Chicago Bears @ Green Bay Packers: Essential matchups

The hits just keep on coming for an injury-riddled Green Bay Packers team that has seen key contributors fall by the wayside over the past week, including the backfield duo of Eddie Lacy and James Starks that has prompted the front office to turn to the practice squad and trade market in order to find quick-fix solutions.

Making matters worse is a ravaged secondary that will force the coaching staff to roll with miscast defensive backs Ladarius Gunter and Micah Hyde in the starting lineup in their upcoming Week 7 Thursday-night contest.

Yes, a game will be played. Amid all the deflating injury updates and circulating theories about what’s happened to Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay is preparing to add another chapter to its storied rivalry with the Chicago Bears as the two division foes square off tomorrow night.

Unlike the neighboring Chicago Cubs, the Bears won’t be competing for any championships this year as they’ve fallen into the habit of blowing fourth-quarter leads in their losses to AFC opponents, including the Colts, Jaguars and Texans.

Even the most ardent of team supporters would begrudgingly admit that this year’s Navy and Orange are still in the process of a rebuilding effort spearheaded by GM Ryan Pace and second-year head coach John Fox.

Despite recent shades of solid play on the part of quarterback Brian Hoyer and the emergence of youngsters Jordan Howard and Cameron Meredith, this roster lacks a true franchise quarterback, a consistent pass rush and a competent defensive backfield that’s very young and still trying to find its bearings—pardon the pun.

But those expecting a 1-5 Chicago team to roll over and play dead against an angry home squad should reevaluate their thinking given how competitive Fox’s boys were in both games versus the Packers in 2015 with both teams splitting the annual series.

At this point, however, most Packer backers will take a victory any way they can get it. Any concerns about style points should be swiftly tossed out the window.

So how does a beleaguered 3-2 group right the ship coming off a disheartening loss to the Cowboys?

Let’s count the ways by putting the primary matchups under the microscope.