ZB Game of the Week: Bears at Packers

If they haven’t already, the Packers are close to proving themselves the class of the NFC North again. But people are being way too dismissive of the Bears.

Yes, the defense is in tough shape, due both to injury and retirement. And yes, Jay Cutler’s injury hurts. But there is still a lot of veteran pride on this team and Josh McCown is hardly the worst alternative you could come up with in the NFL these days.

Plus, in a rivalry game, I’ve seen a lot stranger things happen than a team like Chicago pushing Green Bay to the brink. That’s why this week’s Monday Night matchup is the Game of the Week. So what do the locals think? Jake Perper, founder and head writer from Bears Backer, and Raymond T. Rivard, editor of LombardiAve.com, have joined us to share their thoughts.

Jake Perper, BearsBacker (Twitter: @BearsBacker)

WHY THE BEARS WILL WIN:

The rivalry between Chicago and Green Bay has been one of the best in sports – if not the best – for the last 92 years. It seems as if every time these two teams take the field against one another the intensity just seems to increase that much more. With all that being said, it’s a daunting task for a reeling Bears team to go to Lambeau Field and get a win. The Bears have to be able to sustain drives on offense to have a chance to beat the Aaron Rodgers led Packers. If the Bears’ offense can do its part, then it will help take pressure off of the banged up defense. I think Bears running back Matt Forte is the key to success in this one. If he can have a big game it will not only help Josh McCown, but it will also run some clock and keep the defense on the sideline. The Bears will win if the offense can score points early and often.

WHY THE BEARS COULD LOSE:

The Packers offense has been flat out ridiculous as of late. They were on the field for over 40 minutes last Sunday night against the Vikings, as they didn’t punt once. The Packers running game has been much improved with rookie Eddie Lacy and veteran James Starks tearing up defenses. The Packers are no longer a one-dimensional offense and that is a bad thing for this Bears defense. If the pressure doesn’t get their consistently for the Bears pass rush, the Packers could easily put up 35-40 points and force the Bears to play catch up. This is a must-win game for both teams as they look to move to the top of the NFC North. The Packers have been very consistent all season long something the Bears haven’t been through seven games.

PREDICTION:

The Packers will win on Monday night. The Bears haven’t won at Lambeau since 2007. Although, the Bears’ offense has plenty of weapons to keep up with the Packers offense, I just don’t see the Bears being able to hang around in a shootout type game. The main reason for that is Matt Forte. In the games where the Bears have abandoned the running game things haven’t gone so well. That has forced the defense to take the field way too often ending in bad results. It should be a fun one to watch, but the Packers have Rodgers and they’ve been playing superb the last month.

Ray Rivard, Lombardiave.com (@lombardiave)

WHY THE PACKERS WILL WIN:

The Green Bay Packers have been dominant at Lambeau Field, especially against divisional opponents, but you know as well as I do that anything is possible on “Any Given Sunday (or Monday or Thursday).”

So, here we go: The Packers will win Monday night when they play host Chicago for a variety of reasons, most of which will take place within the line scrimmage. The Packers win by dominating the offensive line of scrimmage, opening holes for Eddie Lacy and James Starks to run through, and by providing Aaron Rodgers enough time to complete 60-plus percent of his passes. The Packers also win by controlling the defensive line of scrimmage. They will crowd the line and will force Bears’ quarterback Josh McCown to beat them with his arm.

Aaron Rodgers will do his business, throwing for at least two touchdowns and coming away with no interceptions. With a balanced offensive attack, a defense the stifles the run and a defensive backfield that picks off at least one pass, the Packers will be poised to go to 6-2

HOW THE PACKERS COULD LOSE:

While I feel the Packers will ultimately leave the field Sunday with more points than the Chicago Bears, there are ways that the Packers could lose this game. While we don’t necessarily want to dwell on that possibility, we at least have to consider it and hope the Packers have addressed all of the possibilities.

I really feel the only way the Packers lose this game is if Aaron Rodgers goes down with injury.

I’m not being cute here. The Packers at this point in the season are a much better team – even with the plethora of injuries the team is suffering through. However, should Matt Forte go wild on the Packers and they dominate time of possession, which could be a problem for the Packers.

But I’m serious in saying that the loss of Rodgers would be the only way Green Bay comes away with a loss. He is so important to the team’s success that without him, the Packers would be an entirely different team. Our hope is that doesn’t happen.

PREDICTION:

The Bears will try to stay close and may hold the Packers to as many field goals as touchdowns, but it will be the Packers defense that makes the biggest difference.

For the second straight week, the Packers will score more than 40 points. The Bears will get some garbage points at the end, but the Packers offensive firepower is too much. Packers 42 Bears 20

Zoneblitz’s Take: I may be alone here, but I think this is going to be closer than expected. Divisional games are often closer than expected. And while it has played better in recent weeks, it’s not as though the Packers’ defense is impenetrable. The Bears have the weapons in Brandon Marshall, Alshon Jeffery and Martellus Bennett to test the defensive backfield. And Matt Forte, while not great in the red zone, can break long runs and be a factor in the passing game.

The Packers will win this game. But we’re looking at a touchdown or a 10 point win, not a blowout that’s over by halftime. 30-21.