Why the Packers Will Beat the Bears and Why They Might Not

Why the Packers will beat the Bears and why they may not.

It has been a tumultuous week for the Green Bay Packers. Not only because of what is happening off the field around the NFL, but also because of the challenges on it.

Yet, tonight, after the national anthem at least, the Packers can get back to football, as they will host the 1-2 Chicago Bears. However, as far as the football is concerned, that’s when the challenge will begin.

Normally, when it comes to Aaron Rodgers and the Bears, Rodgers gets the edge. He has dominated the Bears over the years, posting a 15-4 record. He lost in Chicago in 2008 and 2010, while also losing at Lambeau in 2013 (he only played the first quarter) and 2015 on Thanksgiving night.

So when it comes to reasons why the Packers will beat the Bears, there is no need to look past Rodgers, who has 38 career touchdown passes compared to just nine picks against Chicago. He also has a career passer rating of 105.4 and has averaged 245 yards per game.

The defense, which played outstanding down the stretch against the Bengals will also need to come up big, especially when it comes to slowing down the Bears ground game, which features Jordan Howard and Tarik Cohen.

The Bears have averaged five yards a carry as a team and rank eighth in the NFL in rushing yards. Chicago's ground game should also be a good test for the Nitro package, which featured rookie Josh Jones at inside linebacker last week.

There could be some changes, but with Jones at inside linebacker and Morgan Burnett in the slot, the defense was effective and got some key stops late in the comeback win over the Bengals. Jones, who had two sacks, should be a fixture on the field no matter what package the Packers decide to play. His physical style of play will be key tonight.

The other big key will be play of the offensive tackles. The Bears ground game could make things difficult for Green Bay, but the only thing that really could put this game in jeopardy for the Packers, is a total breakdown by the offensive line, which will again be without both starting tackles.

That will leave Rodgers with Justin McCray and rookie Adam Pankey as his starting bookends tonight against a Chicago pass rush that is pretty salty, with seven sacks in three games.

Most weeks, there are a lot of factors that could decide the outcome, but this week against Chicago, it will probably be decided by the play of the Green Bay offensive line.

If Rodgers can get enough time, the Bears will be in trouble. The Chicago offense isn’t great and beyond the ground game, there isn’t much to worry about. Mike Glennon doesn’t really do much to inspire fear either, so the defense is the only hope. 

Therefore, if the Packers offensive line can hold up and allow Aaron Rodgers to be Aaron Rodgers, the bottom line is that the Bears will have no chance of escaping Lambeau Field with a win.

But, if the Bears can take advantage of Green Bay’s injury-riddled offensive line and harrass Rodgers then an upset is certainly possible. Either way, Rodgers’ play will be the key. If he can find success, the Packers will win. But if the offensive line is so bad that he struggles, Chicago could find itself in the winner’s circle by the end of the night.

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Chris is a sports journalist from Montana and has been blogging about the Packers since 2011. Chris has been a staff writer for CheeseheadTV since 2017 and looks forward to the day when Aaron Rodgers wins his second Super Bowl. Follow him @thepackersguru

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Comments (13)

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Handsback's picture

September 28, 2017 at 03:16 pm

The Pack will have their hands full for the entire game. It won't be pretty but Green Bay has more playmakers so they win.

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ChrisPeterson's picture

September 28, 2017 at 03:24 pm

I agree. Gonna be a battle. The wide receivers will need to play well. Lots of quick throws. Bennett and the tight ends will need to help block. The run defense will need to be tough too.

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ChrisPeterson's picture

September 28, 2017 at 05:11 pm

It could. I think missing Daniels and Perry will hurt. But I think GB has the depth to overcome that. I think the play of King is only getting better. Randall isn't bad and I want to see more of Hawkins. I also think having Burnett as the nickel CB is a good move. He's tough and isn't great man to man but he can do the job.

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CAG123's picture

September 28, 2017 at 04:22 pm

This game still makes me nervous last year in Chicago they made Matt Barkley and a bunch of no name receivers look waaaay better then they were. Yes I'm aware they caused some turnovers but still I'm weary. I'm hoping for a good definitive win to make a good statement beforehand the mini bye.

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dobber's picture

September 28, 2017 at 04:25 pm

No...

More...

Injuries...

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Norm's picture

September 28, 2017 at 04:57 pm

I'm not predicting it but it wouldn't shock me if the Packers defense once again made a below-average QB and non-existent WR's look good, at least for a half. We need Cutler!

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EdsLaces's picture

September 28, 2017 at 05:03 pm

Quick throws lol what's that?

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ChrisPeterson's picture

September 28, 2017 at 05:09 pm

Short passes. Slants, outs, comebacks, short throws that will get the ball out of Rodgers hands.

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EdsLaces's picture

September 28, 2017 at 06:05 pm

Not sure if you caught my sarcasm or not lol...

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RCPackerFan's picture

September 28, 2017 at 05:24 pm

Reasons why they will win:

Rodgers. Defense plays good. No turnovers.

Reasons why they may not:
OL, Long snapper. whoever wins the turnover battle.

Honestly, I believe that this will be a tough game. The things that bother me is that this is a Thursday game in which they were very injured going into the Sunday game. They are without their top OT's. They are without their 2nd string OT's. Now they are down to their what 8th string OT's? This could be a disaster waiting to happen.

Then to combine that with the fact they had to break in a new long snapper this week, a shortened week. Those are not good things especially when combined. The offense may need to kick some long field goals, which now they maybe hesitant to with the new long snapper.

But we have Rodgers. We have an emerging defense. We are at home. I think the Packers win this one but will be a close game.

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mrj007's picture

September 28, 2017 at 06:22 pm

Prime Time games are always difficult for the Packers no matter the opponent. Plus a common foe in Da Bears. I don't know if the Packers defense can stop Chicago's run game. Could be a long night. One thing I do think is Bennett could have a coming out party tonite. Bears get the W I think because..... Packers D

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mrj007's picture

September 28, 2017 at 06:23 pm

Prime Time games are always difficult for the Packers no matter the opponent. Plus a common foe in Da Bears. I don't know if the Packers defense can stop Chicago's run game. Could be a long night. One thing I do think is Bennett could have a coming out party tonite. Bears get the W I think because..... Packers D

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Lphill's picture

September 28, 2017 at 06:25 pm

Packers just have to score early and often. That will result in a win.

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