It’s Bears at Packers week during Week 4. It will be a short week as they square off on Thursday night at 8:25 PM ET. There are four ways to watch the game via CBS, NFL Network, Amazon Prime or getting your ass to Lambeau and getting yelled at by old people (read SDL) to sit down.
It should be a good matchup with the Bears (1-2) showing some signs of life against Pittsburgh and the Packer (2-1) not running the table right now. It’s a bitter rivalry and Week 4 will be no different.
Hey, Rodgers, Discount Double Check
Aaron Rodgers has looked off with three (3) interceptions so far this year. He is under more pressure than normal (13 sacks is most in league) due to tackle injuries to David Bakhtiari (Week 2 and 3), Bryan Bulaga (Week 1 and 2 and some Week 3) and Jason Spriggs (IR). However, Aaron has still tossed six (6) TDs in 3 games against Seattle, Atlanta and Cincinnati (good to solid defenses). Rodgers has earned a ninety three point one (93.1) rating and is still a dangerous QB.
The Bears must generate a pass rush. It will be up to Leonard Floyd (0 sacks so far), Willie Young (2 sacks), Pernell McPhee (1 sack), Akiem Hicks (2 sacks) and Eddie Goldman (1 sack) to give Chicago a chance. If they can pressure Rodgers with 4 rushers, they have some chance at coverage.
Chicago got some pressure on Atlanta and Pittsburgh and played better defense because of it. Chicago has proven they can stop some high powered attacks. Chicago lost ILB Jerrell Freeman and safety Quentin Demps to injury though in the last few weeks. We’ll see if that hurts the Bears defense in this game.
Kyle Fuller and Marcus Cooper have been the top corners with Amukamara only playing 18% of snaps. Bryce Callahan has been the nickel for the Bears. These guys must step up big time as Jordy Nelson (131 yards and 3 TDs), Davante Adams (206 yards and 1 TD0, Randall Cobb (145 yards) and Geronimo Allison (146 yards) can kill you. Martellus Bennett has struggled but Lance Kendricks made a big play last week. Danny Trevathan (ILB), Christian Jones (ILB), FS Adrian Amos and rookie safety Eddie Jackson must cover the Packers tight ends tightly. Jones takes the place of the injured Freeman and the injured Nick Kwiatkowski. Bennett and Kendricks could exploit Jones on Thursday night and finally have a big game.
Ty or Die
Green Bay has not run the ball very well with 3.5 YPC on the year. Ty Montgomery only has 3.0 YPC on the season with 41 carries in 3 games. Jamaal Williams only has 5 carries (4.2 YPC) but Rodgers has a few nice scrambles for big first downs (4.0 YPC).
Chicago has been stout allowing only 3.4 YPC. The Bears have the advantage in this matchup and can make the Packers one dimensional on Thursday.
Winnin with Glennon
Mike Glennon has struggled after a solid Week 1. Glennon has a 79.8 QB rating due to 3 interceptions with only 3 TDs thrown. He has completed 67.3% of his passes for only 5.7 YPA. Chicago lost both of their top WRs and must rely on short stuff to tight ends and running backs.
Rookie RB Tarik Cohen is their leading receiver with 126 yards and 1 TD and slot man Kendall Wright has 103 yards. Zach Miller has 93 yards and Deonte Thompson has 81 as their now top WR. The Bears have weapon problems big time. The Packers coverage has been hit or miss with good play in Week 1 with pressure and solid play in Week 3. However, Week 2 they were torched by the Falcons.
The Packers shouldn’t have much trouble with the Bears weapons and can pressure Glennon and force turnovers. Green Bay only has forced one turnover and this would be the game to change that. Kevin King has done well as a rookie and Burnett, Dix and Josh Jones have covered well too. Nick Perry may return from a hand injury to bolster the Packers pass rush. Green Bay needs Mike Daniels back from a hamstring injury too to win the point of attack on the line. Clay Matthews has looked better than years past and provided more rush. If Green Bay gets pressure, they’ll force multiple turnovers. However, expect the Bears to rely mainly on the running game and passing less frequently. Green Bay has still allowed a 100.8 QB rating so Glennon has a chance if he is smart with the football with time.
Two Headed Monstah
Jordan Howard woke up in Week 3 and the Bears won the game against a solid Pittsburgh team. Howard now has 4.4 YPC with 3 rushing TDS. Rookie Tarik Cohen notched an impressive 6.5 YPC on 24 carries. This two headed attack will be the only way the Bears can compete in this game. Green Bay has allowed 4.5 YPC so they can be run on by Howard and Cohen. If those guys have big days, then the Bears can put up enough points to win this game.
Not So Bold Prediction
Thursday night games typically favor the home team. Green Bay is more talented and both teams are banged up. The Packers have too many weapons and I think Bakhtiari and Bulaga both play for the Packers. Rodgers gets enough time and makes enough plays to win the game. It will be closer than expected as Chicago’s defense has played well given the circumstances (offensive turnovers and no weapons on offense). Green Bay wins this game 24-17 with three (3) Rodgers touchdown passes.