Packers vs. Bears, Week 1: Preview, odds, prediction, TV channel, live stream
The Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears kick off NFL Week 1 on Thursday night at Soldier Field as AFC North rivals jockey for early positioning.
For the NFL’s 100th season, what better rivalry game to kick off the 2019 season than the Green Bay Packers traveling to Soldier Field to take on the Chicago Bears. These are obviously two of the most storied franchises in the league. Fortunately for fans, though, they also come into Thursday’s matchup as two of the best teams in the NFL as well.
It was the Bears that captured the NFC North last season with a phenomenal 12-win season in the first year under Matt Nagy. Meanwhile, the Packers missed out on the playoffs and are now looking to get things back on track. Both teams will have major changes to account for as they come into the 2019 campaign, though.
Chicago saw star defensive coordinator Vic Fangio take the Broncos head coaching job, replacing him with Chuck Pagano. Green Bay fired Mike McCarthy as the fraught relationship between him and Aaron Rodgers reached a breaking point. The new man in charge of the Pack is Matt LaFleur, who looks to reinvigorate the offense.
Coaching changes aside, though, the Bears offense lies in the hands of Mitchell Trubisky. The third-year quarterback showed signs of progression last year but needs to take a big leap in his second year under Nagy. The weapons are there for him with Allen Robinson, rookie David Montgomery and many more. Working more in his favor is the defense which, even without Fangio, boasts tremendous talent, a group headlined by Khalil Mack.
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Rodgers again makes the Packers tick and his weaponry is impressive. Running back Aaron Jones could be unleashed under LaFleur while Davante Adams is a top-tier receiver. However, Green Bay’s biggest boom should be on defense where they made big moves all offseason, signing Adrian Amos, Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith in free agency while landing Rashan Gary and Darnell Savage with their first-round picks.
These are two of the most talented rosters in the league and both Chicago and Green Bay should be in the playoffs at season’s end. However, it all starts on Thursday night where these two teams aim to get started on the right foot.
How to watch and bet Packers vs. Bears
Date: Thursday, Sept. 5
Start Time: 8:20 p.m. ET
Location: Soldier Field – Chicago, IL
TV Info: NBC
Live Stream: FuboTV, NBC Sports Live
Point Spread: Bears -3
Moneyline: Bears -165, Packers +145
Over/Under: 46.5
Odds courtesy of Bovada.
WATCH: FanSided live stream event for the game beginning at 7pm CT
Chicago playing at home gets the three-point bump with the spread, meaning the oddsmakers see this as an evenly matched game (and rightfully so). I’m a bit tepid on the first game of the Packers offense under Matt LaFleur, though, so the favorite is the play here against the spread and with the moneyline. With that as well, I’m going with the under, though with little confidence.
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Prediction: There are numerous people that cover the NFL expecting Bears regression and Packers progression. I’m not buying the former, though. Trubisky in his second season under Nagy gives me confidence in the offense taking a step forward and the defense, even without Fangio, is too talented to ignore. This is a close, exciting rivalry game, but Chicago will protect home field and get the win.
Score: Green Bay 20, Chicago 24