The Lass Word: Stop. The. Run.
The mission is clear.
By KenLass
That the Chicago Bears have gotten better is not a surprise. They almost had to. Years and years of being among the worst franchises in the league had to inevitably work in their favor sooner or later. Selecting at or near the top of the NFL draft every spring, and being flush with salary cap room because there weren’t any good players to pay, basically forced the team to improve. Changing head coaches every two or three years, they were bound to stumble on to a good one by the mere law of averages.
It is a bit of a surprise, however, that the rise has been this pronounced and this sudden. Thirteen weeks into the season, as we head down the home stretch in December, the Bears find themselves in the number one seed position in the conference. In a season of parity, where there are no dominant teams, the Bears have been able to win several close games, often coming from behind late, and reel off five straight wins.
The rivalry between the Packers and the Bears doesn’t need any added significance, but it is there in abundance this week. While the national sports media slurps and gushes over the long-awaited emergence of this major market franchise, the Packers have somewhat quietly survived a series of close calls and gradually come together to lurk just half a game behind in the NFC North. Sunday’s game is no longer just interesting because it is the latest renewal of the oldest rivalry in pro football. First place in the division, and perhaps in the entire NFC, is at stake. The Fox network thought so highly of the game, they flexed it from the Noon Central time window to the national doubleheader slot at 3:25.
Green Bay and Chicago will, in fact, play twice over the next three weeks. With the Lions being at least temporarily subdued, these two contests will go a long way toward deciding the division, and providing the easiest path to the playoffs, not to mention at least one post season game at home.
Statistics can be misleading, but looking at the numbers seems to reveal a clear definition for this game. It appears to boil down to the Bears rushing attack against the Packers defense. Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, while immensely talented, is still very much a work in progress. Knowing this would be the case, Chicago spent a fortune bringing in top quality offensive linemen, not only to protect him, but to take the burden off of him by focusing on the running game. It’s paying off. The Bears are second in the entire league in running the ball. They are coming off a dominant win over the Eagles in which they piled up a staggering 281 yards rushing. Running backs Kyle Monanghai and Deandre Swift ran for 130 and 125 yards respectively. This happened against an Eagles team that beat Green Bay at Lambeau 10-7, and held the Packers to 261 total yards of offense.
The proficient run game makes the play action fake all the more effective. So Caleb Williams is a good bet to pull the ball out a few times and find open receivers. Ben Johnson’s well-tested system has allowed the Bears to rank eighth in points per game, just ahead of the Packers who stand tenth.
Green Bay ranks ahead of Chicago in virtually every other important category on both sides of the ball. Jordan Love leads Caleb Williams in passing yards per game, completion percentage, QB rating and touchdown passes. The Packers defense ranks better than the Bears in total yards given up per game, points allowed, passing yards and rushing yards allowed.
It should be pointed out the Bears are playing a fourth place schedule, which has proved to be a bit easier than the Packers’ third place schedule. Of their twelve games thus far, Chicago has played just three teams who currently have a record above five hundred. They are 2-1 in those games. Green Bay, by comparison, has played five teams with winning records, and stands 2-2-1 in those contests.
Comparing performance against common opponents is not a dependable yardstick, but for what its worth, the Bears easily defeated the Cowboys and Eagles. The Packers could only tie the Cowboys and lost to the Eagles. However, Chicago has lost to both the Vikings and the Lions, while Green Bay is 3-0 against those division rivals.
The oddsmakers like the Packers in this game. As of this writing, Green Bay is a 6.5 point favorite. Surprisingly high considering how hot the Bears have been.
Both teams play outdoors, so a cold late afternoon at Lambeau won’t be much of an advantage. It comes down to stopping the Bears’ run game. It certainly doesn’t help that the Packers will be without Devonte Wyatt, out for the season with an ankle injury. But if Green Bay has serious designs on winning the division, they must find a way, and at least split these two showdowns with their midwestern neighbors.
Stop the run and you stop the Bears. Nothing would be sweeter.
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__________________________
Ken Lass is a former Green Bay television sports anchor and 43 year media veteran, a lifelong Packers fan, and a shareholder.
