Packers vs. Bears: Predictions from around the internet

Green Bay Packers fans are champing at the bit to get to 7:25 p.m. CDT for the kickoff on Thursday Night Football against those dastardly Chicago Bears.

Both teams are coming off of dramatic overtime victories – the Bears upsetting the heavily-favored Pittsburgh Steelers and the Packers somehow surviving the winless Cincinnati Bengals.

Which team will carry that momentum into tonight’s showdown?

We’ll know about 11:30 p.m. tonight.

But in the meantime, there are plenty of experts weighing in with predictions for the outcome of tonight’s game.

Will Aaron Rodgers be in the upright position enough tonight to scan the field for open receivers, given the sad state of affairs with his offensive line? Expect Rodgers to go down at least a couple of times tonight under pressure. However, our hope is that coach Mike McCarthy sees the writing on the wall and draws up some plays that allows the Packers to take advantage of Rodgers’ mobility.

Letting him sit in the pocket on deep drops might not be the best tactic. Maybe some quick slants, some screens, and bootlegs will help slow the Bears’ defenders, who are bound to have their ears pinned back and will have plans for a party at the quarterback.

As for the Bears, their running game scares me, especially in light of how the Bengals powered their way through the Packers defense last Sunday.

Expect Packers’ defensive coordinator Dom Capers to fill the box with linebackers and safeties and dare Bears QB Mike Glennon beat them through the air.

So many story lines are bound to emerge tonight.

But in the meantime, let’s hear from the experts from around the Internet …

Let’s start with the Green Bay Press Gazette …

Packersnews.com

And then we move on to the Chicago Tribune …

—

Chicago Tribune

"Brad Biggs (2-1)Packers’ offensive line is plagued by injuries and Vic Fangio was masterful last week vs. the Steelers but solving the Packers riddle has proved to be difficult for the Bears. Packers 24, Bears 17Rich Campbell (2-1)Pounding ball on the ground at home is one thing. Doing it at Lambeau Field is another. Yes, the Bears could have Josh Sitton” href=”http://www.chicagotribune.com/topic/sports/football/josh-sitton-PESPT0014214-topic.html”>Josh Sitton (ribs) back, putting their first-string offensive line intact for the first time. But Packers will commit personnel to stopping the run, which the Steelers did not. They’ll force Mike Glennon to beat them through the air, and Packers have invested in secondary enough to make that a mismatch in their favor. Glennon will have to play his best game so far. The Bears cannot afford to let Aaron Rodgers strike with the big play. Instead, make them march the field with short passes. Packers 28, Bears 14David Haugh (2-1)Lambeau Field rarely brings Bears any comfort and Thursday night will be no different for a team with no passing game. Packers will play run better than Steelers did, forcing Mike Glennon to make a play he has proven incapable of making. Just too hard to see the Bears winning two straight. Packers 24, Bears 13"

"Colleen Kane (2-1)A second straight upset for Bears seems like too much to ask when it’s against Aaron Rodgers at Lambeau Field, where Packers have won seven of last 10 in rivalry. Rodgers may have just thrown his second career pick-six in last outing, but on short week of preparation, his production will be too much for Bears to overcome. Packers 24, Bears 20Mike Mulligan (2-1)This one could be closer than expected if Bears remain mistake-free and get after slightly gun shy Aaron Rodgers. Preseason version of Leonard Floyd would help. Packers 20, Bears 17Phil Thompson (1-2)Ben Roethlisberger” href=”http://www.chicagotribune.com/topic/sports/football/ben-roethlisberger-PESPT000000873-topic.html”>Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers, as usual, were the road worriers, but Aaron Rodgers and the Packers don’t have those kinds of yips — they’re 14-4 against the Bears under A-Rod. This shouldn’t be a blowout, however. Packers offensive tackles have been shaky and ground game hasn’t really clicked, but Rodgers will probably lob a huge bomb in the fourth quarter that will be the difference-maker. Packers 24, Bears 20Dan Wiederer (2-1)The Bears haven’t won a road game since December 2015. And their recent history in Green Bay has been less than glowing. Since Aaron Rodgers became the Packers starting quarterback in 2008, the Bears are 2-7 at Lambeau. The average score of those games: Packers 27, Bears 13. Unless the Bears can find some life in passing attack, finding a way to hang around Thursday night may prove difficult. The Bears stayed committed to the run last week against thhe Steelers in large part because they never fell behind. Against Rodgers at Lambeau, that formula will be difficult to replicate. Packers 27, Bears 17"

