News Flash: Love Leads Packers into NFC North Showdown as Bears Fight to Break Free from Offensive Woes

Top star recalls soaking in the atmosphere during the national anthem when Green Bay faced Chicago last season. That season opener marked the beginning of a new chapter for the Packers, and he hinted he could be ready to follow in the footsteps of Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers by leading Green Bay to another victory over the Bears. This time around, the storylines have shifted.

The Packers (6-3) aim to stay competitive in the closely contested NFC North and continue their dominance in this historic rivalry. Meanwhile, the Bears (4-5) are looking to halt a losing streak that recently cost their offensive coordinator his position.

“With this rivalry, we understand what this game means, and we take pride in that,” Love said. Green Bay has held the upper hand, winning 10 consecutive games and 25 of the last 28 matchups with Chicago, including the 2010 NFC Championship Game. This winning streak ties the longest in the rivalry’s history, matching Green Bay’s run from 1994-98.

As the Packers look to extend their dominance over the Bears, they’re also focused on chasing division rivals Detroit (8-1) and Minnesota (7-2). Green Bay enters the game after a bye week, following a loss to the Lions that snapped a four-game win streak.

Meanwhile, the last-place Bears are struggling, having dropped three straight after a three-game winning streak before their bye. Their offense has failed to score a touchdown in back-to-back games for the first time since 2004. In response, Chicago fired offensive coordinator Shane Waldron after just nine games, replacing him with passing game coordinator Thomas Brown. Brown’s primary challenge is to get No. 1 draft pick Caleb Williams back on track.

Chicago’s schedule isn’t getting any easier, with six of their final eight games against division opponents. Tight end Cole Kmet hopes the offensive shakeup will bring a fresh perspective. “This week, with Thomas at the head of the offense, maybe provides a little bit of a reset,” Kmet said.

The Bears’ offense has struggled mightily, going 23 consecutive possessions without a touchdown since their Week 8 loss to Washington on a Hail Mary by Jayden Daniels. Since the bye, Chicago has managed just two touchdowns in 34 drives. Williams has completed only 48 of 95 passes with no touchdowns over the past three games, including nine sacks against New England. This contrasts sharply with his performance during the win streak, where he threw seven touchdowns with a 74% completion rate.

Packers Injury Report: QB Jordan Love is a full participant after bye week – Acme Packing Company

Jordan Love

Both teams have been strong in forcing turnovers. Green Bay is tied for second in the NFL with 19 takeaways, while Chicago has 16. The Bears, however, have been more secure with the ball, committing just eight turnovers compared to the Packers’ 13. Chicago boasts a plus-8 turnover differential, tied for fourth in the league, while Green Bay sits at plus-6, tied for seventh.

Green Bay will also play its first game since trading veteran pass rusher Preston Smith to Pittsburgh for a 2025 seventh-round pick. Smith had 2.5 sacks this season and 44 total since joining the Packers in 2019. Defensive lineman Lukas Van Ness sees this as a chance for others to step up. “It’s an opportunity for myself and the rest of the guys in the room to show what we can do,” he said.

There’s also some tension heading into the game, sparked by Packers safety Xavier McKinney’s comments about Bears receiver DJ Moore. McKinney criticized Moore for heading to the sideline during Chicago’s loss to Arizona, implying it was a lack of support for rookie quarterback Caleb Williams. Moore clarified that he left the field because of a rolled ankle, not frustration.

As for Brown, he brings familiarity with the Packers, having called plays against them last season as Carolina’s offensive coordinator. In that game, the Panthers narrowly lost 33-30, with Bryce Young throwing for a career-high 312 yards and two touchdowns. Brown will aim to replicate that offensive success as he takes the reins for the Bears.