5 Things to Watch in Packers vs Bears: Will the Real Jaire Alexander Please Stand Up?
Alexander returns from suspension for a do-or-die matchup with the Bears.
By markoldacres
Will the real Jaire Alexander please stand up?
Alexander will return from the one-game suspension imposed on him by the Packers for what seems to be an accumulation of issues, culminating in the coin toss debacle in Carolina on Christmas Eve.
Injuries have plagued the star cornerback’s season, which has been massively disappointing based on the high standards Alexander has set. The coaching staff will be hoping the suspension serves as an opportunity for him to reset mentally and get back to his best ahead of the must-win regular season finale.
Of course, there is a chance the suspension backfires and has the opposite effect. Will Packer fans see the Alexander they know and love on Sunday?
D.J. Moore
Green Bay will need Alexander to be on his A-game, because in Moore, the Bears have found a legitimate number one wide receiver.
The former Panther has struck a great rapport with Justin Fields in his first year in Chicago, amassing 1,300 receiving yards and eight touchdowns.
He had little impact in the first matchup with the Packers, which was his Bears debut, catching just two passes for 25 yards. Expect it to be a different story this week.
With Darnell Mooney questionable for Sunday’s game, Moore will be the clear number one receiving option for Justin Fields, and a weapon Green Bay’s defense must account for at all times.
Chicago’s run game
It is no secret at this point, but Fields’ ability to run could be a significant factor on Sunday if the Packers defense is unable to control him.
Green Bay’s lack of consistency in tackling is always a threat to allow short gains to turn into big ones, particularly versus mobile quarterbacks. A lack of discipline in both setting the edge and rush lane integrity often exacerbates this.
Running back Khalil Herbert represents a genuine danger in his own right, if he can go. Herbert is questionable after not practicing on Friday. The Packers must keep a lid on the Bears’ running game this week if they hope to control the time of possession.
Green Bay’s pass catchers
The Packers have a chance to finally be at full strength at both wide receiver and tight end. Christian Watson, Dontayvion Wicks, Jayden Reed, and Luke Musgrave are all questionable for Sunday, and trending in the right direction.
If Matt LaFleur has a full complement of pass catchers at his disposal, it will be interesting to see how the snaps are divided.
In the absence of Musgrave, Tucker Kraft has stepped up and taken on a prominent role in the offense. The same can be said, to a lesser extent, for Bo Melton and Malik Heath in recent games.
It is hard to replicate the field-stretching ability of a Watson or Musgrave, but Melton has filled Jayden Reed’s role commendably when required.
Given how well the backups have stepped in, it would not be a surprise to see the returning group worked back in slowly, but with a playoff spot on the line, the Packers could use an injection of playmaking ability that a Watson or Musgrave could provide.
Montez Sweat
For as good as he was in Washington, eyebrows were raised when the Bears traded for Sweat and immediately handed him a four-year, $98million contract, but now it looks a shrewd piece of business by Chicago.
Matt Eberflus’ defense has taken off since Sweat’s arrival and poses another test for Jordan Love, who has had the answers more often than not.
Zach Tom has been excellent at right tackle for the Packers all season and looks to be the long-term answer. He will need to continue that form against Sweat this week.
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Mark Oldacres is a sports writer from Birmingham, England and a Green Bay Packers fan. You can follow him on twitter at @MarkOldacres
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Comments (22)
LambeauPlain
January 06, 2024 at 05:23 pm
Whatever happens on Sunday, the Bears will only have beaten one team (Lions) with a winning record this season.
Still, their progress has been steady going 5-3 over their last 8 games. They run the ball well, D is stout and Fields looks like an NFL starter with his arm since he returned from injury.
Packers, however...have made even greater progress over their last 8 going 6-2 with Love and the youngest Offense in the NFL clicking. The O is now supercharged with the run game powered by the 2nd best O weapon on the team...AJ Jones.
I considered AJ the best O player starting the season...but Love's grasp of the Offense and his growth as a QB has been the story of this season.
MLF and his O staff deserve tremendous credit for getting these young men to play as a team and play well.
Swisch
January 06, 2024 at 05:56 pm
After the fiasco of allowing Tommy DeVito to run wild for the Giants, I'll be watching to see if the Packers can contain the running of Justin Fields with disciplined determination.
On a related note, I still think a three-man rush by the Packers should get Barry fired during the game, right then and there -- and a spy does not count as a pass rusher.
I'd like to see the Packers with a fair number of blitzes, and if Alexander is healthy, let's see him cover Moore man-to-man often.
In general, let's let our defenders loose in this game, not recklessly but relentlessly.
Let's give all of that talent on defense an opportunity to shine.
Mix up the looks to avoid predictability.
If we're ahead in the fourth quarter, keep the blitzes coming on at least some of the plays.
Whatever happens, may it be with energy and even exuberance, and with a dash of daring.
LambeauPlain
January 06, 2024 at 07:08 pm
Don't know why you got a thumbs down, Swisch...I erased it with a thumbs up. I agree with your opinion.
Packers, under Barry, mostly play a 2-4 base nickel and 2nd most a 2-3 dime/Zone...3-4 is rarely used.
I believe that the 3-4 should be a steady diet vs Fields. Then the second most snaps...add in blitzes from Walker, Nixon or Owens.
