How will Green Bay’s starters be managed?

When Sunday’s game kicks off, the Packers will have something to play for, with the NFC’s six seed still up for grabs in the final week of the season. The six seed would provide them with an easier first round opponent than their currently scheduled matchup with the Eagles.

Unfortunately for Green Bay, they do not control their own destiny, and instead are relying on the Dallas Cowboys pulling out a win over the Washington Commanders to give them a chance to earn the six seed with a win of their own over the Bears.

The Cowboys, who have nothing to play for, are set to give Trey Lance playing time at quarterback, so any hopes of former Packers coach Mike McCarthy doing his old team a favor appear to be slim.

Both games are being played at the same time, so Matt LaFleur will not have the benefit of knowing whether they have a chance at a higher seed or not ahead of kickoff. That means Green Bay has no choice but to go all out against Chicago, at least to start the game.

However, it will be interesting to see what happens if the Commanders jump out to a big, early lead in their game. In that scenario, would LaFleur pull starters from the game? Or at least start to reduce the snap count for certain players?

Josh Jacobs would be the most likely player to see his workload cut, and in fact he could get a lower share of the carries regardless of how the game is playing out, with keeping him fresh for the playoffs the priority over a slim chance at gaining better seeding.

Red zone offense: once more with feeling

Last time these two teams met, the Packers entered the contest as one of the poorest teams in the league at converting red zone possessions into touchdowns, while the Bears were one of the stingiest groups in terms of preventing scores in that situation.

The game played out as the stats would have suggested, with the Packers struggling in the red zone. Jordan Love threw an interception (he has not thrown one since), and Green Bay also turned the ball over on downs inside the 20.

Since then, the Packers have improved their numbers significantly, and are now the ninth-best offense in terms of scoring touchdowns in the red zone, while the Bears are still strong defensively, ranking third in the NFL in opponents’ red zone touchdown percentage.

Green Bay’s two possessions in which they left the red zone with zero points were the main reason they ultimately needed to block a last-second field goal in order to win.

Even if they are not able to consistently score touchdowns in the red zone on Sunday, the Packers cannot leave those drives with nothing and allow the Bears to hang around. If they are patient and happy to keep stacking up points, even if it is field goals, the Packers will be alright.

Can the Packers make Caleb Williams uncomfortable?

Another issue for Green Bay in the reverse fixture was their failure to affect Williams and put him under pressure. The rookie quarterback, who had a brand new play caller for that game, was far too comfortable in the pocket.

When Williams has been under pressure this season, he has often compounded the issue by not knowing when to give up on the play, retreating in the pocket and turning a bad play into a catastrophic one.

Chicago’s offensive line is beaten up right now, missing several starters, and there will be fewer surprises for Jeff Hafley and the Packers defense now that there is plenty of tape available since the Bears changed offensive play caller.

There will be no excuse to allow Williams to get into a rhythm this time.

Rashan Gary

Part of Green Bay’s strong defensive showings has been an increased ability to get to the opposing quarterback, with the young group of pass rushers stepping up to the plate and grabbing hold of the opportunity after Preston Smith was traded.

Gary, now the undisputed leader of the group, has improved as the season has gone on in particular, with Hafley putting his increase in production down to him becoming more comfortable in the new scheme.

Fresh off his first Pro-Bowl nomination, Gary will be looking to add to his 6.5 sacks in the regular season finale.

Gervon Dexter

For their part, the Bears are ninth in the NFL in pressure percentage, showing their ability to impact the quarterback.

Their edge rushers have been fine – although the trade for, and subsequent contract given to Montez Sweat is looking less and less worthwhile as time passes – but Dexter provides a real threat from the interior.

The middle of Green Bay’s offensive line is not the strength of the unit, with Josh Myers a particular weakness. LaFleur and the offense will need a plan to keep Dexter quiet.