Cory's Corner: It's A Rivalry Again
These aren't the Chicago Bears that you are used to. This version is winning ugly — but all that matters in Chicago is that they are winning.
It’s finally here.
No, I'm talking about the fact that it’s Bears week. We’ve all yawned through too many Bears weeks to give us bed sores.
What I’m talking about is that it is finally a rivalry again. Dating back to 2016, the Packers are 11-1 against that team from the Windy City. The Bears have presumably been on the doorstep for awhile now, but the only thing that has materialized was a 51-yard field goal by Cairo Santos as time expired last January at Lambeau Field as Chicago edged Green Bay 24-22.
But this just feels different. Former Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson is now the head coach in Chicago. Yep, he’s the same guy that was one of the main reasons why Detroit led the league in scoring two years in a row, including scoring 33.2 points per game in 2024.
But the Bears are not the explosive team Johnson had in Detroit. They would rather chew up yards and beat you up. Chicago is No. 2 in the league in rushing yards per game at 153.8. The Bears have fallen in love with the run so much that they ran it 55 percent of the time in a 24-15 Black Friday win over the Eagles. That makes sense, because Caleb Williams is completing 58.1 percent of his throws — which is ranked 36th among all quarterbacks with at least 150 passing attempts this season. That puts Williams behind Cleveland rookie Dillon Gabriel.
The Bears running attack is especially painful for the Packers because defensive lineman Devonte Wyatt was ruled done for the season after suffering a bone fracture and ligament damage to his ankle against the Lions on Thanksgiving.
“It falls on everyone else raising the level of their game,” said Packers coach Matt LaFleur.
The Packers know what’s coming. Running backs D’Andre Swift (774 yards) and Kyle Monangai (591) have over 500 rushing yards this season and Williams even has 306 yards rushing.
So get ready for Bears week. Dust off “The Bears Still Suck” CD and showcase the plush Bears stuffed animals wearing cheeseheads or tire tracks on the torso.
Just remember that this game will be unlike any Bears game you’ve seen in the past nine years. Chicago is 9-3 and currently owns the No. 1 seed in the NFC. That may sound nuts, but when you can own the line of scrimmage, it doesn’t matter. Seattle’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba leads the league in receiving with 1,336 yards. To put that in perspective, the Bears leading wideout is Rome Odunze with 661 yards. Odunze, rookie tight end Colston Loveland, Luther Burden III and running back Swift are the Chicago pass catchers to notch 100 yards receiving in a game this year.
You can think less of this Bears team because it can only run the ball. But that would be a mistake. The Packers have to stop the run and own the line of scrimmage if they want to sit atop the NFC North on Monday morning.
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Cory Jennerjohn is a graduate from UW-Oshkosh and has been in sports media for over 15 years. He was a co-host on "Clubhouse Live" and has also done various radio and TV work as well. He has written for newspapers, magazines and websites. He currently is a columnist for CHTV and also does various podcasts. He recently earned his Masters degree from the University of Iowa. He can be found on Twitter: @Coryjennerjohn
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Comments (39)
Packers0808
December 02, 2025 at 07:07 am
Wonder if Packers should go to the FA Market and see if any decent DL tackles as cheap rental for rest of year. With Sheppard let go there is a spot open on 53.
LambeauPlain
December 02, 2025 at 09:58 am
There's really no one I can see that would be upgrades over Brooks, Brinson, or Stackhouse.
If going to the Practice Squads...the best bet would be Packers PS James Ester who has been practicing Hafley's D for nearly two years.
Bohj
December 02, 2025 at 07:12 am
I still think the Bears are not for real:
- The QB statistically is bottom tier this season.
- Chicago’s D ranks 25th in sacks, 29th in hurry percentage, 29th in net yards allowed per pass attempt, 30th in yards per carry allowed, 27th in yards allowed and 25th in points allowed.
- 4.5 games were against backup QBs.
- The Eagles just don’t look right.
The two things the Bears have going for them is the running game and interceptions.
