Packers vs. Bears: Preview, Prediction

The NFL’s oldest rivalry takes center stage Saturday night as the Green Bay Packers enter the postseason facing an uphill climb against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field.

Green Bay limps into the wild-card round on a four-game losing streak and lacking momentum after an uneven close to the regular season. Quarterback Jordan Love will return after missing the final two games and part of Week 16 with a concussion — a significant concern in a win-or-go-home setting.

Coach Matt LaFleur has led the Packers to three playoff appearances in three seasons with Love as the starter, but his postseason track record remains under scrutiny. LaFleur has yet to consistently prove he can win the league’s biggest games, and Saturday’s matchup offers little margin for error given Green Bay’s recent form.

Love has owned the rivalry when healthy, going 4-0 in games he has started and finished against Chicago. That included a 28-21 home win in Week 14, sealed by Keisean Nixon’s interception of Bears quarterback Caleb Williams with 27 seconds remaining. Chicago responded two weeks later at Soldier Field, where Williams threw a 46-yard, game-winning touchdown pass to DJ Moore in a 22-16 overtime victory.

The Bears enter the postseason with confidence after that Week 16 win and continued growth from Williams under first-year coach Ben Johnson. Chicago is making its first playoff appearance since 2020, while Green Bay’s playoff experience is offset by rust, injuries and a late-season slide.

Chicago’s momentum and home-field advantage loom large as Green Bay searches for answers after a disappointing finish to the season.

Prediction: Bears 24, Packers 20

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