opportunities, saying, “We”ve just got to be mindful of that and make sure we”re making the most of the opportunities.” This is crucial for the Bears, as their defense has allowed considerable yardage in recent games.
Johnson”s plan appears to lean towards a strategy of running the ball and utilizing short passes, with occasional deeper throws from Williams. However, should the game shift unfavorably, the Bears may have to resort to a more aggressive approach.
As the Bears gear up for this critical playoff encounter, they will rely on their ground game and the ability to manage the clock effectively. The outcome of this matchup could hinge on their execution of these strategies against a formidable Packers team.
