McCown, Da Bears Head to Lambeau Field to face the Green Bay Packers

Packers cornerback Sam Shields breaks up a pass for Chicago Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery during the second half of the Packers’ 21-13 win over the Bears at Soldier Field in 2012. Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports photograph

Six times a year this Green Bay Packers fan has a week-long stomach ache.

Oddly, it correlates to the weeks that we play the Detroit Lions, the Minnesota Vikings and the Chicago Bears. I am starting to believe it isn’t a coincidence. Here’s the thing, the Packers have been wildly successful against NFC North opponents under quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

But, these teams know each other intimately. Their defenses probably know every offensive audible and every play as well as Rodgers does. Their defensive backs have studied the nuances of the quarterback, the running back, the receivers.

Their cornerbacks are familiar with routes and “tells” of the receivers that they match up against twice a year. It’s kind of an “anything goes” kind of game, every time. Even heading to the Metrodome last week to face a reeling Vikings team, I got nervous.

You never know what could happen in a fierce divisional battle.

Well, this is two weeks in a row that I have an anxious feeling in the pit of my stomach. We downed the Vikings, but now da Bears are coming to town.

However, they will be coming without some of their heavy hitters. Does that make me feel better? Not as much as one would think. Without quarterback Jay Cutler, defensive end Henry Melton and linebacker Lance Briggs, this Bears team isn’t going to be as familiar.

No matter who is playing where, here are 5 things the Packers need to do to tame the Bears this Monday night: