Thursday Night Chicago vs Green Bay Odds & Prediction
The Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers are bitter rivals. Last year, the Packers got the best of their Bears two times.
Green Bay only lost one regular season game in the 2011-2012 season, which is why it was so surprising when the Packers lost in week one to the 49ers. Chicago took care of business against Andrew Luck and the Colts.
Chicago Bears vs. Green Bay Packers – Thursday Night NFL Football
Lambeau Field
Thursday September 13, 8:20 PM EST on NFL Network
NFL Betting Odds from BetOnline
Moneyline: Green Bay (-265) Chicago (+225)
NFL Spread: Packers -5 (-110) vs. Bears +5 (-110)
Over/Under: 49.5
Can the Bears keep up with the Packers at Lambeau this Thursday night?
Chicago
Jay Cutler hasn’t had many weapons on the outside over the last few years, but the Bears made sure that changed over the offseason. Brandon Marshall was brought in to be the team’s number one receiver.
In addition, Alshon Jeffery was a nice draft pick to give the team another tall and physical wideout.
Now, Devin Hester will be the third option on the outside. Cutler threw for 333 yards in week one, and I expect a big year from him and the passing attack. Matt Forte averaged 4.9 yards per carry last year. The team needs him to stay healthy this year.
The offensive line is improved, but they are still no better than mediocre.
The Bears defense might not be as dominant as it was a couple years ago, but this is still a very solid unit. Brian Urlacher is playing through the pain right now, and he is the team leader.
Charles Tillman is listed as questionable for this one after he had to leave last week’s game due to an injury. Julius Peppers and Lance Briggs will both be getting after Aaron Rodgers in this one.
Peppers is arguably the best pass rusher in the NFL. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Green Bay
Green Bay had to be disappointed with a season opening loss to the 49ers this past weekend. Rodgers threw for 303 yards, but he needed 44 pass attempts to get to that number.
Rodgers was also the team’s leading rusher, and that could be a real problem moving forward. Green Bay must have some semblance of a running game to keep the opposing defense honest and keep Aaron Rodgers upright. Rodgers is great at spreading the ball around, and he probably has the deepest group of wide receivers in the NFL.
Expect Green Bay to pile up the points again this year.
The Packers defense gave up a bunch of yards last year, but that was partially because Green Bay had big leads and the opposition was constantly airing it out in the second half. The linebackers are the strength of this defense. Clay Matthews had 2.5 sacks last week, and A.J. Hawk led the way with 10 tackles. B.J. Raji is the big run stuffer in the middle of the Packers defensive line.
The pressure will be on the secondary to improve a bit this season.
The Bears are certainly an improved team, but I think this is a good spot to expect a bounce back from the Packers.
Look for Rodgers and the Packers offense to be too much here.
Free NFL Pick: Packers -5
