Windy City Gridiron
The NFL season is an evolving state of affairs, and week 14 finds your 9-3 Chicago Bears as the #1 seed in the NFC Playoff race entering December with a visit to the Frozen Tundra of Lambeau Field to face the Green Bay Packers. The winner of this game takes over as the leader of the NFC North.
In this weekly series, I’ll be featuring one player from each team on each side of the ball who I believe to be integral to their respective team’s success. It’s not always about the quarterback or superstar defensive players like Micah Parsons and Myles Garrett. Importance is all relative, and while the “star” players are obviously important each week, this series will also highlight some of the other guys.
Because let’s face it, often, the unsung players are just as critical to the team’s success.
Here are the players that I will be keyed in on in this one.
The reigning FedEx Air & Ground Player of the Week looks to continue his high level of play on the road this week in Green Bay. In his two games against the Packers last season, the Bears RB ran for 136 yards and 2 scores on 34 carries for a 4 ypc average. Considering he has only scored 1 TD in his 5 other divisional games as a Bear, it is noteworthy how much success he seems to have against the Cheese. With GB having traded away long-time starter Kenny Clark and the injury last week to former 1st rounder Devonte Wyatt, the Packers are more susceptible than ever to rushing yards up the middle.
If Swift can take advantage of the open lanes like he did last week, thanks to his offensive line, not only should it help the offense get into scoring position, but it should also offset the threat of All-Pro pass rusher, Micah Parsons. If he can’t and loses the burst and decisiveness that he’s been running with lately, GB will have a great chance at a win.
Though he only played roughly 30% of the snaps last week in his return from the injury he sustained earlier in the season, Chicago’s CB 1 reminded fans how much he was missed with this pass coverage and awareness. This week, he should see closer to a 100% snap count and will once again be lined up 1 on 1 with Packer WR Christian Watson, who will face the Bears for the first time since tearing his ACL against the Bears at Lambeau Field last season.
A play many remember where Jaylon Johnson knelt down in prayerful support of his fallen opponent. Well, with both players having nursed injuries between now and then and both expected to be at full health, this should be a heck of a match-up. If Jaylon and the Bears secondary can force a turnover or two against Jordan...
