Fear The Chorizo

Mahomes and Andy Reid had a ton to say about that...along with Belicheck and Brady. Not to mention injuries and inconsistent postseason play on Jackson's part and choke-level drops from receivers and kickers (who wouldnt even be in that position if not for an all time great being a degenerate off the field). Being reported that at least 1 team who currently doesn't have a coaching opening has already reached out to Harbaugh's team....thinking that could easily be the Packers. The Packers have perenially been a special teams doormat along with having coaches who cant seem to grasp clock management at a grade school level in critical moments of a game, and it has cost them title runs - say what you will about leaning towards an offensive or defensive minded head coach, but at this point I'd like to have a coach who knows special teams and who can rely on coordinators to call plays while he has his pulse on other game/clock management situations. Harbaugh is just that, and he would be my #1 choice if the Packers opt to send MLF packing should they lose this weekend.

Harbaugh out in Baltimore... If I'm Policy, I get on the line with him now and gauge his interest if there is any thought of making changes to the Packer coaches and front office - i think he's a good coach who takes care of dramatically improving special teams, and has the pull to bring in quality coordinators. Thinking his firing has more to do with getting stale in Baltimore.

The Bears ran it 40 times in their win over the Eagles. If the Packers DL can’t stop the inside run; I would expect the Bears to run it like that again. They were able to run it 40+ times in that game because they got a lead and the Eagles' offense gave them two turnovers besides being awful. They had just gotten shut down for the 2nd half of that Cowboys game 4 days earlier by an equally bad defense. The next week the Bears ran it 32 times for 138 yards, and two weeks later ran it 26 times for 150 yards....against the Packers. So it's not like the Packers shut them down running the ball either in more recent games where the Packers won and should have won even as their defensive roster was gutted losing Wyatt and then Parsons. The Bears have actually been running it less and less down the stretch, which seems odd since it's not like the defenses they've faced are considered elite in that same span - but then you realize a big reason is they've been playing from behind ever since that Eagles game. Part of the Packers' gameplan needs to be scoring points against an awful Bears defense and playing keep away with the time of possession to prevent the Bears' offense from getting into a mode where they're chewing up 5-8 yards a carry and getting wide open looks with easy throws off play action in the 2nd half of a game they firmly control. I don't think GB is good enough defensively to prevent the Bears from getting on a roll for an entire game, but if they can at least generate a few 3 and outs or make it tough sledding for part of the game, I think it could be enough for the Packers to wind up winning the game by outscoring them.

I actually don't put a ton of stock into that Ravens game because it came on the heels of the Packers blowing what they thought was their shot at the division/#2 seed by beating themselves at Chicago (a game they held the Bears' running game in check), and the night after the Packers knew they clinched a playoff spot. They will be challenged to repeat the success they've had limiting the Bears running game in both games they've played this season, which is why I think how the Packers' linebackers play will have a huge say in the outcome of this playoff game. Forecast for saturday night's game looks to be temps in the upper 20s after a morning of a rainy/snow mix, and pretty windy. Knowing how putrid the playing surface at Soldier Field is under even good weather conditions, this could turn into a mudder assuming their grounds crew does something stupid (safe bet) - which I think favors the Bears, but should also help the Packers' run game and slippery field conditions tend to even out what happens in the trenches.

Isn't the rule of thumb that playing at home gives a line 3 or 3.5 points? So even if the Bears opened at -1.5 Vegas essentially is saying this is a coinflip

I think this game hinges on how well Packer linebackers play - if Walker and Cooper don't have great games I can see the Bears moving the ball at will running it, tight ends up the seams, and receivers/RBs with screens/short option routes on the outside...an offensive game plan that minimizes the times Williams has to make risky throws/reads into coverage and also churn clock with the running game. If they play great and find a way to keep Williams' scrambling ability in check, Green Bay wins Saturday night.

For their odds of winning, I like that it's played the first day it could possible be and makes it a short week for Bears regulars compared to the Packers essentially having a bye week with their key starters.

Yes....and unless Darnold goes full playoff meltdown I don't think the Packers can win that game. That's not to say Darnold won't do just that.

That's why I think GB's shot at a playoff run isnt 0....Kraft and Parsons and Wyatt's ACLs are the reason they arent one of the NFC favorites - but I think they are still much more than a wounded 7 seed with no shot against an overrated #2 seeded Bear team. People will cite the Ravens game when their defense got run over...that came on the heels of them blowing what they thought was the division AND finding out they still clinched a playoff berth the night before - im not saying they're still at a big disadvantage as a defense in the trenches, but they're going to be competitive.

