It's a big one.
The Green Bay Packers haven't looked convincing this season, but they have a golden opportunity to inflict some revenge on the Chicago Bears and get themselves back on track in Week 5.
Last year's meeting at Lambeau Field ended with Keisean Nixon intercepting Caleb Williams, but the Packers' season quickly fell apart after that moment. They've since lost twice to the Bears, including the famous playoff meltdown in January.
That's old news now, though. The Bears enter Lambeau Field with no Caleb Williams or Kyle Monangai, but they keep finding ways to win. It's the Packers' biggest test of the season to date. Here's everything you need to know.
- How to watch Packers vs. Bears in Week 5
- TV map for Week 5
- Packers injury updates
- Bears injury updates
- Storylines to watch for Packers in Week 5
- Prediction
How to watch Packers vs. Bears in Week 5
- Date: Sunday, October 11
- Time: 12 p.m. CT
- TV Network: FOX
- Announcers: Kenny Albert, Greg Olsen, Pam Oliver
TV map for Week 5
Packers injury updates
- Chris Brooks to injured reserve
- Savion Williams ruled out
- Aaron Banks, Jacob Monk doubtful
The Packers will likely be without offensive linemen Aaron Banks and Jacob Monk for another week. Rookie Jager Burton is also questionable. We can assume Laken Tomlinson will start again at left guard after a solid debut in Week 4, while Kevin Zeitler looks set to make his Packers debut at right guard.
Green Bay opened Savion Williams' 21-day practice window this week, but he's not ready to return just yet. He's officially out.
Chris Brooks will miss at least four games, as the Packers have placed him on injured reserve. They have elevated practice-squad running back Pierre Strong Jr. to the 53-man roster, and he has a big opportunity in front of him.
Bears injury updates
- Kyle Monangai, Keyshaun Elliott ruled out
- Caleb Williams surprisingly listed as questionable
The Bears will be without their leading rusher, Kyle Monangai, who has 324 rushing yards and three touchdowns at 5.4 yards per carry in the opening four games. It's a big loss for Chicago.
Caleb Williams was surprisingly listed as questionable on the final injury report, but don't expect him to play. He is nearing a return from a hamstring injury, but Tyson Bagent will likely get the start.
Cornerback Kyler Gordon remains on the PUP list and won't return this week despite logging full practices each day.
Storylines to watch for Packers in Week 5
Can Matt LaFleur get revenge on Ben Johnson?
Matt LaFleur has played it down to reporters, but I have no doubt he'd take immense joy from getting some revenge on Ben Johnson. Of course, a win over the Bears would be huge anyway, but beating Johnson would add some extra satisfaction.
Johnson hasn't tried to hide how he feels about the Packers, and LaFleur should use all of that as fuel for his players in this game.
We've seen a few icy handshakes between LaFleur and Johnson already. We'll likely get another one on Sunday. Let's just hope it's LaFleur on the winning side this time.
Will Kevin Zeitler start, and can the Packers' offensive line hold up?
Kevin Zeitler wasn't ready to debut in Week 4, having only arrived in Green Bay a few days earlier. To his credit, Travis Glover held up admirably at right guard. Zeitler has a much better chance of playing in this game, having taken first-team reps and practiced all week. That would be huge for the Packers.
Chicago's pass rush has exceeded expectations so far this season, ranking No. 3 in pressure rate and No. 1 in hurry percentage, per Pro Football Reference. The Bears have 10 sacks in four games.
The Packers can expect a heavy dose of the blitz, as the Bears rank fourth in blitz percentage. It's nothing new for Matt LaFleur's offense, as the Minnesota Vikings, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and New York Jets all sit inside the top five in blitz rate (though the Buccaneers weren't particularly blitz-heavy against the Packers).
The hope is that getting Zeitler in there to pair with Tomlinson will give the Packers better results than we saw in Weeks 1-3. If Green Bay can contain the blitz, it could lead to explosive plays downfield against a Bears defense that allows 13.4 yards per completion, the second-highest in the NFL.
Can the defense find answers for Ben Johnson's offense without Caleb Williams?
Even without Caleb Williams, the Bears' offense is a dangerous one. Their offensive line is among the best in the league, and it helps power the NFL's No. 1-ranked rushing offense. That's a problem for the Packers, especially after surrendering 242 rushing yards at 5.9 yards per attempt against the Atlanta Falcons two weeks ago.
Kyle Monangai's absence undoubtedly hurts the Bears, but D'Andre Swift is also playing at a high level this season. He's turned 69 carries into 311 yards and three touchdowns, averaging a healthy 4.5 yards per attempt. Swift has lost two fumbles, though.
Roschon Johnson will step into a bigger role this week.
The Packers' biggest concern will be winning the one-on-ones against a top-tier offensive line. If they can't do that, it won't matter who's lined up in the backfield. It's a matchup Jonathan Gannon's defense has to win.
Is this the game the Packers finally wake up?
We'll learn a lot about this Packers team on Sunday. They currently lead the NFL in drops and fumbles and are second in penalties. All self-inflicted and avoidable. Sloppy play that has become all too common for this team.
This is the game to turn it around. If the Packers can't refocus and do the fundamentals (well, the bare minimum), catch the ball, protect it, and avoid unnecessary penalties, then when will it happen?
The Bears will treat this like a playoff game. They'll be ready. What about the Packers?
Prediction
Packers 17, Bears 24
I hate to say it, but I worry about the Packers' defense against the Bears' offensive line. Chicago can boss a game on the ground, dominate time of possession, and wear you down. Per Team Rankings, the Bears average 36 minutes and 35 seconds of possession per game, by far the most in the league.
That's one way to tire out a defense and punish them with explosive plays. It also keeps the opposing offense on the sideline.
The Packers have struggled to find rhythm on offense, in part due to the offensive line and also due to unforced errors, like drops and fumbles.
Maybe this is the week they get back on track, but I'll believe it when I see it.
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