Green Bay Packers 2019 opponent preview: Chicago Bears
Once again, the Green Bay Packers will begin their season against the Chicago Bears.
For the Green Bay Packers to regain first place in the NFC North, they’ll need to overcome a very talented Chicago Bears team.
The Bears’ season may have ended in an early playoff exit, but they proved they are set up for long-term success after winning their first NFC North title in almost a decade.
Will the Bears continue to dominate in 2019?
Last season
In 2018, the Bears won the NFC North with a 12-4 record, and would host the Philadelphia Eagles in the wild-card round of the playoffs. The Bears lost the game 16-15 after Cody Parkey missed a 43-yard field goal that would have won the game.
When are the games?
Like last year, the Packers and Bears will meet in Week 1 on Thursday, Sept. 5. This time, it’ll open the NFL season and take place at Soldier Field.
The second meeting, at Lambeau Field, will be played in Week 15 on Sunday, Dec. 15.
Offseason additions
The Bears lost defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, safety Adrian Amos, cornerback Bryce Callahan and also traded away running back Jordan Howard. They brought in former Packers safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, cornerback Buster Skrine, and drafted running back David Montgomery to replace Howard.
It’s too early to say whether Chicago has improved, but they will miss both Amos and Callahan in the secondary, especially with Amos joining a division rival.
But even if their defense isn’t quite as strong this year, this is still a very talented roster, and the Bears will enter the 2019 season as the favorites to retain the NFC North title.
Last meeting with Packers
Dec. 16, 2018: Bears won 24-17 at Soldier Field
Player to watch
Khalil Mack: It’s not often an elite pass rusher is available in a trade, but the Bears got a huge addition to their defense just before the start of the 2018 season.
Mack had 12.5 sacks for the Bears last year, and he also had six forced fumbles. In the two games against Green Bay, Mack had 3.5 sacks, a forced fumble and a pick-six.
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The Packers offense will need to have a good gameplan to stop Mack from dominating once again.