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Comments (69)
NickPerry
December 05, 2025 at 06:21 am
"Both teams are terrible at forcing turnovers. Chicago ranks 27th with 9, Green Bay is dead last at 32nd, having forced just 7."
Hey Ken, I think you need to do a double check on your stats for turnovers. The Bears LEAD the NFL in Turnovers and turnover differential.
https://www.espn.com/nfl/stats/team/_/view/turnovers/table/miscellaneous...
BUT...The Bears STILL suck!
Guam
December 05, 2025 at 07:15 am
Thanks NP. The Bears have been living off turnovers this year and would have a much poorer record without them. Don't turn the ball over and you beat the Bears.
EricTorkelson
December 05, 2025 at 07:31 am
Guam ... your reply to NP doesn't compute ?
Guam
December 05, 2025 at 08:05 am
Not sure what I am missing. The Bears have been winning with turnovers and would have a much worse record if they didn't have such a big turnover differential versus opponents. Maybe my English got a little convoluted????
Coldworld
December 05, 2025 at 08:33 am
I am genuinely puzzled by how the Bears come to have such a good turnover ratio. Their rush hasn’t been stellar. Nor have they crushed the run against them. Their backfield hasn’t otherwise been stifling and they haven’t forced a lot of teams into having to throw desperately late on: in fact they’ve been the comeback kings often.
Those are typically the traits that lead to a big positive turnover differential. Without them, not having watched all their games closely, I’m left a bit baffled. Luck just seems like a trite explanation, but I struggling to see a better one. Obviously there are some better hands on their D than the Packers’ but I see no pattern of causation.
dobber
December 05, 2025 at 09:24 am
They play passing lanes and jump routes pretty aggressively.
They give up plays as a result, but they end possessions, too.
Coldworld
December 05, 2025 at 04:00 pm
That trick should have cost them far more if it’s extreme enough to explain it alone. It’s a lower percentage, higher downside strategy for any but perhaps the most elite level players. If their coverage was that good then their passing D would be all world or their rush would have to be to get even close.
EricTorkelson
December 05, 2025 at 12:40 pm
only went with NPs first line ... should have finished MY Bad Guam
Guam
December 05, 2025 at 02:19 pm
No problem!
NickPerry
December 05, 2025 at 06:06 pm
Yes sir...Their defense is actually not very good. They rank in the high 20's against the run and pass. They FINALLY have scored more points than they've given up after last weeks win.
The Packers need stop the run and not turn the ball over and they'll be fine. I hope we see last weeks MLF.
Last thing is I really hope Bullock is able to play. He's such a good tackler and makes so many plays near the LOS. No Bullock might mean Nate Hobbs...NOOOO!!
GregC
December 05, 2025 at 08:05 am
Incredible that Gil got that wrong. Everything I've read about the Bears mentions their defense's high number of turnovers. And rightfully so. I'd be interested to see if there's a pattern. Are they good at punching the ball out? Disguising coverages? Who are their ball hawks, if any?
dobber
December 05, 2025 at 08:21 am
Mostly they're picking off a lot of passes...which is surprising for a team with a middling to low pressure rate.
It's not sustainable.
HawkPacker
December 05, 2025 at 08:25 am
Apparently there are three defenders that are leading the way and one is injured and will not play.
KenLass
December 05, 2025 at 08:54 am
Thanks Nick. Senior moment. Misread some data.
NickPerry
December 06, 2025 at 03:37 pm
Ha...No worries Ken, I have those "Senior" moments all the time myself. Thank you for all the great content!
Cheezehead72
December 05, 2025 at 06:41 am
The keys to winning this game.
Protect the ball. Yes I know that is number one in any game.
Stop the run. Chicago is second with an average of 153.8 yds per game. Green Bay is 8th in defending the run at 98.3 yrds per game. Make Caleb have to win the game.
Packers need to keep the offense close to 50/50 run pass. Make Chicago have to defend the whole field. Keep them guessing. The Packers are about the same ranking between pass and run. Either this game or the second against Chicago is where I think MLF will get Malik involved just to throw them off. Not many plays I would say maybe 5 at the most.
