The Green Bay Packers enter Sunday’s matchup riding a three-game winning streak, including back-to-back victories over NFC North rivals — the Vikings and Lions. But their most important challenge may come on December 7, when they welcome the division-leading Chicago Bears to Lambeau Field.

Chicago, now 9-3, maintained a slim lead over the 8-3-1 Packers after knocking off the defending champion Philadelphia Eagles on Friday. Remarkably, the Bears and Packers haven’t met yet this season, but they will collide twice over the next three weeks — a stretch that could decide the division title, determine which team locks in a home playoff game, and shape the race for the NFC’s No. 1 seed alongside contenders like the Rams (9-2), Seahawks (8-3) and Eagles (8-4).

As if the rivalry and playoff implications weren’t enough, an old comment from Chicago’s new head coach Ben Johnson is receiving renewed attention. When introduced as the Bears’ head coach in January, Johnson praised several NFC North coaches he’d battled while with Detroit. But his tone noticeably changed when talking about Packers head coach Matt LaFleur.

Johnson complimented Dan Campbell and Kevin O’Connell, calling them Coach of the Year candidates. Then he added a pointed remark aimed at LaFleur:

> “I’ve got tremendous respect for the coaches and players in this division after competing here for six years. Dan Campbell and Kevin O’Connell — those guys deserve Coach of the Year consideration. And to be honest with you, I kind of enjoyed beating Matt LaFleur twice a year.”

Offensive Masterminds on Opposite Sidelines

Johnson’s quip was half-taunt, half-acknowledgment. Both he and LaFleur are widely regarded as elite offensive minds. Johnson spent the past three seasons elevating Detroit’s offense into one of the league’s most inventive units, while LaFleur has been viewed as a top strategist since arriving in Green Bay.

This season, however, LaFleur has had to dial back his aggression. Injuries to key skill players and inconsistent offensive line play have forced him into a more conservative approach. Entering Week 13, Pro Football Focus graded Green Bay’s offensive line 17th, placing it just below league average. Those ratings may shift after the team’s 31-24 Thanksgiving win over Detroit, and the potential return of wideout Jayden Reed could provide an even larger boost heading into the Bears game.

Strength vs. Strength: Packers Defense Meets Bears Ground Game

Chicago, meanwhile, entered the week with the 4th-ranked offensive line by PFF and reinforced that status by steamrolling Philadelphia for 281 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 47 carries.

The Bears began the Eagles matchup with the NFL’s No. 6 offense and No. 2 rushing attack, and their dominant performance may elevate them even further.

While Green Bay has dominated Chicago for years, the Packers’ defense — eighth against the run and fourth overall entering Friday — will be tested by one of the league’s most dangerous running games. Critics had dismissed Chicago’s early-season success as merely the product of a soft schedule and narrow wins. But after bulldozing the defending champions on the road, the Bears have forced the league to take them seriously.

Johnson has Chicago playing at a level that could put him in the Coach of the Year conversation if the strong run continues. But LaFleur will have two opportunities in the next three weeks to remind Johnson who has historically controlled this rivalry.