Chicago Bears vs. Green Bay Packers: 4 Most Important Players

The NFL season is an evolving state of affairs, and week 16 finds your 10-4 Chicago Bears back atop the NFC North and as the #2 seed in the NFC after a dominating performance against the Browns coupled with a Packers loss. This week, a rematch against the Micah-less Packers on home turf to determine, most likely for the remainder of the season, who is the NFC North champ.

In this weekly series, I’ll be featuring one player from each team on each side of the ball who I believe to be integral to their respective team’s success. It’s not always about the quarterback or superstar defensive players like Micah Parsons Myles Garrett. Importance is all relative, and while the “star” players are obviously important each week, this series will also highlight some of the other guys.

Because let’s face it, often, the unsung players are just as critical to the team’s success.

Here are the players that I will be keyed in on in this one.

Let’s get started with the Chicago Bears!Offense: Kyle Monangai, RB

In his first-ever game against the Cheese, the rookie out of Rutgers only carried the ball 14 times for 57 yards, but had one of the toughest 3-yard runs of all time, and knocked the paint off Packers LB Edgerrin Cooper’s helmet in the process. Though D’Andre Swift was the more effective Chicago back two weeks ago (4.8ypc vs. 4.1) when these two teams faced off, he is Questionable for this one, so the rookie should easily get 20+ carries this time around.

Considering the Bears’ offense finally seemed to get going when they leaned on the run game in their first meeting, I expect the Bears to start with and stick with the run this week. Look for Monangai to pound the rock behind his elite offensive line in a game I expect Chicago to dominate the trenches from start to finish in a bully-ball type of victory this rivalry has long called for. If Chicago fails to get push in the run game or Ben Johnson gets too cute calling plays, this will likely also go down to the wire, as these games have in recent memory.

Defense: TJ Edwards, LB

Two weeks ago, when the Bears traveled to Green Bay, it was Edwards’ first game back from injury in over a month. He only played 62.3% of the defensive snaps and looked less than fully healthy while notching only 4 total tackles. A week later, against the Browns, Edwards played 100% of the defensive snaps and looked like his normal self, flying to the ball and laying hits on running backs and tight ends en route to 9 total tackles, including 1 TFL and 2 QBH.

A Chicago native and life-long Bears fan, Edwards understands this rivalry like few ever have. Having also played in a Super Bowl (Edwards’ Eagles lost to the Chiefs in 2022), he also knows what it takes to come out on top in big games. I expect TJ Edwards to be flying around making plays for Chicago this week. If he can help keep the run game in check and limit the YAC of Packer RBs and TEs, then Chicago controls this game.

Green Bay PackersOffense: Jayden Reed, WR

Like TJ Edwards, Reed’s first action in over a month was two weeks ago when these two teams clashed. Unlike Edwards, I thought Reed looked explosive and ready for more of an impact. Though he secured all 4 targets for 31 scoreless yards, he added 22 yards on 2 carries and seemed to extend drives every time he touched the ball. The following week against the Broncos, Reed had 5 catches on 6 targets for 55 yards and no carries.

With Josh Jacobs AND Christian Watson Questionable in this one, I expect a heavy dose of Reed this week from a variety of formations and with plenty of pre-snap motion. A healthy Reed is a matchup problem for the likes of Nickel CJ Gardner-Johnson or any LB/S that the Bears deploy. If GB can take advantage of his explosive skillset against the Bears D, the Ghost of Christmas Randall Cobb Past may scare Bears faithful. If not, Bears win.

Defense: Edgerrin Cooper, LB

I wrongfully selected Cooper’s sidekick Quay Walker the last time these two teams squared off, as Walker was returning to action after a multi-week absence of his own. But it was Cooper who caught my attention like he has each time I have seen the Cheese play the last season plus. Cooper may have gotten his face assaulted by Monangai’s helmet two weeks ago, but he got up and was in on the tackle that same play.

One of the eleven tackles he made for GB two weeks ago. With Micah Parsons out and stud 2nd year Safety Evan Williams also looking to miss this one, Cooper will likely be tasked with spying Caleb Williams and disrupting the pocket on designed pressures while stuffing Monangai and the rest of the Chicago backs. If he can manage to keep the run game in check for Chicago and make a play or two in the passing game, GB should sneak away with the W.

What about you? Without Parsons, who will you be focusing on against the Pack? Let us know in the comments!

Recap from Week 15:

Bears O – Ozzy Trapilo, LT: 1.5 sacks allowed according to our very own, while helping put up 31 pts. Not bad.

Bears D – Grady Jarrett, DT: 4 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 QBH and 1st sack of season.

Browns O – Harold Fannin Jr.: 7 catches for 48 yards on 14(!) targets.

Browns D – Carson Schwesinger, LB: 14 tackles, 4 solo and 1 QBH.

Remember, there’s a near-zero chance of a Bears win when all four players perform in a way that favors the opponent. Here, we keep track of weeks past to see how things unfolded:

Week 1: Loveland, Jarrett, Mason, Metellus – Vikes owned 75% this week. Perhaps 100%. L

Week 2: Jackson, Edmunds, Gibbs, Branch – Again, we were owned in 75% this week, maybe 100%. L

Week 3: Moore, Dexter Sr., Pickens, Sanborn – Finally, we dominated in all phases. At least 75% in our favor. W

Week 4: Swift, Brisker, Jeanty, Chinn – I’d say we went 2-2 here and barely squeaked away with the win. W

Week 6: Benedet, Spidey, Deebo, Payne – Split at a minimum, but I say 75% in our favor. W

Week 7: Burden, Byard, Shaheed, Werner – Easily secured 3/4 of these for the win that was not as close as the score would indicate. W

Week 8: Loveland, Billings, Henry, Roquan – 0/4 – L

Week 9: Monangai, Booker, Chase, Knight – 3/4 , arguably all 4 if you consider Chase’s numbers. – W

Week 10: Benedet, Edmunds, Tracy Jr., Lawrence – 3/4 , arguably all 4 if you consider 0 sacks allowed. – W

Week 11: Loveland, Sweat, Jones, Turner – 2/4 maybe. Went down to the wire. – W

Week 12: DJ, Brisk, Gainwell, Ramsey – 2/4, maybe 3/4 if you count Brisker’s game winning pass deflection. – W

Week 13: Dalman, Gervon, Saquon, Phillips – 3/4 though Phillips was close to doing more damage. – W

Week 14: Swift, Jaylon, Tom, Quay – 2/4 if not 1/4. Swift should have been featured more. – L

Week 15: Trapilo, Jarrett, Fannin Jr., Schwesinger – 3/4, nearly 4/4 as neither Brown made a big play.

Chicago Bears vs. Green Bay Packers: 4 Most Important Players

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