5 things to watch when Bears meet Packers

As Allen Robinson said this week, it's much more fun to visit Lambeau Field in September than in December. But that's not what the schedule makers had in mind for the Bears.

They will visit Green Bay this weekend with the added “Sunday Night Football” spotlight. The Bears have two prime time, nationally-televised games in an eight-day span. The nation is going to learn plenty about the Bears and coach Matt Nagy's fight to keep his job.

On the field, the Packers have beaten the Bears five consecutive times. The last Bears win came Dec. 16, 2018, during Nagy's first season.

Here's what to watch for in this edition of the rivalry.

1. Justin Fields returns under the lights

Justin Fields will make his return after missing two games due to a rib injury. The rookie quarterback is no stranger to big games. He played arguably his best game of the season on Monday Night Football against the Steelers on Nov. 8.

But Sunday will be his first trip to Lambeau Field, where the Bears haven't won since 2015. The atmosphere for a Sunday Night Football game under the lights is going to be electric, and the cheeseheads are going to make sure Fields knows who owns this rivalry.

Pay close attention to how Fields looks running the ball and scrambling. He said he still feels some pain in his ribs. How might that affect his game?

2. How mobile is Aaron Rodgers?

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has been nursing an injured pinkie toe for several weeks. The team gave him extra rest this week before he returned to practice Friday. Surgery is apparently an option, but Rodgers has declined to have surgery on his toe. The bye week combined with extra days off has given him nearly two weeks of rest.

The injury didn't appear to slow him down two weeks ago when he carved up the Los Angeles Rams for 307 yards and two touchdowns. But if the Bears can find ways to disrupt the pocket, the toe injury could become a factor.

3. Robinson's return

Robinson is expected to play Sunday after missing several games with a hamstring injury. Robinson last played on Nov. 8.

The Bears haven't made full use of Robinson this season. The former Pro Bowler was coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in 2019 and 2020, but has produced only 30 catches for 339 yards and one touchdown this season.

With Fields also returning, the Bears are expected to be at near full strength on offense. How they make use of Robinson in this game will be something to watch. Can they find ways to make him a focal point of the passing attack? Their offense is at its best when he is.

4. How might a loss, especially an embarrassing loss, effect the narrative around Nagy?

It's no secret: The Bears don't like losing to the Packers. Virginia McCaskey made the trip north, amid a raging pandemic, last November to an empty Lambeau Field. She was forced to watch her beloved team fall into a 41-10 hole in what was ultimately was a 41-25 loss to Green Bay.

At this point, Nagy's firing has the feel of a “when” not “if” scenario for the Bears — at least among fans. It's impossible to know what ownership is really thinking, though. Another embarrassing loss at Lambeau Field could certainly put the final nail in the coffin on the Nagy era, especially if the Packers go up by 30 points again.

Nobody expects the Bears to win this game. But can they at least keep in close?

5. The Jaylon Johnson vs. Davante Adams rematch

Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson shadowed Packers receiver Davante Adams all game long last time these teams met. Johnson certainly wants a rematch. He played well on Adams, except for a handful of plays. It's just unfortunate that those handful of plays probably cost the Bears the game. Adams caught four passes for 89 yards, including a big gain to set up Rodgers' infamous “I own you” touchdown.

“We gave them certain plays that allowed them to score, especially on my end, having mental errors trying to play the slot position,” Johnson said this week.

Johnson later added: “Most of what they got I feel like we gave them through not holding leverages or not executing.”

Johnson is prolific when it comes to studying film. He no doubt has studied that game plenty.