Packers vs. Bears: Lombardiave staffers predict
The war in the trenches will determine the winner of Monday Night’s game.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph
This is one of the more exciting weeks of the year for fans of the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears – not only will the two teams meet at historic Lambeau Field tonight at 7:30 p.m., but for the 187th time in the series of the two teams, fans will be treated to one of the longest continuous running rivalries in all of professional sports.
Ask any Bears fan which team is going to win tonight and most will say the Bears; you will find the same for queries of Packers fans.
That said, this afternoon we provide you with predictions by all the staffers here at Lombardiave.com.
As usual, it should be a whale of a game. Enjoy it after you take a look at what we have to say about how it will turn out.
Luke Hanish has most likely got his hat out of mothballs by now.
Luke Hanish: The Bears are not boasting the type of defense we’re accustomes to seeing from years past, especially against the run. It’s probably safe to say the loss of Lance Briggs could impact this game more than the loss of Jay Cutler.
Anyway, don’t sleep on the Bears offense minus Cutler as Josh McCown has filled in decently and Matt Forte, Brandon Marshall, and Alshon Jeffery are all still playing. On defense, the Packers look somewhat more reminiscent of the D we’re accustomed to seeing in Chicago. Look for Dom Capers to focus on stopping Forte and making McCown beat them. Eddie Lacy should split time with James Starks with both having solid games.
The return of James Jones will only help the offense. It will be interesting to see how much the tight ends are utilized after not playing much of an offensive role last week at Minnesota. Divisional match-ups are always a tough call but I say the Packers in this one.
Packers 33 Bears 19
Kevin Gibson
Kevin Gibson: The Bears’ defense isn’t what it once was thanks to attrition and injury, and the Packers’ offense seems to be humming even with the injuries to the receiving corps.
The way Green Bay’s offensive line has been playing, I see a big day for Eddie Lacy and James Starks, plus a two-touchdown day from quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
On the other side of the ball, well, Matt Forte is a really good running back and Brandon Marshall is a beast. I see a fired up Bears team coming in, playing tough and still being fairly humbled.
Packers 30 Bears 17
Josh Klipping: I think we’ll smoke them. Rodgers will throw 280-plus yards with 3 touchdowns, and Eddie Lacy will have 115-plus hards with 1 touchdown.
Packers 38 Bears 13
Dave Burdette
David Burdette: Packers vs. Bears, the longest rivalry in the game. It’s been a bit Packer-sided in recent years, however. Don’t expect much to change tonight.
The Bears are without Cutler, and the only thing really going for the Bears is the factor of the unknown. Forte will get his, but he does have to face a top rushing defense. Speaking of defense, this is not a Bears defense on the field. Even worse it isn’t a top defense.
The Packers are on a roll. Expect Aaron Rodgers to play his brand of football, and Eddie Lacy to take care of the rest. Add a little good defense, and we should have a recipe for a fifth win in a row.
Packers 35 Bears 17
Eric Balkman is our fantasy football guru. Any questions, just ask him.
Eric Balkman: Let’s face it – the Packers have faced better Bears teams over the past few years. While Chicago’s offensive line is significantly better than the ones that let Jay Cutler get massacred in the past, the defense is another year older and Josh McCown is running the offense while Cutler heals.
The Packers have a pretty good shot at getting James Jones back this week, not to mention Brad Jones probably coming back as well. Eddie Lacy and James Starks are fast becoming one of the NFL’s better backfield tandems, and I just don’t see Josh McCown keeping up with Aaron Rodgers under the Lambeau lights tonight.
Packers 31 Bears 20
Patrick Hughes is already bellying up for the next round!
Patrick Hughes: The only bad thing about the Packers playing the Bears on Monday Night Football is to wait so long to watch a contest that showcases perhaps the greatest rivalry in NFL history. Green Bay has its collective momentum moving in a positive direction. Chicago, on the other hand, is sluggish and it is difficult to determine if they are a contender or a pretender. No matter the circumstances for each team coming into this game, the Packers versus the Bears is always worth the wait.
It’s no secret that I like the 2013 Green Bay Packers team. I have either high hopes or high expectations; no matter the case I think they are talented squad with sound demeanor. Something I not sure can be said for the Chicago Bears. I think this evening’s game will be competitive early on and be all Packers by the end. Lambeau Field will be electric.
Packers 35 Bears 21
Kevin Dickens, wide smile and all, is one of our newest staffers.
Kevin Dickens: Bears week! Bears week! Bears week!
Ok it’s out of my system. The long-awaited Monday night battle between Green Bay and Chicago honestly won’t be much of a contest. Even with Jay Cutler under center the Bears hadn’t been much of a challenge against the Pack recently losing six straight. I don’t expect Josh McCown will help the Yogis and Boo Boos of Chicago steal a Packers picnic basket in a prime time slot. The usual stingy Chicago defense is ranked 27th in yards per game, giving up a whopping average of 391 yards. And without their leader Lance Briggs, expect a red hot Green Bay offense to smush their rivals.
Aaron Rodgers loves the spotlight, playing the Bears with 12 touchdowns to just two interceptions in their last four matchups. I’m anticipating Eddie Lacy and James Starks to lead a bruising run performance to set up the exploitation of Charles “Peanut” Tillman and Tim Jennings with play action to Jordy Nelson and company. Packers scoop up two turnovers and this one gets ugly fast.
Packers scoop up their fifth straight win.
Packers 38 Bears 13
Evan Kenney: Defense has their way with the Bears’ offense, and James Jones’ return gives Rodgers an extra tool to torch a hurting Bears defense.
Packers 31 Bears 10
Tom Mrozla looks nice in his wedding photo, but on game day he looks a lot different.
Tom Mrozla: Despite some heavy injuries, the Packers have kept rolling against their opponents. I will expect that to continue tonight at Lambeau Field against the Chicago Bears.
Eddie Lacy has been huge for the Packers this season. Without Eddie, I don’t see the Packers quite where they are now. Eddie has another big night on the ground and the young receivers keep Aaron Rodgers busy in the air.
I will be looking for the defense to keep tightening up as well, playing a full 60 minutes. Jay Cutler has a blast on the sideline and Packers win.
Packers 34 Bears 7.
Ray Rivard
Ray Rivard: The Packers are still hurting because of injuries, but so are the Bears … it seems even more so. With the Packers offense humming along and the Bears giving up tons of yards while on defense it only makes one wonder how many yards the Packers offense will roll up.
Throw in the Packers defense that has been lights out so far this season and the fact that the game is at Lambeau Field and it only adds up to a Packers victory – the team’s seventh straight over the Bears.
The only question that remains to be answered is the final score. No, it won’t be close.
Packers 34 Bears 17
Tonight and tomorrow’s podcast will be hosted by Davey Miller
Davey Miller: The Bears are going to give it a fight, but this one belongs to the Green Bay Packers. I expect Eddie Lacy to have a big game and Matt Forte NOT … the Packers win big …
Packers 41 Bears 20
Darryl Krejci
Darryl Krejci: Normally I would throw around a bunch of fictitious numbers, use reverse psychology and call upon the spirits of my ancestors to determine how much the Packers are going to win by. This week, all that goes out the window because it is the Packers versus the Bears.
Records, standings and all of that gets thrown out the window and now I must rely on pure statistical analysis.
Utilizing the Jeff Sagarin rating system (see USA Today), I predict the the Packers will win this game by a minimum of 12.43 points. Green Bay has a 27.80 rating, while the Bears’ rating is 18.92. Since Green Bay is the home team, they get a 3.55 point advantage.
Plus the Bears suck.
Packers 38 Bears 26.