Sellout to stop the run and we should be able to stop the offense.
Take time to throw the ball and prevent picks and we win.
murf7777
December 02, 2025 at 07:26 am
Need to add one thing to your write up. Take care of the ball, NO turnovers!
T7Steve
December 02, 2025 at 07:29 am
"Take time to throw the ball and prevent picks and we win."
Heard they have a 6'-4" DB with speed and an X-Packer (I think Al Harris, I'll add) for a DB coach. Might be why they're such a matchup problem for other offenses. Will be no problem for the Packers.
CanPackFan
December 02, 2025 at 04:53 pm
The Bears running game against Philly was heavy in cutbacks against the flow. The line was moving one way and the back cut back the other way. It almost looked like Phillys' Dline over committed on most plays. The DE on the opposite side of the play committed too much vs maintaining the edge on his side. We are going to need to be disciplined on the Dline to stop those cutbacks.
jannesbjornson
December 02, 2025 at 05:54 pm
It was just excellent inside-zone blocking for the cutback. Same plays the Pack ran with Aaron Jones. The backside has to stay home to prevent the back escaping and they are fast.
T7Steve
December 02, 2025 at 07:24 am
"What I’m talking about is that it is finally a rivalry again."
Whenever the Packers play that hateful team it's a rivalry game. No matter how good or bad the respective teams are. It's more important to them and maybe even more their fans than the Super Bowl. If they can hurt the Packers, they're all in. It's always best when you can outdo your owner.
What I didn't understand last night when I saw it was the betting line. Packers -6.5 70% chance of winning. Someone explain that to this non-bettor. Is it that steep when their records are close because so many people were betting on the Bears or betting on the Packers?
murf7777
December 02, 2025 at 07:32 am
It’s a prediction of where Vegas thinks the public will bet. If a lot of early money goes onto the Bears then the line will go down so they get money on the Packers. Vegas perfect scenario is 50/50% of bets on each team. They then win the 10% juice on 50% of all bets.
My guess is 2-3 points to the Packers because of playing in Lambeau and the other 3-4.5 because GB has the better QB and stats throughout the year.
jannesbjornson
December 02, 2025 at 05:58 pm
Weather in the teens@ gametime. If Love stays hot, the Pack can get some points. The Bears will play ball control if necessary with the TEs. A field goal probably decides this game.
Bitternotsour
December 02, 2025 at 07:23 pm
odds are to drive people to even out bets. it's about sentiment.
gambling on football is a fools errand
LambeauPlain
December 02, 2025 at 07:43 am
I am not a bettor either, Greg. But the Vegas Odds makers are quite good and they employ tremendous analytics and AI to do it.
Part of the 70% odds are the current 12 game maco shows the Packers have the "bettor" QB and a good balanced offense while the bares have a good offense tilted heavily to the run game.
And in Defense the Packers are clearly better than the bares with one of the worst squads in the NFL by most measures except TOs. They take the ball away. That keeps them afloat...turnovers and Johnson's coaching on O, and STs.
Feed all this into AI and the micro analysis shows the Packers, on paper, are the "bettor" team. That's why you play the games.
Frankly, I was more concerned about the lions in Detroit than the bares in the Lambeau Shrine.
(It's gonna be freezing...and I will be "layering up" for the Lambeau Shrine but not putting up any "cold cash" on the line except for maybe on $18 beer)
T7Steve
December 02, 2025 at 08:15 am
Isn't it funny how really intelligent people overlook the mistakes of the lesser people and only people who think they're smart can't wait to point them out?
Houndog
December 02, 2025 at 08:40 am
You've got me a bit confused, Lambeau!
When you say 'bettor' in your explanation, are you saying the Packers are the 'Better' team, or the Packers are the 'Bettor's' team?
So, on paper, are the Packers better, or the Bettor's choice?
LambeauPlain
December 02, 2025 at 10:03 am
Both ... I was trying to be clever and it seems I should take a cleaver to that idea....
