NEWSLETTER
It’s Friday of Packers Week, and I’ll be damned if this ain’t a mood:
https://twitter.com/olin_kreutz/status/1205322211302813696
The Bears are still #InTheHunt, which means they get another opportunity to claw toward a spot in the NFL’s postseason. No, this isn’t an ideal situation for the Bears. But it sure as heck beats being mathematically eliminated this time of year. Essentially, these are playoff games for Chicago.
Go get ’em!
Never Tell Me The Odds:
The Westgate SuperBook in Las Vegas lists the Bears as a 4.5-point underdogs against the Packers with an over/under set at 40.5. It will be cold in Green Bay in mid-December. Shocking, I know. Hence, a the second-lowest projected point total (only Philly-Washington’s 39 is lower) on the board.
Series History:
The Packers lead the all-time series 97-94-6. And while it feels like the last time Chicago won in Green Bay was when dinosaurs roamed the earth, it hasn’t been that long. A John Fox-led Bears upset the Packers on Thanksgiving. in 2015. So, if that squad can do it … anything is possible. Right?
Game Time, Broadcast Info, Officiating Crew:
Location: Lambeau Field; Green Bay, Wisconsin
Broadcast Info: Sunday, December 15 at noon CT on FOX-TV (Kevin Burkhardt, Charles Davis, Pam Oliver), WBBM-AM 780 and WCFS-FM 105.9 (Jeff Joniak, Tom Thayer, Mark Grote), Compass Media (Chris Carrino, Brian Baldinger
Referee: Scott Novak
Expected Starters and Lineups:
Bears Offense Expected Starters:
Bears Defense Expected Starters:
Bears Specialists:
Packers Offense Expected Starters:
Packers Defense Expected Starters:
Packers Specialists:
Keep An Eye On …
Bears Offense: Allen Robinson is 102 yards away from reaching the 1,000-yard marker. And while the Packers have allowed the seventh fewest points to fantasy receivers this year, the team has given up big games to D.J. Moore (9 catches, 120 yards), Mike Williams (3-111), Kenny Golladay (5-121), Michael Gallup (7-113), Amari Cooper (11-226), and Robinson — who had seven catches and EXACTLY 102 yards in Week 1. It’s there for the taking, #12. Go get it!
Bears Defense: Akiem Hicks figures to be activated from injured reserve before Saturday’s deadline, which means the feeling is that he will be in the starting lineup on Sunday. I’ve been looking forward to this.
Packers Offense: Aaron Rodgers hasn’t thrown an interception since Week 6. In the seven games that have since passed, Rodgers has thrown for 1,670 yards, 15 touchdowns, and no interceptions, all while posting a 111.1 passer rating. And yet, Pro Football Focus notes that Trubisky has out-played Rodgers in recent weeks. So, how about the Bears defense keeps those “struggles” going? Just a thought!
Packers Defense: Adrian Amos continues to be a PFF darling, having earned the 11th best grade among NFL safeties. Amos came up with the gut-punch of a game-ending interception against the Bears in Week 1, so let’s keep an eye on him to see what he brings to the table on Sunday in his first game against his old team while playing for his new one at Lambeau Field.
