Packers: Lombardi Ave staff predict season opener vs. Bears

The Lombardi Ave staff have made their predictions for the Green Bay Packers’ season opener against the Chicago Bears.

Green Bay Packers football is finally here.

And a challenging opener awaits for the team’s 100th season. Up first are the new-look Chicago Bears.

Ahead of the season opener, the Lombardi Ave staff have made their predictions. There is a lot of confidence that the Packers will pick up the victory.

Tanner Nestle: The Packers defense should be much improved. It better be, anyway. Chicago’s weapons are real and Matt Nagy is a sneaky good hire. Good offense always beats good defense, and that’s why the Packers have the ultimate edge. Aaron Rodgers is too good. Green Bay 26, Chicago 20

Keegan Jackish: The addition of Khalil Mack greatly improved the chances that Chicago breaks its playoff drought this season, but it won’t be enough to beat Green Bay in Lambeau under the lights.

Expect a strong performance from Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay receiving corps this game. The potential for the young secondary to have a breakout performance against Mitchell Trubisky is also there. The Bears’ defense is good enough to keep this game competitive, but it ultimately won’t be enough. Green Bay 27, Chicago 20

Kyle Lohmiller: The Packers will start off fast and dominant. Their first drive will result in a touchdown in 8-10 plays. Very similar to what we saw from Aaron Rodgers, Davante Adams and Jimmy Graham in preseason. The Bears will eventually pick it up on defense and Trubisky will show a glimmer of his talents. Green Bay 32, Chicago 20

Jesse Fry: This was going be a much tougher matchup even before the Mack trade. The Bears are changing their offensive approach to one that suits Trubisky’s skill set. The defense has talent and coordinator Vic Fangio has given the Packers a hard time in the past. I don’t expect Mack to play much but will still be there on third down. Either way, for Week 1 I feel it’s still the Packers who come out on top. Green Bay 24, Chicago 17

Tyler Grzegorek: The Packers have had the Bears’ number as of late and I don’t believe much will change this time around. Rodgers will get in a rhythm and the Bears offense, and Mitch Trubisky, will struggle to keep up against a vastly improved Packers secondary. Green Bay 27, Chicago 14

Nick Olig: The Bears’ pass rush will limit the number of big play opportunities for the Packers’ aerial attack, but the home team will move the chains steadily with plenty of short, judicious throws from Rodgers.

With the addition of Mack on the edge, Chicago could have a top-tier defense, so we can’t expect a blowout, but we also can’t overlook that Mitch Trubisky is an unproven quarterback who will be challenged at Lambeau by a Packers defense that looks vastly improved, especially in the secondary.

Trubisky will make more mistakes than Rodgers, the Pack will win the turnover battle and a hard-fought game. Green Bay 20, Chicago 13

Freddie Boston: This has the makings of a close game. First off it’s a divisional showdown. But unlike in previous years, this Bears team should contend for a playoff spot. Khalil Mack and Roquan Smith will be key additions to their defense this year, but fortunately for the Packers, it may take a few weeks for this new-look roster to hit its stride. It’s also at home. Rodgers at Lambeau is tough to beat. Green Bay 24, Chicago 20