Stop the run and protect the ball and we win.
Just win baby.
Savage57
December 05, 2025 at 07:04 am
The Packers need a redux of the Washington game, playing man and keeping eyes on the LOS for run support and QB runs/scrambles. Packers DBs will need to shine in this game.
The Bears are going to get their yards. Clamping down in the red zone and limiting them to a FG or two instead of six might be enough to swing the balance in the Packers favor.
The one thing the Packers can't do is come out tight, and let Chicago set the tone. Play hard from the kickoff to :00, and let the chips fall where they may.
dobber
December 05, 2025 at 08:28 am
"The Packers need a redux of the Washington game, playing man and keeping eyes on the LOS for run support and QB runs/scrambles. Packers DBs will need to shine in this game."
I think with the Bears' tendency to throw shorter and with their catch-and-run WRs (Burden, Moore) added to their run game that the Packers will play to their strengths and play primarily in zone so they can face up the play, ask their DBs to play the ball in the air, and rally in the run game with their DBs.
TKWorldWide
December 05, 2025 at 07:07 am
BTW, that’s three words. But totally on the mark!
egbertsouse
December 05, 2025 at 07:22 am
I watched thar Monanghai kid against the Eagles. Wow, a 7th round pick! A lot of scouts whiffed on him.
Coldworld
December 05, 2025 at 07:54 am
Not as many as whiffed on Wilson. Wilson, a UDFA from a small school, not Rutgers, but who has produced in the NFL, is actually a decent comparative. Monanghai Is shorter and lighter (a low center of gravity at 5’8 and 207). He’s got really good balance to stay on his feet through contact.
He’s not got great long speed (4.6 40, .03 slower than Wilson’s at 20 pounds heavier) or notable agility (his shuttle was also slower than Wilson’s), but he runs a lot like Jacobs and has decent initial burst (again slower than Wilson’s) to compensate for his lack of size.
A smaller physical RB with balance his best attribute. On paper he didn’t stand out athletically. He was extremely productive at Rutgers however, and it’s possible he tested badly. However, as a draft prospect little stood out other than that.
It’s potentially salient that, of his 579 yards this year, 306 (53%) have come in 2 games one each against the Bengals and the Eagles. Those games massively amplify his yards per carry average, which has otherwise been no better than Jacobs’ or Wilson’s despite better blocking. In both games his OL was opening gaps consistently and he runs between the tackles.
Can I explain that? No. I could argue that in those games his gaps were given to him, but that seems too easy to be fair, Then again, I can’t really explain the Eagles’ defensive performance against Chicago. The Bengals’ run D is downright terrible, probably the worst in the league.
What I will say is that Monanghai runs hard, but he’s not the most fearsome physical back we will have faced. He does run between the tackles while swift mostly runs outside them. Is he really the demon the Bears think and the media seems to be assuming, or more of a Samkon Gado, elevated by circumstance to shine briefly?
dobber
December 05, 2025 at 08:34 am
If your OL is playing well--and Chicago's is--your RBs look that much better. A good OL makes RB a plug-and-play spot. Even Swift looked good against the Eagles. The only skill guys who didn't look good against the Eagles were Odunze and Williams...but they didn't need them. Keep in mind that the Bears play a lot of 2 TE sets and their two TEs are capable blockers.
Things are amiss in Philly.
EricTorkelson
December 05, 2025 at 07:27 am
Ken , your first paragraph was classic I had to laugh
( selecting near or top of the draft basically forced the team to improve )
( changing coaches every couple years bound to stumble on a good one by mere law of averages )
Love It
But I wont say ( Bears still suck ) its time to move on from that...
NFLfan
December 05, 2025 at 08:08 am
I think it's a good thing the North is so talented. For too many years, the Packers cruised through with little push-back and may have felt not fully prepared for the better teams in the play-offs.
