The Chicago Bears play their biggest game of the season this weekend at the Green Bay Packers.
The Bears lead the NFC North division – and indeed the NFC conference – with a 9-3 record, half a game ahead of the Packers who stand in second in the North at 8-3-1.
A win for Chicago will see them cement their lead atop the ultra-competitive division by 1.5 games, whilst a loss will see the Packers move into top spot.
But unfortunately for the team, they will have to do so without the help of wide receiver, Rome Odunze – who has been ruled out for Sunday afternoon’s game.
Bears Set To Play Without Top Receiving Target
“Bears WR Rome Odunze is out Sunday due to a foot injury.” ESPN’s Field Yates wrote on Friday.
As much of a blow this is to Chicago’s offense, who will have to be without their leading receiver and quarterback, Caleb Williams‘ favorite target for a key rival game – this does not come as a major surprise.
Odunze did not practice at all in the build up to Week 14’s game, and many feared the worst – which ultimately ended up materializing.
The Bears will also be sans starting cornerback, Tyrique Stevenson, although they will once again have both Jaylon Johnson and nickel, Kyler Gordon available, both of whom have missed large swaths of the season to-date.
Who Will The Bears Lean On Without Rome Odunze?
The Bears have made 2024 first round pick, Odunze, their #1 guy for the majority of the season, limiting former main-man, DJ Moore, to the second-option role.
Odunze has 44 receptions for 661 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns on the year, compared to the former Carolina Panther’s 38 receptions for 502 yards and 3 touchdowns.
But in Odunze’s absence Moore’s presence will be far more vital as Chicago goes up against a Packers team that ranks fourth in the league in total defense, and sixth in passing defense.
Beyond Moore, it would be expected that rookie second round slot, Luther Burden III, would see an expanded role and additional targets in Odunze’s absence. As should Olamide Zaccheaus, whose mid-season impact in weeks 8 and 9 have not managed to be replicated in the month or so since.
What Challenges Will The Bears’ Offense Face In Week 14?
Head coach, Ben Johnson, noted earlier in the week that the Packers’ defense was set to be the best they have faced all year.
“Personnel-wise, they’re pretty loaded across the board,” Johnson said on December 3rd. “You’ve got multiple guys up front that you have to be aware of. Starting with Micah doing a great job moving around, so it’s hard to get a beat for where he’s going to be. (Packers DL) Rashan Gary’s still playing at a high level, and then they’ve got a lot of depth up there too. But you can tell they’re really well coached.”
The Bears will need to get things going in both the passing game and on the ground, where both RBs, Kyle Monangai and D’Andre Swift, are coming off of 125 rushing yard games, if they are to have success on Sunday.
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