The Green Bay Packers are playing their best football of the season at this juncture and many are wondering where that style of play has been all year. With their backs against the wall, the Packers responded by winning three straight games to keep their playoff hopes alive. Despite their injury-ravaged roster, the Chicago Bears are still competing, and faced with a chance to knock their longtime rivals out of the postseason picture is more than enough motivation to get them amped for this Week 15 showdown.
This contest in Week 15 of the regular season will go down Sunday, December 18, 2016, at 1 p.m. ET at Soldier Field.
NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
Green Bay Packers -5
Chicago Bears +5
Odds Analysis
The Packers easily covered the 7.5-point spread when the teams met at Lambeau Field back in Week 7. With this one in the Bears yard, the line came down a bit, but Green Bay still opened at -5. The Bears have been close in their last four games going 4-0 ATS and have been a decent bet at 6-7 ATS despite their 3-10 SU ledger. There is bitter cold and wind in the forecast for Sunday’s game, and while the total has yet to hit the board, the under should be strongly considered.
Injury Report
Aaron Rodgers – Hobbled by a calf injury sustained early in the Seattle game, Rodgers guided the Packers to a 28-3 lead before exiting in the fourth quarter. The injury won’t keep Rodgers from playing against the Bears, but it will limit his mobility in the pocket, which makes him, and the Pack offense, so dangerous.
Eddie Goldman – Chicago’s defense has played well for much of the season despite a plethora of injuries. Goldman has missed time with an ankle injury but was a force since returning three games ago. Now, Goldman could be back on the shelf with another ankle injury. His loss takes away a fierce presence and pass-rusher in the middle of the Bears’ line.
Player to Watch
If Rodgers can stand you know he’s going to play with the Packers season hanging in the balance. And Mike McCarthy isn’t about to take one of the best quarterbacks in the league out of the lineup. But the recent injuries sustained by Rodgers have to be a bit concerning heading into the final stretch. Rodgers injured his calf on the first series of the Seahawks game and said the injury could be related to the hamstring strain suffered in Week 12. Rodgers was noticeably affected by the calf issue, but it didn’t prevent him from staking the Pack to a 28-3 lead before he exited early in the fourth quarter.
One thing that makes Rodgers so good is his ability to buy time in the pocket by avoiding defenders and scrambling out of trouble. If he has to stay in the pocket because of a lack of mobility, he becomes ordinary and a sitting duck for onrushing defenders. The weather conditions in Chicago on Sunday likely won’t help. It’s expected to be cold and windy at game time with temperatures in the upper teens. Good luck keeping that hamstring and calf warm Mr. Rodgers.
Free ATS Pick
It might be a case of too little too late for the Packers, but at least they’re going down fighting. Considered out of the playoff race a month ago, the Pack has put together an improbable run after getting torched during a four-game losing streak. The defense picked it up and the offense behind Rodgers has been sensational. But the Packers need some help and time is running out.
For the Bears it’s about finishing the season strong after this one went in the tank a while ago. The injuries built up early but the silver lining is that several players have emerged as key contributors that the team can lean on moving into next season. The quarterback position is still an uncertainty with Jay Cutler injured and rumors floating around that he won’t be back. That’s given Matt Barkley a chance to toss his name in the hat and he’s performed well. But the defense has been rock solid and is just a few secondary players away from being a top-notch unit. The Bears aren’t as good as the Pack, but the rivalry game coupled with expected bitter cold conditions likely keep this one below the total.
NFL Odds: Packers 22, Bears 19
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!
