Nothing else matters in Chicago the week before Christmas. Not the Blackhawks, not the Bulls, just the Bears finding a way to beat the Green Bay Packers in Week 16.
It's the biggest game of the season for the team, and some would say that it might be the franchise's biggest matchup since their playoff push in 2020. The Bears have a one-game lead on the Packers in the NFC North and have a chance to increase it if they can avenge their Week 14 28-21 loss to them.
For Bears head coach Ben Johnson, beating the Packers is more important than anything else, and he has no intention of looking to the past or the future. Johnson is living in the present.
"Our sole focus this week is beating the next opponent," Johnson said via 670 The Score's Chris Emma. "We’ve got a good team coming to town. There’s a lot at stake when you’re playing meaningful games in December. That’s all you could ever hope for. We’re really looking forward to this opportunity."
Johnson and the Bears need to find a way to win against the Packers
The last time these two teams played, it was all about how the Bears' defense allowed the big plays with three passing touchdowns from Packers quarterback Jordan Love that went for 23 yards or more. Chicago's offense only had three points in the first half, and 18 second-half points were not enough to complete the comeback.
Going into the game, both teams are dealing with key injuries. The Packers are going to be without star defensive end Micah Parsons, while the Bears are without starting wide receivers Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III.
With injuries in key spots, this game is more about who off the bench can step up and make the plays that matter the most for Chicago and Green Bay. Both teams will lean on their star quarterbacks, Love and Caleb Williams.
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This is a chess match Johnson doesn't want to lose, as this could be the new signature victory in his young career that he needs. More importantly, a win will pretty much secure a playoff spot for them, but they have their sights on the division title first and then the NFC's number one seed. None of that matters, though, if they can't beat the Packers.