3 things to watch when the Packers host the Bears

GREEN BAY — Jordan Love insisted he came into this season without any expectations. He didn’t project how many games the Green Bay Packers would win, he didn’t think about whether they’d make the playoffs in his first year as the starting quarterback.

Instead, he and his teammates adopted a mantra early on and decided to let whatever happened this season happen.

“Just play free, play fast and be confident — confident in who we’ve got in the locker room and what we’re going to do when we get out there on the field,” Love recounted at midweek, as the Packers (8-8) prepared for Sunday’s regular-season finale against the Chicago Bears (7-9) at Lambeau Field. “That’s been the mindset.”

And so, the fact that Love and the Packers can claim the final available NFC playoff berth with a victory over the Bears, well, Love doesn’t believe anything about the gravity of such a big game will impact how he and his young teammates play.

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“We’ve had some big games throughout the season, (but) this is obviously the biggest game of the season so far for us. I’m excited for it,” Love said. “That’s what you play for, right? You play for these moments, these opportunities to play in the competitive games. You want to be playing in these games to have a chance to go to the playoffs. That’s exactly where we’re at, and I think everybody’s excited for it. It’s going to be fun.”

It’s also going to be an invaluable experience — win or lose. If the Packers are going to be as good during the Love Era as they think they’ll be, big-game experience will accelerate their young players’ development.

Even if Packers coach Matt LaFleur says he isn’t looking at it that way.

“I think every game’s a learning experience for these guys,” LaFleur said. “You never want to make one bigger than the next. … I’m excited for our guys to go out and to be in our home stadium with that playoff-type vibe around it.”

Here are 3 things to watch in Sunday’s game.

Don’t I know you?

To LaFleur, the Packers’ 38-20 victory over the Bears at Soldier Field in the season opener seems like ages ago, and not just because of the roller-coaster season the Packers have had. The real reason that game feels so ancient is because LaFleur sees a vastly different Bears team than the one his team throttled in Chicago.

“Just going back and watching the game from Week 1, it feels like it was last season,” admitted LaFleur, who has never lost to the Bears (9-0) as the Packers coach. “When you look at our team and you look at their team, I think we’re two totally different teams. It’s going to be a totally new set of challenges for both of us.”

Bears quarterback Justin Fields reacts after scoring on a 4-yard run against the Falcons on New Year’s Eve in Chicago.

KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI, ASSOCIATED PRESS

The Bears have changed on both sides of the ball. On offense, quarterback Justin Fields — facing the possibility of his team using the No. 1 overall pick (acquired from the Carolina Panthers) on a new franchise quarterback, casting him adrift — is playing some of the best football of his three-year, 37-start career since returning from missing four games with a thumb injury.

“I’m just doing my job at the end of the day. I’m doing what I’m supposed to do,” Fields said. “We’ve improved tremendously in all phases. I think that’s players and coaches. We’ve grown a lot as a team, our chemistry has grown with each other. Excited to go out there and ball out.”

And on defense, the Bears have been one of the NFL’s best over the last five games, leading the league in scoring defense (15.2 points allowed) and ranking seventh in total defense (299.8 yards per game).

“They’re pretty dangerous,” Love said. “They’ve been playing well lately. Obviously, they have the power to send us home.”

Barry, Barry good?

If you look closely at the celebratory postgame locker-room video the Packers posted on the team website after their New Year’s Eve win in Minnesota, you will see — in the background, just as LaFleur is delivering a game ball to wide receiver Bo Melton for his 105-yard performance — defensive coordinator Joe Barry in the background, a football in the crook of his arm.

Did the much-maligned Barry receive a game ball for what his defense did in the Packers’ 33-10 victory over the Vikings?

“Ah,” Barry replied, “the whole defense did.”

But you were holding one after the game, right?

“Well,” Barry said, “(LaFleur) didn’t hand out 23 specific game balls. But yeah, he gave one specifically to me in addition to the entire defense got a game ball. So, yes.”

A game ball isn’t the same as a public vote of confidence. Barry, after weeks of speculation about his job security, may still be replaced by LaFleur after the season. But for one night, at least, his defense was dominant — from sacking Vikings quarterbacks Jaren Hall and Nick Mullens four times and hitting them 14 times overall with a pressure-heavy approach; to forcing a pair of first-half turnovers (an interception by Corey Ballentine and a Preston Smith sack/fumble that was recovered by Karl Brooks), and allowing only 211 total yards on the night.

Now, the Packers are counting on Barry’s crew to do it again, corralling the elusive Fields, keeping running back Khalil Herbert in check and not letting game-breaking wide receiver DJ Moore take over the game.

Will it save Barry’s job? No one can say. But replicating last week’s performance would certainly give the Packers an excellent chance at winning the game and reaching the postseason.

“It was a great win for US. It wasn’t a great win for ME,” Barry said of last week’s win. “It was a must-win situation, we found a way to go play really well, and we did it. And it was great for the Green Bay Packers.”

