I’m A lot riding on this game. Much more than in recent years. We play each other twice in 3 weeks. There is even a remote possibility that we could play again in January if events go that way.
I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Again. You’ll see me say some pretty confident things about the 2025 Packers when concerning the Bears. It might look like a total slight on Chicago at first glance. Just know I think Chicago is easily in the Top 16 area and floating around top 10-12. So that’s obviously not a bad team by any stretch. Imo it’s all about will they continue to rise? Early 2025 results will not be enough anymore.
Just off the cuff. Chicago is closer to a “7-5 feel team and GB is a “9-3” feel team. I am fully aware how difficult it is to Win in this league. That said in every sport we MUST grade our competition. Matter of fact it’s the entire basis for power rankings in nearly every sport, so this isn’t something Oldschool invented. It’s very objective. It’s even a standard our own fans subscribe to when eventuating our own team. Why should we give Chicago leniency?? Fair is fair is all I’m saying.
On Chicago side they have a +6 point differential as a #1 NFC seed. Let’s look at recent history. At pace we’re talking about a +10-+30 end of season differential and I’m being generous due to a most recent Victory margin.
2024 Chicago’s strength of victory is comparable to:
Steelers (10-7)
Cincinatti (9-8)
Seattle (10-7)
Arizona (8-9)
2023
Cleveland (11-6)
Houston (10-7)
Jacksonville (9-8)
Philly (11-6)
GB (9-8)
Tampa Bay (9-8)
LA Rams (10-7)
2022
New England (8-9)
Baltimore (10-7)
LA Chargers (10-7)
Detroit (9-8)
Seattle (9-8)
No team across the last 3 seasons has had anywhere close to similar margin of victory (I was being generous in case they finish +36 etc) and finished outside of 8 to 11 Wins. Chicago might turn on the juice and just completely take it another level up, but nothing suggests that and relying on an Offense Run game is not long term stability. You need a top notch Defense and they are not.
Also the fact remains that Chicago has been tested very little. Their .378 SOS ranks #31 leaguewide. Only New England has had an easier road at #32 but The Patriots have clobbered their competition. Not Won by 1 point or struggled against lower echelon teams throughout 2025. NE has “handled” their lower competition, a sign I’d argue is very valid. Patriots didn’t choose their schedule.
The best hope for Chicago is to elevate as relying on +1.5 takeaways differential per contest isn’t sustainable long term in and by itself. There is coming a game where they will find themselves -1.5 (or worse)
A team like the Packers or Rams or Detroit will feast on them with extra possessions.
