The wait is over. For only the third time, the Green Bay Packers meet the Chicago Bears in the playoffs.
Jordan Love is back for the Packers, his first game since Week 16, ironically at Soldier Field against the Bears. However, Green Bay will miss starting right tackle Zach Tom for another game. He is a surprise inactive after it had appeared he was trending in the right direction earlier in the week.
Jordan Morgan may get the start at right tackle, with Darian Kinnard providing cover as the sixth offensive lineman. It's a tough loss for the Packers, as this offense is far more efficient when Tom is available. The positive is that Morgan has played well at tackle in recent weeks.
Packers without tackle Zach Tom for NFC Wild Card Round vs. Bears
Here is the Packers' full list of inactives for the NFC Wild Card Round:
Packers inactives for NFC Wild Card Round
- WR Dontayvion Wicks
- QB Desmond Ridder (emergency 3rd QB)
- CB Jaylin Simpson
- DL Collin Oliver
- T Zach Tom
- WR Jakobie Keeney-James
Tom was questionable with back and knee injuries. It was notable when the Packers kept him out of practice on Thursday. Now, we know why.
Wicks remains in the concussion protocol and misses out. As a result, the Packers promoted wide receiver Isaiah Neyor to the gameday roster.
Bears inactives for NFC Wild Card Round
- QB Case Keenum (3rd QB)
- DB C.J. Gardner-Johnson
- OL Braxton Jones
- LB Amen Ogbongbemiga
- DL Joe Tryon-Shoyinka
- WR Jahdae Walker
- OL Luke Newman
- LB Ruben Hyppolite II
The Bears are also relatively healthy for this game. As expected, second-year wide receiver Rome Odunze is back from injury and ready to go in this game. He missed the previous game between these two teams at Soldier Field.
Chicago is without C.J. Gardner-Johnson, but Kyler Gordon is officially active and could get snaps in the slot tonight.
It doesn't get any bigger than this: Packers-Bears at Soldier Field with a place in the divisional round on the line.
It has been almost a full year since Bears head coach Ben Johnson said he enjoyed beating Matt LaFleur twice a season. He will either prove that statement correct with a second win over LaFleur on three attempts this season, or LaFleur will get the ultimate revenge by eliminating his Bears in their own stadium. Time will tell.