.jpg "Packers-at-Bears-(FOX)")
It’s not like Green Bay Packers fans needed convincing of the impact that an elite quarterback like Aaron Rodgers can have on a team, but his absence has surely highlighted his importance. Since Rodgers went down with a broken collarbone in Week 6 against the Vikings, the Packers have gone 0-3 and have dropped to .500 after a hot start. Their playoff hopes are slipping away and they have to win a Week 10 home game against the Chicago Bears to keep hope alive.
The dropoff has been dramatic with backup Brett Hundley at the helm, which was to be expected when a team loses a star of that magnitude. The Bears don’t have a great quarterback situation, either, as rookie Mitchell Trubisky is still learning on the fly, but Chicago is more well-rounded. This will be an intriguing matchup.
This contest in Week 10 of the regular season will go down Sunday, November 12, 2017, at 1 p.m. ET at Soldier Field.
Odds Analysis
The Packers would be heavy favorites at home with Rodgers but now it’s tougher to tell where the spread will come in. There is no line yet since Green Bay just finished up its game on “Monday Night Football” but there should be one soon.
Chicago may have the better personnel because of Rodgers’ absence but the home field advantage helps even that out. The spread does not figure to be very high in this one, as one side or the other will have a small advantage.
Injury Report
Zach Miller — The Bears tight end underwent emergency surgery following Chicago’s loss to the Saints on October 29th after dislocating his knee as he was trying to haul in a pass in the third quarter. Because of the seriousness of the injury, the 33-year-old was rushed immediately to the hospital to repair artery damage in his leg. This is the latest and most brutal injury to the veteran tight end who has been sidelined several times over the past few season with foot and shoulder injuries. He has a long road to recovery ahead.
Rodgers — Rodgers is said to be recovering well since undergoing surgery for the broken collarbone on October 20th. The injury is still thought to be season-ending, but the Packers have not ruled out a return in late 2017. Green Bay will really need to pick it up in other phases to make up for his loss, which hasn’t happened yet.
Matchup To Watch
Chicago’s running game vs. the Green Bay defense -- The Packers can keep this a low-scoring game if it keeps the Bears’ ground game in check. That won’t be easy, as Chicago has a pair of talented runners in Jordan Howard and Tarik Cohen.
Howard has 162 carries for 662 yards and four touchdowns on the season. He is the main ball-carrier, while Cohen is the lightning-quick change-of-pace back. Cohen has 228 rushing yards this season while adding 239 yards receiving.
Green Bay has to keep this game low-scoring, and selling out to stop the run will likely be the plan.
Free ATS Pick
The Packers’ defense needs to step up, and it will in this one, but it won’t be enough. Hundley is not far enough along in his development to lead a lot of scoring, and the Bears should eventually get on top and stay there. A big defensive play can swing this one, and the feeling is that Chicago will be the one that gets it to take care of business on the road.
Heading into this season this looked like a loss for the Bears, but Rodgers’ injury will change those fortunes.
NFL Odds: Bears 20, Packers 13
BookMaker offers play-by-play betting odds for live sporting events every day! The user-friendly wagering interface on your smartphone provides an easy way to place bets on the go. Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute, so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker Sportsbook!
