If the Bears had the answer to beating the Packers, they wouldn’t be on a 10-game losing streak to them and sitting at 14-50 in their last 64 meetings. But if they want to pull out of their nosedive, both in the rivalry and in this season at large, here are three keys to winning Sunday:
1. Stick to what works for Caleb Williams
After a change at offensive coordinator and three consecutive rough games for Williams, the Bears’ best chance to is to stick to things he likes and does well. Going out of the shotgun with five wide receivers seems to suit him. Getting DJ Moore and Keenan Allen more slants and fewer screens could help. A surehanded tight end like Cole Kmet normally would be a rookie quarterback’s best friend, so Thomas Brown almost certainly will involve him more. Williams desperately needs a solid game, win or lose.
2. Bring out the worst in Jordan Love
Maybe the injury Love suffered in the season opener is a factor, but he doesn’t look quite as electric as he did in the second half of last season. He already has thrown 10 interceptions in seven games, compared to 11 all of last season. In his career, Love has seven multiple-interception games (including the playoffs), and the Packers are 1-6 in those. If Bears defensive end Montez Sweat and others can put pressure on him, there’s an opportunity for takeaways.
3. Establish a decent ground game
The Packers have a pretty good run defense, allowing 4.2 yards per carry and 113 per game, and that’s concerning for a Bears offense that hasn’t been able to run consistently. And when the offense becomes one-dimensional, it makes Williams’ job so much harder. Brown comes in as the passing-game coordinator, but his biggest influence is Sean McVay, who has proven an expert in the run and pass. It’s one item on a long list of Waldron shortcomings that Brown is being asked to turn around.