The Green Bay Packers have a big opportunity in front of them. On Sunday, at Lambeau Field, the team faces the Chicago Bears and clinches a playoff spot with a win in the NFC North rivalry game. The Bears are already eliminated from contention, but the possibility to knock the rivals out of the postseason is a big motivation.

The Packers have won their last nine games over the Bears, and reaching the 10th would have major implications for the development of this young team.

So, let's analyze five players who need to perform at a high level for Green Bay to win.

Jordan Love

The Packers quarterback can put an exclamation point in what has been a pretty effective first season as the full-time starter. This is the most important game of the year for the team, and Love is the biggest reason why the team is in position to clinch a playoff berth.

So far, Love has played three teams twice in his NFL career (Kansas City Chiefs, Detroit Lions, and Minnesota Vikings). In all of these games, the Packers lost the first and won the second one. This is the first time in which Love will face a team he has already beaten, and that's a different type of challenge against a defense that is now much better than it was in week 1.

Moreover, it's probably the first time in which Love will have a full group of pass-catchers healthy and available.

Zach Tom

The Chicago Bears traded a second-round pick to acquire Montez Sweat from the Washington Commanders right before the trade deadline, and the edge defender has made an impact on the overall health of the unit. It's still an average pass rush in general, but Sweat has the potential to make splash plays.

And to avoid that, second-year right tackle Zach Tom has to be at his peak. Tom is the sixth highest-graded right tackle in football according to PFF, and outside of two bad games (versus the Atlanta Falcons and Carolina Panthers), he has been solid to good.

In week 1, against the Bears, Tom had his best game of the season, with zero pressures allowed and an 84.8 PFF grade.

Christian Watson

It's still unclear if Watson will play whatsoever, but the initial indications are positive. He has practiced throughout the week, and there's an expectation that the second-year wide receiver will be able to be on the field for the first time since the Kansas City Chiefs game, when he hurt his hamstring.

"Now, it's looking a lot like I'm going to be able to play some football this Sunday," Watson said. "I'm in a really good spot."

Watson might not have become what the Packers expected from him before the season, a true number one receiver, but he is still the best deep threat and the most explosive player on the offense. His ability to stretch the field and to affect the defense is impressive, just like his red zone efficiency. The offense's ceiling is much higher when Watson is there.

Rashan Gary

There are two reasons for Gary to be here. First, he has had nine sacks this season — and it's his last chance in 2023 to reach his first double-digit sacks year in the NFL. Of Gary's nine sacks, six were achieved in just two games, against the New Orleans Saints and Detroit Lions.

Since week 13, Gary has had only half a sack, and he hasn't had any over the last four games. He still created 18 pressures in this period, including eight against the Minnesota Vikings last week, but putting Justin Fields on the ground is particularly important to avoid big second-reaction plays.

The second reason is that Gary has never been as effective as a run stopper, and respecting his lanes to avoid Fields' scrambles is a big key in Sunday's game. In week 1, Gary finished the game with a 28.5 tackling PFF grade. Even if it was in limited snaps, it has to get better this time around.

Jaire Alexander

Alexander is back from a one-week suspension imposed by the team, and his role against the Bears hasn't been disclosed yet. The expectation is that he will have a big role, and defensive coordinator Joe Barry is happy with where Alexander is at.

In their first matchup, the Packers were able to limit DJ Moore to two receptions and 25 yards. Now, Darnell Mooney isn't expected to play, so avoiding big after the catch damage from Moore is a big key for Green Bay's defense to have success.

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