Bears vs. Packers — What to Watch 4

Key matchup

Packers wide receiver Davante Adams is in a zone with Aaron Rodgers. He is eclipsing even previous Rodgers favorites Jordy Nelson and Greg Jennings as a go-to, third-down touchdown machine.

Adams has 109 receptions for 1,328 yards and 17 touchdowns in 12½ games. And he has been especially hot lately, with 35 receptions for 420 yards and six touchdowns in the last four games — including 11 catches for 142 yards and three touchdowns in the snow last week against the Titans.

Bears cornerback Kyle Fuller is one of the best in the NFL and has overcome early penalty issues to have another solid season — with eight pass breakups, one forced fumble and 60 tackles.

But the Bears don’t shadow No. 1 receivers, so it’ll likely be a team effort against Adams. It’s a challenge no matter what, but with Jaylon Johnson and slot cornerback Buster Skrine out, the onus will be on rookie Kindle Vildor and second-year cornerback Duke Shelley to contain Adams without allowing Rodgers’ other targets to make big plays.

Trending

With David Montgomery and a revamped offensive line, the Bears have averaged 151.4 rushing yards and 5.2 yards per carry with nine touchdowns in their last five games. Their rushing total is fifth-best in the NFL in that span

Establishing the run, as always, will be a key to keeping the Packers’ defense off balance and maximizing Mitch Trubisky’s effectiveness. The Packers are 14th in the NFL in rushing defense but 24th in yards per carry.

They have allowed an average of 157 rushing yards in their three losses — to the Buccaneers (35 carries, 158 yards), Vikings (34-173) and Colts (37-140). So the opportunity is there.

Player to watch

Bears outside linebacker Khalil Mack had one of his quietest games of the season against the Packers in Week 12 at Lambeau — just three assisted tackles and no impact plays.

The absence of Packers All-Pro left tackle David Bakhtiari — who suffered a season-ending knee injury in practice this week — figures to give Mack even more opportunity to respond with a big game here. And with Bakhtiari out, the opportunity for someone else — Roquan Smith, Akiem Hicks, Robert Quinn et al. — to take advantage of the Packers’ likely focus on Mack should be greater, as well.

X-factor

After a six-game skid capped by ugly back-to-back losses to the Packers and Lions that seemed to signal a need to clean house, the Bears (8-7) have rallied against weaker competition to put themselves in position to make the playoffs with a victory.

Coach Matt Nagy’s leadership has gotten the Bears to this point. But containing Rodgers, outwitting Packers defensive coordinator Mike Pettine and eliciting a supreme performance against a team that has had their number in big games over the years will be the biggest test of all.