GregC
December 05, 2025 at 08:27 am
I prefer having a competitive division as well. It's more fun that way. Right now the NFC North is 10 games above .500. The only division with a better record is the NFC West, at 11 games over .500.
dobber
December 05, 2025 at 08:35 am
Yeah, that really hurt the Patriots for all those years that the AFCE was a dog and they were winning titles.
Coldworld
December 05, 2025 at 09:24 am
There are dangers the Patriots never had to face: the risk of injuries preventing them making the playoffs (or even good seeding in many years) and the attritional grind of hard physical division games.
We don’t yet know how good the NFCN teams really are. A lot of easy early schedules by design or injury luck. Obviously they are better than many, but is there a stand out NFCN team in league terms? I think that’s yet to be proven.
dobber
December 05, 2025 at 09:36 am
The point, I think and you make it as well, is that team records don't tell the whole story and that the team that shows up in the WC or Division round might not look anything like the team that was playing in September or even December.
The AFC divisions are mostly similar, but there are two really good divisions in the NFC, record-wise: the NFCN and the NFCW. The NFCN played the NFCE and AFCN this season (both are meh). The NFCW played the AFC and NFC South (the AFCS seems pretty decent). I'll be curious to see who ultimately wins the NFCW...but remember that the NFCN looked so good a year ago, and none of the 3 playoff entrants won a playoff game.
BuckyBadger
December 05, 2025 at 08:24 am
Anyone who has watched the Bears at all this season knows they are on a very hot streak with turnovers. They lead the league in this category and it probably stands up as one of the better seasons ever. The Jets rank last with just 2, again if you are watching the league one would know this. Packers have 11 which isn't great but they aren't last.
Not wrong about stopping the run. Running the ball and a +17 TO ratio is why they are 9-3. The Packers are the better team but if a team can be effective in the ground game and win the TO battle they will be hard to beat.
Coldworld
December 05, 2025 at 08:27 am
The Bears want to run and run and then run play action. It’s more than want, they need it to go that way. I hope we don’t fall into that narrative paradigm. We need to go out and force Williams to win through the air, and ideally, from the pocket. That I agree with.
However, we win this game not by stopping the run but by ensuring this isn’t a run fest by cashing in on the differential in talent at QB. Turnovers excluded, the Bears D ranks in the bottom 5 in all metrics. If we can’t harvest the QB differential enough to get ahead we are our own worst enemy. Do that and the Bears can’t rely on a run and run strategy while our pass rush can be unleashed.
I think we are well set up to contain at least Swift—look at Gibbs again killing Dallas and how we’ve contained him. We’ve also been good against mobile QBs, even big ones since Hafley arrived. Force them to pass and they can’t grind us down physically on D, which has visibly yielded 4th quarter dividends for them this year.
Meanwhile Jacobs and Wilson can increasingly pound theirs. Both our main backs are 20 plus pounds heavier than either of theirs and very physical. Our OL may not be as good (it’s not), but the interior is arguably more physical now. Once ahead, use that and turn play action back on them.
The Packers should have the offensive and defensive firepower to counter the Bears approach this year, if we are prepared to maximize them on O and prevent our D getting ground down. Whether we do or not is going to be largely down to our attitude going into this game and the game plan that gives that effect.
If Williams beats us through the air, then fair play to him, it will have been a statement game for him. So far, nothing he’s done suggests that’s likely and nothing in the Bears offensive approach suggests they really have confidence in his ability to either.
“Win, lose or draw, you are my football team. You are the Green Bay Packers and you have your pride!” Vince Lombardi
dobber
December 05, 2025 at 08:46 am
"I think we are well set up to contain at least Swift—look at Gibbs again killing Dallas and how we’ve contained him. We’ve also been good against mobile QBs, even big ones since Hafley arrived."
People are focusing more on Monangai after his game against the Eagles, but Swift has really been their RB1 over the course of the season (even if it's starting to look like a 1A/1B of late). He's the better pass-catcher, too. In the end, though, he's not the player he once was, and he'll rally his numbers over the course of the game around one long catch or run. Their OL (and TEs) is very good at getting DLs to play laterally and creating cutback lanes. We saw them crash the Eagles on the edges repeatedly.
