Prediction, Preview, and Odds
The Chicago Bears visit the Green Bay Packers on Sunday with the Packers needing a win to secure either the sixth or seventh seed in the NFC playoffs based on the results of other games. One result is clear, however, a loss and the Packers are out of the playoffs. The Bears come into this game on the rise, having won four out of five games, and would like nothing better than to knock their long-time rivals out of the playoffs. The opening kickoff is scheduled for 4:25 PM EST.
After an inauspicious start to the season that included four straight losses and five in the team’s first six games, the Chicago Bears have since become one of the hottest teams in the NFL. The team made a couple of key trades that have improved the defensive line and quarterback Justin Fields seems to have found the form that made him a popular pick to become a breakout star this season. At minimum, Fields has likely earned the right to be the team’s starting quarterback next season even as it appears that the Bears will likely have the #1 pick in this year’s draft via their trade with Carolina in the offseason. On Sunday, the Bears’ offense shined once again in a 37-17 win over playoff-hopeful Atlanta in Chicago. Fields threw for 268 yards and a touchdown and also rushed for another score in the win. Wide receiver DJ Moore, part of the deal that led to Chicago capturing the Panthers’ #1 pick this season, continued his stellar season with nine catches for 159 yards and a touchdown. Running back Khalil Herbert ran for 124 yards and a score of his own in the win.
“I will definitely remember this game for the rest of my life — just the atmosphere the fans, the chants, the snow,” said Fields, who grew up about 30 miles from Atlanta in Kennesaw, Georgia. “I don’t like snow as a quarterback but looking back on it it was great. But yeah, the spirit of the fans, the game, playing the hometown team, the hometown team where I’m from, beating them, so it was good.”
The Bears are thriving as they get set to close the season against the Pack. Both head coach Matt Eberflus and quarterback Justin Fields seemed to get votes of confidence this week and the team will have the top pick in the upcoming draft. Offensively, the Bears are now up to 16th in the NFL in points per game. They are ranked sixth in rushing but just 27th through the air. The Bears defense has been much improved, particularly down the stretch. They currently rank 20th in points allowed per game this season. They are fourth against the run and 21st against the pass this season. The Bears defense has been very opportunistic this season, ranking third in takeaways. They do struggle with turnovers on the other side of the ball, however, ranking 23rd in the NFL.
Key Injuries: TE C.Kmet (knee) and WR D.Moore (ankle) are probable. RB K.Herbert (back), LS P.Scales (foot), DB J.Johnson (shoulder), WR D. Mooney (concussion), and RB D.Foreman (personal) are all questionable.
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The Green Bay Packers are on the cusp of a playoff spot heading into Sunday’s finale. The formula is simple: win and they’re in. Whether the Packers are the sixth or seventh seed will be decided by other games but the team’s main objective will be to win and get back to the playoffs after missing the playoffs last season thanks to a season-ending home loss to the Lions. The Packers gave themselves a chance at a playoff spot thanks to a 33-10 win at Minnesota on Sunday night. The Packers are now 8-8 on the season and have won five of their last seven games. Quarterback Jordan Love led the way on Sunday with four touchdown passes as he went 24-of-33 for 256 yards in the win. Running back Aaron Jones rushed for 120 yards and rookie-sensation Jayden Reed had two touchdown catches. Love was the story, however, as the first-year starter has his team on the cusp of the playoffs.
“He’s playing at an incredibly high level. I’m super happy for him, because he’s put in a ton of work to get to this point,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said. “I really think the sky is the limit for us. He’s just showing a glimpse of what he can ultimately be.”
The Packers come into this do-or-die game with an offense that is clicking following their decisive win over the Vikings last week. They are ranked 11th in the NFL in points per game this season. The Packers are 10th in rushing behind the two-headed monster of Jones and AJ Dillon. The Packers are also 17th through the air this season. Defensively, the Packers are 14th in points allowed per game this season. They are just 26th against the run and 11th against the pass. The Packers have done a good job protecting the football, ranked fifth in the league in giveaways this season. They have had trouble creating turnovers, ranked just 23rd in the NFL.
Key Injuries: S D.Savage (shoulder) and LB D.Campbell (neck) are probable. LB Q.Walker (shoulder), S J.Owens (knee), CB K.Nixon (quad), C J.Myers (neck), S Z.Anderson (knee), LB P.Smith (ankle), LB I.McDuffie (concussion), G E.Jenkins (knee), S R.Ford (hamstring), OT L.Tenuta (ankle), RB E.Wilson (shoulder), WR C.Watson (hamstring), TE L.Musgrave (kidney), WR D.Wicks (chest), OT C.Jones (foot), RB A.Jones (undisclosed), and RB A.Dillon (stinger) are all questionable. WR J.Reed (ribs) is doubtful. WR S.Toure (knee) is out.
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For the second straight year, the Packers will be home for a win-and-in season finale against a division opponent. Last year, the Lions ended the Packers’ playoff dreams and the Bears will be charged with doing the same this season. While the Bears are playing great football down the stretch, I’m going to side with a Packers’ team that has vivid memories of last year’s failure. Quarterback Love has looked like the quarterback the team envisioned when they drafted him in the first round four years ago. He has looked confident in the pocket and has several young receivers that have thrived this season. While it appears that WR Reed will miss this week’s game, Love should get Christian Watson back and the speedy receiver should open up the middle of the field for the likes of Doubs, Melton, Hicks, and TE Tucker Kraft. The Bears are just 21st against the pass and, while they have been opportunistic in creating turnovers, the Packers are top five in the league in giveaways this season. While the Packers are 26th overall against the run this year, they are 9th in the last three games and allow nearly a yard less per carry at home. The Packers will not repeat the mistakes of the recent past.
