Packers vs. Bears in Week 14: Green Bay’s Chance to Make a Statement - and a Stand
There’s no shortage of motivation when the Packers and Bears square off. This is one of the oldest rivalries in the NFL, and it rarely needs extra fuel. But thanks to a preseason comment from Bears head coach Ben Johnson, Green Bay has one more reason to come into Week 14 with a chip on its shoulder.
Back in the offseason, Johnson - then fresh off his stint as the Lions’ offensive coordinator - said how much he “enjoyed beating Matt LaFleur twice a year.” At the time, it may have sounded like a confident jab. Now, with the Packers heating up and the Bears clinging to the top of the NFC North, it reads more like a challenge that’s about to be answered.
A New Chapter in a Lopsided Rivalry
Johnson’s success against Green Bay came as a play-caller in Detroit, but this weekend marks his first shot at the Packers as a head coach. And this time, he’s not in Detroit - he’s leading a Bears team that, while sitting atop the division, has leaned heavily on good fortune and narrow escapes throughout the 2025 season.
Green Bay, on the other hand, is trending in the right direction. The roster is getting healthy at just the right time.
The offense is finding rhythm. And the defense has been quietly stringing together some of its most disciplined football of the year.
If there's a team peaking in December, it might just be the Packers.
Two Matchups in Three Weeks - and a Division on the Line
The schedule makers did fans a favor this year: Packers vs. Bears, twice in three weeks, with the NFC North very much up for grabs. For Green Bay, it’s a golden opportunity to flip the division on its head and remind everyone who’s owned this rivalry for the better part of a decade.
Let’s put it into perspective: Green Bay is 17-3 against Chicago since 2015. That’s not just dominance - that’s generational control.
And this season, the Packers are 3-0 in divisional play. The Bears?
Just 1-2, with an average scoring margin of minus-10.7 in those losses. That’s a telling stat, especially when you're trying to hold onto a division lead.
Johnson’s Comments Add Fuel, But the Stakes Were Already High
Make no mistake - the Packers don’t need a quote to get fired up for this one. The chance to take control of the NFC North in December is motivation enough.
But Johnson’s offseason soundbite? That’s just added incentive.
It’s the kind of comment that tends to get replayed in team meetings and locker rooms - not because players need it, but because it adds just a little more edge to an already intense matchup.
And while Johnson’s confidence may have made sense back in the summer - when Minnesota and Detroit were considered the class of the division - the landscape has shifted. The Vikings are fading fast, and the Lions are fighting for their playoff lives. Meanwhile, Green Bay is surging, and Chicago is facing a reality check.
Sunday Is a Litmus Test - for Both Teams
This Week 14 clash isn’t just about one quote or one rivalry. It’s about where these two franchises are headed.
For the Bears, it’s a chance to prove they’re more than just a feel-good story. For the Packers, it’s an opportunity to reassert themselves as the class of the division - and to do it against a team that’s been riding high on momentum and just enough luck.
Green Bay’s experience, depth, and recent form all point to a team that’s built for December football. The Bears?
They’ve got talent, no doubt. But they’re about to find out what it’s like to face a team that’s been here before - and isn’t in the mood to let a division rival talk their way into confidence.
Johnson’s words may have come months ago, but the response is coming Sunday. And if the Packers play the way they’ve been trending, it could be a long afternoon for Chicago - and a loud answer from a team that’s ready to take back the North.