LAKE FOREST, Ill. – When Ben Johnson was introduced as the Bears‘ head coach in January, he showered Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell and Minnesota Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell with praise and respect.
He shared a different sentiment when referring to the Green Bay Packers’ coach.
“To be quite frank with you,” Johnson said, “I kinda enjoyed beating Matt LaFleur twice a year.”
The line drew some laughter and some smiles. It also caught LaFleur off guard, who later shared he didn’t have much of a pre-existing connection with Johnson before the shot.
But not everybody was surprised.
“That’s Ben being Ben,” receivers coach Antwaan Randle El said Thursday. “That’s just part of it. He wants to win, and that’s a big deal, obviously, with the Bears playing against the Packers.”
Johnson, the 18th full-time head coach in the Bears’ 106-season history, has a chance to join George Halas, Paddy Driscoll, Luke Johnsos, Hunk Anderson, Jim Dooley, Jack Pardee, Dick Jauron, Lovie Smith and Marc Trestman as the Bears coaches who’ve won their first matchup against the Packers.
Interim head coach Thomas Brown also defeated the Packers in his first and only chance in Week 18 last season after taking over for Matt Eberflus, who was fired after a Week 13 loss. Eberflus is the only coach in franchise history to never defeat the Packers during his time with the Bears.
“Winning is the idea,” Randle El said. “We want to win against anybody, but division rival, Green Bay Packers; it’s a big deal.”
Come Sunday, getting the job done will be easier said than done. But the Bears should have some reinforcements rejoining their banged-up defense.
Linebacker T.J. Edwards was listed as a limited participant on Wednesday and Thursday’s injury reports. Edwards hasn’t played since Week 9 in Cincinnati due to a fractured hand and a hamstring strain. Edwards’ positional-group compadre Noah Sewell was a full participant on Thursday, too. Sewell missed the previous two games with an elbow injury.
That brings us to our predictions for Week 14 …
Adam Hoge
2025 record: 10-2
After a long run of refusing to pick the Bears in this rivalry until they proved they could beat Green Bay, I am not only permitted (by myself) to pick the Bears, but also feel the exact opposite now. Ben Johnson’s team has earned the benefit of the doubt on this five-game winning streak until it ends. While the Packers will be tougher to run the ball against, losing defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt will matter.
I also expect the Bears’ passing game to be better this week after being challenged publicly by Johnson. That sure worked for the running game earlier in the season. Green Bay’s special teams also tend to let them down in key moments, and the Bears’ specialists have shown they can handle the weather elements. Jordan Love will turn it over at least once, if not twice. Bears win.
Bears 27, Packers 23
[READ | Insider Analysis: Why Caleb Williams looks close to breaking out for the Bears]
Adam Jahns
2025 record: 9-3
Both teams are playing well right now. But the momentum feels like it’s really on the Bears’ side after they ran all over the Eagles in Philadelphia on Black Friday. The Packers lost defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt to an ankle injury. Defensive lineman Lukas Van Ness is also dealing with a foot injury. If the Bears’ ground game gets going, pass rusher Micah Parsons could be less of a factor. Plus, I’m expecting Caleb Williams’ numbers to look better after everything Ben Johnson said about the Bears’ passing game this week.
Bears 26, Packers 24
[READ | Nahshon Wright’s pairing with DB coach Al Harris is thriving for the Bears]
Mark Carman
2025 record: 8-4
The Bears should be able to run against Green Bay between the tackles. Josh Jacobs is averaging under four yards per carry because the Packers’ O-line is getting beat. But can the Bears pressure Jordan Love? The weather should have an impact, so perhaps the passing game will be muted somewhat. There has been a lot of Super Bowl talk this week. The Bears naturally would exhale after a big road win over Philly. I give the Packers a slight edge at home.
Packers 27, Bears 26
Greg Braggs Jr.
