Green Bay Packers: 3 X-Factors against the Chicago Bears
By Paul Bretl
We know the stars have to perform on Sunday, but here are three X-Factors for the Green Bay Packers matchup with the Chicago Bears.
The Green Bay Packers are coming off a devastating loss to the Indianapolis Colts last week, one in which they had a 14 point lead entering the third quarter and then the ball to start overtime. However, despite the outcome, Matt LaFleur, Aaron Rodgers, and others seemed very encouraged by their overall performance against a good Colts team.
This week, Green Bay will look to bounce back against the Chicago Bears, whose season is spiraling right now as they’ve lost four in a row and sit at 5-5 on the season. A Packers’ win will all but end Chicago’s hopes of claiming the NFC North and give Green Bay a commanding lead over everyone in the division.
But as we’ve seen during recent Packer games, just because the opponent is struggling, that doesn’t mean they should be taken lightly. And with a very good defense and special teams unit, the Bears can absolutely win this game. So as is the case each week, we know that Rodgers, Za’Darius Smith, Davante Adams, and the other big-name players need to step up. But who are this week’s X-Factors? Well, I have three in particular who can leave their marks on Sunday’s game with some good performances.
Billy Turner
To his credit, Billy Turner has been a pleasant surprise at right tackle this season. Something that I didn’t see coming. However, he is going to be put to the test this week as Khalil Mack will primarily be lined up on his side of the field.
As expected, it’s been another dominant year for Mack, whose 41 quarterback pressures are the fifth-most among all edge rushers, his seven sacks are the fourth-most, and his 25 run-stops are third-most.
For the Green Bay Packers, as is always the case, giving Aaron Rodgers time is going to be key, but he and Matt LaFleur can help quiet Mack and the rest of the Chicago pass-rush by getting the ball out quickly. It’s also going to be important that Green Bay gets Aaron Jones and the run game going, something that they haven’t been able to do in recent weeks. This is another way to negate a pass-rush as well as open things up in the passing game for Rodgers, but perhaps they shouldn’t run to the right side a whole lot.
Turner has held up well this season out on the edge, but this is going to be his toughest test so far. And in terms of the Packers’ effectiveness on offense, it’s a matchup they’ll have to win. I mean, as Green Bay fans, we’ve seen firsthand how Mack can take over a half of football.