Packers Crush Bears 31-7 to Reignite NFC North Race

Green Bay strengthened its position in the NFC North with a dominant 31-7 victory over Chicago at Lambeau Field on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026. According to Sportsnet and The New York Times, Jordan Love threw for 367 yards and two touchdowns, Christian Watson caught both scoring passes, and the Packers forced five turnovers to move to 3-2. The victory gave Green Bay a measure of revenge for last season's playoff elimination by Chicago and lifted the Packers above .500 for the first time this season.

The teams also finished level in the standings after the Bears entered the matchup as the defending NFC North champions, according to The New York Times. Love completed 25 of 31 passes, recording the highest passing-yardage total by a Packers quarterback against Chicago at Lambeau Field, Sportsnet reported. His touchdown connections with Watson covered 42 yards in the first quarter and 53 yards in the third.

Watson finished with six receptions for 143 yards, while Matthew Golden recorded six catches for a career-high 123 receiving yards. Running back Marshawn Lloyd added two rushing touchdowns, giving Green Bay multiple ways to capitalize on Chicago's defensive struggles.

The Packers' defense intercepted three passes from Chicago's quarterbacks and limited the Bears to 246 total yards, according to The New York Times. Green Bay accomplished the defensive performance without star defenders Micah Parsons and Edgerrin Cooper, while Chicago also lost players to injuries during the game. Chicago's quarterback situation proved costly after Caleb Williams missed his third consecutive game with a hamstring injury. Tyson Bagent started but completed only 12 of 21 passes for 87 yards and threw two interceptions before being replaced by veteran Case Keenum at the start of the fourth quarter.

Keenum also threw an interception, near the end zone, on his first series after entering the game. Bagent's two interceptions contributed to Green Bay's turnover advantage, and safety Xavier McKinney was responsible for both picks against the starter, according to The New York Times. The Bears also struggled to establish their running game. After rushing for 232 yards against the New York Jets the previous week, Chicago managed just 81 yards on the ground against Green Bay, with backup running back Kyle Monangai sidelined by toe and thumb injuries.

Chicago's offensive difficulties were compounded by limited pressure on Love. The New York Times reported that the Bears recorded only two sacks by Austin Booker in the closing stages of the first half and generated just three additional quarterback hits during the first three quarters. Green Bay's performance came against a Chicago team that had previously posted strong defensive results against Minnesota, Philadelphia and the Jets.

The Packers exploited openings in the secondary with four pass plays of at least 40 yards, the most Chicago had surrendered in a game since at least 2000, according to The New York Times. The result also marked a response to last season's postseason disappointment, when Chicago defeated Green Bay 31-27 in an NFC wild-card game after the Packers had led 21-3 at halftime. The Bears had also beaten Green Bay in two meetings last season, adding significance to Sunday's divisional matchup.

For Chicago, Williams' eventual return remains a key factor after his absence forced Bagent into the starting role. The New York Times reported that Williams participated in pregame movement and throwing drills as he continued recovering from the hamstring injury that had kept him out since Week 2.