Bears’ Ben Johnson Preps for Lambeau Showdown, Praises Packers’ Safeties Ahead of Pivotal Week 14 Clash
Ben Johnson knows Lambeau Field well. He’s been on the other side of this NFC North rivalry before, but this time, he’s stepping in as the head coach of the Chicago Bears-and he’s got a major challenge on his hands as he preps for a massive Week 14 showdown against the surging Green Bay Packers.
Fresh off watching Green Bay take down his former team, the Detroit Lions, Johnson is now tasked with crafting a game plan to slow down a Packers squad that’s quietly built one of the more balanced attacks in the league. The numbers don’t lie: Green Bay is putting up 24.5 points per game-10th-best in the NFL-and they’re just as tough on the other side of the ball, allowing only 18.8 points per contest, good for sixth overall.
That two-way dominance is exactly why Johnson is going back to the drawing board this week. And when it comes to Green Bay’s defense, there are two names at the top of his scouting report: Xavier McKinney and Evan Williams.
“Probably the two best safeties we’ve seen all year,” Johnson said Tuesday, offering high praise for the Packers’ safety duo.
It’s not just coach-speak. Through 13 weeks, Green Bay’s defense has only six interceptions-but five of them belong to McKinney and Williams. Williams leads the team with three picks, and he’s heating up at just the right time, snagging two in the last three games.
Their impact goes beyond the stat sheet. McKinney brings veteran savvy and range on the back end, while Williams has emerged as a playmaker who’s always around the ball. Together, they form a safety tandem that’s helped stabilize a Packers defense that’s quietly become one of the stingiest in the league.
But they’ll face a real test this weekend.
The Bears, under Johnson’s guidance, have found their rhythm offensively. Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams has brought a new dynamic to the offense, and while Chicago leans heavily on its ground game, they’re still putting up 26.1 points per game-eighth in the NFL.
That kind of production will put Green Bay’s secondary to the test. Williams vs.
Williams (Caleb vs. Evan) might not be the headline matchup, but it’s one that could swing the outcome.
For Johnson, this game is more than just a return to Lambeau. It’s a chance to prove that his Bears are ready to go toe-to-toe with a division rival that’s peaking at the right time. He knows what Green Bay is capable of-on both sides of the ball-and he’s not taking anything for granted.
Week 14 is shaping up to be a statement game. And with two teams that know each other well, expect every inch to be earned.