They have the depth on the DL with Kenny, Slayton, Wyatt, Brooks, Wooden and some Hercules to bring 3 early and often. And their best depth is at Edge with Gary, Smith, Enagbare and Van Ness.
Bring 'em! 5 or 6 every D snap!!
Tundraboy
January 06, 2024 at 08:15 pm
I agree. We are at home, it's the Bears. Let it all out on them!
SicSemperTyrannis
January 07, 2024 at 04:52 pm
Has #99 J Ford been elevated at all this season?
splitpea1
January 06, 2024 at 06:28 pm
This is the game where you would like to be happy you signed Rashan Gary to a big contract a couple of months ago, and to a lesser extent, the emphasis on pass rushing talent during the last draft. Pressure and containment(!) are two of the big keys to controlling Fields.
Also in the spotlight will be Barry's ability to adjust to whatever the Bears are doing offensively. Fields tends to struggle at times with zones, and the Broncos' Vance Joseph made a nice adjustment in the second half against the Bears by using spot drop zones, as Fields was a bit tardy getting the ball out.
Special teams: Hopefully we have smooth sailing on our side, but the Packers need to be alert for anything extracurricular. Although the Bears aren't known for trickery here, teams with nothing to lose might decide to throw everything including the kitchen sink at us to end their season on a high note.
We're a better team than the Bears, so above all, I'm looking for a win when it matters most.
Stinky Cheese
January 07, 2024 at 10:34 am
Interesting that you think you are the better team. I would say the Bears have a slight edge overall. Maybe you have a slight edge on offense with us having a larger edge on defense.
You do have the better coaching
justjan
January 07, 2024 at 11:14 am
"US"? LOL. Packers have a QB passing the ball. Bears have a RB.
ImaPayne
January 06, 2024 at 09:54 pm
My two cents. Teams with nothing to lose are dangerous. Chi D has improved greatly since game one. Fields has something to show if he wants to stay in Chi. We have rcrs who are green and stale, can they catch fire. Can Jones stay healthy and produce?
Gonna be a battle of wills. Which d shows up will win this game.
brenner
January 06, 2024 at 11:14 pm
I'd like to see a constant 5 man rush and force one on one's with the bears o line. Quay and Campbell spying the backfield and press man on the corners w/ ja on Moore. Sub out Slayton for Nixon in nickel. Valentine or johnson can come in for dime. And please punch da bears in the mouth.
Stinky Cheese
January 07, 2024 at 10:35 am
DJ going to light JA up. He cant cover him
Spock
January 07, 2024 at 02:53 am
Somewhat off topic but interesting to see the moves by the Packers for this game. Emmanuel Wilson active with Dillion out with the broken thumb.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/the-packers-make-a-flurry-of-moves-...
SicSemperTyrannis
January 07, 2024 at 05:01 pm
I'm very glad to see Grant DuBose elevated. Even if they don't need him, having him in reserve might prove crucial.
SinceLombardi
January 07, 2024 at 06:23 am
If Alexander can’t tackle then let him flip the coin and have a seat. We have played well with 35&37. MLF had to have a short rope if we are getting the Alexander we saw at Carolina.
Today is not the day to worry about his or anyone else’s ego. Just win the damn game. This franchise has been humiliated enough under MLF in big games.
WD
January 07, 2024 at 06:40 am
As the final game of the regular season approaches the stakes are high. A winning season making the playoffs gives the Packers a better than expected A+ season with visions of a dynasty. Losing the game gives us a losing record and a mediocre disappointing C+. So yes, this is a huge game to say the least. Two up and coming teams make this particular Packer -Bear game momentous. Go Pack. May the spirit of St Vincent be with them in victory. The entire team and coaches have worked hard and they deserve this win.
Stinky Cheese
January 07, 2024 at 10:36 am
Going to be a good game. Bear down
PackerBackerAZ
January 07, 2024 at 11:06 am
Always a good game when the bears go down.
Swisch
January 07, 2024 at 12:02 pm
:-)
SicSemperTyrannis
January 07, 2024 at 05:03 pm
Fields has gone down for a loss repeatedly, yes.
Swisch
January 07, 2024 at 11:57 am
Good stuff, WD.
This game is a big difference to this season for the Packers.
The outcome can't be known with certainty -- and that's the drama of it all -- but for it to be a satisfying 2023, we've got to go all out to win.
It's been an encouraging season for the Packers, but we haven't done nearly enough to be all that satisfied with the results so far.
There's still so far to go, and the progress begins today.
We need to maximize this season by taking it as far as we can.
Anything less than the Packers giving maximum effort to play hard and smart will leave a bad taste in our mouths for the long offseason.
golfpacker1
January 07, 2024 at 11:55 am
Stinkey, we don't need Alexander to lay the wood in tackling today. We just need him to limit and cover Moore like he is capable of doing. The Bears haven't beaten anyone good other than the Lions, and we beat them too. Its Packers vs Bears and if we don't let your QB run wild then I really like our chances. Especially at home, with a healthy Aaron Jones, and Alexander with a chip on his shoulder today.
I would be satisfied on defense if Barry just makes adjustments as the game goes on. And I think Dubose does something special today because the Bears won't expect anything from him.
Swisch
January 07, 2024 at 12:02 pm
Thumbs up, gp1.