Bryan OrenchukMon, December 8, 2025 at 3:30 AM UTC·5 min readIn a slugfest from the opening whistle, the Chicago Bears played the Green Bay Packers in an intense, playoff-caliber football game that went down to the wire. While the result is not what any Bears fan would like, make no mistake about it. The Bears are back. I expect Soldier Field to be insane in two weeks for the rematch.
Let’s get to my notes from this one.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementBears Offense:
As expected, the Bears ran the ball well early. Unexpectedly, however, they ran the ball only 12 times in the first half. More than doubling that amount helped make things close in the 2nd half, but it was too little, too late.
As has been the case most of the season, Caleb struggled with accuracy in this one. Especially early. Was hoping for a more tightened-up operation this week, but alas.
That said, he continued to amaze with his escape ability and had multiple throws on the run that were unimaginable. The throw along the sideline dropping it into Kmet’s outstretched arms over the coverage was one. His TD throw along the sideline to Olamide Zaccheus was another. Multiple darts throughout. His really only mistake was the last throw in the endzone to Kmet at the end of the game. Eschewing a wide open DJ Moore for a riskier attempt, albeit one extremely similar to his game-winner last week. Sometimes the kill shots ARE the layups.
The offensive line looked overmatched on passing downs. Credit to the Pack DC for scheming up formations and designs to confuse the Bears’ OL.
Rookie LT Ozzy Trapilo looked like a rookie in this one. Not a terrible rookie, but a rookie, no less.
Speaking of rookies, our rookies showed up in this rivalry game. Starting with the bruising run by Kyle Monangai where he de-cleated (and de-decaled) Packers LB Edgerrin Cooper. Continuing throughout with a chippy Luther Burden III, and sprinkled in with clutch catches and tough yards after the catch by tight end Colston Loveland.
Speaking of TEs, I loved the way Loveland played and wish Kmet didn’t remind me of Greg Olsen so much after the catch. In a game of this magnitude, you should not be giving yourself up with even just a few yards left on the table. Take what you can get and fight for more.
An awesome play call on the TD to 4th quarter TD to Loveland at the 1 yard line on 3rd down highlighted a nice day by Ben Johnson. A couple well-called screens that were close to breaking but the Packers defense simply made plays. It was also the 2nd game this season where they decided to rotate Monangai back in after I thought Swift was closing the game out. Baltimore was the other one.
In the end, a tough pill to swallow. One might say a jagged little pill. But make no mistake, the Bears are back and I cannot wait to see how this offense responds in Chicago in two weeks.
Bears Defense:
As expected, Packers RB Josh Jacobs made his mark early and throughout. Ultimately scoring the game-winner in the 4th quarter.
I noticed Grady Jarrett a few more times in this one. He may not be playing up to his massive contract, but he is at least making plays consistently now.
Speaking of consistent play, Montez Sweat had another huge sack at a much-needed time early when this one was still close. His play will be marred by the 4th and 1 conversion by Josh Jacobs, where he somehow escaped the grasp of Sweat, and an “attempt” by Gervon Dexter Sr. on his way to a crushing 21-yard run, but Sweat continues to play like the player we acquired at the deadline two years ago.
When pressured, Love makes bad decisions, and that was evident here. Though it did result in one INT to CJGJ, failure to do so when applying added pressure also led to 3 TDs by Jordan Love. Kudos to Love for recognizing man coverage and shoutout to LaFleur for dialing up man beaters with his speedy WRs.
If Jaquan Brisker were a bit more stout, he would be much more palatable as an SS. But his inability to stop RB in their tracks AND make plays in coverage as much hurt today.
Granted, some of those coverage mishaps appeared to be the fault of Bears All-Pro Jaylon Johnson who had one of his roughest outings in memory.
The pass rush stepped it up in the 2nd half, but still not enough ammo there for Dennis Allen, who was out-coached in this one. Something we don’t hear every day. While I was pleased with the response in the 2nd half, aside from that game-sealing 4th and 1 mishap by the D, we will need a better called game by DA in 2 weeks when GB travels to Chi town.
Bears Special Teams:
I felt this was one of the worst special teams efforts of the season. Aside from Cairo being clutch on his FGs, the rest was an L all around.
Including Cairo’s kickoffs. Not sure what to say about it. The weather, perhaps?
Coverage units on kicks and punts were also mostly bleh. Favorite play in coverage was Daniel Hardy’s relentless pursuit on kick coverage across the field on a tackle.
When it mattered, Tory Taylor punted it in the end zone on a terrible directional punt. When it didn’t matter, he punted it 80 yards inside the 7 yard line.
I realize Josh Blackwell arguably won the game for us last year on a trick return. But since then, he continues to show me that he does not belong as a returner. Too many mistakes and his near fumble would have been demoralizing in this one. Not worth the risk. I still think Burden should be there, but I think that is too risky for the offense now. Either way, Blackwell needs to be off that unit, IMO. I get that Duvernay is better, but it is a low bar, and Duvernay’s terrible return on the last drive of the game was a gut punch.
