👋 Good morning!
Fun Fact: Caleb Williams is 1-0 in his career against the Packers at Lambeau Field.
The last Bears quarterback to win in Green Bay in consecutive years? Rex Grossman, who did it in three straight seasons from 2004 to 2006.
It’s not easy to head into a hostile environment and win in sub-zero temperatures. It’s also not easy to beat the Bears right now.
Something’s got to give on Sunday.
Game On.
Ben Johnson said in January at his introductory press conference: “To be quite frank with you, I kinda enjoyed beating Matt LaFleur twice a year.”
You can’t beat ‘em twice if you don’t beat ‘em the first time.
Medium-Well Company: Johnson has a chance to become the Bears’ 11th head coach to win their first matchup against the Packers, joining George Halas, Paddy Driscoll, Luke Johnsos, Hunk Anderson, Jim Dooley, Jack Pardee, Dick Jauron, Lovie Smith, Marc Trestman and, most recently, interim coach Thomas Brown.
I thought that group would be much more exclusive. Instead, I discovered the ultimate bad stat: Matt Eberflus is the only Bears head coach, not including Johnson, to not beat the Packers at any point with the Bears.
Johnson on LaFleur and the Packers on Tuesday: “(LaFleur’s) been doing it for a long time now as well, and he's had a lot of success here in this division and in this conference. So it's going to be a big challenge because their offense — they can put points up in bunches.”
The Micah Parsons Project: Slowing the Packers’ elite pass rusher will require a massive lift from the Bears’ offensive line. It’ll also require Caleb Williams to be decisive from the pocket and possibly lean on his incredible ability to escape sacks.
Parsons, whom the Packers acquired for two first-round picks and DT Kenny Clark in the preseason, has been worth every penny. He’s a tried-and-true disruptor, tallying 12.5 sacks and 24 quarterback hits in 12 games.
Those numbers are nearing his career highs with lots of football left on the schedule, too. Parsons collected 14 sacks and 33 pressures in 2023, earning second-team All-Pro honors.
Williams on the Packers’ defense: “Not only best safeties, but they’ve got a hell of a D-line, obviously, that all of y'all know about. The D-line, the backers, No. 7 (LB Quay Walker), especially their corners, No. 25 (Keisean Nixon) and No. 24 (Carrington Valentine), they've been playing very well. The safeties, like coach said, are extremely talented.
“It's a great challenge for us. We have to be focused on the details and from there, we have to go out there and execute the plays that are called and have a certain mentality about us when we step on that field.”
For as vaunted as that defense might seem, the group also lost DT Devonte Wyatt to a brutal ankle injury on Thanksgiving and is thin at the position after trading Clark for Parsons. Colby Wooden and Karl Brooks are still formidable gap-fillers, but this could be another big week for the Bears’ rushing attack.
Up in Packers Land, offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich was asked about Ben Johnson’s comments from January on Thursday and said: “Yeah, you take it personal, for sure. I’ll just leave it at that.”
Game on.
This rivalry has lacked the juice from the Bears’ side. In fairness, Bears fans didn’t have much to celebrate over the last few years, especially when it came to their bitter rival.
Johnson’s comments not only injected life back into the series; they gave Bears fans a certain confidence, earned or not, that they haven’t felt in a long while.
Blackhawks 2, Kings 1: They did it! They finally did it! The Blackhawks held a one-goal lead despite a flurry of chances from the opposition in the final moments of the game.
Spencer Knight stood on his head, stopping 26 of the 27 shots he faced. Knight also had a couple of unforced errors that nearly led to disaster, but defenseman Wyatt Kaiser found himself in the right place at the right time on a few occasions.
Kaiser was rewarded for his efforts with his first goal of the season on a sharp wrister from the slot with six seconds left in the second period.
Connor Bedard scored his 18th goal of the year on a sweet dish from Tyler Bertuzzi. Bedard’s career high? He scored 23 goals in 82 games last year. Last night was just his 27th game of the year. Ridiculous.
Solid win, solid effort, and they’ll do it all again against the Kings on Saturday night. Odd schedule.
Teuvo Teravainen left the game late in the third after blocking a shot with his mouth, which caused him to bleed onto the ice and seemingly lose a tooth or two. Coach Jeff Blashill said after the game that Teravainen would be okay.
Winners & Nominees: Cornerback Nahshon Wright was named the NFC Defensive Player of the Month for November on Thursday morning. Wright finished the month with three interceptions, one forced fumble and two recoveries in five games.
Wright on the honor: “It means a lot just to be recognized around the league. It definitely means a lot coming from the journey I’ve had.”
Additionally, receiver DJ Moore was selected as the Bears’ team winner and their league-wide nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year award due to his charitable work with his Moore2Life Foundation.
Poppin’ Shots!
Thanks for coming out to Prospect Heights last night! Great times!
🐻 Hoge & Jahns
12:00 on YouTube
📺 CHGO White Sox
2:00 on YouTube
🏀 Bulls vs. Pacers
7:00 on CHSN
📺 CHGO Bulls
Postgame on YouTube
Something on your mind? Rate this issue and leave a comment, question or topic to discuss!
Talk to you next week!
– P.N.
Updated at 9 a.m. to correct Luke Johnsos’ name.
