The Chicago Bears will need to do the unthinkable and defeat the Green Bay Packers on Sunday if they are going to avoid a four-game losing streak on the seasom.
The Bears have lost 10 straight games to the Packers, and if they are going to turn their season around, they must do three things right.
3. The Chicago Bears run defense needs to show up
The Bears' pass defense has been excellent this season, but the run defense has been below average. Even with Jaquan Brisker out, the back end has been just fine, and while Jordan Love has a lot of physical talent, it is hard to see him lighting up the secondary with his group of pass catchers.
However, it is easy to see the Packers running the football all day on the Bears' struggling run defense. You could argue that the loss of Brisker has hurt the run defense more than the pass defense, as he is a presence in the box.
The loss of Andrew Billings is much worse, though. The run defense was already their kryptonite, but now their best run defender is out for the year. The Patriots' offensive line is arguably worse than the Bears, so you can imagine how bad that was.
The Packers' run blocking will not be nearly as weak. They could command this game if they wanted to. The Bears have to find some life against the run to avoid the Packers running at will. Will Zacch Pickens step up? Will the linebackers play their best? Will a healthier Montez Sweat lead to success?
2. The Chicago Bears cannot turn the football over
The Green Bay Packers rank 10th in expected points allowed against the pass. They rank 31st in success rate allowed against the pass. Essentially, teams can move the ball down the field and create positive movement. However, the defense makes enough splash plays that they do not give up points and often put the team in a position to score.
The Packers' defense is second in turnovers with 19, one behind the Minnesota Vikings. They are tied for sixth in interceptions with 10, and they are tied for first with interceptions returned for a touchdown with two.
You have to be aggressive, but you cannot turn the ball over. This will be key for Caleb Williams. Williams has struggled when he has had to get aggressive, but one positive is that he has hardly turned the football over in recent weeks.
If he can continue this, and take what the Packers give him, the offense may look better.
1. The Chicago Bears have to get Caleb Williams comfortable
This is a bit of an add-on from the last point, but it has to be stressed. The Bears can lose to the Packers this week and a lot of fans will not care if Caleb Williams looks competent in the loss. Heck, at this point he just has to look good enough that media members will not be talking about him being a bust this week.
The Bears have a new offensive coordinator, and the hope is that he can lean on the run to open things up for Williams and make life easier. When you add in that the Packers pass defense will allow some plays, there is a reason to think that Williams can play well this week,
The Bears sit at 4-5, but the playoffs are likely out of reach as they sit in fourth in the division. Even if that is the case, nobody saw the Bears making a big run with Williams during his rookie season. However, we need to see life from Williams. We need to come away from this season confident that he is the man, and not blaming the line, the skill players, and the play caller. A step forward this week would go a long way in the fans, media, coaches, and others trusting him as the franchise quarterback going forward.