Packers vs Bears NFL Handicapping
The Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers will face off on Sunday in a game that will decide the NFC North. Both teams are coming off disheartening losses, but they’ll each need to find the motivation to get up for this pivotal game in a hurry.
Green Bay Packers (7-7-1) at Chicago Bears (8-7)
Date: Sunday, December 29, 2013
Time: 4:25 PM ET
Venue: Soldier Field
City: Chicago, Illinois
O/U Odds: 53.5
Spread: Green Bay -3
Money Line: Green Bay -160, Chicago +140
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All eyes will be on Aaron Rodgers in this matchup. Whether or not he can re-find his form in a hurry and play at his usual high level will make all the difference.
Green Bay’s last game was a real nail-biter, with the Packers coming out on the wrong end of a 38-31 decision against the Steelers.
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Quarterback Matt Flynn completed 21 of 39 passes for 232 yards and a score but threw a brutal interception that went the other way for six points. Running back Eddie Lacy ran the ball 15 times for 84 yards and a pair of scores but re-aggravated an ankle injury that could keep him out of this matchup.
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Should he miss it or need additional relief, James Starks has filled in adequately all year. Against the Steelers, Starks turned 11 touches into 70 yards. Wide receiver James Jones had the biggest day among Green Bay’s wideouts, hauling in nine passes for 84 yards, while Jarrett Boykin caught five passes for 54 yards and a score.
When the Packers were through with their Week 16 matchup, it appeared that their playoff hopes were all but lost with the Bears scheduled to play the Eagles in a potential division-clinching game which meant nothing to the Eagles, but the Bears laid an egg in their biggest game of the year, falling 54-11.
The Bears pissed all over themselves in that one. The team ran for only 61 yards against a normally generous Eagles defense, while quarterback Jay Cutler completed 20 of 35 passes for 222 yards and a touchdown with a costly pick. Top wideout Brandon Marshall caught four passes for 36 yards and a score, while Alshon Jeffery hauled in six passes for 76 yards.
The Bear defense remained incredibly leaky despite the return of Lance Briggs in a limited role. The unit allowed the Eagles to pick up a whopping 8.0 yards per carry and 289 total rushing yards in the game with four touchdowns, including a 65-yard strike by Bryce Brown. The Eagles rushed for 16 first downs compared with only two for the Bears. Nick Foles was also permitted to do what he wanted through the air, completing 21 of 25 passes for 230 yards and two scores without a turnover.
The Bears are 1-7 ATS in their last eight games against NFC North opponents, and the Packers are 5-1 ATS in their last six trips to Chicago.
The play: Green Bay -3