Bottom line is that the Bears are a patient team that can afford to be patient at this point because their OL is playing well. They don't take a lot of chances with the football. With that in mind, the Packers' D will get its chances to get off the field on third down. They've got to make good on those.
HawkPacker
December 05, 2025 at 08:31 am
Stop the run. Stop the run. Of course, but how do we do that.
I remember back in the 70's when Scott Hunter was our QB and he could not pass for sh*t. Washington came out with a five man defensive front and begged GB to pass. We got beat that game.
I am not necessarily stating that we should do the same but after what they did to Philly, we need to do more than 'just play them heads up'.
Maybe we have a four man front, the DE's set each edge so Williams can't run in case he is going to pass. Keep him contained. Maybe blitz the linebackers on occasion through the gaps, etc.
We have to have a plan to deal with their run game and with Williams scrambling.
Rory P Scrotem
December 05, 2025 at 08:34 am
I have a question for those of you that are more astute than moi...
I've noticed that in the last 3 games Jordan Love is having throws
batted down at the line of scrimmage...seems to be more than usual...
at least one per game; sometimes more.
At 6'3" it kind of makes me wonder about defensive lines that he has
faced...and will face.
Do these guys (defensive linemen) watch film and try to time Jordan's
rhythm, timing his release of the ball and even try to obstruct passing lanes?
I'm just wondering if their is practice and thought process put into what
these defensive guys are doing...or...are they just watching & reacting as
a pass play progresses.
At the Pro level, there are many sophisticated things that are done based on
film study. Is there more to what a defensive lineman does in this regard than
meets the eye?
Just wondering???
Coldworld
December 05, 2025 at 09:35 am
There are 2 factors traditionally. One is a basic tenet of playing DL, the other a function of the film room. The old adage is, if you can’t get to the QB, get in the passing lanes and between his eyes and the back field and get your hands up and jump. Dean Lowry was good at that (and had a lot of practice), as was Johnny Jolly. Some guys just time it better.
However, some QBs help opponents. Rodgers did not, but Love often looks at his targets earlier and teams pick that up. However, it’s also clear that teams are anticipating LaFleur route calls and tendencies at times and players and Coaches may prepare to play to bat balls on for such routes on some plays they anticipate, particularly check downs and screens. It’s probably a mix of those things.
GregC
December 05, 2025 at 09:49 am
If teams were anticipating route calls to that extent, wouldn't they be picking off passes in addition to occasionally batting them down? Love has thrown three interceptions all season, and his completion percentage is a solid 67%. I think you are giving these pass rushers a little bit too much credit and maybe stretching a bit to take a swipe at LaFleur.
Coldworld
December 05, 2025 at 09:59 am
That depends on the wisdom/accuracy of the throw of Love actually goes through with it. The more common result is there’s no one open. For an OL, it’s a low hit rate, but step back in your lane and get your hands up and perhaps you deflect. Doing so might actually give a chance at a turnover. It may also persuade a QB to hold the ball longer if he recognizes it coming or miss time his throw, enabling a sack or the chance of an interception or an incompletion at least. Missing a pass deflecting attempt gives up nothing.
Leatherhead
December 05, 2025 at 09:22 am
If we score points, they’ll stop running.
dobber
December 05, 2025 at 09:40 am
7s over 3s.
The Bears have one of the better defenses at getting off the field on 3rd down. They also give up a lot of scores.
Bitternotsour
December 05, 2025 at 10:21 am
If we've learned one thing this season, it's to not trust the field goal team.
Leatherhead
December 05, 2025 at 11:04 am
It's a good unit from 40 on in. 12 for 12. After 40, it drops off and we're only 7 out of 13.
Remember, a missed FG has the same net effect as a turnover, so you don't want to attempt FGs that aren't real likely to be made.
You know how I feel about special teams. I wouldn't give the Bears any chance at all to hurt us. No punt returns, no kick returns, no long FGs. Nothing. Make them beat us with their offense.
