On Saturday, the Green Bay Packers will play the Chicago Bears in what could end up being a de facto NFC North championship showdown.
Chicago, at 10-4, currently sits atop the division, but the 9-4-1 Packers would move into the top spot with a win on Sunday. Considering the stakes, in addition to the classic rivalry between the two franchises, it's clear why the NFL put this game in primetime.
Green Bay defeated Chicago 28-21 just two weeks ago, but Saturday's game should be even tougher. The Packers did just catch a break, though, as the Bears will be without a couple of their top offensive playmakers. On Thursday, the Bears ruled out wide receivers Rome Odunze and Luther Burden Ill, sending their offense into the pivotal matchup without some key players.
#Bears WRs Rome Odunze (foot) and Luther Burden III (ankle) are both ruled out for Saturday vs. the #Packers.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 18, 2025
Bears will be without two key receivers in Week 16 game vs. Packers
Odunze is the leading receiver for Chicago, catching 44 passes for 661 yards and six touchdowns this season. Burden, on the other hand, is a dynamic rookie with 36 catches for 479 yards and one touchdown, in addition to 27 rushing yards on five carries.
With Odunze missing the first meeting against Green Bay as well, Burden led the way for Chicago at wideout with four catches for 67 yards. Now, he'll be watching from the sideline as well.
The Bears, who lean on a strong rushing attack anyway, will rely on veteran wideout D.J. Moore and tight ends Cole Kmet and Colston Loveland in the passing game. Being without two key contributors could have a huge impact on the game for Chicago.
The Packers aren't entering the game with a clean bill of health either. They, of course, recently lost Micah Parsons to an ACL injury, and his absence will affect Saturday's game and the entire postseason.
Green Bay is undoubtedly still a contender, but losing a player like Parsons, who is a unique game wrecker and closer, certainly alters the team's ceiling. The Packers will have their first opportunity, on Saturday, to prove their ceiling is still high enough to win a Super Bowl.