The Chicago Bears vs. Green Bay Packers matchup rarely disappoints. Four of the past six meetings have been decided by seven points or less. The two played last year were certainly worth the ticket price. Now the teams meet for opening night yet again, hoping a victory will set the tone for the upcoming season. Opinions vary on who will win. A far cry from just a few years ago when it always seemed to be a foregone conclusion.
Is this game harder to determine? Let's find out. Here is a comprehensive breakdown of the matchup from the storylines to injury news and key matchups. After exploring it all, a prediction will be made.
Chicago Bears vs. Green Bay Packers
Storylines:
Aaron Rodgers and Matt Lafleur - The information coming out of Green Bay has been fascinating. First, it was the revelation that Aaron Rodgers had no say in the hiring of Matt Lafleur. Then it was the two having differences on the offensive system and its lack of audibles. While on the surface they seem committed to making it work, there is just no telling whether this marriage can truly get Rodgers back to playing MVP-caliber football.
Matt Nagy and Mitch Trubisky - By contrast, the relationship between Mitch Trubisky and Matt Nagy appears to be in lockstep. It's to a point where the QB is saying the same things as his coach. Nagy insists Trubisky is so much more in tune with the offense than he was last year. More confident as well. The third-year player has a lot to prove this year. Many still expect him to fail. Playing a good game on national television is a way to start.
The Kickers - It's rather interesting that both teams also come into the season with major questions at kicker. Chicago just completed an exhaustive evaluation process since the spring that led to them choosing Eddy Pineiro as their guy. Green Bay meanwhile had a competition of their own that almost saw longtime veteran Mason Crosby lose his job before outlasting challenger Sam Ficken. This could be the wild card of the night.
Injuries:
Oren Burks - The Packers were really hoping Burks could take a step forward after his promising rookie year in 2018. Now the inside linebacker is dealing with a torn pectoral and could be out until November. This creates problems. Green Bay was already thin at that position. Defending the run or against tight ends over the middle just became harder.
Trey Burton - Speaking of tight ends. The Bears are still waiting on their starter Trey Burton. Despite having surgery to repair a sports hernia from six months ago, he still hasn't been able to return fully to practice. The team remains optimistic he can be ready for the opener, but there is outside skepticism. This would be a tough blow for that offense.
Key matchups:
James Daniels vs. Kenny Clark
Chicago ran for over 100 yards in both meetings last year. That will be a key to victory again here. One big matchup that will decide it is new center James Daniels against Kenny Clark. The Packers nose tackle is not a star but he's a good football player. Moving him off the spot is tough. Daniels will have to show he can do it in order to get David Montgomery going.
Kyle Fuller vs. Davante Adams
There is no doubt that Rodgers will go to his star receiver a lot. With good reason. Davante Adams gave the Bears corners headaches last year with over 200 yards and a touchdown. Keeping him in check will be up to Kyle Fuller. He's coming off the best season of his career but enters a new system under Chuck Pagano. A man known for preferring heavy doses of man coverage. Can Fuller handle it?
Prediction: Bears win 27-13
I get it. This is Aaron Rodgers. It's the Packers. This team historically has had the Bears' number. Still, if one were to take a step back and honestly assess the two teams? Chicago is superior everywhere except quarterback, and the gulf there isn't as big as it used to be. They beat the Packers at Soldier Field last year and should've beaten them twice.
That intimidation factor is long gone. Rodgers is 35 and in a brand new offense under a head coach he doesn't seem to trust. The Packers defense also lost a lot of leadership last year when they let Clay Matthews and Mike Daniels walk. They were 6-10 last season for a reason and frankly it doesn't appear like they got that much better. The Chicago Bears can lose this one, but they should win it handily.
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