3 causes for concern as Bears battle Packers in Week 14

The Chicago Bears will battle the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on Sunday in what's one of the most important matchups in recent history of this bitter rivalry.

The two teams are not just battling for their bragging rights in the rivalry, they're battling for the top spot in the NFC North in what will be the first of two matchups over the next three games. The Bears have plenty of momentum coming into this game, even despite them being betting underdogs by nearly a full touchdown, meaning they've still got plenty to prove to the doubters.

Each and every week, the games for Chicago will get significantly more important, but there may not be any more hype than the game against Green Bay. And the Bears will have plenty of work to do to overcome obstacles that will cement themselves as a powerhouse threat in the division and the conference.

With that in mind, here are the top causes for concern as the Bears look to keep rolling.

Struggling passing game

Head coach Ben Johnson issued a challenge earlier this week when he voiced his hope for improvement with the passing offense. Johnson did have plenty of praise for quarterback Caleb WIlliams, who also put his performance on blast, vowing that he and the team overall will show the best version of themselves sooner rather than later. Green Bay has one of the best passing defenses in the league, and with the recent struggles for Chicago, it could be a big issue.

Micah Parsons

One of the most polarizing and dominant pass rushers in today's NFL, Micah Parsons has ignited the Packers defense in a big way after being acquired right before the season started. Already, Parsons has totaled 12.5 sacks in his first season with Green Bay, and although the Bears and their young quarterback have significantly improved in avoiding sacks, stopping Parsons is a completely different problem. Without specifically targeting one of Chicago's offensive linemen and their matchup against Parsons, the entire unit is going to have be ready to go as Parsons is at his best when he's being used in a versatile role.

Pressure of the moment

This Bears team continues defy the odds week in and week out, especially after defeating the Philadelphia Eagles on the road last week. Chicago has no easy road to making the playoffs, nor do they have an easy journey to finish atop the NFC, let alone the NFC North division. They can not get caught up in the pressure of the moment, and as they keep getting into a primetime spotlight the pressure will continue to intensify. Despite their down season last year, the Bears ended the 2024-25 season on a good note, getting a monumental win over the Packers in Lambeau Field but in the end, that was a game for bragging rights and self-respect. This year, the game means so much more, and they need to rise to the occasion.

Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram

This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears vs. Packers: Causes for concern for Chicago in Week 14