Ben Johnson faces Green Bay's relentless defense, calling it the league's toughest challenge. Can Chicago's offense conquer Lambeau Field's formidable unit?
It's officially Green Bay Packers week, Chicago Bears fans.
This matchup is always vital for both teams, as it's one of the NFL's oldest rivalries. However, the NFC North and playoff implications of this game could not be overstated.
Both teams are surging as of late, with the Bears on a five-game winning streak, while the Packers won their third game in a row after taking down the Detroit Lions 31-24 on Thanksgiving.
Chicago is trying to hold on to the top spot in the NFC North at 9-3, with the Packers right behind them at 8-3-1.
Head coach Ben Johnson is aware of the challenge ahead of him, especially in facing the loaded Packers defense. Edge rusher Micah Parsons isn't the only player he has to worry about slowing down on Sunday.
Johnson mentioned how good a job Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley has done, and called Green Bay "the best defense the Bears have seen all season," in an appearance on ESPN Chicago 1000 AM.
"Yeah, this defense is, you know, the best defense we've seen all year," Johnson said. "These guys are loaded. I think Jeff Hafley is doing a phenomenal job. I can't say enough about the job he's done. Those guys, they play relentless. They have talent at all three levels."
Johnson is not wrong.
On top of the pass rushing threat that Parsons poses, Green Bay is excellent in multiple areas.
The Packers have allowed the eighth-fewest rushing yards (98.3), sixth-fewest passing yards (202.6) and points per game (18.8). Green Bay is also very good at getting to the quarterback, with the 10th-most sacks in the NFL at 32.
If there were one area of weakness in the Packers' defense, it would be the ability to force turnovers. Green Bay has 11 takeaways, ranking 24th, while the Bears lead the league with 26.
Luckily for the Bears, Chicago has done a great job of not giving the ball away this season. The Bears have just nine turnovers, which is good for the fifth-fewest in the NFL.
Along with the defensive nightmare the Packers pose, the Bears will also have to weather the storm at Lambeau Field. It has been rare for the Bears to win there recently, but Caleb Williams is 1-0 in his career at the stadium after Chicago won 24-22 on a game-winning field goal last season.
We'll see what Johnson has planned to get past the Packers defense at 3:25 p.m. CT on Fox.