Sorry for the late game day post, I am in a strange timezone to say the least and I overslept.
Overview: A High-Stakes Finale
The Chicago Bears and the Green Bay Packers clash in a high-stakes Week 18 game. This matchup is more than a traditional rivalry; it’s a crucial battle for the Packers, who are on the brink of a playoff berth. The Bears, while out of playoff contention, have the opportunity to play spoilers and showcase their late-season improvements.
Packers’ Path to the Playoffs
- Winning is Key: The Packers’ simplest route to the playoffs is a win. This victory would not just be a triumph but a statement, solidifying their resilience in a season of ups and downs.
- Dependence on Other Results: Should they lose, the Packers’ fate would be left to chance, requiring other teams to falter, an undesirable position for any team with postseason aspirations.
Bears’ Defensive Resurgence
- Dramatic Improvement: The Bears’ defense, once a point of concern, has dramatically improved, especially in the second half of the season. Their 5th rank in defensive weighted DVOA is a testament to this turnaround.
- Impact Players:
- Montez Sweat: A mid-season acquisition who has become a nightmare for quarterbacks with his consistent pressure and sack ability.
- Jaylon Johnson: Excelling in pass coverage, he’s a cornerstone in the Bears’ secondary.
- TJ Edwards: His presence in the middle has bolstered the Bears’ run defense, making it tougher for opponents to find ground yards.
Packers’ Offensive Firepower
- Jordan Love’s Emergence: Love has been a revelation, showing poise and efficiency in crucial games. His growth as a quarterback has been a key storyline this season.
- Dynamic Receivers: Despite injuries and changes, the Packers’ receiving corps has shown depth and versatility. Rookies have risen to the occasion, providing unexpected but welcome contributions.
- Tucker Kraft’s Breakout: Emerging as a top tight-end, Kraft’s ability to turn short passes into big gains has added a new dimension to the Packers’ offense.
Key Matchups to Watch
- Strategic Battle: The Packers’ multifaceted offense will test the Bears’ rejuvenated defense. It’s a classic strength-against-strength scenario.
- Players to Watch:
- Packers: Love’s quarterbacking under pressure and Kraft’s playmaking ability will be crucial.
- Bears: Sweat’s ability to disrupt the backfield and Johnson’s coverage skills could be game-changers.
Bears’ Offensive Game Plan
- DJ Moore’s Role: As the primary receiver, Moore’s ability to get open and make plays after the catch will be vital against the Packers’ secondary.
- Ground Game Strategy: The Bears will likely lean on their running game, with Herbert and Johnson sharing carries. Their performance could set the tone and control the game’s tempo.
Predictions and Game Dynamics
- Packers’ Favorable Odds: Playing at home with a potent offense, the Packers are the favorites. Their balanced attack poses a significant challenge for the Bears.
- Bears’ Defensive Test: The Bears’ defense has the opportunity to prove its mettle against one of the league’s top offenses. Their performance could be a defining moment for the team’s future.
More Than a Game
For the Packers, it’s a chance to seal a playoff spot. For the Bears, it’s an opportunity to end their season on a high note and disrupt their rival’s postseason plans. Key performances from standout players on both sides will likely decide the outcome of this highly anticipated game.
Jordan Love just did what Aaron Rodgers couldn’t do last year. He beat a divisional team in week 18 to earn a playoff berth. There’s no question who had the best QB and the best team today. And we did it all without Aaron Rodgers, with 40 million in dead cap money, and a supposedly dysfunctional power structure. Thanks Brian Gutekunst, thanks Mark Murphy. I suspect it’s going to get quiet around here…
They served up some Hush Mouth this season on a platter
Tell us all again how you wanted to tank the rest of the season to win the Caleb Williams sweepstakes, Flip Flop.
Also, you still haven’t told us why bringing Rodgers back for the 2023 season was in the best interest of the Packers and why you were on board with it.
Flip Flop, Flip Flop, whatcha gonna do? Go and change your story like ya had a clue.
Flip Flop, Flip Flop, whatcha gonna do? Go and change your story and pretend like ya knew!
