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Bears expected to lean on first-round rookie in Week 16 matchup vs. Packers

The Chicago Bears are expected to rely heavily on their first-round rookie in Week 16 as they prepare for a pivotal matchup against the Green Bay Packers.
Bryan Perez|
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Chicago Bears

Just when it looked like everything was going right for the Chicago Bears, coach Ben Johnson revealed that both Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III would miss Week 16's season-defining game against the Green Bay Packers.

It's a huge blow to a Bears offense that's been one of the most explosive in the NFL this season, thanks in part to the downfield playmaking ability of Odunze and Burden. With both pass-catchers out of action, Caleb Williams will lean on veteran DJ Moore and rookie Colston Loveland to make up the difference.

And that might not be a bad thing.

MORE: QB duel headlines Bears' keys to victory in Week 16 rematch with Packers

Loveland has emerged as the best rookie tight end in the NFL this year, and he's quickly ascending up the list of top young tight ends in the NFL. In fact, he's been the Bears' top receiver since Week 6.

Here's the breakdown:

Loveland - 455 yards

Moore - 394 yards

Burden - 380 yards

Odunze - 360 yards

Granted, Odunze has missed the last two games, and one would assume he'd be at the top of this list if healthy. But the point remains: Loveland has earned Williams' trust and is becoming his top receiver in critical situations.

He's getting his hands dirty as a blocker, too.

While the injuries to the Bears' offense are concerning, the Packers lost all-world edge rusher Micah Parsons to a torn ACL. His absence from Green Bay's pass rush will give Caleb Williams more time to go through his progressions and allow for some of the lesser-talented Bears' receivers to get open.

MORE: 3 areas Bears must improve to beat Packers in rematch Saturday night

Still, the outcome of Week 16's Bears-Packers game will come down to how effectively Chicago runs the ball. The running game has been the identity of the offense in 2025, and it should remain so, especially with the Bears down two of their top wideouts.

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Bryan Perez
BRYAN PEREZ

Bryan Perez founded and operated Bears Talk, a Chicago sports blog. Prior to that, he covered the Bears for USA Today’s Bears Wire and NBC Sports Chicago. In addition to his Chicago Bears coverage, Perez is a respected member of NFL Draft media and was a past winner of The Huddle's Mock Draft competition. Bryan's past life includes time as a Northeast scout for the CFL's Ottawa Redblacks.

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