BTW.....The Packers defense is the best home defense in the NFL. In 6 home games, we've given up 81 points. That's about 13.5 points/game
LambeauPlain
December 05, 2025 at 01:44 pm
"BTW.....The Packers defense is the best home defense in the NFL. In 6 home games, we've given up 81 points. That's about 13.5 points/game."
That is an impressive nugget of information, LH!
dobber
December 05, 2025 at 01:00 pm
Gonna be cold on Sunday: kickoff temps in the teens and falling off as the sun goes down. That's gonna deaden the ball and make it like kicking a brick.
Teams like Dallas and Detroit have kickers who can hit from 60+ with regularity. Brandon Aubrey is phenomenal. That's going to go away in outdoor games, now.
LambeauPlain
December 05, 2025 at 01:45 pm
Excellent! I will be there, albeit wearing everything I own:-0!
Bitternotsour
December 05, 2025 at 10:23 am
I'm kinda hoping this is personal for LaFleur. Johnson shot his mouth off at a very competitive LaFleur.
Campbell kicked Johnson's teeth in, I'd like to see LaFleur roast his ass.
LambeauPlain
December 05, 2025 at 01:46 pm
Nodding in agreement!
Starrbrite
December 05, 2025 at 03:06 pm
Right bitter. Sometimes it’s necessary to say “you want a piece of me?!?!”
GBPfaninMO
December 05, 2025 at 10:56 am
A little off subject but I read an article from Dairyland exp. that said Emanuel Wilson probably will be elsewhere next season THAT WOULD BE A MISTAKE.I think he should get as many touches as Jacob's & not just cause of Jacob's knee issue but as an audition.If it went really well then I'd consider moving Jacob's in the off-season for picks & cap space & no Lloyd wouldn't be the backup but there's usually a good rb2 out there.With that being said FTB & GPG
Leatherhead
December 05, 2025 at 11:07 am
He's a FA. He'll get an offer. You would hope that either Brooks or Lloyd would be able to be our #2 RB next season, but either way, Jacobs is the main guy. He's the engine to this offense. When he goes good, the team goes good. He's the best RB in Green Bay since Ahman Green, and maybe even better than that.
LambeauPlain
December 05, 2025 at 01:50 pm
He is the best RB since Ahman. And JJ is still adding to his Packer resume of production.
He may end up being the best RB since Green, who Holmgren benched and didn't want because of his fumbling in Seattle that mostly disappeared in Green Bay.
I just love the make up of Jacobs. There is a reason the team elected him a season long Captain.
EricTorkelson
December 05, 2025 at 01:06 pm
Emanuel Wilson has made the most out of his opportunities GPB, but he does not have the vision, or explosiveness or speed of J Jacobs. Note Wilson has run directly into the backs of Packer offensive lineman more than once this year. Wilson has been a great substitute for Jacobs but probably will not be a highly sought after free agent next year.
LambeauPlain
December 05, 2025 at 01:54 pm
"Note Wilson has run directly into the backs of Packer offensive lineman more than once this year"
Really? I haven't seen any more of Wilson running into a clogged OL than Jacobs has. And neither have many runs of negative yards. Both backs at least move the pile and both frequently get free due to their power, quickness and speed and get explosive runs.
EricTorkelson
December 05, 2025 at 04:26 pm
As a prospect scouts described Wilson as being indecisive at times when running, in the U-Tube program I watched reviewing Wilsons carries this year he did run directly into the back of Packer OL, but was able to bounce redirect and make yardage. Great effort but in some cases lacked vision. And the greats have vision
Starrbrite
December 05, 2025 at 03:10 pm
Eric—I’m not sure about “highly sought after.” It seems good RBs are becoming like good WRs —a dime a dozen.
Coldworld
December 05, 2025 at 04:20 pm
Yet Wilson owns a better yards per carry this year than Jacobs and had a better yards per carry after contact last year. Isn’t he the only Packers back with a 100 yard ground game this year too?
He may not be (isn’t) Jacobs, but the fact is he’s far better than he’s given credit for by most here. To Leatherheads’ point, he may well get signed away as a Free agent, but I’d try to keep him if we can at a reasonable price. If he is signed, I hope it’s not by a team we play regularly. I don’t want our D line facing him.
