The Green Bay Packers are set to take on the Chicago Bears in Week 14 at Lambeau Field for the rights to first place in the NFC North. Does it get any better than this at the start of December?
I think we all know the answer to that question.
The Packers get the privilege of some pressure this weekend as a win against the Bears would put them in first place in the division, but a loss would be somewhat detrimental at this point. This is as close to a must-win game as it gets if the Packers are going to win the NFC North, and we're ready to manifest some scorching-hot predictions for the game.
Matthew Golden goes off vs. Bears in big Packers predictions for Week 14
1. Matthew Golden absolutely goes off in return
If you think Matthew Golden is not seeing the barrage of commentary on social media about how much of a bust he's been compared to Bears second-round pick Luther Burden, think again.
The noise is getting louder and louder every week. Golden's rookie year has been disappointing from the perspective that he's a first-round pick, and you expect instant return on that investment, but all it takes to shift perspective is one game, vaulting you back in the right direction.
And is there a better opportunity for Golden to do that than this week against Chicago? The Bears have been one of the best teams in the NFL at creating takeaways this season, especially picking off passes, but there's an element of feast or famine with their defensive backfield. They've also allowed 24 touchdown passes this year, the fourth-worst mark in the league.
Maybe it'll be Golden silencing the critics, especially from the Bears' fan base, and going off for multiple touchdowns in this matchup. The rookie is officially questionable to play, but he is trending in the right direction to make his return from injury.
2. Packers pick off Caleb Williams three times
Up to this point in the 2025 season, Caleb Williams has done a pretty good job of taking care of the football, especially compared to his rookie season.
Williams has just five interceptions this year, so even though his completion percentage is hovering just above 58 percent, he's been able to take care of the ball and lean a lot more on the running game this season than a year ago.
Against the Packers on Sunday, however, that football is going to be an absolute brick. The high is 19 degrees, and if the Packers can be strong at the line of scrimmage and force this game into Williams's hands, they should be ready to attack the ball in the air.
3. Christian Watson has three plays of 30-plus yards
I know we already talked about Golden coming through big in this game, but how about a big performance from Christian Watson as well?
Watson was only able to capitalize on four of his 10 targets against the Lions, but he also managed to make Amik Robertson a punchline with one of the biggest plays of the game. He had 80 yards on his four receptions, and has quickly proven in his return to the field just what kind of dynamic weapon he is deep downfield.
Against the Bears, I'm predicting Watson goes off for not one, not two, but three plays of 30-plus yards. The Packers will look to attack the Bears deep downfield because their secondary can be taken advantage of. According to ESPN's Mina Kimes, Chicago ranks last in the NFL for success rate against throws of 15-plus yards.
Watson could be the next player to take advantage of where they've been susceptible.