With star receiver Jody Nelson out for the year the Packers are still the overwhelming favorite to win the NFC North. Their quest for a fifth straight division title kicks off against the rival Chicago Bears on FOX Sunday. The Pack has owned the series recently, taking 11 of the last 13 meetings and scored 126 points in three straight wins, cashing the over each time.
ODDS
Early money jumped all over the Packers, who opened as a 5-point favorite. The uncertainty around Chicago’s key offensive performers was also a factor in seeing the line spike to its current -6.5. The total opened at 50 and the Bears will try desperately to slow the game down. Chicago will be better defensively, but the over has a lot of value.
KEY INJURIES
Jordy Nelson – The Packers suffered a huge blow when Nelson ended his season with a torn up knee in the preseason. Former receiver James Jones was brought back and could see action. Of Jones’ 383 career receptions, 216 of them came from Aaron Rodgers, and Jones is only one year removed from playing a big role in Green Bay’s offense.
Alshon Jeffery – Missed every preseason game and most of training camp with a calf strain and is likely out. Also, top draft pick receiver Kevin White is out until at least mid-season after shin surgery.
Jeremiah Ratliff – Begins his three-game suspension for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. Jarvis Jenkins will get time at nose tackle in the Bears’ new 3-4 scheme.
KEY MISMATCH
With Chicago’s top three receivers ailing, the Packers will have a huge advantage defensively. Jeffery missed the entire preseason and hasn’t practiced since Aug. 11 with what the club calls a “mild calf strain.” His absence leads me to believe there’s nothing mild about it. Eddie Royal and Marquess Wilson have been hobbled with hamstring injuries, leaving the Bears desperately thin. Even if some or all of the three play, their effectiveness will be hindered. This development will allow the Packers to pack the box knowing the Bears will attempt to run the ball with their group of backs. If Green Bay is successful in shutting down the run the Bears are unlikely to put a consistent passing attack together to do any damage. Chicago will have a hard time with its vertical game, leaving Green Bay’s defenders to key on Matt Forte and Co. out of the backfield and tight end Martellus Bennett.
KEY STAT
27.6 – The Bears had the worst scoring defense in the NFC last season, surrendering more than 30 points in a game seven times, prompting an overhaul of the coaching staff. The Pack saddled Chicago with a season-worst 55 the last time the teams played.
BETTING ANGLE
What better way for a first year head coach to win over the hometown faithful than to win football games. And a victory over hated NFC Central rival Green Bay would do wonders for John Fox in Chicago. But it’s no easy task given the Packers are a favorite to win the NFC this season while the Bears are coming off a woeful five-win season in 2014. The Bears have all kinds of issues at receiver, leaving Jay Cutler wondering who’s going to be in the huddle with him on the first series. But the Bears are healthy at running back. Already solid with Matt Forte, they found rookie Jeremy Langford, second-year player Ka’Deem Carey and Jacquizz Rodgers all can contribute big plays. The defense under first year coordinator Vic Fangio will get a stiff test from the Packers, who outscored the Bears 93-31 in winning both games last season. If Chicago can keep the game close, that would be a win for Fox and the Bears.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
The Packers experienced one of the biggest losses of any team during the preseason when Nelson went down with a season-ending knee injury. It will be tough to replace his production but there are others waiting to fill in. Green Bay brought back a familiar face in James Jones so rookie Ty Montgomery won’t be thrown into the fire. Jones takes the role of possession receiver while Randall Cobb becomes the main deep threat and No. 1 guy. The Pack also has a top offensive line to open holes for Eddie Lacy and James Starks while giving Rodgers ample time to pick apart the Bears, who will be without their top D-lineman in Ratliff.
Green Bay 31, Chicago 20
The NFL lines for this Sunday contest first surfaced at BookMaker and the Packers were positioned as 5-point favorites with a total of 50. Gamble on the game between every commercial break with BookMaker’s live betting feature. Along with an adjusted in-game moneyline, you can wager on what will happen on the next play or how many points will be scored in the next quarter. Live betting is the most exciting way to play!
Access live betting lines from your mobile device or tablet at BookMaker Sportsbook! You can wager on sporting events as they unfold on television with BookMaker’s live betting platform. Real-time spreads, totals, props and moneyline odds are all available by clicking here so start betting with BookMaker today! The Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears square off on Sunday, September 13, 2015, at 1 p.m. ET at Soldier Field. The contest will be broadcast regionally on FOX.
