If the Packers are to win Sunday against the Bears, they must not turn the ball over.

Mike Burzawa, the blogger over at beargoggleson.com, threw some questions to us here at lombardiave.com about today’s Packer vs. Bears, which we were more than glad to answer.

In what, in my opinion, could be a much closer game than many expect, We talk about injuries, quarterbacks, defense and the Packers vs. Bears longtime rivalry.

No doubt, this will be just another great game between the Midwest rivals.

As you prepare to watch, check out the Q&A we’ve put together here … and don’t forget to Like Lombardiave.com on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

Q. The Packers finally lost a game.  Does that help take some of the pressure off?  How does that affect their preparations for the Bears on Sunday night?

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Packers rush defense vs. Falcons rush offense

This centers around the Falcons young running back Michael Turner. Turner has been nearly unstoppable in the first weeks of 2008, leading the league with 422 yards on the ground. In Week 1, Turner rushed for 220 yards on 22 carries, an astounding 10.0 yards per carry. The Packers defensive line and linebackers will need to be on their game for this, but it is hard to tell whether or not they actually will. Versatile lineman Cullen Jenkins is out for the year with a chest injury, while two other defensive linemen are listed on the injury report: Jason Hunter is listed as doubtful with a hamstring injury, while Ryan Pickett is probable with a knee injury. In the linebacking corps, A.J. Hawk is questionable with a groin injury. The pressure is on this group after the tandems of Marion Barber and Felix Jones from Dallas and Earnest Graham and Warrick Dunn in Tampa absolutely shredded the Packers run defense. The Packers will now look to stop Turner and Jerious Norwood. Aaron Kampman and the rest of the defensive line will be keys to this game, while Nick Barnett and the linebackers will have to step it up to make plays and help out the defensive line.

Packers pass defense vs. Falcons pass offense

So far in his pro career, Falcons rookie quarterback Matt Ryan has surpassed expectations. He hasn’t appeared to be totally overwhelmed except for a few occasions and has been good with his decision making. Having Turner in the backfield helps him along in his development, but he has shown poise. The Packers will need to get to him in order to win this game. Kampman and Barnett will need to harass him all game and force him into bad decisions. Ryan does not have the best wide receivers in Roddy White and Michael Jenkins, although White has been developing into a decent wideout in recent games. The Packers secondary is depleted, with five players listed on the injury report. Al Harris is out, while Atari Bigby and Aaron Rouse are not expected to play. Charles Woodson and Nick Collins are probable. The pressure falls to backups Jarrett Bush and Charlie Peprah in this one, both of him will most likely be seeing their first major action of the season. Collins is emerging as a playmaker, while Woodson has been clutch this year, so they are players to watch for the big play in the Packers secondary.

Packers quarterbacks vs. Falcons defense

Aaron Rodgers is a game-time decision. If he can’t go, Matt Flynn gets his first career start, four games into his career. Packers coach Mike McCarthy is considering resting Rodgers so he will be ready for the games against Seattle and Indianapolis, but if the Packers fall to 2-3 here, it will be hard to dig out of the hole. Flynn showed some poise against the Bucs defense, but the Packers chances to win decrease greatly with Flynn at the helm.  Rodgers is tough by playing through this injury and wanting to play through it, but he may have to sit this one out so he can be ready for the tough slate of games coming up.  The Falcons have a decent defense, but the Packers offense may be too much for it.

The Verdict: Packers 24, Falcons 14

There is really no one place to stick the blame for this one.  The defense did allow Marion Barber to rush for 142 yards on 28 carries.  The offense only managed one touchdown that came late in the fourth quarter.  Mike McCarthy‘s coaching was not its usual genius self.  The blame focuses itself the most on the team missing opportunities.  Through the first three quarters of play, the Packers were held to nine points that came on three Mason Crosby field goals.  The Packers were down 20-9 going into the fourth quarter.  Change at least one of those field goals to touchdowns, and the Pack is only down 20-13, which changes the whole gravity of the game and keeps the Packers within striking distance.

There was not all too much that was wrong with the Packers play on Sunday night.  The pass defense, minus Al Harris, Atari Bigby, and with Charles Woodson playing with a broken toe, stymied Tony Romo for most of the game, holding him to 17 completions on 30 attempts for 260 yards.  The two blemishes of the pass defense were two Miles Austin catches, one for 52 yards and a touchdown and another for 63 yards.  Rodgers was not as efficient as in the past, completing 22 of 39 passes for 290 yards and no interceptions, but his receivers were also kept out of the endzone.  He scored on a run late in the game.  Greg Jennings continued his great play, snagging eight balls for 115 yards, while veteran Donald Driver had his best game of the season, snaring four passes for 76 yards, including an exciting 50-yarder early in the game.

The rushing game was crap again.  No matter what anyone says, the time Ryan Grant missed this offseason and training camp in between his holdout and ensuing hamstring injury, has slowed him early this season.  He managed only 54 yards on 13 carries against a stout Cowboys defense.  Much of the blame for his low stats falls on the whole offense, as they had to play from behind for much of the game, not allowing him to get into a rhythm.

Numerous people have said that they have a feeling the Cowboys and Packers will meet again soon, as in, in the playoffs, but for the Packers to have the opportunity to compete with the ‘Boys, they need to be healthy.  The Packers success this season comes down to the health of the team, especially the secondary.  More on that in a later post.