Green Bay Packers: 3 Bold predictions for Week 1 vs. Bears

The Green Bay Packers open their 2018 season on Sunday night against the Chicago Bears. Here are three bold predictions for the game.

As the Green Bay Packers embark on their 100th anniversary season, the start of their 2018 campaign will kick off — almost certainly non-coincidentally — against an old rival: the Chicago Bears. In the 196 meetings between the two, Green Bay edges Chicago with a record of 96-94-6. The Packers have also won the last four meetings.

So what can be expected this time around? The Bears just had their best offseason in recent memory — headlined by the acquisition of Khalil Mack — and look to be an up-and-coming force in the NFC North. Chicago’s defense could give them a fighting chance early-on, but in the end the Packers should pull away.

With that, let’s get into some bold predictions for the game.

Bold prediction No. 1: The Packers force two turnovers

Green Bay’s defense looked promising during the preseason, and that’s accounting for several starters sitting out. A stout front line of Kenny Clark, Mike Daniels and Muhammad Wilkerson should cause plenty of problems for Jordan Howard and the Bears’ running game.

Blake Martinez has previously stated he wants to lead the NFL in tackles and, therefore, should be around to clean up any mishaps; a fumble could be in the works. An improved secondary should also force a turnover against the inexperienced Mitch Trubisky, especially with a new defensive scheme under Mike Pettine.

Bold prediction No. 2: The Packers score 35+

The Packers enter the game as 7.5-point favorites according to OddsShark, and could easily pull away late into the third quarter. A Sunday night game, on the opening of their 100th anniversary season, against their biggest rival and the return of Aaron Rodgers could make for an even more motivated Packers squad than usual.

With the most explosive offense Rodgers has had since 2011, Green Bay should have no problem putting up points. A final score of 38-24 seems doable.

Bold prediction No. 3: Jimmy Graham scores two touchdowns

Green Bay’s offense comes out a bit rusty in the first quarter, but after halftime start to find their groove. A close score at half will light a fire under the offense, and new addition Jimmy Graham finds himself catching two red zone touchdowns. We already saw what a Rodgers to Graham connection might look like in the preseason, and there’s only one word to describe it: unstoppable.