Chicago Bears coach Ben Johnson knows the most important test of his season awaits Sunday at Lambeau Field, in the first game of a historic rivalry with the Green Bay Packers.
Johnson spent part of Tuesday smearing his opponent.
“This might be the best defense we’ve seen all year,” Johnson said via the team’s official transcript. “So, all hands on deck. It’s going to take all three phases for us here this week.”
Certainly, by most metrics, the Packers boast a better defense than anything the Bears have faced thus far. The only team that comes close would be Philly, who the Bears beat 24-15 a week ago.
Micah Parsons has a stiff Packers defense, which ranks fourth in yards allowed and sixth in points. Parsons had 2.5 sacks, 4 QB hits, 3 TFL and 10 QB pressures in Week 13 at Detroit. He is the only player with two games with 10+ pressures in 2025, according to Next Generation Stats – the rest of the NFL has three such games combined this season.
Johnson, however, made sure to fill up Jeff Halfly’s entire defense.
“They’re pretty loaded on the HR front,” Johnson said. “You have a lot of guys in front of you that you have to be aware of. For starters, Micah does a great job of moving, so it’s hard to get a handle on where he’s going to be. (Packers DL) Rashan Gary is still playing at a high level, and then they have a lot of depth up there as well. But you can tell they are doing very well in the front line. Linebackers have a lot of respect for (Packers LB) Quay Walker, he’s done it at a high level now for a couple of years.
“Those are matchup issues for your backs and pass rushers. You can tell they bring that. Quick players sideline to sideline. And then I think the safeties are probably the two best safeties we’ve seen all year. They’re very active in the run game. They’re all over the field, and so we’ve got a lot of work to do here. And then when you combine that with Hafley making it simple, and still, I do a great job. offense, it can look pretty complex and these guys just go out there and they play really fast and that’s what shows all over the tape.”
The Green Bay defense has allowed 18.8 points per game, but is even better in their losses. The Packers have allowed 13.0 PPG in a loss, the fewest in the NFL (tied with the 2000 Ravens for fewest PPG allowed in a loss in the last 40 seasons).
Hafley’s crew has also been smart against league opponents. In three games (two vs. Detroit, one vs. Minnesota), the Packers have allowed 14.3 PPG, second fewest in the NFL.
Press will be key for both sides: Can Green Bay disrupt Caleb Williams or will the Bears’ offensive line contain Parsons?
The Packers defense has a 35.9 QB pressure percentage in 2025, 9th highest in the NFL. Williams has 41.8 percent under pressure in 2025, 5th lowest.
Williams under pressure: 41.8 comp pct, 4.9 yds/att, 2 TD, 2 INT, 56.0 passer rating
Williams without pressure: 64.3 percentage, 7.6 yds/att, 15 TD, 3 INT, 100.5 passer rating
Given the Bears’ pass rush struggles, expect Johnson to saddle quarterbacks D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai once again. Green Bay has allowed 98.3 rush yards per game (8th fewest), but the loss of defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt to a season-ending injury means the middle is a potential soft spot for the Green Bay defense.
Sunday will be the 211th Bears-Packers matchup, including playoff games, most in NFL history. The Packers lead the all-time series at 108-96-6.