2025 record: 8-4
*editor’s note: hope you’re ready for a novel
Well, the time has come. I must make a pick. I really don’t want to. I just want the Bears to win. The higher the stakes get, the more superstitious I become. Last week was the first game all season that I picked the Bears to lose. I had picked them to win in 11 straight weeks of an NFL season but then picked them to lose a game that ended up being their biggest win in a decade.
I was thrilled I was wrong. But I had many fans upset or disappointed in me that I “doubted” them. I did feel like they had a chance to win, but in my heart, I felt like it was too tough a game. As much of a meatball as I am, I will never give you fake hype. Only real emotions. It’s the only way I know how.
With that being said, I’m extremely torn on this game. But you can’t help but feel a helluva lot better after that ass whipping the Bears put on the Eagles. How can you not? If they stick to that same formula vs Green Bay? This city is going to start dreaming about the Super Bowl. Legitimately.
But I don’t underestimate these Packers or Jordan Love, the way others do. I’ve always found him to be a very good quarterback because of the fact that he’s not afraid to make any throw and he does so with pretty impressive touch and anticipation at times, especially in clutch moments. The Bears will need to stop the run on early downs, get to the quarterback on every down and hope they can force the Packers into some third-and-long situations where Dennis Allen can get creative with coverages and blitz designs.
Offensively, is it too good to be true to think the loss of DT Devonte Wyatt to the Packers DLine will expose them in the run game this week, and the Bears can continue with the domination we saw on Black Friday? I’m assuming Green Bay will load the box heavy, but so did the Eagles, and that didn’t stop the Bears. You have to think Caleb Williams and the passing offense will need a better showing to win their newest, toughest game of the season.
Yes, Patrick Norton, I’m stalling. I’m scared to make a pick. Is that what you want to hear?!?! I’m equally as excited for this game as I am terrified. Maybe I’m a coward. Maybe this all means way too much to me. Maybe I’m the most dramatic person on the planet. Or maybe I’m just a jackass.
Here goes nothing…
Nevermind. I’m scared. I changed my score. Real test comes in 2 weeks at Soldier Field.
*editor’s note no. 2: Braggs flipped his prediction … again. Imagine my surprise!
Packers 27, Bears 20
Corey Wootton
2025 record: 8-4
The Bears win with a last-second field goal. Control the running game and line of scrimmage. The Packers make plays offensively, but the Bears get a timely takeaway in the second half. No Pack No!!!!!
Bears 28, Packers 27
Jerry Azumah
2025 record: 8-4
Bears 28, Packers 21
Patrick Norton
2025 record: 7-5
I still don’t know what’s supposed to impress me about the Packers right now. They’re finding ways not to lose rather than finding ways to win. Jordan Love was terrific on Thanksgiving, and Micah Parsons is the boogeyman of pass rushers, sure. Still, Love is terribly inconsistent and the Bears’ offensive line is playing at an elite level.
This is a massive test for the Bears’ offense after Ben Johnson called out the passing attack on Monday. Defensively, it’d be nice to see the secondary finally handle Packers receiver Christian Watson. He was injured in the Week 18 matchup last season, but in his previous two games against the Bears, he caught seven passes for 198 yards and a touchdown.
Regardless, you are what your record says you are, and I think the Bears are the better team.
Bears 31, Packers 20
Lance Briggs
2025 record: 7-5
Bears 19, Packers 17
Stephen Nicholas
2025 record: 5-7
I’ve been trying my best to stay level-headed, but dammit I’m all in! If last week was a statement game, does that make this a validation game? The ‘next man up’ Bears find a way to pull this one out without Rome Odunze. I would love to see Jahdae Walker be active and get some snaps.
This is a tough one to bet. I like DJ Moore to go over his receiving prop (39.5 yards as of this writing). In six career games against the Packers, Moore has only gone under that number once. In fact, that’s the only game he ever went under 60 yards. So if you’re feeling inclined, you can also get Moore 60+ receiving yards at +243.
Bears 27, Packers 24
