Chicago

Bears

The second-round rookie didn’t see much action early in the year but took over as the team’s starting left tackle in Week 12. He has held down that job ever since. Pro Football Focus has him graded as a top-40 tackle this year. Theo Benedet took his spot in the lineup late in Saturday’s game. He will presumably start in the Divisional Round.

Edwards was carted to the locker room in the second quarter of Chicago’s stunning comeback victory over the Packers and did not return. He appeared in 10 games this year, logging 67 combined tackles, .5 sacks, and a pick-six. D’Marco Jackson took his spot in the lineup in the second half of Saturday’s game. Jackson has largely been a backup this year.

Zaccheus came down with just the one catch, but it was a big one; a touchdown over the middle that got the Bears to within three points. The wideout is well behind the other targets in the Chicago passing attack, and likely won’t be a big factor against the Eagles or Rams next week.

Odunze was unable to get the ball into the hands for most of the game despite a solid number of targets, but he came down with a massive 27-yard catch on 4th-and-8 to help the Bears complete the three-score comeback. This was Odunze’s first game since November 28, and it did appear there was some rust to shake off. The ultra-talented 2024 first-round pick will likely be a factor in the passing game next week against either the Eagles or Rams.

Moore did have a big drop, but he made up for it by cooking the Green Bay secondary with under two minutes left for a touchdown that gave the Bears the 31-27 win and ultimately the victory. The wideout was a non-factor against the 49ers and Lions with a combined two catches, but with Chicago falling behind big, he was able to take advantage of the soft Green Bay coverages. He’ll try and repeat the effort next week against the Rams or Eagles.

Loveland doubled every other Bears’ receiver in targets, and while it wasn’t the most efficient night for the first-round pick, there were some sensational momments. He had a long gain of 27, and he was consistently finding room on the sideline against a Packers’ defense that likely has regrets for how they handled the second half. Loveland will likely be involved again in the Divisional Round versus the Eagles or Rams, but it’s likely he won’t see 15 targets again unless Chicago falls down big.

Swift scored a touchdown late in the contest, and also had a terrific catch where he reversed direction on a swing-out that set up another. The 26-year-old received 15 touches while Kyle Monangai turned eight carries into 27 yards with one 22-yard reception. Swift will remain the RB1 — with Monangai involved — in the Divisional Round against the Rams or Eagles.

What a comeback. The Bears trailed 21-3 at the end of the first half, but it was all Chicago in the second half, and Williams deserves much of the credit. The 2024 first-overal pick did throw a couple of costly picks — both on fourth down — but he made some outstanding throws to get the Bears back into the game, and he completed the comeback with a touchdown throw to DJ Moore from 25-yards out late in the fourth. Williams and the Bears will be playing at home next week, but their opponent — the Rams or the Eagles — won’t be determined until Sunday.

He was the only questionable Bears player, but after being activated from injured reserve earlier today it would have been surprising if he hadn’t gone. Inactive for the Bears are: QB Case Keenum, DB CJ Gardner-Johnson, LB Ruben Hyppolite II, DL Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, WR Jahdae Walker and OL Luke Newman.

Gordon made only three appearances for the Bears during the regular season but gives a struggling secondary a tangible boost as they prepare to host the Packers Saturday evening. The two teams split the season series but meet in the Wildcard Round.