The last time that the Green Bay Packers played at Soldier Field with Aaron Rodgers as their quarterback, was during the 2016 season. That's when the Packers ran the table, winning their last six games to win the NFC North and eventually make the NFC title game.

That day, Rodgers and the Packers needed a long pass to Jordy Nelson and a last-second field goal to keep the Packers playoff hopes alive. Sunday in Chicago, Green Bay needs a win again to keep its playoff hopes alive as a loss could see the Packers mathematically eliminated. 

However, that team and this team are very different. That Green Bay team started 4-6 but after that, Aaron Rodgers turned it on. He started playing like an MVP and the Packers started rolling. They had a three-game winning streak heading into Chicago that year.

This time around, the Packers are fresh off a win but prior to that, Green Bay had lost three straight games, a losing streak that cost head coach Mike McCarthy his job. It also more than likely cost the Packers a shot at the playoffs.

Don't get me wrong, there is still some hope. We all saw the scenarios laid out this week and they all seem plausible. But maybe the most un-plausible thing is Green Bay going on the road and beating Chicago. Miami probably has a better shot of winning at Minnesota than Green Bay does in Chicago. 

For starters, the Packers are 0-6 on the road this season. Yes, there have been some close losses to good teams, however, if you are going to be a playoff team, you have to beat someone on the road eventually and the Packers just haven't been able to do that. 

Can their first road win come against the 9-4 Bears? A team that a just throttled the Vikings and Rams at Soldier Field recently. With Aaron Rodgers, anything is possible and here is a look at how the Packers could win, as well as why they might lose.

Get ready for the 198th meeting between the Packers & the Bears.#GBvsCHI #GoPackGo pic.twitter.com/eq7NXRVitR

— Green Bay Packers (@packers) December 14, 2018

Why Green Bay Will Win

If the Packers find a way to win in Chicago, they will certainly need an epic performance from Rodgers. Something like the 20-for-30 for 286 yards and three touchdowns he put up in the first matchup against the Bears, when he pulled off a legendary comeback. 

Anything like that will do. 

Looking back though, it's almost hard to believe this has been the same season. The game which took place in the opening week seems like ages ago, but if the Packers are going to steal this one too, Rodgers has to be the best player on the field.

In order for that to happen though, he is going to need some help. 

Packers' Bryan Bulaga ruled OUT against Khalil Mack, Bears https://t.co/4m9bRYYLBl #Packers #GoPack pic.twitter.com/4ttbd7VkGj

— Cheesehead TV (@cheeseheadtv) December 16, 2018

The Packers found out that Bryan Bulaga will not be a go Sunday, leaving Jason Spriggs as the likely starter. The offensive line has been in shambles all season long and the bottom line is that the Packers need a new right tackle, in the draft or free agency, but Bulaga can't be counted on anymore. 

What that means for Sunday is that Khalil Mack is probably going to be lined up across from Bulaga's replacement all game long. That means the Packers will need to chip and send help as much as possible. Mack is good enough to ruin this game. He nearly did the first meeting and without Bulaga, Rodgers is even more exposed. 

One thing that could help slow down the pass rush is a running game. Green Bay didn't have Aaron Jones in the first meeting and the second-year back comes into the game averaging 5.6 yards per carry and 65 yards a game. 

If the Packers are going to win this game, Jones needs plenty of touches, both as a runner and a receiver. Jones has 26 receptions for 206 yards and a touchdown this season, but his receiving skills have been criminally underused by the Packers just like his running abilities.

With the Bears pass rush coming in full force today, Jones should be given the ball plenty but he should get five or six passes out of the backfield too. Get the ball out of Rodgers' hands and get it into Jones. The kid can make plays and if he is involved in the game plan, the Packers might actually have a chance. 

The other thing is the defense needs to make some impact plays. Bashaud Breeland's pick-six last week was a game-changing play and to win this week, the Packers will need something like that. A forced fumble, an interception, anything that leads to a score or really good field position for the offense.  

Of course, none of those things will be easy, but protecting Rodgers, getting Jones going, forcing a key turnover or two and getting an MVP performance from Rodgers is the recipe for victory. Now, a look at the other side.

Why Green Bay Might Lose

There is that old saying in the NFL, you are what your record is. Bill Parcells used to say that and it's pretty true. And the truth is that the Packers are 5-7-1 heading into this game and 0-6 on the road. At this point, until they prove differently, that is what the Packers are.

Now, we all know that Green Bay very easily could have won games against the Rams, Patriots, Vikings, Seahawks and Cardinals. It's a cop-out to say a few plays and the season could have been different, but in the case of Green Bay, it's completely true.

If Mason Crosby hits the kick against Minnesota in the first game, Ty Montgomery doesn't fumble and Crosby hits the kick against Arizona to force overtime, the Packers might be 8-4. Even if they beat the Vikes and Cardinals, they would be 7-5 and control their own destiny in the NFC playoff race. 

With that in mind, why does Mason Crosby have a job? If the guy could make an important kick, Mike McCarthy would still have a job. Just saying, maybe he should have been shown the door the same day Mike was. After all, he has done more to ruin this season than any other single player on the roster. He has one job and he has failed at it miserably. And that doesn't even include the debacle in Detroit.

At any rate, I think today we will find out who the Packers really are. If they are the 5-7-1 team that their record says right now, this game will favor Chicago. The Bears have a dominating defense, the best defensive player in the league and an offense that is much better than people think. The Bears look to have found something in Mitch Trubisky. He does have 12 interceptions this year though, so he is still prone to young mistakes.

This seems like a game the Bears will want to win by running the football, getting solid QB play and dominating with their defense. It's a recipe that has worked well for them all season long and it could work again Sunday.

On the other hand, Aaron Rodgers is still on the other sideline. The same Aaron Rodgers that hasn't lost in Chicago since 2010. 

Either way, by the end of the game against the Bears, we will know if the Packers are a playoff contender or a 5-8-1 team looking forward to the first round of the 2019 NFL draft.