Looks like Commanders back in front...would like to see a walkoff FG by the Lions now - assuming Campbell has the Lions to win on Draft kings The Bears could still easily beat the Packers next weekend, but that's the best chance the Packers have to winning their 1st playoff game.

They blew their last 2 drives...only reason this is a game at all

I'm not a tinfoil hat....but if there was ever a game that would prove the NFL is rigged and coaches are on the take, the 4th quarter of this Bears Lions game would be exhibit A proof

Dan Campbell should be fired before MLF...some of the most idiotic playcalls/decisions have cost the Lions a playoff spot this year. Weird that i was actually happy they just tried that crap at midfield so it stays a 1 score game, since the Eagles are up, too.

Oh I agree - I think the Eagles are going to the super bowl again and would win a boring game against this wounded Packers unit. Despite the injuries, this Packer team can still readily beat the Bears next weekend

I said it early in the 3rd quarter a few weeks ago before the Packers decided to beat themselves, this Bear team is a total fraud. Bear talking heads on sports radio this week stating "I like our chances against anyone if the defense can generate 2-3 turnovers each game"...no kidding, fools. When you don't get that, you get beat.

But each of them also have flaws - I think they are better, but not 3+ score blowout better. A healthy Love, receiver corps minus Kraft, mostly healthy Oline, and decently healthy Jacobs can score on anyone enough to be in a competitive game in the 4th quarter

Its only a quarter in, but i think expecting the Bears to walk to an easy home win against a Lions team that is playing their starters but with nothing to play for is wrong. I think its more of the Eagles not caring where they go for the divisional round if their defensive front and secondary are healthy. After watching a really good Seahawk defense shut down the 49ers last night, the Bears arent steamrolling over anyone in the playoffs with their defense and a qb making his first postseason start. As a Packer fan, I'm rooting for a tight Bear win so GB has their best shot at winning a playoff game and getting on an unexpected run. The injuries suck, because honestly no team in the NFC is head and shoulders better than the Packers.

I feel that way because after the dust settles on this season, the roster moving forward needs someone with a different approach than Gute to improve moreso than having a different coaching staff get more out of the players they do have. MLF gets a longer leash than Gute in my book only because of the relationship he has with Love after developing him. That doesnt mean I think he's a great coach, I just think he's been better at his job than what Gute has been with his the past few seasons, and I thing the Packers can improve faster with a new GM making roster decisions rather than letting that same GM hire another coach. I really do think what Policy opts to do with both of them moving forward has so much to do with what happens on the field next weekend.

Bullard injured...Jesus why is anyone who could potentially take meaningful snaps on offense or defense next weekend still in this game?

I dont think we need to answer this hypothetical, because if the Bears win next weekend it wont be a blowout. And then the reasoning from the front office would be all the injuries hampering the last month of their season. As much as the move might not be what we feel is right, I think MLF is their coach next season. I do think Gute might be in jeopardy if they lose next weekend. But, win that 1st round playoff game and they are both getting extensions

Eagles are my NFC pick and have been for a few weeks.

Am I right in stating that for the 2 years of this expanded playoff, the only team who received a bye that actually won their first game was Indiana yesterday by curb-stomping an Alabama team that didn't belong?

I think that's largely because people see so many examples of their taxes getting spent on things they either never benefit from, are politically/morally aligned against, or its flat-out stolen....so not also putting public money towards professional sports just frustrates them even if it's not the ideal way to use those funds. Quite honestly, if the worst thing a politician would do is not advocate using taxpayer $$ to help a team build a new playground stadium complex and see them leave the state, they'd get my vote regardless of their party. I'm probably too jaded currently living in MN, though...

The round 2 matchup would either be a shootout or ugly taffy pull, IMO... 49ers arent going to blow a team out that can also score - their defense isnt good enough. I can see a blowout happening in Seattle because of their defense if Darnold plays well.

Since Parsons went down, I accepted the fact the Packers' title shot this year was gone because this team was no longer able to string together 4+ games of success to sustain a deep playoff run. That doesn't mean they dont have a shot at winning a playoff game or two if the matchup is favorable. A first round game at Chicago is about as favorable a matchup the 7 seed can get - and if you win that game, you're going to face a 1 seed that either has Sam Darnold at quarterback or a team with a defense as bad or worse than yours in the 49ers. The Packers wouldn't be favored in any of those games....but if Love is healthy I think any of those matchups would be competitive and come down to the 4th quarter as a 1 possession game.