T7Steve
December 02, 2025 at 11:01 am
I apologize too. I think you've had enough "pun"ishment.
My mother always said, "For those who can't be funny be punny."
LambeauPlain
December 02, 2025 at 07:56 am
Owning the #1 seed "when you can own the line of scrimmage"? No...this is for the OL only.
The bares don't own the LOS on Defense where they have earned 28th in the NFL in the run and 27th passings(yds/game). What has covered over the warts on D have been TO's and those can come in bunches or disappear.
in bares 3 losses, they did not win the TO battle (Ugly Purple) or lost more TOs...lions and Ravens.
Johnson is also a good O coach and coaching makes a difference in the parity driven NFL.
Coldworld
December 02, 2025 at 08:53 am
If one could give the stats of the season to date to a true outsider to evaluate, statistically the Packers look the better team in terms of everything but the W/L record. Moreover, the divergence has increased over the last 3 games in terms of both offense and defensive output.
So the Vegas odds kind of make sense on that level. Of course, no divisional game is truly predictable and those stats aren’t derived from like for/like opponents or circumstances.
As far as what happens on game day, if we can’t stop the run we won’t get the ball enough to win. If we let Williams win it through the air then our D is not what it’s been billed as and our O has not showed up or been kept off the field. For them the run and play action/ broken plays with Williams open up almost everything.
The Bears run more often than any team bar one, and they are approximately even. They try to set up play action and run that on almost a 5th of their snaps. Keep Williams in the pocket: make him make conventional plays. Stop the run and don’t let them win tons of possession to wear our D down.
Run at them consistently, but don’t wait on that to put up points before targeting their secondary. Put up points and then worry about grinding them down. Their D isn’t great. It’s porous against both run and pass, but if they dominate possession it isn’t being exposed. This is a week where our ILBs and slot need to tackle like demons and swarm. We have speed there that they won’t be used to and we’ve been effective at using that against out of the pocket QBs as well as RBs since Hafley arrived.
Houndog
December 02, 2025 at 09:07 am
Looks to me like you nailed it, Coldworld!
But I'd add a few (missing in action) screen passes to the RB's to your "Run at them consistently".
Houndog
December 02, 2025 at 08:56 am
I don't bet, but if I did I wouldn't touch this game, its Packers/Bears, anything can happen! Its always a tough fought game!
I'll continue through the week telling myself that the Packers have played tougher competition and laid a couple eggs. I'll remind myself of how only two of the Bears wins have come against teams with winning records, for what that's worth.
I believe the Packers are the better team, dependent upon which team that shows up!
If they play like they did in Detroit, they win! Play like the Cleveland, Carolina, or Philly games, maybe not!
T7Steve
December 02, 2025 at 09:12 am
I can never bet on a Packer game. It would then be my fault when they lost. Can only buy squares on a bar/work type pool, if I bet at all.
TheBigCat
December 02, 2025 at 09:31 am
I believe the Packers have the offense to win this game, if MLF calls the plays that allow them to win. The big wildcard is the Bears mobile QB (Williams). If the Packers over-commit to stop runs between the tackles, that could leave the edges wide open. Been there before w/ a mobile QB, and it wasn't pretty.
Stik75
December 02, 2025 at 09:33 am
Much has been said of the bears only winning two games vs opponents with winning records and its schedule in general.
But what about the Packers?
Only two wins vs one opponent Lions with a winning record.
Overall schedules not much different as well.
I hate the bears with a passion but double standards and hypocrisy are a bad look.
If a win is a win and style points dont count for the Pack it shouldnt for the bears.
They beat philly and boys we didnt.
We owned lions they so far havnt.
Better win this game.
No excuses.
T7Steve
December 02, 2025 at 09:47 am
The difference is that the Packers also lose to losing teams so they're better for it.
LambeauPlain
December 02, 2025 at 10:12 am
The Packers have played down to the level of the competition. But have played up to it too...most importantly against the division this year... vs the Lions twice, and the Ugly Purple. A nice reversal from last year. I see no let down vs the division opponent on Sunday.
