Game Info
Chicago Bears (7-9) at Green Bay Packers (8-8)
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. EST, CBS
Opening Line: Packers by 3
ATS Records: Bears 8-6-2; Packers 8-8
All-Time Series Record: Packers lead 106-95-6
Last Meeting: Packers beat Bears 38-20 in Chicago on Sept. 10, 2023.
Last Week: Bears won 37-17 at home over Atlanta; Packers won 33-10 at Minnesota.
Bears Offense: 17th Overall, 2nd in Rushing, 27th in Passing, 16th in Scoring
Bears Defense: 12th Overall, 1st in Rushing 21st in Passing, 20th in Scoreing
Packers Offense: 13th Overall, 15th in Rushing, 17th in Passing, 11th in Scoring
Packers Defense: 21st Overall, 28th in Rushing 11th in Passing, 14th in Scoreing
Bears QB?
The spotlight for the Bears shines on quarterback Justin Fields, who finds himself at a pivotal point in his career. With the Bears holding the No. 1 pick in the draft due to a trade, they face a crucial decision about their quarterback for the future. Fields, in his potential final home game with the Bears, showcased his dynamic abilities against the Falcons, notching a touchdown pass and a rushing TD, eliciting chants of “We want Fields!” from the fans. However, Fields' season has been a mix of electrifying moments and areas for improvement, evidenced by his ranking 22nd in the NFL in passer rating and 29th in completion rate.
Good To Have Jones Back
For the Packers, running back Aaron Jones is a player to watch. Despite a challenging season marred by injuries, Jones has bounced back, rushing for over 120 yards in each of the Packers' last two games. His resurgence adds a crucial dimension to the Packers' offense, potentially tipping the scales in the upcoming game.
Love's Offense vs Bears' Defense
A matchup that is garnering particular attention is between Packers QB Jordan Love and the Bears' pass defense. Love, who has been in fine form lately with 16 touchdown passes and only one interception over his past seven games, previously threw three touchdown passes in his first meeting with the Bears. The Bears' defense, bolstered by the acquisition of DE Montez Sweat, has shown marked improvement since that initial encounter. This matchup between Love's recent high-performance passing and the Bears' strengthened defense promises to be a critical and exciting aspect of the game.
The NFL's Oldest Rivalry
The historic rivalry between the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears adds another chapter this season. Over the past several seasons, they were marked by the Packers' dominance in this storied matchup. Green Bay has outmatched Chicago in their last nine encounters. This streak dates back to December 16, 2018, when the Bears tasted victory with a 24-17 win at Soldier Field. This run of success for the Packers coincides with the tenure of their head coach, Matt LaFleur, who has led the team since 2019 and has yet to lose against the Bears.
Week 1
In their season opener, the Packers continued their winning ways over the Bears. Quarterback Jordan Love had an impressive game, completing 15 of his 27 pass attempts for 245 yards, culminating in three touchdown passes without throwing an interception. On the other side, Bears quarterback Justin Fields showed glimpses of his dual-threat capability. Fields completed 24 out of 37 passes for 216 yards, contributing one touchdown and one interception. Additionally, he showcased his mobility by rushing for 59 yards across nine carries.
Family Ties
Adding a touch of familial legacy to the Packers' coaching staff is offensive line coach Luke Butkus. Butkus holds a unique connection to the Bears' history, being the nephew of the legendary Dick Butkus, a Hall of Fame linebacker who left an indelible mark on the Bears' franchise. This familial link adds an interesting subplot to the rivalry, intertwining personal history with the larger narrative of this NFC North clash.
Injury Report
Conclusion
As these two teams prepare to face off once again, the game is set to be a showcase of strategic plays, individual brilliance, and the continuing saga of one of the NFL's most enduring rivalries. The Bears-Packers game on Sunday promises to be an exciting match, with both teams fighting to end their season on a high note. The Packers have a strong chance to make the playoffs with a win, while the Bears are looking to spoil their NFC North rival's season. The game could go either way, with the Bears playing their best football in recent years and the Packers having a history of winning season finales in the series. Ultimately, the outcome of the game will depend on the performances of key players like Justin Fields and Aaron Jones, as well as the ability of both teams to execute their game plans effectively.
Final Score: Bears 23 Packers 31
Main Image via