—

From Cheeseheadtv.com

"Andrew3-0Green Bay Packers24-10The Chicago Bears surprised everyone last week when they upset the Pittsburgh Steelers in Chicago. Should the Packers be worried? No, not really. Last weekend was an odd one (the Packers know that after their struggle against Cincinnati) and the win for the Bears was more about the Steelers playing down to Chicago than Chicago suddenly being relevant.  As long as the Packers stay focused and we see second half from last week Rodgers earlier in this game, Green Bay should win.Andy3-1Green Bay Packers16-13I fully expect an ugly Thursday night showdown with Green Bay being so beat up. This comes down to the kickers and it’s advantage Crosby and Green Bay.Chris P2-1Green Bay Packers31-14The Packers will have to overcome two injured tackles again, but they still have Aaron Rodgers and that will be enough to beat the lowly BearsChris W2-1Green Bay Packers23-17Green Bay’s thin offensive line makes it difficult on Rodgers and the run game, but the defense picks them up by seizing on a couple Mike Glennon mistakes. The Packers survive and get a 10-day rest.Cory2-1Green Bay Packers31-20The return of Mike Daniels makes this game very tough for the Bears. The moment the Packers stop the 1-2 punch of Jordan Howard and Tarik Cohen, the game is over. Mike Glennon can barely win a game with help, he can’t win a game by himself.David2-1Green Bay Packers24-20The situation at offensive tackle could be dire for Green Bay against a Chicago front seven that’s the strength of that team. Beyond keeping Aaron Rodgers upright, limiting the damage of Jordan Howard/Tarik Cohen is crucial. If the Packers get over their turnover drought, a Thursday home game against Mike Glennon just feels like the right time.Elisha3-0Green Bay Packers34-17Much like last week, injuries could keep this game closer than it should be. I’d love to see McCarthy call for some rhythm passing to get the offense rolling, but that’s probably a pipe dream. Nevertheless, the Bears still suck, so the Packers should move to 3-1.Jason3-0Green Bay Packers28-21The Bears come in off of a big win and make a game of it but the Packers hang on for another tight win at home. The Packers offense gets going early and the defense tightens up just in time to save the win.  The Packers log their first and long-overdue interception of the season and have Bears fans crying loudly for Trubisky time.Jersey Al3-0Green Bay Packers19 – 13Good thing the Packers are at home and good thing Randall Cobb is returning, otherwise, I would have to pick the Bears. Packers are down to their 5th and sixth string offensive tackles, which is pretty unfathomable. Hoping and praying the defense and Mason Crosby come up big.Michelle2-1Green Bay Packers20-14We don’t know a lot about this Packers team yet; three weeks into the season, it could surprise us—for better or for worse. The Packers have to get the edge here, because they’re at home in primetime, but Bears weapons Tarik Cohen and Jordan Howard could make life miserable for a middling defense. This is the Packers’ opportunity to put together a complete, convincing win from start to finish.Ross3-0Green Bay Packers31-17I had a high level of concern for this game going in, I don’t anymore.  Chicago scores by running the ball and can’t pass it.  Green Bay stuffs the run and gives up big passing plays.  It’s not a great matchup for the Bears.Zach2-1Green Bay Packers27-14Aaron Rodgers won’t have to throw 56 passes this time around, he might not even go over 40. The Packers will find a sense of balance Thursday night with their running game and pull away from the Bears in the second half."

—

Packers Wire

"Zach Kruse (3-0): Packers 20, Bears 19It’ll be ugly. Expect the Bears to play max coverage and attack an under-manned offensive line with four rushers, while the Packers load up on defense to stop the run. Whichever team makes the big mistake falls on Thursday night. I think Mike Glennon is more likely to make that mistake. Ugly wins count just the same as pretty wins.Jack Wepfer (2-1): Packers 21 Bears 13The Bears are still in the process of a rebuild, but they’ve put together two respectable lines on both sides of the ball. The Packers offense may again struggle to the move the ball with any sense of rhythm. It’ll be hard to justify too many points for an offense that’ll likely rely on quick-hitting, three-step throws. Luckily for the Packers, the Bears’ weakness is in their secondary, where Randall Cobb could do some damage. Mike Glennon isn’t dynamic enough to pose a real threat, so Dom Capers can dedicate resources to stopping the run. It may be ugly, but I think it’ll be more decisive than this past Sunday."

Next: Top 30 moments in Green Bay Packers history

And how about NJ.com …

"Darryl Slater: The Packers won’t fall to 2-2 with a loss at home to the rival Bears, will they? Aaron Rodgers and Co. can’t possibly let that happen, right? Yes, right. Packers 24, Bears 10.Joe Giglio: Chicago has been pesky at home, but looked noncompetitive in its one road trip to Tampa Bay. On a short week–and after an upset victory over the Steelers–expect the trend to continue. Mike Glennon vs Rodgers isn’t a fair fight. Rodgers has 1,430 pass yards (286 per game), 15 TDs and 0 INTs for 117.1 rating in past five games vs. NFC North foes. This one could get ugly late–unless the Chicago backs grind out the clock and Green Bay’s banged-up offensive line can’t hold up. Packers 31, Bears 20."