Packers vs Bears Wild Card Preview: Green Bay Looks For Redemption at Soldier Field
A Familiar Opponent With Much Higher Stakes
The rivalry between the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears is like no other in the NFL. It’s one of the league’s oldest and most iconic, and has always carried much more weight than a typical divisional game. This time, however, it will also determine the fate of the entire season for both teams.
The Packers will head to Chicago this Saturday for a Wild Card matchup against the Bears. This game will be the third meeting between the two teams in just six weeks, who have actually played each other 212 times over the years, an NFL record! Even so, these two NFC powerhouses have only met up twice in the postseason, and while history is on the Packers’ side, the past few weeks have left many fans concerned.
A Field Goal at 59:59
With only one second left on the clock during their Week 18 game against the Minnesota Vikings, the Packers called a timeout, and Green Bay kicker Brandon McManus kicked a short field goal. Those three points changed nothing about the final result of the game or playoff odds, but the moment certainly stood out, coming at the end of another frustrating loss.
Injuries have also contributed to the team’s struggles over the past few weeks; however, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur recently announced a major offensive injury return for Saturday’s game.
Jordan Love Returns With the Season on the Line
After missing time due to a concussion, Packers quarterback Jordan Love will return on Saturday Night with the season on the line. He hasn’t played since leaving the game during the team’s last matchup at Soldier Field, and he steps back in as Green Bay tries to extend its season on the road. Love was officially removed from the injury report and is set to start in the Wild Card Game.
Additionally, Green Bay added cornerback Trevon Diggs late in the season and immediately saw effort and ball production in limited snaps. He even finished as the Packers’ highest graded defender last week. While he does remain a risk, he also brings the kind of volatility that can change a playoff game with just one play.
Saturday Night at Soldier Field
This shorter week also works in Green Bay’s favor. They were able to rest most of their starters in Week 18, while Chicago had to rely on its regulars in a physical game against the Detroit Lions, with less time to rest between games.
The Green Bay Packers have spent most of the past two decades finding their way into the playoff season. What happens next will all depend on how they handle one more night in the windy city.