Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears Game of the Week Preview

Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte (22). Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

Todd Salem

It’s too early in the season to claim Green Bay is finished. Sunday’s game against Chicago will go a long way towards determining how the NFC North will shake out. A stuttering start for Aaron Rodgers and company may just be a small-sample fluke or early-season rust.

Or, perhaps the Packers are just waiting in the weeds, luring us, begging us to claim they’re finished. All of a sudden, nobody believes in them, Eddie Lacy stops looking like the next Alabama-RB-bust, Rodgers scoffs at all those silly critics claiming Andrew Luck or Matt Ryan is better than he is, and Green Bay wins four straight games and moves into first place in the division.

If you recall, last year, GB began the season 1-2 only to win its next four ballgames. I’m not saying; I’m just saying.

What does 2013’s record and results have to do with this season you ask? Obviously nothing, which is why I’m not saying; I’m just saying.

Kevin Casini

Packers have not played to their potential. They faced three of the too rushing Ds 1st 3 weeks & the Rodgers offense needs to be able to run. The Bears are playing NO defense, I expect the Packers to the able to move the ball. I’m reversing my field a bit bc I realize Cutler is due for a down game. It’s telling to me that GB is -1.5 on the road. And with both WRs for Grumpy Jay dinged it may be tough. They flat should’ve lost to NYJ by all metrics, you don’t get all the breaks. They even out. I’ll take GB.

Ryan Disdier

It’s incredibly difficult to fathom an Aaron Rodgers led teams sinking to 1-3. Even though the Bears are 2-1, they haven’t played extraordinary football. Instead, they’ve been able to capitalize on subpar quarterback play. The bad news for Chicago is that they’re not playing an inadequate quarterback; they’re playing former MVP Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers is 4-2 playing in Chicago, per NFL.com. Packers win 26-17 and prove they’re still a team in contention.

Joe Soriano

The Green Bay Packers offensive line has done a horrendous job of protecting Aaron Rodgers and giving Eddie Lacy workable rushing lanes, and they’ve almost single-handedly dragged down an offense that should be the league’s best. I think Lacy will bounce back this week against a Bears run defense that isn’t as stacked as the Seattle Seahawks, Detroit Lions, and New York Jets. That said, the Bears pass rush has been exceptional this season, with Jared Allen and Lamarr Houston already paying big dividends. Rodgers and Jordy Nelson can feast on the Bears safeties and have a favorable matchup, while their own secondary has actually played well this year. I think the X-Factor in this game is Matt Forte, because how well he takes advantage of a soft Packers run defense could swing this game. I think this is the week the Packers play up to their potential, but I’m not exactly confident about it. Give me the Packers in a 27-24 game that makes me stop heading to the fridge…even on commercial breaks.