Bears’ Defense Stands in Way of Playoffs for Jordan Love-Led Packers

No quarterback in the NFL has been on more of a tear than the Packers’ Jordan Love. With a trip to the playoffs at stake, the red-hot Bears’ defense awaits.

GREEN BAY, Wis. – Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur knew he didn’t have long to bask in the glory of his team’s smackdown of the Minnesota Vikings.

“A lot of great performances tonight,” LaFleur said of a 33-10 victory that allowed the Packers to control their playoff destiny, “but we also understand what we have in front of us. It really means nothing unless we take care of business next week in Lambeau. We were in a similar situation a year ago and couldn’t get it done.

“We know it’s going to be a tremendous challenge. Chicago is as improved as any team when you look at them from Week 1 to where they are now. Obviously, they’ve done a really, really good job the last few weeks, in particular, kind of gotten on a roll. We know it’s going to be a great challenge, we know we’re going to get their best shot, and I’m sure they’d love nothing more than to knock us out of the playoffs.”

If you think that’s coachspeak, with LaFleur blabbering the typical nonsense about the upcoming opponent, think again.

Yes, LaFleur is 9-0 against the Bears. Yes, Jordan Love and Co. routed Chicago in Week 1.

But this is going to be a much, much bigger challenge than it was in September. And, speaking specifically of the LaFleur- and Love-led offense, this is going to be a much, much bigger challenge than they’ve faced the last two weeks.

The Aaron Jones-fueled running game is going to see a brick wall. Chicago is No. 1 in the NFL in run defense with 84.0 yards allowed per game and No. 4 with 3.72 yards allowed per carry.

The Love-directed passing game is going to face a no-fly zone. Since Week 11, Love is No. 2 in the NFL with a 109.9 passer rating but Chicago is No. 1 with an opponent passer rating of 61.5.

“It’s credit to the players,” Bears coach Matt Eberflus said after his team beat Atlanta last week for its fourth win in five games. “The players have put a lot of hard work in, really bought into the system.

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“This system has a lot of history. Goes way back. The coverages have changed over the years, the fronts have pretty much stayed the same, but the men all look the same. They all do. They're long, lean, fast. They know what to do and how to do it. That goes all the way back. A lot of Hall of Famers in there, gold jacket guys. You can point to those guys and the guys are excited to be in the system and they're buying into it.”

The Bears haven’t allowed more than 20 points in any of their last five games. Their lone loss was a 20-17 verdict against Cleveland in which the Chicago defense recorded three interceptions and a pick-six.

Over those five games, Chicago is No. 1 in points allowed (15.2), opponent passer rating (60.3), interceptions (13), takeaways (14) and fourth down (20.0 percent), No. 6 in completion percentage allowed (59.0 percent), No. 7 in total defense (299.8 yards per game), rushing defense (93.8 yards per game) and third down (33.3 percent) and No. 8 in sacks (14).

The real battle will be Love and his multitude of playmakers in the passing game vs. Chicago’s playmaking secondary. During the last five games, the Bears have almost twice as many interceptions (13) as touchdown passes allowed (seven). No other team during that span has intercepted more than eight passes.

For the season, cornerbacks Jaylon Johnson and Tyrique Stevenson and linebacker Tremaine Edmunds have four interceptions apiece. In eight games since being acquired at the trade deadline, Montez Sweat has 6.5 sacks.

“Rush comes with coverage and coverage comes with rush,” cornerback Kyler Gordon told reporters last week. “The boys are getting a bunch of sacks so we’re getting a bunch of picks. Them boys up front are doing their thing, the boys in the back are doing their thing. It goes hand in hand.”

Love, meanwhile, has thrown 16 touchdowns vs. one interception in his last six games. He’s tied for first in both categories.

How incredible is the production from a touchdowns-to-interceptions perspective? The two other quarterbacks who have thrown 16 touchdown passes are San Francisco’s Brock Purdy, who’s tossed six interceptions, and the Rams’ Matthew Stafford, who’s thrown four picks. The two other quarterbacks who have thrown one interception, the Giants’ Tommy DeVito and the Chargers’ Easton Stick, have combined to throw only 10 touchdowns.

A year ago, the Packers were in the same position but lost at home to the up-and-coming Detroit Lions. This year, the Packers have to get through the up-and-coming Bears.

“It’s a huge opportunity,” Jones said. “We’ve got to get one more. We get that one and we’re in the playoffs. That second season, that’s what everybody’s goal is.”

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