In difficult times during the Lovie Smith era, the Bears used to have a ‘‘bunker down’’ mentality, a virtual shield from criticism, insults or any distracting ‘‘outside noise.’’
Not anymore.
‘‘As soon as you walk into the locker room, there’s a big screen, so you can see what was said in the media by [opponents] or things that were said by a player, coach or media,’’ safety Eddie Jackson said. ‘‘It could be anything, so it’s always on that board. So when you walk in, that’s the first you see.’’
That board is providing plenty of motivation for Jackson and his teammates as the Bears prepare to face quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the Packers with a chance to clinch a playoff berth Sunday at Soldier Field. It’s bringing back all sorts of bad memories from a 41-25 thrashing at the hands of the Packers in Week 12. The Packers reveling in their victory. NBC announcer Tony Dungy — one of the most milquetoast analysts around — saying the Bears’ defense quit. The media critics howling.
That’s when the Bears were coming off a bye and determined to snap a four-game losing streak. And the Packers embarrassed the Bears’ defense, driving 75, 60 and 75 yards for touchdowns on their first three drives to fuel the rout. The Bears allowed 27 points in the first half, the most they have allowed in the first half since 2015.
A lot of Packers-related frustration seems to be coming to the surface this week, including Jackson’s interception of Rodgers in a December 2018 victory that clinched the NFC North title but also resulted in Jackson suffering a sprained ankle that kept him out of the playoff loss to the Eagles.
Even Rodgers’ biting barb at the NFL Honors show in 2019 hasn’t been forgotten. After Brett Favre presented Rodgers with the Moment of the Year award for coming off the bench to rally the Packers to a 24-23 victory against the Bears on a bum leg in the 2018 opener, Rodgers punctuated his acceptance speech with, ‘‘And as [Favre] knows, there’s nothing like beating the Bears.’’
Those off-handed insults have been burning in Jackson’s gut.
‘‘I’ve got fuel to the fire deep down inside,’’ Jackson said. ‘‘Especially what they did to us [last month at Lambeau Field], it was embarrassing. I know guys on the defensive side of the ball and even guys on offense, everyone takes heed to that. We take heed of the disrespect that’s been thrown, all the shots we’ve been seeing with [the Packers] in the media. All the stuff.’’
They’ve had enough.
‘‘Right now, it’s no more talking,’’ Jackson said. ‘‘It’s that simple. Everybody has to step up and play ball. Even me. I haven’t been making the plays I’ve made in the past, but this game . . . I’m full throttle. From start to finish, there’s no slowing down. There’s no excuses. None of that. It’s win or go home. It’s been like that for the last four weeks for us. So we know what’s at stake for us. We’ve got a lot to lose, and we’ve got a lot to gain, as well. So you’ve got to go out there and lay it on the line.’’
The Packers counter the Bears’ edgy emotional state with cool, calm precision and execution that has fueled the NFL’s No. 1 scoring offense. The Packers are averaging 31.6 points and have scored 30 or more in 10 of 15 games.
That’s what the Bears are up against. Part of them needs to remember Week 12 — and part needs to forget it.
‘‘It stunk. It stung. It hurt. It hurt all of us,’’ Bears defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano said. ‘‘I’ve put it first and foremost on myself. We all know what happened. That’s ancient history. We’ve played ourselves into a position [where] we have a golden opportunity, and we’re gonna take advantage of it. We’ll leave no bullets in the chamber.’’
