The Bears (4-5) host the rival Packers (6-3) Sunday at Soldier Field. Here are three things that should increase their chances of winning:
(1) Contain running back Josh Jacobs.
After five seasons with the Raiders, Jacobs is thriving in his first year with the Packers. The 5-10, 223-pounder ranks fourth in the NFL in rushing with 762 yards and three touchdowns on 158 carries. In the last three weeks, Jacobs has averaged 99.3 yards per game and 6.0 yards per attempt.
"This offense starts with Jacobs; downhill, very, very tough, physical runner," said defensive coordinator Eric Washington. "He looks quicker and faster this year as opposed to last year. Looks a lot more dynamic. Breaks a lot of tackles. They do a nice job of opening holes for him, and his ability to be downhill really sets up the play-action attack with [quarterback] Jordan Love."
The Bears rank 13th in the league in total yards allowed but only 24th against the run. In the last three games, the defense has permitted 168, 213 and 144 yards on the ground, three of its four highest totals of the season. On Sunday, the unit hopes to limit yardage on first and second downs to put Love and the Packers in predictable passing situations. Green Bay ranks 10th in the NFL in average yards on first-down plays at 5.95.
"This offense has done a really good job of being efficient on early downs," Washington said. "They have, I think, the least amount of third-and-seven-plus scenarios in the league. That speaks to what they have been able to do on first down as it pertains to the run, the play-action passing game and the ability to protect the quarterback and stay out of negative plays.
"They're skipping third down in some cases because they're so good on first down. They're going first down, second down, first down. And when they do get to a third-down situation, they're situations that are manageable for an offense and kind of tough to defend as a defense."
(2) Get the offense back on track.
After scoring five touchdowns in back-to-back games for the first time since 1956, the Bears produced two TDs against the Commanders and were held out of the end zone in each of their last two contests versus the Cardinals and Patriots.
Thomas Brown takes over as offensive coordinator this week looking to get the unit to revert to its previous form. One of Brown's primary responsibilities will be to work with rookie quarterback Caleb Williams. The No. 1 overall pick in the draft posted passer ratings of 106, 126.2 and 124.4 in three straight wins but has since recorded ratings of 59.5, 68.9 and 63.2.
Brown spoke to Williams this week about aspects of his game he can improve.
"It was all a positive conversation," Brown said. "He was receptive to it. Talked about what he can fix and be better for our offense. Clearly, quarterback's the most difficult position, so we've got to be better all around him. But it also starts with how we coach, being more detailed, being more demanding."
Williams no doubt would benefit from a productive running attack. After gaining 131, 128, 152 and 202 yards on the ground in their previous four games, the Bears have rushed for 69 and 73 yards in their last two contests. Running back D'Andre Swift ranks 18th in the NFL with 564 yards and four TDs on 141 carries.
The Bears need to continue to protect the ball. They've committed just two turnovers in their last six games, including none in their last two contests. The Packers, meanwhile, are tied for second in the league with 19 takeaways after producing 18 all last season. But Green Bay has generated only two takeaways in its last three games after recording 17 in its first six contests. Safety Xavier McKinney is tied for the NFL lead with six interceptions.
(3) Generate pressure on the quarterback.
In seven starts this season, Love has passed for 1,820 yards and 15 touchdowns. But the fifth-year pro has also thrown 10 interceptions, tied for the most in the NFL, with at least one pick in every game he's played. He's being intercepted at a much higher rate this year (4.2%) than last year (1.9%), when he passed for 32 TDs with 11 interceptions while starting all 17 games.
The Bears will counter with a defense that has permitted a league-low six TD passes and yielded the second lowest opponent passer rating (77.4) this season. In addition, the unit leads the NFL with a 37.0 red-zone touchdown percentage, having allowed 10 TDs on 27 trips inside-the-20.
Eberflus delivered good news Friday when he revealed that top pass rusher Montez Sweat is expected to play Sunday despite being listed as questionable with an ankle injury. But it won't be easy for the Bears to generate pressure against a Packers offense that has allowed a league-low 12 sacks this season.
