The NFL season is an ever-changing landscape, and as we approach the final week of the 2025 season, the Chicago Bears find themselves in a strong position. They are currently leading the NFC North and have secured the #2 seed in the NFC following a win. This week, the Bears will host the defending NFC North champion, the Detroit Lions, in a rematch of their Week 2 encounter in Detroit, where the Lions emerged victorious with a score of 52-21.

This loss was the worst of the season for the Bears, and it’s a game that former Lions Offensive Coordinator and current Bears Head Coach Ben Johnson would like to see corrected for multiple reasons. In this weekly series, I’ll be featuring one player from each team on both sides of the ball who I believe to be crucial to their respective teams’ success. It’s not always about the quarterback or star defensive players like Myles Garrett or Aidan Hutchinson. The importance of players can vary, and while “star” players are obviously significant each week, this series will also highlight some of the unsung heroes who are just as vital to the team’s success.

Here are the players I’ll be closely watching in this matchup:

Chicago Bears

Offense: Luther Burden III, WR

In their first meeting, the rookie from Missouri had 2 targets with one reception and 5 total yards. Speaking of rookies, Loveland had 0 catches on 1 target, Monangai had 7 carries for 28 yards, and Ozzy Trapilo didn’t even play. All four players will continue to play significant roles on the Bears’ offense, but it is Burden III who I expect to make the biggest impact. Not only is he coming off his best game as a pro in primetime this past week, but he will once again be filling the shoes of Rome Odunze in this one. Rome had 7 catches on 11 targets for 128 yards and 2 touchdowns, which was his best game of the season. With the run game expected to be pivotal against a Lions squad with injuries across their defense, I fully expect both former Lion D’Andre Swift and the aforementioned Monangai to set the tone early in this game, which should open up the play-action pass for the offense and the Mizzou rookie. If Burden III can build off his career performance last week, this one could get out of hand quickly in Chicago.

Defense: CJ Gardner-Johnson, CB

Though not a rookie like Burden, Monangai, Loveland, and Trapilo, CJGJ didn’t play a single snap against the Lions in Week 2 either. The 7th-year veteran, and former Lion, wasn’t on the Bears until Week 9 of this season but has already made his impact felt. Especially with the loss of starting CB Kyler Gordon. This week against Detroit, CJGJ will have his hands full. In the run game, he will be tasked with tracking down speedster Jahmyr Gibbs and taking down bruiser David Montgomery. Against the pass, when he isn’t trying to keep up with Gibbs, he will likely face a lot of Lions All-Pro Amon-Ra St. Brown, who torched the Bears for 9 catches, 115 yards, and 3 touchdowns on 11 targets. Suffice it to say, this will be a big day for the much-maligned Florida Gator. If he can keep his head cool and remain sticky in coverage while being stout against the run, Detroit won’t stand a chance.

Detroit Lions

Offense: Jahmyr Gibbs, RB

Capable of scoring from anywhere on the field, Gibbs has been a massive thorn in the side of Bears fans since being drafted in the first round out of Alabama in the 2023 NFL Draft. In his 5 games against the Bears, Jahmyr Gibbs has had 63 carries for 392 yards and has scored 4 touchdowns. That is over 6 yards per carry for those math heads at home. In the passing game, Gibbs has accumulated 18 receptions for 147 scoreless yards. We saw what a similarly skilled RB could do against the Bears defense last week in Christian McCaffrey. If Chicago wants any chance at slowing down the Lions offense, they will need to be keyed in on Gibbs. Unfortunately for Bears fans, former Bear David Montgomery also plays exceptionally well against his former team, averaging over 5 yards a carry and roughly 70 yards per battle. While I wouldn’t be surprised to see Montgomery earn his gritty yards or even score, Gibbs is the engine that makes this Lions offense move. Especially on a week where Amon-Ra St. Brown (the selection for this column last time these two teams played) is less than 100%.

Defense: Jack Campbell, LB

While Brian Branch was the selection here in Week 2 when these two teams faced off in Detroit, Campbell was under consideration then and fully gets the nod here with Branch on IR due to injury. Campbell, the Pro Bowler who was once coached in basketball by my Bears Over Beers Co-host Ryan Droste, has been the steady force for Detroit all season. With injuries mounting up all over, Campbell has not missed a game and notched career highs in tackles (solo and assisted), sacks, tackles for a loss, and QB hits. This young stud from Iowa is a force to be reckoned with and plays with instinct, intelligence, and insane athleticism for a man his size (6’5”, 246lb) reminiscent of former Bear Brian Urlacher. If Caleb can avoid any unnecessary hits from Campbell like he took as a rookie and find open passing lanes around the massive frame of #46, I expect our offense to move the ball without skipping a beat. If Campbell continues his dominating run and takes the game into his own hands, watch out.

Recap from Week 17

Bears O – DJ Moore, WR: 1 catch for 7 yards on 4 targets.

Bears D – Tremaine Edmunds, LB: 9 tackles, 7 solo.

49ers O – Jauan Jennings, WR: 2 catches for 42 yards and 1 TD.

49ers D – Tatum Bethune, LB: 11 tackles, 7 solo, with 1 TFL and 1 QBH.

Remember, there’s a near-zero chance of a Bears win when all four players perform in a way that favors the opponent. Here, we keep track of weeks past to see how things unfolded:

Week 1: Loveland, Jarrett, Mason, Metellus – Vikes owned 75% this week. Perhaps 100%.

L

Week 2: Jackson, Edmunds, Gibbs, Branch – Again, we were owned in 75% this week, maybe 100%.

L

Week 3: Moore, Dexter Sr., Pickens, Sanborn – Finally, we dominated in all phases. At least 75% in our favor.

W

Week 4: Swift, Brisker, Jeanty, Chinn – I’d say we went 2-2 here and barely squeaked away with the win.

W

Week 6: Benedet, Spidey, Deebo, Payne – Split at a minimum, but I say 75% in our favor.

W

Week 7: Burden, Byard, Shaheed, Werner – Easily secured 3/4 of these for the win that was not as close as the score would indicate.

W

Week 8: Loveland, Billings, Henry, Roquan – 0/4 –

L

Week 9: Monangai, Booker, Chase, Knight – 3/4 , arguably all 4 if you consider Chase’s numbers. –

W

Week 10: Benedet, Edmunds, Tracy Jr., Lawrence – 3/4 , arguably all 4 if you consider 0 sacks allowed. –

W

Week 11: Loveland, Sweat, Jones, Turner – 2/4 maybe. Went down to the wire. –

W

Week 12: DJ, Brisk, Gainwell, Ramsey – 2/4, maybe 3/4 if you count Brisker’s game winning pass deflection. –

W

Week 13: Dalman, Gervon, Saquon, Phillips – 3/4 though Phillips was close to doing more damage. –

W

Week 14: Swift, Jaylon, Tom, Quay – 2/4 if not 1/4. Swift should have been featured more.

– L

Week 15: Trapilo, Jarrett, Fannin Jr., Schwesinger – 3/4, nearly 4/4 as neither Brown made a big play.

Week 16: Monangai, TJ, Reed, Cooper – 3/4 if not 4/4.

W

Week 17: DJ, Maine, Jauan, Bethune – 0/4.

L