3 keys for Packers to cruise to a victory against Bears in Week 17
How the Packers can solidify a first-round bye in the playoffs.
The Green Bay Packers will look to propel to a victory against the Chicago Bears in their final regular season game.
The matchup between the Packers and the Bears will mark the 202nd time these historic franchises will have met up on the gridiron. This matchup is extremely important for both teams as the Bears are fighting for a playoff spot and the Packers are surging for the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
Although the Packers have been on a roll pushing their current win streak to five games, they need to continue their gameplan to maintain momentum moving forward into the postseason.
Key #1: Establish a prominent run game
Establishing a prominent run game is important for putting the opposing defense in a dilemma. If Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon are able to gain efficient rushing AVG/ATT, it will open the seams in the secondary for the gunslinging Aaron Rodgers.
The Packers have been torching defences using play-action which was evident in their Week 4 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons. Rodgers went an astonishing 20-20 on play-action passes including four touchdown passes.
An efficient run game by the Packers’ running backs would help Rodgers generate extra time in the pocket to pick apart the steady Bears secondary.
Key #2: Eliminate David Montgomery’s success
David Montgomery has been on a tear in his past three games, propelling the Bears to a three-game win streak and a chance to launch his team into the 2020 playoffs.
On their current win streak, Montgomery is averaging 125 rushing yards a game while securing four touchdowns. The Packers run defense has been stellar and gaining momentum as they held the league’s leading rusher in Derrick Henry to only 98 rush yards in their Week 15 win.
Stopping the focal point of the Bears offense will help drive the Packers past a red-hot Bears team.
Key #3: Convert on third down
The Green Bay offense has been impeccable going into the season finale leading the NFL in third down conversion percentage as ESPN details at 49.1 percent. With that, the Bears’ third down defense has also been top-notch thus far, holding opposing offenses to 37.44 percent, ranking sixth best in the NFL.
Whoever wins the battle on third down will likely prosper to victory.