The Packers (4-1) travel to Chicago (3-2) on Sunday to take on the Bears in a battle for first place in the NFC North. This will be the 203rd game between the two iconic teams. If Green Bay is to come out on top for the fifth consecutive time, here are the keys to victory:
1) SPREAD THE WEALTH
No defense is going to stop Davante Adams, who leads the NFL in catches and yards, but the Bears might be able to slow him down just a bit. First-year coordinator Sean Desai is an up-and-comer, and young Jaylon Johnson is developing into a big-time cornerback. This might be a good week for the Packers to remember that Aaron Jones is dangerous out of the backfield, and tight end Robert Tongan caught 50+ passes and scored 11 touchdowns last season.
2) CONTROL THE BIG 3
The Packers’ revamped offensive line has held up pretty well this season, but Sunday might be the biggest test yet. Not only will the guys up front have to contend with talented edge rushers Khalil Mack and Robert Quinn, but they’ll also have to figure out a way to slow down Akiem Hicks. The 335-pounder is one of the best interior D-linemen in the NFL. The return of Elgton Jenkins would help a lot, but he remains questionable with an ankle injury.
3) KEEP FIELDS CONTAINED
Jameis Winston and Jared Goff hurt the Packers with their feet in Weeks 1 and 2, and neither of those veteran QBs is nearly as athletic as rookie Justin Fields. The former Ohio State star is probably going to look to run as soon as he feels pressure, so the Packers’ pass rushers need to be disciplined. Also, if Jaylon Smith is ready, this might be a good week to get him on the field. The ex-Cowboy still runs well and might be able to help contain Fields.
4) FRONT 7 DOMINATION
The Packers’ front 7 played very well last week against Cincinnati, and Sunday could be another big game for the defensive line and linebackers. The Bears’ have struggled to protect the quarterback all season. Left tackle Jason Peters, who just turned 70, has probably been the O-line’s best player through five games, but he’s a shadow of his former self. Center Sam Mustipher is a journeyman who’ll almost certainly need help with Kenny Clark all day long.
5) NO BIG RETURNS
The Bears have a very dangerous returner in newly-acquired Jakeem Grant, so the Packers’ coverage units will be severely tested. The diminutive former Dolphin, who was acquired in a trade earlier this month, returned three kicks for 69 yards and two punts for 38 yards in his debut last week. In comparison, Amari Rodgers has returned punts for a total of 34 yards in five games, and Kyrin Hill is averaging a meager 18 ards on kick returns since Week 2.
PREDICTION: Fields might be a franchise quarterback one day, but right now he’s just a talented young player making only his fourth career start. If healthy, the Packers would win this game comfortably, but they are far from healthy. That should give the Bears a fighting chance in the NFL’s oldest rivalry. Speaking of fighting, ex-Green Bay defensive coordinator Mike Pettine, who was let go after last season and joined Chicago in February, would like nothing better than to kick Matt LaFleur’s butt.
The Packers are favored by 5.5 points, and that seems a bit high. For the fourth week in a row, I could go either way. When in doubt, I usually side with the better QB. GREEN BAY 24-21 (Season record: 2-3 straight up; 1-3-1 vs. the spread)
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Matt LaFleur’s offense doesn’t target Davante Adams 15 to 20 times a game. That’s all on Aaron Rodgers. Who wants to make sure his buddy gets 27 million per season on his contract next year. You don’t get that kind of scratch with only 5 to 7 targets a game. Both Rodgers and Adams know this is their last year in Green Bay and are currently auditioning for their new teams. Rodgers sees himself as Tom Brady, he isn’t. Rodgers would much rather win a championship with his new team than the Packers. Don’t think for a minute Rodgers isn’t holding a grudge here, he is. We won’t see anything resembling MLF’s offense until Jordan Love starts next year. With wideouts MVS and Malik Taylor. And quite frankly, it’s time. I don’t see a SB team here without Jaire Alexander and a one dimensional passing game.