Goal #1 is to win the Division. Goal #2 is to get the top seed. Goal #3 is to get to the SB. Goal #4 is the Lombardi.
All four goals are still attainable.
T7Steve
December 02, 2025 at 11:04 am
Shouldn't the Lombardi be #1 and let the rest take care of itself? HA! #1 actually is win the next game.
T7Steve
December 02, 2025 at 12:20 pm
I hope the Packer fans take a serious look at the situation and make sure their unused tickets don't go to anyone but Packer fans. Chicago hasn't won for a while, and it wouldn't surprise me if a bunch don't try to make the short trip.
NFLfan
December 02, 2025 at 11:19 am
Ben Johnson has done a remarkable job in 1 season. He and his GM have succeeded in both the Draft and FA. I think Mike Wahle said it best-it has been a roster construction master class in terms of talent, character & vet leadership.
I would pipe down (some of these comments) and wait until the game on Dec 7th. There is a significant chance that the Bears are only getting started.
Don't come at me saying I'm a Bears fan-I am a fan of excellence and am a believer in what Ben Johnson said was foundational to him 'Recognize problems early, fix said problems early'.
Bitternotsour
December 02, 2025 at 01:36 pm
you sure know a lot about the bears
NFLfan
December 02, 2025 at 03:10 pm
I'm a football fan-
Lphill
December 02, 2025 at 11:37 am
Packers need to score often and early to put the ball in Williams hands , that will eliminate their running game.
brenner
December 02, 2025 at 11:04 pm
Force williams into mistakes. Bares lose TO battle = bares lose.
GregC
December 02, 2025 at 11:43 am
Kind of odd for Cory to rip the Bears for having a leading receiver who only has 661 yards. The Packers' leading receiver, Romeo Doubs, has 542 yards--good for 43rd in the NFL. Also, Cory mentions that the Bears have only four players who have tallied more than 100 receiving yards in a game this season. Do the Packers even have that many? I know Tucker Kraft did it once or twice. Did anyone else?
There are reasons to favor the Packers in this matchup, but this isn't one of them.
Stik75
December 02, 2025 at 01:36 pm
Yep just what Ive been talking about. Rip the bears and give the Pack a pass on every issue.
This game comes down to:
1. Does a TOP 5 QB outperform a far lesser QB
2. Does Parsons dominate yet again
3. Does LaFleur out-coach Johnson
Since'61
December 02, 2025 at 02:23 pm
Packers need to flip the script against the Bears. They need to play with a lead and they need to keep the Bears offense off the field.
Make the Bears one dimensional with time consuming scoring drives and solid run defense by the Packers.
The Packers have no excuse for not being prepared for how to play the Bears especially at home at Lambeau Field. If they win the toss take the opening kickoff and drive for a score. Play with a lead right from the start. Sell out to stop the run and force the Bears to try to win with their QB.
GPG! Thanks, Since ‘61
CanPackFan
December 02, 2025 at 04:38 pm
While eventually even Chicago must have some success, my impression of Ben Johnson is that he's a conceited ass. I truly hope GB has his early remarks - about GB and LaFleur- up on the locker room bulletin board for motivation. You know little Ben will try to run the ball hard and see if GB can stop the run? Hoping for lots of 3rd and longs where Caleb is running for his life...
Starrbrite
December 02, 2025 at 06:38 pm
These Bears remind me somewhat of the Brockington, McCarthur, Scott Hunter days. They are winning with their run game, although Brockington was much better than Swift or Mungabunga… and Williams is probably better than Hunter.
In any case, if we stop their run game, we win.
Go Packers!!!
Bitternotsour
December 02, 2025 at 07:39 pm
Scott Hunter couldn't throw a ten yard out. That said, he was probably playing against Bobby Douglas, who is slightly better than JJ McCarthy of the Vikings.
Williams is on another planet.
Starrbrite
December 02, 2025 at 06:44 pm
Lambeau—per you post above—absolutely excellent. Kudos to you!!!