The Packers jumped back into a share of the NFC North lead with a thrashing of the Vikings Sunday, putting to rest all the questions about what’s wrong with Green Bay. We know what’s wrong with the Bears – they can’t beat the Packers. Chicago has lost the past four meetings, including the season opener when they failed to cover as six-point dogs.
NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
Green Bay Packers -9
Chicago Bears +9
Over/Under 48
ODDS ANALYSIS
The Bears are 6-1 ATS in their last seven games overall, but failed to cover when the teams met in Week 1 and are just 1-9 ATS in the last 10 meetings with the Packers. The teams cashed the over in their earlier meeting and have played above the final total in four of the past five.
KEY INJURIES
Ka’Deem Carey – Was sidelined Sunday with a concussion and is likely out for the Green Bay game. Carey was backing up Jeremy Langford, who was getting a majority of carries while Matt Forte remained shelved with a knee injury.
Corey Linsley – Packers starting center went down with an ankle injury and was replaced by J.C. Tretter. Linsley is questionable for Thursday with a short turnaround.
Micah Hyde – Green Bay’s reserve defensive back left Sunday’s game with a hip injury and didn’t return. It was the same ailment that landed him on the Packers’ injury report in the week leading up to the Minnesota game.
KEY MISMATCH
Missing play makers on offense caught up with the Bears on Sunday. Chicago played without receivers Alshon Jeffery and Eddie Royal, while running back Matt Forte remains shelved with a knee injury. The result was three field goals until late in the fourth quarter when Chicago scored its only touchdown. The Bears then failed on the game-tying two-point conversion attempt. Quarterback Jay Cutler and offensive coordinator Adam Gase were limited on ways to attack the fast, physical defense of the Broncos. It showed on third down, where the Bears were 4 for 12, and in the red zone, where they converted only one of four drives. The Packers got some of their swagger back on defense in their win over Minnesota, sacking Teddy Bridgewater six times to end a three-game sackless drought. They also limited Adrian Peterson to 45 yards rushing in what was a strong performance.
KEY STAT
44.8 – Chicago’s red zone touchdown percentage. The Bears hit paydirt just once in four red zone trips Sunday in a two-point loss to Denver and rank 25th in the NFL. Green Bay allows a touchdown on 54.8 percent of opponent trips inside their 20.
BETTING ANGLE
The Packers showed why they’ve been the kings of the NFC North since 2011. A three-game losing streak saw the Packers fall one game behind Minnesota in the division and a huge matchup on the road with the Vikings was just what they needed to get back on track. With a fifth straight division title slipping through their fingers, the Pack reminded the Vikings – and everyone else – that it’s their division to win again. Perhaps now, the questions about what’s wrong with the Packers that have bombarded them in recent weeks will go away, and it will make the quick turnaround for Thursdays game a little easier to deal with, at least from a psychological standpoint.
ANALYSIS AND ODDS PREDICTION
The Packers returned to the formula that had them unbeaten through the first six games of the season. They had a balanced offensive attack against Minnesota with Eddie Lacy looking healthy running the ball, Aaron Rodgers finding James Jones, and the defense swarming around Bridgewater and Peterson. The Pack was outgained, but they didn’t turn the ball over and played a big road game when they needed it most. Green Bay showed us why it’s still the class of the NFC North. Chicago came up just short of establishing themselves as a good football team, dropping a two-point game to Denver in which they failed miserably on third down and in the red zone. That cost the Bears a chance at what was a winnable game. The Bears are much improved under John Fox, but a roster lacking depth hasn’t been able to overcome the injuries and roster maneuvering. They will compete, unlike the 55-14 drubbing they took last year at Lambeau, but the Pack is back.
Green Bay 27, Chicago 20
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