Windy City Gridiron
The NFL season is an evolving state of affairs with each team aspiring to hoist the Lombardi Trophy come February, but only 14 teams earn a chance to do so once the playoffs roll around.
Chicago has earned that right for the first time since 2020 when they snuck in as a 7 seed wild-card team. Time have changed since then as your Chicago Bears have earned the 2 seed with at least two home playoff games if they can win this first one. And what a treat we have before us as the Bears get to host their rival, the Green Bay Packers, for only the two franchises’ third playoff matchup in the last 100 years.
In this weekly series, I’ve been 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 Myles Garrett or Micah Parsons. 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.
For the first time ever in this series we have a repeat player highlighted in consecutive games. And while I fully expect the run game to be established by Chicago this week, Burden III is the player who will capture my gaze whenever he is on the field against GB. Not only did he miss the last time these two teams played, but his first game against them included fireworks and bad blood from the beginning to the end. Additionally, he returns to the lineup alongside starter Rome Odunze after both players missed the last battle due to injury. Meaning, Chicago’s weapons will all be available against GB for the first time this season.
Not only will this soften the run defense, but it will spread out the pass defense and pose some serious matchup problems for the Packers. Since Rome is not going to be as close to 100% with so much time away, Burden III is the guy I expect to blow up this game. If he can, then Chicago should have no trouble moving the ball and putting up points against the Packers swiss cheese defense. If the offense fails to get into rhythm or makes careless errors like last week against Detroit and last time they played GB, Burden III will likely show some frustration along with the entire Soldier Field crowd.
Another player returning from injury for his first action against the rival Packers all season, Gordon is expected to appear in his 6th career game against GB with his only win being the season finale in 2024. When healthy,...
