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NFL

Green Bay Packers-Chicago Bears: 3 Key Players That Will Determine Who Advances

Justin Rimpi photo
By Justin Rimpi · 2 min read
Packers-Bears key players. Chicago Bears Caleb Williams
Jan 4, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) passes the ball against the Detroit Lions during the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

The Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears are preparing to face off in the Wild Card Round of the NFL Playoffs on Saturday night. Here are three key players who will determine which team will emerge from Soldier Field victorious.

Green Bay Packers-Chicago Bears’ Key Players

Caleb Williams

The Chicago Bears QB enters his first postseason game coming off a strong regular season. The hiring of Head Coach Ben Johnson worked wonders for the second-year QB. Williams finished in the top 10 in the NFL in both passing yards and passing touchdowns.

One of the few knocks against Williams this season was his inconsistency. That was on display in both of his performances this season against the Green Bay Packers. When the teams first faced off in Week 14, Chicago’s offense looked listless in the first half. Williams helped the offense wake up in the second half. He had two passing touchdowns in the second half, but threw a game-sealing interception late in the game.

The game script for Williams and the Bears was similar in the Week 16 matchup. Williams threw a game-tying touchdown late in the fourth quarter and a game-winning touchdown in overtime. If Williams can play a complete game, the Chicago Bears should advance.

Jordan Love

Love missed the final two games of the regular season after sustaining a concussion in the Week 16 matchup against the Bears. Love will have the experience edge over Williams in this matchup. Even though that is the case, Love has a checkered playoff past. He was miserable last season in this round on the road against the Philadelphia Eagles. He had no touchdowns against 3 interceptions, and finished with a QBR of 41 in the loss.

Another question surrounding Love coming into this contest will be his sharpness. Love has not played since Dec. 20. It is unclear how sharp he will be early in this playoff game. Will he show signs of rust, or will this break help him feel reinvigorated?

Kevin Byard

The veteran safety has been reinvigorated this season with the Chicago Bears. He led the league with 7 interceptions during the regular season. He had 16 tackles in Chicago’s two games against the Green Bay Packers. He will look to make Love’s life difficult on Saturday night.

Closing Thoughts

The aforementioned three players are all primed to have an outsized impact on Saturday night’s result.

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