Packers vs. Bears: Lombardi Ave staff predicts outcome

Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears is the longest running rivalry in the NFL and tonight’s Thursday Night Football matchup should live up to its hype.

OK, throw out the records and let the teams play, because this is an early season division matchup that will help spell out the direction each of these teams will take for the remainder of the year.

But one record worth mentioning?

The all-time win-loss-tie record between the two franchises.

As it stands, the Packers and Bears are tied, 94-94-6.

Something must give tonight … most feel the Packers will regain the lead in the series, but as Freddie Boston says below, “Don’t sleep on the Bears.”

We couldn’t agree more.

This will be a game that will be watched across the nation and if the Packers want to gain the confidence of their fans, their coaches, and those who feel they have a shot at the Super Bowl, they have to win.

The Bears will be attempting to make a statement with a win at Lambeau.

They’ve won there in the past and are looking to do so again.

So, how do we feel about tonight’s game here at Lombardi Ave?

Check it out below … and enjoy the game.

Evan Siegel: The Packers are at home. A strong home crowd on Thursday night will be too much for Mike Glennon and company. The Packers will get exposed by Jordan Howard, but the Bears do not have much else in terms of offensive weaponry. The Packers should be able to hold Chicago to under 20 points and pull out a win in their first divisional game of the year.

Packers 27 Bears 17

Ralph Mancini: If both teams were at full strength, there’s no doubt I would be picking the Packers to blow out their division rivals.

However, the home team will once again be protecting (and I use that term loosely) Aaron Rodgers with a makeshift offensive line, which means fans could be in for another edge-of- your-seat thriller.

This is a game where Green Bay’s defense might need to set the tone by shutting down Chicago’s running back tandem of Jordan Howard and Tarik Cohen - not an impossible task considering the Bears
have no passing game.

Expect a rather low-scoring affair that will require Rodgers to save the day with a few big throws in the second half that the opposition won’t be able to match.

Packers 20 Bears 16

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Matt Bathrick: Chicago may have been predicted to finish last in the division by nearly everybody, but a solid defense and strong run game has allowed the Bears to beat the Steelers and make a game out of their match-up with the NFC Champions Atlanta Falcons.

Green Bay’s banged up defense will have its hands full with Chicago running backs Jordan Howard and Tarik Cohen, a backfield duo that’s proved to be dangerous so far this year.

With an offensive line that’s struggling to stay healthy, Aaron Rodgers can expect there will be pressure from the Bears.

Chicago’s front seven is the strength of the defense and have been consistent in pressuring opposing quarterbacks so far this year.

The Bears also rank eighth against the run, holding opponents to just 83.7 yards per game on 3.4 yards per carry.

But it’s Aaron Rodgers, and he’s made a living out of making plays with little protection (and on picking on the Bears for that matter).

And while Chicago’s running styles of Howard and Cohen complement one another enough to make it seem like the Bears offense isn’t so one-dimensional, it really is.

Chicago has lost receivers to injury this year the way Green Bay loses offensive tackles, and the Bears are going to be held back as long as Mike Glennon is quarterback.

The Packers defense should be able to exploit this offense’s lack of a passing game.

Packers 27 Bears 10

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Freddie Boston:  Don’t sleep on the Bears.

Given the injuries to the Packers’ offensive line, Aaron Rodgers might be running for his life all evening.

Stopping Chicago’s run game is the key to success, but that’s easier said than done. Jordan Howard and rookie Tarik Cohen combined for 216 yards and two touchdowns on the ground last week.

That said, the Packers have the benefit of staying home on a short week. It will be a tough test under the lights, but Green Bay comes out on top.

Packers 24 Bears 17

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Ray Rivard: It’s Packers vs. Bears for the 195th time and with the all-time record between these two iconic NFL franchises, something’s gotta give tonight.

Both teams are coming off of dramatic overtime wins last Sunday, the Bears winning at home against the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Packers eeking out a victory over the winless Cincinnati Bengals.

How will that translate into tonight’s game?

Well, the Packers clearly have the advantage at the quarterback position, with the legendary Aaron Rodgers going up against the not-so-legendary Mike Glennon.

This game could come down to who dominates the line of scrimmage. With the Packers’ makeshift offensive line plugging in the likes of Adam Pankey, Justin McRay, or possibly even newcomer Ulrick John tonight, the Packers are thinner than thin along the line. That doesn’t bode well for Rodgers. Expect the Bears to try to exploit those huge holes.

If the Packers can figure out a way to minimize the Bears pass rush (like running quick slants, screens, and bootlegs), they will win easily. But the Packers also have to stop the Bears dynamic running game.

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If they do that, they win easily. I have confidence that this Packers team is at least two touchdowns better than the Bears – even with their injury issues.

Green Bay wins at home to go 3-1.

Packers 28 Bears 13