The Chicago Bears lost their final game of the season to the Detroit Lions in Week 18, and as a result, (with some help from Philadelphia), they held the #2 seed in the NFC. With the division win already in the bag and the regular season behind us, the Bears are set for a rare third game against rival Green Bay Packers.
It's not every day that two franchises face off more than twice in a season, and head coach Ben Johnson is well aware of that. Having studied the tape of their opponent not once, but twice already, this playoff matchup is sure to bring a certain level of familiarity.
Both of these teams have had multiple opportunities to figure each other out, and that poses mutual advantages and disadvantages. But as the Bears' special teams coach once alluded to, it's only an advantage if you make it so.
Preparation Over Novelty
In a recent press conference, head coach Ben Johnson's comments show he understands this well and the rarity of the situation.
""We know them, they know us personnel wise, scheme wise at this point.""Ben Johnson
In many football games, coaches may hold their cards to their chest when it comes to schemes and play design, but for this game, that's out the window, at least for the most part. This matchup isn't about pulling a fast one; it's not about looking for answers; it's about knuckling down and showing that you're the better team.
Familiarity doesn't reduce options if the system is shallow. If Ben Johnson has shown us anything this season, his system is far from shallow.
""There’s a million different ways you can run plays. And a million different types of plays that you can run.""Ben Johnson
Coach Johnson is not the type of guy to slip up and uncover his ideas, and he's not going to start now. Johnson has been branded as an offensive guru to the greater football world, and so far, his actions have done nothing but back it up. A third attempt at a team within a single season doesn't mean the Packers will be able to anticipate the Bears' every move; it simply means that Johnson will be digging a little deeper into his playbook.
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The familiarity is set, the preparation is almost done, and now we turn to execution time. The Packers will be at Soldier Field on Saturday, and with them, the Bears' first playoff run this decade. Whatever answers the Bears have built will be tested immediately because the Packers will be out for blood, and January football doesn't stop for anyone.