Chicago Bears vs Green Bay Packers – Week 11 Game Preview: Overview, Keys to Game, Insights
The Bears (4-5) are a complete mess at the moment having lost their last three games and then firing offensive coordinator Shane Waldron on Tuesday. Adding to the drama were rumors swirling around Halas Hall about quarterback Caleb Williams losing support in the locker room that turned out to be untrue.
The biggest problem during this skid has been the anemic offense which has produced a total of 27 points in those three games. Head coach Matt Eberflus is under increasing pressure after firing his second OC in the last 10 months. Chicago has been woefully under prepared to begin pretty much every contest this season and it has gotten significantly worse of late.
As if the Bears needed more trouble, a wave of injuries on both sides of the ball have all but erased any depth on the roster. Four of the five offensive lineman that began the season as starters are hurt right now. So it seems only fitting with problems mounting on all sides that their next opponent would be the hated Packers.
Green Bay (6-3) has won 15 of the last 16 games they have played against Chicago and have completely dominated the series since 2010. The Packers are in a playoff position despite starting quarterback Jordan Love missing several games with various injuries. They have managed to win all three games started by backup QB Malik Willis.
Running back Josh Jacobs has helped Green Bay become one of the best running teams in the NFL. Overall, they average 390.6 yards per game which is the third most in the league. This is with Love being in and out of the lineup as he battles injuries.
The Packers defense has been solid sitting in the middle of the pack in most categories. Safety Xavier McKinney is having a huge season with six interceptions. The pass rush has been disappointing so far in 2024 but the Bears offensive line can help even the weakest unit look stronger.
This is going to be a difficult challenge for Chicago with things as chaotic as they are right now. This week begins a stretch of games against teams with winning records that could get pretty ugly. Maybe the coaching shake up will give life to the Bears offense, if it doesn’t, it won’t be the last firing this year.
Where to Watch/Listen
- Sunday, November 17 at 12:00pm CT on FOX, WBBM Radio (English), and WRTO Radio (Spanish).
Keys to Victory
Here are my keys to Sunday’s game. If these things happen, the Bears should have a shot to win.
- Figure out a way to protect the quarterback. The Patriots were able to sack Williams nine times in Sunday’s loss. Obviously, that can’t happen if the Bears want to win this game. They need to get creative and call plays that can limit their young quarterbacks exposure to the rush.
- Try to contain the running game. Love is still nursing a groin injury so limiting the run and forcing him to pass could limit the Packers offense at least a bit.
- Get some first downs and move the chains. Chicago could not sustain any offense against New England. They need to possess the ball more and take some pressure off of the defense.
Don’t Tell Me the Odds
The Packers are healthy favorites on the road in Chicago being favored by 5.5 points. Vegas expects offense to be limited with an over/under of 40.5.
It’s Football Weather
The temperature is going to be around 60 with mostly cloudy skies at Soldier Field Sunday afternoon.
My Prediction
I don’t think the Bears will respond to the new offensive coordinator and will have more of the same issues blocking and scoring in this game. The Packers will be able to move the ball on the beat up Chicago defense and will eventually take home a 24-10 victory.
Official Bears Preview
Former Bears linebacker Rosevelt Colvin joins Jeff Joniak and Tom Thayer on the latest episode of the Bears, etc. podcast to reflect on his former playing days and rivalry with the Packers. Plus, get an exclusive preview of this weekend’s matchup against Green Bay at Soldier Field.
