Dan Orlovsky Feels the Packers Will Easily Win Their Playoff Game Against Caleb Williams’ Higher Seeded Bears

Orlovsky predicted that the Bears first playoff game since 2020 will end in a defeat against the Packers.

Dan Orlovsky Feels the Packers Will Easily Win Their Playoff Game Against Caleb Williams’ Higher Seeded Bears

#18 Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams and Dan Orlovsky inside the circle (image via IMAGO)

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Even though the Chicago Bears finished 11-6 and won the NFC North, ESPN favors the 9-8 Green Bay Packers to win when these two teams meet in the wildcard round. Leading the Packers flag is none other than former NFL quarterback turned analyst Dan Orlovsky.

The Packers are undoubtedly a solid team, built with players who have a ton of postseason experience. Moreover, quarterback Jordan Love, who missed the final two games of the season due to injury, will be back for the Packers on Sunday.

Orlovsky views this as an advantage for the Packers. Love gives the Packers’ offense a big boost, which could spell trouble for the Bears’ defense. Sure, the Bears have the third-worst total defense and have conceded the sixth-most touchdowns (49), but that shouldn’t discredit the work done by Caleb Williams and the offense.

Williams finished with a league-best six game-winning drives and threw 27 touchdowns and just three picks all year. Despite that, Orlovsky has the Packers winning on Sunday.

I think the Packers win, and the Packers win handily.

Dan Orlovsky said on a recent segment of First Take

Why does Dan Orlovsky favor the Packers to defeat the Bears?

Dan is a massive admirer of Williams. He has posted several tweets praising the former Heisman winner’s growth since his rookie season. That’s down to the new and first-time head coach Ben Johnson.

Dan Orlovsky Feels the Packers Will Easily Win Their Playoff Game Against Caleb Williams' Higher Seeded Bears
Caleb Williams (Image via IMAGO)

Johnson’s system really plays to Williams’ strengths and does a great job of covering up his weaknesses. The 2024 first overall pick has one of the strongest arms in the game, and most of his touchdowns have come by throwing past the opposing secondary.

This is where the Packers’ defense can gain an upper hand. Chicago’s red zone defense ranks 15th in scoring touchdowns at 56.14%. That’s above average, but it gets better when they play at Soldier Field. Only 36% of those drives ended in touchdowns this past season. Moreover, the Bears’ takeaway game stood out from the competition, racking up an impressive 33 takeaways in just 17 games.

Orlovsky admitted that the Bears’ takeaway game is elite, but they can’t win based on just chance turnovers.

If Green Bay doesn’t give the ball away, one, I don’t think Chicago can cover them. They don’t have enough people now that Green Bay’s healthy with Jayden Reed, Christian Watson, [and] Zach Tom on the offensive line.

Dan Orlovsky said

The former Lion may be onto something. Williams didn’t commit many turnovers, but he also struggled to connect with his receivers. He ranked last with 58.1% of completions, the worst among the quarterbacks qualified for the playoffs.

There’s only so many times over the course of a season where you can play inconsistent offensive football and hang on to the end of the game miracle. It’s just unlikely that that is going to be a storyline.

Orlovsky concluded

Caleb Williams claims he’s built for playoff football

Unlike the Packers, who regularly compete in the playoffs, the Bears hadn’t played postseason football since 2020, and their last win came in 2010. It will be a big moment for the folks in Chicago. As for Williams, he’s built such occasions.

I think I am built for these moments, mentality-wise, how I’ve worked. I’ve been in a bunch of big games before and a bunch of big rival games. And so, in those moments and in these moments, I think I can provide a spark for the team.

Caleb Williams said (H/T: ESPN)

Williams has a 2-2 record against the Bears, NFC North rivals. These two teams squared off in the second-to-last week of the regular season. Williams threw for 250 yards and 2 touchdowns to lead the Bears to a 22-16 victory.

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