
James 'Big Cat' Williams on Bears' Playoff Game Against Packers
Clip: 1/8/2026 | 7m 4sVideo has Closed Captions
The winner keeps their Super Bowl hopes alive.
Saturday night’s game will be the first playoff meeting between the two teams since 2011 and their third meeting in just over a month.
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James 'Big Cat' Williams on Bears' Playoff Game Against Packers
Clip: 1/8/2026 | 7m 4sVideo has Closed Captions
Saturday night’s game will be the first playoff meeting between the two teams since 2011 and their third meeting in just over a month.
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship>> Will it be bear down or bears down and out?
That's Chicago wants are wondering as their team heads into the postseason against none other than their archrival, the Green Bay Packers Saturday night's game will be the first playoff meeting between the 2 teams since 2011 and their 3rd meeting in just over a month.
And there's a lot at stake as the winner keeps their Super Bowl hopes alive.
Not to mention bragging rights over their northern neighbors.
See what I did there.
All right.
So joining us to discuss whether this team has what it takes to go, the distance is James big cat Williams, former offensive lineman for the Chicago Bears.
Welcome back.
Thank you, Ok, so before we get in the X's and O's talk is about the magnitude, the stakes of this game, of course, you know, these teams are bitter rivals Saturday might be.
Here is the first playoff game between the Bears and the Packers in over a decade and they split the regular season matchups.
How big is this game?
It's big.
Lot of divided household matchup from the night newsrooms.
But difference Yes, >> It is a big game because the teams are big rivals.
>> And this means a lot to both teams all first-time head coach Ben Johnson, Green Bay being in the playoffs couple years in a row and now they're matched up.
in Chicago, the Chicago fans are going to be going nuts.
I hope, you know, and the players have to find a way to kind corralled themselves because you're going to want to go over the line at times because of who you're playing.
But you have to understand how big of a game this How much is on the So bears have the last laugh, though, against the Packers this season, beating them back in week.
16 game went into overtime, though, and probably a lot closer some Bears fans would have liked.
And in fact, in their last game, Caleb Williams and the Bears offense.
>> They're getting most of their scoring done in the 4th quarter is not going to be a problem for them not getting on the board with more scoring >> has been a problem, but it hasn't been a problem because of all the turnovers they have been able to produce by the defense and the ability of offense at the end of games to be able to make plays and not only the office, but the offense defense and special teams.
They have all made big plays at the end of the games.
Will that be Caleb throwing a ball to DJ Moore or defense coming up with a big staff or turn over towards the gate or the onside kick.
But they got a verse Green Bay.
So all these games have been close and they have come down wire.
>> But also all these games you feel is over.
Pairs of come out with a slow start and you'd like to see him start a little faster and be able to carry that throughout the >> Speaking of Caleb Williams, this is his first playoff game.
Are you all at all concerned about his lack of experience in the playoffs when you want to see from him?
Well, I think one of the things that we talked about coming into the season was his ability to play in big moments.
And this is a big moment.
So >> to see him come out and start off.
Hot would not surprise me even though it's something we haven't seen a lot this season, the game plan that they have to put together has to be conducive to rolling the ball and the things that they're able to off of them running the ball and I think they can go out there establish wrote a book against Green Bay.
What opens up down the field for K should be fun to watch.
All right.
So in that vein, the injured reserve list.
What's the latest?
Who's in?
Who's out?
>> I think everybody practiced.
So you have full participation from DJ Moore.
I think Gardner Johnson is the only person who was out, but you're also So how much will be able to play is going to be a question first game back.
couple practices what your cardio is not up to par.
You know, the things that most of the defensive players have seen for the last 4 or 5 weeks.
He has only watched on film.
So, you know, it's going to be interesting to see how much he's able to play, how much he's able to participate, but he should be a help in that defensive second.
They're all right.
So just just so that viewers know, just finding out today wide receivers today, more women doing today there yes, But they were full participants in practice store going to see on Saturday Night.
Alright, flipping to the defensive side of the ball.
Bears have allowed 361 yards per over here.
>> Now that's good for 29th in the NFL and the worst yards per game allowed by any team in these playoffs.
>> What are you looking for out of the Bears?
Defense spokesman, the turnovers.
It's been the turnovers that has helped stay or move games.
>> They have plead the real but don't break defense.
They've got around in the 20's.
>> Into the red zone and they have been able to force turnovers, which has help in last-minute winds that they have been on the season.
I would not like to have to rely on back born into this game.
But it is something has Very vital in their wins this season.
Every question about the Packers because my producer is making me.
>> Their offense figured that it has in the of quarterback.
Jordan Love expected to return from a concussion he sustained in the Bears Packers last matchup.
What should the Bears be watching out for from the Packers offense?
I think the Bears are going to have to go out and they're going to try prove motherhood on Jordan.
Love that.
>> Keep them from finishing the day they or if.
They put pressure Jordan.
something they've had issues with going this season.
It makes the game a little bit different.
But when he has the ability to sit back in the pocket and have freeway over the entire field to pick his target.
He was a very hard person to and, you know, he's very he's very good.
3rd down situations when he doesn't have to scramble or it doesn't have to part, they don't have pressure.
So for him to get pressure on for them to cause him to pack the ball a little bit to move out of the pocket could be All right.
What's your prediction or bears?
27.
Packers.
21.
Okay.
I think it'll be a close game.
I don't think it'll be attached to Yeah, I think it'll be decided until year.
But should be a very Okay.
>> Did you see this coming at the beginning of the year?
No, no.
love the bears and confidence.
And that's right.
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