Windy City Gridiron
When I took over writing the game previews several years ago from Steven Schweickert, I changed his naming convention.
This was mostly due to changing SEO standards and boring ol’ search stuff that the powers at be are rightly concerned with. But the old preview naming convention works so well for this week. When it was a division rival or a team the Chicago Bears were facing again, it was “Oh you again: team name.”
Oh, you again, Green Bay.
Saturday’s game is going to be fun. Hopefully. Fun in the sense that Chicago is back in the playoffs, with a good head coach and a good quarterback. For once in this rivalry, it actually feels like the Bears have a QB they can win because of, not in spite of.
But truly, this game is a bit of a coin toss. Three of the last four meetings between these teams was decided on the final snap of the game (blocked field goal last season, made field goal and the OT touchdown). The one that wasn’t, the first meeting this season, had just one kneel down following Caleb Williams’ interception.
It will likely be another close game. Be prepared to bite your nails, have a knot in your stomach and be stressed out. It’s the playoffs.
Remember, this Bears team wasn’t really supposed to be here this year. Just enjoy the ride.
Green Bay Packers
SB Nation site: Acme Packing Company
Record: 9-7-1
Last week: 16-3 loss to the Vikings
Game day, time, TV: Saturday, 7 p.m. CT, Prime Video
Spread: Packers -1
Bears all-time record against: 97-109-6, including 1-1 in the postseason
Historical meetings: 1941 Divisional Playoffs. The 10-1 Bears met 10-1 Packers at Wrigley Field in the first-ever postseason meeting between these teams.
The Bears answered an early Packers touchdown with an 81-yard punt return touchdown by Hugh Gallarneau.
Chicago blew the game open in the second quarter with a field goal and three rushing touchdowns—two by Norm Standlee (3 yards and 2 yards) and one by Bob Swisher.
The Bears rolled on to the championship game 33-14.
Last meeting: In week 16, the Bears were down 16-6 with less than 2:15 to play.
The Bears kicked a field goal, recovered an onside kick, scored a touchdown and went to overtime.
They stopped the Packers on fourth down and scored a walk-off touchdown to DJ Moore.
ROLL THE TAPE (No embed allowed, sorry!)
Injury report: The Packers list six players as limited on their Wednesday report.
Limited participation
Offense: The Packers come into the game ranked 16th in points and 15th in yards.
Their passing offense ranks 17th and their rushing offense ranks 15th.
Jordan Love (66.3 pct. cmp./3,381 yds./23 TD/6 INT) returns from the concussion he suffered in these teams’ second game. He hasn’t played since then.
His weapons include Romeo Doubs...
