Emotions were high, and so were the stakes. Not only for the 2025 playoffs but for the oldest rivalry in the game. While the offense started off stronger than it had for most of the year, what followed was some of the sloppier play we have seen all season. Until crunch time, that is.
Here are my notes on the Chicago Bears vs the Green Bay Packers Wild Card game.
Oh, and I am a HUGE fan of those all navy uniforms.
Offense:
- Caleb was as accurate and on point to start the game as we have seen all year. Would have loved to see that opening drive end in a TD, but a long drive like that ending in points is definitely how you like to start games.
- Burden III was clutch early and looked explosive as ever. 3rd down conversions was huge.
- Run game was decent early and then really struggled throughout. Aside from a few key runs, the run game had one of the worst performances of the year. Odd, considering the state of the GB defensive line.
- After that opening drive, GB simply played with more fire and juice than Chicago. Until the 2nd half, when Chicago matched the intensity.
- Pick on deep ball to Burden III appeared they were not on the same page. Caleb’s frustrations on the sideline made that seem true.
- Ben going for it on 4th down all game, especially in Chicago’s own territory, definitely put the team in a hole.
- A couple of drops also really hurt. Grateful a couple to the TEs didn’t result in fumbles to GB, but we saw the ball on the ground more in this one than we have all year. Not good.
- Thought Caleb was out of his element and off for 80% of the game. After the opening drive until the last 8 min of the game. Pulled it down to run instead of hitting his receivers. Threw a couple ugly picks. Frustration more in one game than we’ve seen all season. It almost appeared this stage was too big for him. Or too much pressure was on his shoulders.
- And then Iceman showed up.
- Olamide with a nasty route in the red zone for a TD. Loveland looking like a young Tony Gonzalez and Ben with one of the nastiest play calls for the game winner to DJ that I have seen all season.
- So happy for DJ Moore. Two game winners against GB.
Defense:
- A well-called game by Matt LeFleur got GB off to a fast start. Chicago’s defense looked a step behind and outmatched early.
- The struggles up front continued in this one. Green Bay’s run game was dominant in the first half and Josh Jacobs looked healthy and explosive.
- The pass rush seemed non-existent, and once again, it was extremely discouraging to see how much time Jordan Love had to operate with Dennis Allen...
Windy City Gridiron
