NFL: Bears search for 1st playoff win in 15 years vs. rival Packers

CHICAGO — The Green Bay Packers hope that resting numerous starters late in the season will help them snap a four-game losing streak when they face the Chicago Bears in a wild-card round matchup of NFC North rivals on Saturday night.

This will be the third meeting in six weeks between the Bears (11-6), the NFC’s second seed under first-year coach Ben Johnson, and the No. 7 seed Packers (9-7-1).

Chicago is making its first playoff appearance since 2020 and has not won a postseason game since 2010, when the team eventually lost to Green Bay in the NFC Championship Game.

“This was the vision from the beginning, to have some home playoff games at Soldier Field,” Johnson said Tuesday. “I was really excited about that opportunity and to see it come to light this year.”

The Packers won the first matchup at home, 28-21, in Week 14 — ironically, Green Bay’s last victory of the season. Two weeks later, the Bears avoided a regular-season sweep with a 22-16 overtime victory, overcoming a 10-point deficit in the final five minutes of regulation.

Chicago recovered an onside kick to set up the tying touchdown — a 6-yard pass from Caleb Williams with 24 seconds left in regulation. In overtime, Packers backup quarterback Malik Willis fumbled on fourth-and-1, and Williams connected with DJ Moore for a 46-yard touchdown on the Bears’ ensuing possession.

Green Bay rested nearly every key starter, including quarterback Jordan Love and running back Josh Jacobs, in its final regular-season game, a 16-3 loss at Minnesota behind third-string quarterback Clayton Tune, who was released Tuesday.

Love, sidelined since suffering a concussion in the second game against the Bears, will start Saturday after practicing fully all week and not appearing on the team’s injury report.

While Chicago allowed 361.8 yards per game — fourth-most in the league — the opportunistic Bears led the NFL in takeaways (33, including 23 interceptions) and turnover differential (+22).

Williams has completed 58.1% of his passes for 3,942 yards with 27 touchdowns and seven interceptions and has also rushed for 388 yards.

“We’ve seen him grow and progress as the season’s progressed,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said Wednesday about Williams. “He’s made a lot of big-time plays. He did it, obviously, in our game. Really both games.”

The Bears’ running back duo of D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai have rushed for 1,087 and 783 yards, respectively. Second-year wide receiver Rome Odunze, who missed the last five games with a foot injury, practiced fully Friday after being a limited participant earlier in the week.

Chicago ruled out three defensive players — cornerback C.J. Gardner-Johnson, defensive lineman Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, and linebacker Amen Ogbongbemiga — all due to concussions. Cornerback Kyler Gordon (groin) and offensive tackle Braxton Jones (knee) are questionable after returning from injured reserve; Jones practiced fully all week, while Gordon returned to full practice Friday.

The Packers’ defense has struggled since losing perennial All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons to a season-ending knee injury in Week 15 at Denver. Parsons, acquired in a blockbuster trade with Dallas before the season, had a team-high 12.5 sacks before his injury. Defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt also suffered a season-ending broken ankle on Thanksgiving Day against Detroit.

Love has completed 66.3% of his passes for 225.4 yards per game with 23 touchdowns and six interceptions, posting a passer rating of 101.2 — the first time above 100 in his three seasons as a starter. Jacobs leads Green Bay’s rushing attack with 929 yards and 13 touchdowns and has 36 receptions, while Emanuel Wilson added 496 rushing yards.

Offensive tackle Zach Tom, who missed the final three regular-season games, is one of six Packers listed as questionable for the game. Others include defensive lineman Warren Brinson (foot), linebacker Nick Niemann (pectoral), safety Javon Bullard (knee), wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks (concussion), and backup quarterback Malik Willis (right shoulder/hamstring).

No active players have been officially ruled out for Saturday. Bo Melton, who played cornerback, wide receiver, and special teams, was placed on injured reserve after a knee injury in the regular-season finale.

“It’s a tough opponent on the road, a division rival,” LaFleur said Tuesday. “There’s obviously going to be a lot of excitement about this game. We just have to go play our type of game.”

—Jim Hoehn/Reuters