After a litany of injuries suffered during the Packers’ game against Denver, Green Bay is in a position where it needs to rebuild its roster sooner than later, given the magnitude of the upcoming game.
With Chicago defeating the Cleveland Browns in Week 15 and the Packers losing to the Broncos, the Bears occupy the number two seed in the NFC playoff picture by way of leading the NFC North. That can change this week though as the Packers get a shot to get back to the top of the division with a matchup between the two teams.
This is a similar situation to what we saw a couple weeks ago as Chicago and Green Bay occupy similar divisional and playoff seeds ahead of the matchup. The difference though is that Green Bay will be without one of the best players in the entire league, as Micah Parsons was forced out of Green Bay’s Week 15 duel with Denver due to a non-contact knee injury.
More than just Parsons, Green Bay saw Quay Walker, Christian Watson, Evan Williams and Zach Tom all leave last week’s game due to injuries. While on the other end, Chicago does have a few injuries, most notably to star wide receiver Rome Odunze, but for the most part are relatively healthy.
In the biggest Green Bay-Chicago game in many years, Green Bay is going to be without some key players, but head coach Matt LaFleur has belief that the magnitude of this game will help to keep the team from cracking due to the injuries.
“I think it is easy. I think we have to connect the team, and I know how our guys will respond,” said LaFleur, on how the Packers stay together after the numerous injuries. “We have a great test coming up, going to Chicago.. You know obviously they rolled today, so it is to go back on top of the division, so I know we are going to get their best and they are going to get our best.”
While LaFleur is right that having the opportunity to get back to the top of the division and basically seal up a playoff spot is going to be a great test for Green Bay, this is also another chapter in the greatest rivalry in professional football.
In recent memory, the Packers have dominated this rivalry, and with the Bears playing good football this season, this is a game that every player and coach employed by the Green Bay Packers wants to win. Obviously everybody wants to win every game, but with the Bears, it is that much more important to win, especially with playoff scenarios in play.
The question is though, without Parsons and with Watson seemingly not at 100%, who is that player who steps up to steal this game away from Chicago and destroy the Bears’ dreams at winning the division?
“Since (Watson) has been back from his rehab, he has done some great things and been that explosive playmaker that we needed, so with him going out, I think we still have plenty of depth in that receiver room, and other guys who have played plenty of ball can step up and make plays,” said Jordan Love. “We will have no problem filling that void if he has to miss time.”
Looking at potential candidates who can step up in Watson’s absence has to include Matthew Golden. While it is always tough to measure a player’s ability during their rookie season, it is not an overstatement to say that Golden’s rookie year has been somewhat disappointing. While injuries and a loaded receiver room can be factors of that, it now looks like he is in a position to be a featured player. If Watson were to miss time or is limited, Golden possesses a similar skillset as the field stretcher that has been so successful in the Green Bay offense over the past month.
Looking at the defensive side of the ball, losing Parsons is certainly something that a team is never going to 100% come back from, but that is not to say that Green Bay does not have good players behind him. Lukas Van Ness is healthy after dealing with injuries all season long, and Kingsley Enagbare is probably a starter on a majority of other teams.
While injuries to star players hurt a team that is looking to make a Super Bowl run, the Packers do have some depth at both the wide receiver position and edge position to help remedy the situation.
As every game goes between the Packers and Bears, there is going to be an unlikely player to step up and make the big play. We have seen Geronimo Allison, Bo Melton, Kentrell Brice, Davon House and even Brett Hundley step up and make game-winning plays in the absence of starters against Chicago.
That begs the question, who is going to be the player this year that steps up, makes the play and beats the Chicago Bears in the most important game of the season?