Oh give it up Cheese! Your boy is gone! We got rid of him just in time! Brian Gutekunst will win executive of the year. Youngest team in the league makes the playoffs. Replaces a hall of fame QB with yet another franchise QB. A roster loaded with talent. All the while, you, Kevin, and the rest of the girls wanting EVERYONE fired. Jordan Love since thanksgiving just goes out cool as a cucumber and offers up a big plate of STFU week after week to all you idiots. But tell us how smart you are. Tell us how you and Kevin are the only ones that speak the truth. Take your craziness to the Jets. Packer fans got us some partying to do….
You mean the boy you wanted back on the team in 2023? Why are you deathly afraid of answering that question, Tom? You said yourself that you understood why Gute brought Rodgers back in 2023 and that you were on board with it, despite saying the exact opposite in here during that time. I asked why you were on board with it and you have been dodging that question like the plague. What are you more scared of doing, saying something good about Rodgers or something bad about Gute? You’ve been talking crap for years and all of a sudden you get your ass put to the fire and you run away and pretend like you don’t have an opinion. You’re such a joke.
.
“Jordan Love since thanksgiving just goes out cool as a cucumber and offers up a big plate of STFU week after week to all you idiots. But tell us how smart you are.”
Says the guy who wanted to tank the rest of the season to find a new QB in the draft! Now you’re pretending like you had Love’s back the whole time? You are such a Flip Flop. A condescending, hypocritical sack of BS. “bUt tELL uS hOw sMaRt yOu aRe…”
I gotta admit, I thought Love’s accuracy was going to hold this team back. I was predicting maybe 3-5 wins. For a while I thought I was right as Love was only hitting like 50 percent of his passes. But jeez, something miracle happened and suddenly his accuracy jumped and the Packers started winning. The last 8 games he’s had about a 68 completion percentage. Sometimes you just gotta let them play, because you never know until they get on the field.
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Now fire Joe Barry.
Over 4100 yards, 35 total TDs. He had a couple of mistakes today (that throw at the end of the half was a terrible decision), but this team would not be where it is today if not for him. He still has a ways to go if he is to justify the selection of him in the draft, but right now it is looking really good. Proud of this team, and MLF for getting this team turned around when it was looking like they might be picking in the top 10. He deserves credit for coach of the year, although it will probably go to Stefanski, and probably rightfully so. Love should have consideration for MVP as well. This team wasn’t supposed to be a playoff team this year, and Love wasn’t supposed to be this good with the amount of youth on the team. So proud of this team.
Love’s final stats beat Rodger’s 2008 stats in yards, QB rating, and TDs. Of course he did have one more game to play. It’s a good to be a Packer fan.
there’s Kato, the voice of reason
not to be confused with the one that slept on the juice’s couch
Kato….
Teams that finish 9-8 usually don’t boast a coach of the year, or MVP QB.
The argument being because they finished 9-8 versus 7-11?
If Love is that/this good, he’ll win his share of MVP’s.
But…he’ll probably have to do it without the benefit of the easiest schedule in the league and…finish better than 9-8.
The Packers, and Love surpassed my expectations this season.
And if we’re to be honest, probably surpassed everybody’s expectations this season.
Lets see where this goes.
*7-10
I said he should have consideration for MVP, but I don’t think he should win it. Definitely more than he is getting. That team with 1st and 2nd year guys at the skill positions without Bahktiari and Aaron Jones should have had an anemic pass offense. Yet, Jordan Love and Matt LaFleur somehow made it happen, and Love was second in TD passes. Someone deserves a lot of credit. That’s all I am saying. Because I am convinced if it’s Desmond Ridder at QB this team doesn’t win more than 5 games.
……
FWIW, I would probably pick McCaffrey as my MVP if I had a vote.
Giants were 9-7 in 2022 and Daboll won AP coach of the year.
LaFleur deserves to be in the conversation, like Kato said.
Maybe……that was because the Giants were 4-13 the season before.
Hope that clears this up for you.
Thank you for understanding
*
TVOR
score of game misleading, Pack dominated all Day. Agree pass right before was bad decision & fumble. Other than that Love played great. Last year we had QB who checked out, and wanted to lose. Were in & hes going to hide in cave again?? KARMA