Green Bay’s mettle will be put to the test Sunday in Chicago
Green Bay finds itself clinging to its playoff hopes heading into a critical week 15 division battle with the rival Bears at Soldier Field on Sunday afternoon. The Packers are coming off of a 34-20 win against Atlanta at Lambeau Field; it was the first win under interim head coach Joe Philbin. The 34 points scored were also the most points Green Bay has scored thus far all season. The Bears meanwhile are coming off of a huge 15-6 upset win over the Los Angeles Rams in Chicago. Their defense held LA to a season low in yards (214) and points (6). They also forced 4 turnovers (all interceptions).
Green Bay’s game also featured two key turnovers; both from the same player. CB Bashaud Breeland had a pick-6 of Atlanta’s Matt Ryan as well as a fumble recovery. Offensively, Green Bay looked good. Rodgers went 21-32 for 196 yards and 2 touchdowns. RB Aaron Jones also had 2 touchdowns to go along with 78 rushing yards on 17 total carries; good for 4.9 YPC. It was a great win for Green Bay and provided some much needed momentum and confidence heading into this game with Chicago.
This will be the 198th renewal of the oldest rivalry in the NFL. Green Bay leads it 97-94-6. The most recent victory coming in week 1 of this year at Lambeau Field. After Rodgers went down with a knee injury in the first half, (3-7 for 13 yards), Green Bay was down 20-3 late in the third quarter. Then Aaron Rodgers came back and led a 17 point come from behind victory; going 17-23 for 273 yards and 3 touchdowns. It was the largest comeback victory in franchise history. This game will be one of the toughest for Green Bay.
The Bears are currently 5 point favorites. The over/Under is at 45.5. Chicago’s defense is VASTLY improved from week 1. They have an elite secondary consisting of CBs Prince Amukamara & Kyle Fuller, Free-Safety Eddie Jackson, and Strong-Safety Adrian Amos. They also have a vicious D-line with Eddie Goldman, Akiem Hicks, and Jonathan Bullard. Their linebacking corps is one of, if not the best in the league with Roquan Smith, Danny Trevathan, Leonard Floyd, and Khalil Mack. As a defense, the Bears have more interceptions (25) than touchdowns given up (21). That stat alone let’s you know that this is a defensive unit that doesn’t mess around.
The Packers as a defense are a middle-class unit right now. They’ve been hit with a ton of injuries; most of which are season ending. Most notably DL Mike Daniels (foot), CB Kevin King (Hamstring/Shoulder), LB Jake Ryan (Ankle), Safety Raven Greene (Ankle), Safety Ibraheim Campbell, LB Nick Perry (Knee), and DL Muhammad Wilkerson (Ankle). Additionally, CB Bashaud Breeland and DL Kenny Clark were listed as questionable with a groin issue and elbow on the latest injury report.
On the offensive side, RG Byron Bell (Knee), RB Tra Carson (Ribs), WR Geronimo Allison (Groin), and OT Kyle Murphy (Ankle) all were placed on season ending IR for Green Bay. Furthermore, RT Bryan Bulaga was listed as doubtful for Sunday’s contest with a knee injury (now is OUT). Jason Spriggs will be his replacement at RT. On the contrary, Chicago has three players listed as questionable: Safety Eddie Jackson (Shin), WR Allen Robinson (Hip), and DT Bilial Nichols (Knee). Although Bears head coach Matt Nagy has said he expects all three to be full participants on Sunday.
There is no doubt that Chicago has improved immensely since week 1. This game will be yet another close, intense, suspenseful contest. Under Aaron Rodgers, the Packers have a 17-4 overall record against them (including the playoffs). Additionally, Green Bay is 8-2 overall against them at Soldier Field (8-0 since 2010). Yes, Green Bay is 0-5 this season on the road, but Soldier Field is more like Lambeau South for them. All streaks have to come to an end at some point. Something’s gotta give.
With a win, the Bears would clinch the NFC North for the first time since 2010. A loss however, would stop that from happening for at least one more week, providing Minnesota beats Miami. If the Bears win and Minnesota loses, Chicago would still win the division. If they lose Sunday and Minnesota wins, Chicago would have to wait to clinch the division and playoffs until next week. If both Chicago and Minnesota lose, Green Bay’s playoff hopes — albeit slim, would still be intact. Green Bay would need to win their final three games (@ CHI, @ NYJ, vs DET), and have Carolina (vs NOLA, ATL, @ NOLA), Washington (@ JAGS, @ TEN, vs PHI), Philadelphia (@ LA, vs HOU, @ WSH), lose one of their remaining three games and also have Minnesota lose two of its final three games (vs MIA, @ DET, and vs CHI).
Now, it’s going to take a lot of help and heart, starting Sunday to keep Green Bay’s season alive. Just focus on beating Chicago, then win your remaining two games, then watch and wait. Their backs are once again against the wall, but we’ve seen this before…The Packers always play their best when the odds are stacked against them. Their mettle will definitely be tested but it’ll be a testament to the toughness, heart, resiliency, and grit of this team if they come out of it unscathed — and possibly under the radar seed-wise in the NFC playoff race.
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