Green Bay Packers vs Chicago Bears Pick and Preview

The last Packers-Bears game occurred a little more than a month ago, and it seems like a surreal result now, considering where the two teams currently stand. The Packers, as a 3.5-point home favorite, drilled the Bears 37-3 to leave both teams with 5-5 records. Green Bay’s 37 points represent the second-highest point total the Bear defense has allowed this season. The game also marked the only time this season the Bears have failed to score a touchdown. Green Bay rushed for 200 yards in the game, a season high mark.

have seen their seasons go in opposite directions. The Bears (8-6) have won three of four games since the loss to Green Bay, remaining one game out of first place in the NFC North and in the hunt for a wild card. Chicago will enter the Monday Night Football game with an 11-day break between games. The Bears won a thrilling game Thursday (Dec. 11) against New Orleans, 27-24 in overtime, to remain in the playoff hunt.

Green Bay (5-9), meanwhile, is officially eliminated from playoff consideration after losing its fourth straight game Sunday, 20-16 at Jacksonville. The earlier win against Chicago is Green Bay’s only win since Oct. 19.

During its losing streak, Green Bay’s defense has struggled mightily, allowing an average of 32.5 points in the four games. The Packers rank 22nd in scoring defense and 23rd in total defense in the NFL, while Chicago ranks 17th in both defensive categories. Although Green Bay shredded the Bears on the ground in the first meeting this season, Chicago’s rushing defense has been very good overall, as the Bears are allowing less than 100 yards per game rushing on average, ranking in the Top 12 in the league.

Chicago’s offense has followed an interesting pattern this season. The Bears have won outright in eight of the nine games where they’ve scored 21 or more points. Chicago is 0-5 when scoring 20 or fewer points.

The Packer offense has been more consistent, scoring at least 21 points in five of its last six games and in 11 of 14 games this season. Green Bay ranks 11th in the NFL in total offense, while Chicago is 26th. In scoring offense, Green Bay is 4th in the NFL, while Chicago ranks 14th.

As a road underdog this season, Green Bay is 3-2 against the spread. However, in its last game as a road underdog, at New Orleans Nov. 24, Green Bay lost in a Monday Night Football blowout, 51-29.

Chicago, meanwhile, is 2-2-1 as a home favorite. The home-standing Bears had a push with New Orleans Dec. 11 as a 3-point favorite and covered a 6.5-point spread against Jacksonville Dec. 7.

Green Bay’s last trip to Chicago, which occurred in late December 2007, was a disaster for the Packers as the Bears (a 9-point underdog) won 35-7. Despite that loss, the Packers have dominated the Bears during the past decade in Chicago, winning eight of their last 10 trips to Chicago. Six of those Packer wins were by 13 or more points.