Packers vs. Bears: Three must-know storylines for Saturday's playoff game

What to watch for in wild-card showdown between Packers and Bears

1) Can Caleb Williams-Ben Johnson combo lead to history?

Williams has improved and shined in the clutch and down the stretch in his first season with Johnson. Together, they've keyed the Bears' first playoff berth since 2020 and their first NFC North title since 2018. That 2018 season saw rookie head coach Matt Nagy at the helm and second-year first-round pick Mitchell Trubisky at quarterback. Johnson and Williams are looking to stop the similarities on Saturday, as they vie for the club's first playoff win since an NFC title game run back in 2010 -- one that was ended, as previously mentioned, by the Packers. Williams is 2-2 against Green Bay so far, but has alternated losses and wins and will look to buck that trend to keep the Bears roaring. This season, both Bears-Packers games were decided by one score: a 28-21 loss for Chicago in Week 14; and a 22-16 overtime win for the Bears in Week 16 ended by a throw for the ages from Williams to DJ Moore. It was one of Williams' league-high six fourth-quarter comebacks. For so long, the Packers ruled over the Bears, who lost 11 straight in the rivalry until Chicago finally won in Week 18 of Williams' rookie year. There is no more Green Bay mystique hanging over the Bears, but a playoff drought still looms large. A week after setting a new club single-season record for passing yards (3,942), but falling short of the elusive 4,000 milestone, Williams will look to stand tall in his postseason debut and become the first Bears QB since Jim Harbaugh in 1991 to win twice in one season against the hated Packers.

2) Are Packers rested or rusty?

This is a bounce-back game in more ways than one for Jordan Love. The Packers franchise signal-caller hasn't played since the Week 16 OT loss to the Bears. He missed the past two games due to a concussion (Week 17) and rest (Week 18). Neither Love nor the Packers have won a game since Week 14 -- once again, against the Bears. Saturday will mark Love's fourth playoff start over the past three seasons, but he'll be looking to exorcise the demons of a dreadful 22-10 wild-card loss last season to the Philadelphia Eagles. He had no touchdowns, three interceptions and a 41.5 rating -- the second-lowest of his career. When Love made his playoff debut, he dazzled in a stunning thrashing of the Dallas Cowboys in the 2023 wild-card round, throwing three TDs in a 48-32 upset. Love and head coach Matt LaFleur's Packers were suddenly upstarts who seemed destined for brighter seasons to come. However, they enter their latest wild-card foray on a four-game losing skid. A loss Saturday would be the club's third straight postseason defeat. With Love and so many of Green Bay's starters sitting out the team's regular season-ending 16-3 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, just how rested or rusty they are could prove pivotal.

3) Which defense will wake up and step up?

When the Packers pulled off a trade with the Dallas Cowboys to acquire pass-rushing supernova Micah Parsons just before the season kicked off, it sent shockwaves through the league and made Green Bay an instant Super Bowl contender. When Parsons was lost to a torn ACL in Week 15, it sent the Green Bay defense spiraling. The Packers have allowed 170.8 rushing yards per game (most in NFL) since Parsons' departure and had just three sacks (fewest in the league). Rashan Gary's 7.5 sacks are second on the team behind Parsons (12.5), but he hasn't recorded one in the last nine games. Shoring up the rush defense with the Bears' Kyle Monangai (783) and D'Andre Swift (1,087) entering as the only backfield tandem in the league with 750-plus yards apiece is crucial for Green Bay. Chicago's defense has struggled versus the rush, as well, finishing 27^th in ground yards given up, and 29^th in total yards. It's hung its helmet on forcing turnovers, leading the league with 33 takeaways. Kevin Byard was the league leader with seven interceptions, but it hasn't led to sustainable defensive success, evidenced by the Bears being 23^rd in points allowed (24.4 PPG). Consequently, the Bears are 9-1 this season when they allow 24 or fewer points. With running back Josh Jacobs and wide receivers Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs and Jayden Reed all healthy and good to go, Chicago's defense is set to face a stiff test.

Packers' Wild Card Weekend injury report

Bears' Wild Card Weekend injury report