Yahoo Sports Bears vs Packers: Causes for concern in Week 18 finale
The Chicago Bears are set to take on the Green Bay Packers in their season finale at Lambeau Field this Sunday. Having lost 10 consecutive games after starting 4-2, the end of the season couldn't come quick enough for the Bears and their fanbase that was chanting for a team sale in the home season finale.
As the Packers prepare for their playoff run, they'll not only look to end the season on a high note, but they'll look to extend their winning streak over Chicago to 12 games. Since Matt LaFleur was hired as the team's head coach in 2019, he has had undefeated success against the Bears, extending a long and frustrating streak of the rivalry feeling one sided.
Ahead of their regular season finale and final game of the 2024 season, here's three causes for concern as the Bears take on the Packers.
1. Matt LaFleur's undefeated history
Matt LaFleur has Chicago's number, and there is no reason to think that anything will change in Week 18. Getting his team prepared and fighting for their playoff spot, the Packers have all the reason to come out and punch Chicago in the mouth while looking to make a statement heading into the postseason. The Bears have struggled in every way possible under interim head coach Thomas Brown, so it's not hard to see why there should me major concern and doubt coming into this matchup of two rivals going in complete opposite directions.
2. Josh Jacobs against a depleted Bears defense
The irony in the firing of Matt Eberflus is that the defense has gotten incredibly worse since his departure, and the stagnant offense is offering no help for a worn out defense. In the four games under Brown, the defense has allowed 108 points and have been torched any way the opposing offense chooses to attack them. In their last meeting, Jacobs had 134 combined yards and a touchdown and has a combined 303 yards from scrimmage in his last three games. He has not found the endzone in the last four games, but if there was an opportunity for him to do so, the Bears defense is certainly vulnerable to give it up.
3. Winless on the road
Getting a win in the NFL is hard enough these days, especially hard for the Bears, and getting a road victory has been impossible in the 2024 season for them. Winless on the road this season, going into the stadium of their bitter rival who are preparing for a playoff push, it all spells out disaster for Chicago who should stand little to no chance in this one. The Packers faithful fanbase will be out in flocks to make sure they add insult to injury for a horrendous Bears season, and as they look to get things rolling going into the postseason.
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears vs Packers: Causes for concern in Week 18 finale