Trusting Lloyd to establish himself and stay healthy is too much of a stretch for me to rely on though, despite loving his talent when he was drafted. Banks is a protector, he’s not going to replace Jacobs seamlessly when needed. He’s not the Athlete the other two are. Ideally, Lloyd would grab that 3rd down and catching back role and form a true tandem with Jacobs. Unfortunately I don’t think he’s ready as a protector even if he’s more of a threat as a catcher (and can stay healthy).
dobber
December 05, 2025 at 01:06 pm
Wilson will be an RFA this off-season and the Packers can choose to tender him if they want to keep him. This year, the right of first refusal tender for a RB was about $3.2M. With RBs being relatively easy to find, I would think an ROFR offer would keep him GB if the Packers made it. That said, RBs tend to not be hard to find, and the Packers would have to decide whether they want to pay someone who might be their #3 RB (if Lloyd ever plays) about $3.5M.
Starrbrite
December 05, 2025 at 03:11 pm
Exactly what I believe Dobby.
Coldworld
December 05, 2025 at 04:24 pm
I think Wilson was an RFA this season and his deal expires after it. OTC seems to confirm that.
dobber
December 05, 2025 at 07:32 pm
2025 is year 3 for him. Year 4 is the RFA year (2026). After that it's UFA.
https://overthecap.com/player/emanuel-wilson/11345
Ferrari-Driver
December 05, 2025 at 11:09 am
I hope that it's not a highly windy day. That does effect the longer passing game, but does little against the run.
GregC
December 05, 2025 at 12:31 pm
NOAA's forecast is for a high temp around 19 (that would be right around the opening kickoff) and a northwest wind 5-7 mph. The temperature will be dropping as the game continues, but that's not too windy!
dobber
December 05, 2025 at 01:07 pm
Cold weather makes the ball slick and the fingers numb.
Coldworld
December 05, 2025 at 04:28 pm
It may also affect the turf. Obviously there’s heating, so it’s not ice, but, if memory serves, it may become slick?
LambeauPlain
December 05, 2025 at 01:56 pm
Mostly a cold, crisp day/afternoon, some flurries but wind won't factor much, if at all.
EricTorkelson
December 05, 2025 at 01:59 pm
Not overly windy FD 8-14 mph but cold with temperature dropping, cold makes tackling
physical running backs a little more painful ... advantage GB
EricTorkelson
December 05, 2025 at 01:49 pm
All the talk about the Bears and there running game and yes it has been earned, but I really like
the physicality of the Packers interior offensive lineman as of late... Banks, Rhyan, Belton vs the Bears DL Dexter
and Jarret and Linebackers Edwards and Sowell. Look for the Packers to give them a taste of there own medicine running
Jacobs and Wilson through the tackles and down there throat...
LambeauPlain
December 05, 2025 at 02:00 pm
Bears win when they get turnovers...8-0 when having at least a +2 takeaways.
Packers are 7-0 when not turning the ball over on offense.
It might be that simple. Don't turn the ball over.
The stat I do look forward to being evident on the field is the Packers are the #1 offense in the NFL on third down where Love is also the best QB on 3rd.
And the bares are the worst defense in the NFL bringing pressure on 3rd down.
This game may not be close.
Spock
December 05, 2025 at 02:20 pm
"The Fox network thought so highly of the game, they flexed it from the Noon Central time window to the national doubleheader slot at 3:25."
Yeah, and F%#King Fox after flexing the game is showing it in EVERY SINGLE STATE in the continental U.S. EXCEPT for the southern half of California and ALL of Arizona. What game are they showing here? The (3-8) Arizona Cardinals. Nobody, and I mean nobody, in this state gives a rat's ass about the AZ Cardinals. The only team anyone in the state follows is the AZ Wildcats college team. So, Fox FLEXED the game to not show it here. Hey, at least I'm not bitter. :( Sigh.
Bitternotsour
December 05, 2025 at 10:15 pm
no, I'm bitter, and I don't know why you've roped me into this
Spock
December 06, 2025 at 09:06 am
LOL