Packers vs. Bears: Thursday Night Prediction And Analysis
By Joe Kiemen
The Packers get an early chance to redeem themselves after being dominated by Dallas. An opportunity to host the Bears and improve to 4-2 awaits. Can the Packers do this despite injuries in the secondary and backfield?
Last season the Packers went into their match-up with Bears as a reeling team. After a hot start to the season, Green Bay had lost 3 out of their last 4. This included a rare home loss to Detroit.
An impressive week 10 victory at Minnesota suggested the Packers were turning things around. Between playing at home on Thanksgiving Night, facing the Bears and Brett Favre’s number retirement ceremony the outcome of the game seemed certain.
It was hard to imagine a scenario with Chicago leaving Wisconsin victoriously. Yet, this is what happened in a 17-13 loss.
Is there a chance the Chicago Bears could repeat this Thursday?
A quick way to predict an outcome of an NFL game is to compare quarterbacks. Aaron Rodgers vs. Brian Hoyer should be a no-brainer in favor of the Packers.
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Statistics show tonight’s game features the 7th and 20th rated quarterbacks (passer rating). If ten people in a room were asked to guess who was 7th? Eight would say, Rodgers.
The two people voting for Hoyer would be Packers and Bears fans. This sentiment reveals the offensive struggle taking place in Green Bay.
Aaron Rodgers used to consistently win games in spite of the Packers defense. Now, the team must find ways to win other than through his arm.
One way they have been finding ways to win is with their defense.
After being dominated by the Cowboys offensive line, look for the run defense to return to form quickly. This unit is healthy and deep through a combination of young players and veterans.
Rookie’s Kenny Clark, Dean Lowry and Kyler Fackrell are seeing time and finding early success. Mike Daniels will need a bounce back game alongside Letroy Guion, Clay Matthews and Julius Peppers.
It will be important that the team can stop the run with injuries to secondary. Without Quinten Rollins, Damarious Randall and Sam Shields, Brian Hoyer could put up big numbers.
The Bears would be smart to lure Ladarius Gunter and Demitri Goodson with short routes early and use double moves to beat them deep.
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Packer fans should hope this has been addressed in practice and their cleats hold up on the Lambeau turf. Replay’s have shown cornerbacks getting beat so badly they fall down.
If the Packers aren’t going to fall down as a team they need to get Aaron Rodgers going. The task is made harder with injuries to Davante Adams and Eddie Lacy.
A running back combination of Knile Davis and Ty Montgomery gives Rodgers an opportunity to get into an early rhythm. Quick drop-offs and screens should help move the chains early setting up big play opportunities.
It will be up to Rodgers to stay patient and not give up on moving the ball through less flashy plays. Holding the ball too long creates opportunities for the Bears to accumulate sacks, fumbles or interceptions.
Any of these mishaps could lead to a disappointing night for Packers fans.
With everything that could go wrong being addressed, what will actually happen?
After being willing to stay patient and move the ball methodically up the field, Aaron Rodgers leads the Packers to a 30-14 victory. Jordy Nelson will connect with his quarterback on a deep touchdown and Knile Davis leads the team in rushing yards.
Look for the secondary to struggle early but come up with an interception late. Brian Hoyer will look expose Gunter and Goodson. Realizing this, Morgan Burnett and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix will step up their game and force a key turnover.
Next: Injuries Threaten Loss To The Bears
With the Packers getting back on track against their division rivals, they will move to 4-2 overall.
On Sunday, the Minnesota Vikings take on the Philadelphia Eagles. At some point, Minnesota will need to lose if the Packers are to compete for the NFC North title. But before worrying about opponents, the team must take care of business with a big win over the Bears.