The ‘eyes’ have it

The Bears come into the game leading the NFL in interceptions with 22, including 13 in their last five games. Love, meanwhile, comes in having thrown 11 interceptions, but just one over the last seven games.

The reason for Love’s INT drop, according to LaFleur, is not merely his accuracy or decision-making — though those have improved significantly, too. It’s the way he’s been using his eyes to keep opposing defensive backs from getting a bead on where he’s looking to go with the ball.

And, to hear LaFleur tell it, that’s what the Bears are the best in the business at: Reading the quarterback’s eyes and taking advantage of it.

“If you’re late or if you double-clutch it, they react to that and they make plays on the ball,” LaFleur said. “We always talk about zoning defenses like these guys are ‘on a string,’ so as you move, the whole defense moves, and they just work in unison together very well.

“So, you’ve got to be on time. You’ve got to be on rhythm. You’ve got to be willing to get off things if it looks a little bit muddy and maybe find a checkdown. He’s done a nice job of understanding when to get off his intended receiver and go to the secondary or third option within the concept.”

Photos: Sunday’s scene from the Packers’ victory over the Vikings

Green Bay Packers’ Corey Ballentine intercepts a pass in front of Minnesota Vikings’ Johnny Mundt during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023, in Minneapolis.

Bruce Kluckhohn, Associated Press

Green Bay Packers’ Corey Ballentine intercepts a pass in front of Minnesota Vikings’ Johnny Mundt during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023, in Minneapolis.

Bruce Kluckhohn, Associated Press

Green Bay Packers’ Jayden Reed celebrates his touchdown catch during the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023, in Minneapolis.

Bruce Kluckhohn, Associated Press

Green Bay Packers’ Jordan Love throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023, in Minneapolis.

Bruce Kluckhohn, Associated Press

Minnesota Vikings’ Ty Chandler is stopped during the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023, in Minneapolis.

Bruce Kluckhohn, Associated Press

Green Bay Packers’ Corey Ballentine intercepts a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023, in Minneapolis.

Abbie Parr, Associated Press

Green Bay Packers’ Aaron Jones tries to get past Minnesota Vikings’ Danielle Hunter during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023, in Minneapolis.

Bruce Kluckhohn, Associated Press

Minnesota Vikings’ Akayleb Evans tries to stop Green Bay Packers’ Tucker Kraft after a catch during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023, in Minneapolis.

Abbie Parr, Associated Press

Green Bay Packers’ Isaiah McDuffie is taken off the field on a cart during the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023, in Minneapolis.

Abbie Parr, Associated Press

Green Bay Packers’ Jordan Love runs for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023, in Minneapolis.

Abbie Parr, Associated Press

Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur argues a call during the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023, in Minneapolis.

Abbie Parr, Associated Press

Green Bay Packers’ AJ Dillon runs during the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023, in Minneapolis.

Bruce Kluckhohn, Associated Press

Minnesota Vikings’ Jaren Hall looks to pass with Green Bay Packers’ Rashan Gary rushing during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023, in Minneapolis.

Bruce Kluckhohn, Associated Press

Green Bay Packers’ Bo Melton catcn’t catch a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023, in Minneapolis.

Abbie Parr, Associated Press

Minnesota Vikings’ Jaren Hall is sacked during the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023, in Minneapolis.

Bruce Kluckhohn, Associated Press

Green Bay Packers’ Karl Brooks and Kenny Clark celebrates during the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023, in Minneapolis.

Bruce Kluckhohn, Associated Press

Green Bay Packers’ Jordan Love celebrates his touchdown run with Jon Runyan during the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023, in Minneapolis.

Abbie Parr, Associated Press

Green Bay Packers’ Jayden Reed stretches to get into the end zone for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023, in Minneapolis.

Abbie Parr, Associated Press

Green Bay Packers’ Jayden Reed (11) celebrates after his touchdown catch during the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023, in Minneapolis.

Abbie Parr, Associated Press

Green Bay Packers’ Aaron Jones runs during the second half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023, in Minneapolis.

Abbie Parr, Associated Press

Minnesota Vikings’ NaJee Thompson recovers a fumble in front of Green Bay Packers’ Samori Toure during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023, in Minneapolis.

Bruce Kluckhohn, Associated Press

Green Bay Packers’ Tucker Kraft ties to run past Minnesota Vikings’ Akayleb Evans after a catch during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023, in Minneapolis.

Abbie Parr, Associated Press

Green Bay Packers’ Bo Melton catches a touchdown pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023, in Minneapolis.

Bruce Kluckhohn, Associated Press

Minnesota Vikings’ Ty Chandler runs during the second half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023, in Minneapolis.

Bruce Kluckhohn, Associated Press

Green Bay Packers’ Jonathan Owens breaks up a pass intended for Minnesota Vikings’ Johnny Mundt during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023, in Minneapolis.

Abbie Parr, Associated Press Be the first to know

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