Chicago Bears coach Ben Johnson knows the most vital test of his season awaits Sunday at Lambeau Field, in his first game in the historic rivalry with the Green Bay Packers.
Johnson spent part of Tuesday buttering up his opponent.
“It 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 counting stats, the Packers boast a better defense than anything the Bears have faced thus far. The only team close would be Philadelphia, whom the Bears bested, 24-15, a week ago.
Micah Parsons has keyed a stiff Packers defense, which ranks fourth in yards allowed and sixth in points. Parsons had 2.5 sacks, four QB hits, three tackles for loss and 10 QB pressures in Week 13 at Detroit. He’s the only player to have two games with 10+ pressures in 2025, per Next Gen Stats -- the rest of the NFL has three such games combined this season.
Johnson, however, made sure to complement the entirety of Jeff Hafley’s defense.
“Personnel-wise, they're pretty loaded across the board,” Johnson said. “You’ve got multiple guys up front that you have to be aware of. Starting with Micah doing a great job moving around, so it's hard to get a beat for where he's going to be. (Packers DL) Rashan Gary's still playing at a high level, and then they've got a lot of depth up there too. But you can tell they're really well coached.
"They do a great job shedding blocks on their front line with the linebackers. Lot of respect for (Packers LB) Quay Walker, he has been doing it at a high level now for a number of years. And (Packers LB , I don't think that he was healthy when I was calling games last year against them, but he shows up all over the tape. He's flying around. They are matchup issues for your backs and pass pro. You can tell they bring it. Fast players sideline to sideline.
"And then, I think the safeties are probably the two best safeties that we've seen all year long. They're extremely active in the run game. They're all over the field and so we've got a tall task here at hand.
"And then when you combine it with the scheme, I think Hafley does a great job of making it simple for them. And yet, to the offense, it can seem fairly complex, and those guys just go out and they play really fast and that's what shows up all over the tape.”
The Green Bay defense has allowed 18.8 points per game but has been even better in its losses. The Packers have allowed 13.0 PPG in losses, the fewest in the NFL (tied with the 2000 Ravens for fewest PPG allowed in losses in the last 40 seasons).
Hafley’s crew has also been stingy against division opponents. In three games (two against Detroit, one versus Minnesota), the Packers have allowed 14.3 PPG, second-fewest in the NFL.
Pressure will be the key for both sides: Can Green Bay disrupt Caleb Williams or will the Bears' offensive line hold Parsons at bay?
The Packers defense has a 35.9 QB pressure rate in 2025, ninth-highest in the NFL. Williams has a 41.8 completion percentage under pressure in 2025, fifth-lowest in the league.
Williams under pressure: 41.8 comp pct, 4.9 yds/att, 2 TD, 2 INT, 56.0 passer rating.
Williams with no pressure: 64.3 comp pct, 7.6 yds/att, 15 TD, 3 INT, 100.5 passer rating.
Given the struggles of the Bears' passing attack, expect Johnson to saddle up running backs D'Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai once again. Green Bay has allowed 98.3 rush yards per game (eighth-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 mark the 211th Bears-Packers matchup, including playoffs, most in NFL history. The Packers hold the all-time series lead 108-96-6.