It has been and always will be, The Game.
The National Football League was founded on the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears and Sunday will mark the 200th meeting of the rivals when they tangle at Lambeau Field with significant playoff implications for both sides.
This will be the 80th game that I’ve covered as a member of the media, throw in another half dozen I watched from the stands as a youngster and I’ve witnessed nearly half of the games in this storied series.
Iconic moments leap out of the memory banks with this game. The very first game I watched had Mac Percival beat the Pack on a free kick field goal at Lambeau in 1968. I cried all the way home wondering how he could kick from a tee, without a rush. (The fair catch, free kick rule still exists by the way) The second Green Bay game I covered had Chester Marcol catch a blocked kick and run for the game winning touchdown in overtime. There was the Fridge crushing George Cumby, Charles Martin assaulting Jim McMahon, the Majik act replay, Brett Favre running wild in a Halloween monsoon, doing the Raji at the NFC Championship and Randall Cobb clinching a division with a 4th down TD catch and last year’s memorable dash to cap an incredible comeback.
I covered plenty of games against the Vikings, Lions and the rest of the league but the sheer number of unforgettable moments doesn’t even compare to what’s gone down in the NFL’s best rivalry.
The Bears arrive at 7-6, climbing up again in a roller
coaster season. After Green Bay spoiled their opener 10-3 to launch the NFL’s 100th season, the Bears won three in a row, slumped with four losses in five games and are now riding another three game winning streak. Their Wild Card hopes are very much alive although they need not only to help themselves but get some help to return to the post-season.
The Packers stand 10-3, closing in on the North Division title the Bears claimed a year ago. They currently hold the number 2 seed in the conference and they look to stay perfect against their Black and Blue brethren for the year. While the Packers are not wowing many with how they are winning, Matt LaFleur’s first team constantly finds new ways to win.
So what is the way they’ll have to win Sunday?
When the Packers have the ball.
The Midway Monsters’ front seven dominated the game at Soldier Field but the Packers hit one big go route and Jimmy Graham caught a jump ball in the end zone for the only touchdown in the 10-3 victory. Down to down was a struggle then and it will be again. Aaron Rodgers said this week the offense has to be quick and decisive to make plays. Aaron Jones should play a large role again. When he has 15 or more touches in a game, the Packers are 7-1. He had 22 for a robust 192 yards of offense last week against Washington. Chicago’s defense gives up just 230 yards total per game. Look for between the tackle rushing attempts, split wide and traditional screen passes, a formula that worked well in Kansas City. Davante Adams will get his share of targets again even when blanketed by Kyle Fuller, but someone has to become that third offensive playmaker. Will it be Allen Lazard against Prince Amukamara coming back from a hamstring injury? Or could it be one of the three tight ends deployed together on several plays last week. Graham got free for two long gains, Robert Tonyan found the end zone and Mercedes Lewis could still spring a downfield surprise. The offensive line needs a better showing than week one, if the hold up, and the execution is devoid of drops or penalties, the Packers should be able to become just the sixth team to reach 20 points against Chicago.
When the Bears have the ball.
Tramon Williams may have given the Bears some bulletin board material when after the first meeting he simply stated, ” We wanted Trubisky to play quarterback.” Not unlike Charles Woodson’s famous line about we knew Jay Cutler, “would be Jay”. Every team wants to shut down the run and force the quarterback to make plays under pressure, especially a young quarterback. During the Bears recent stretch, Trubisky has become more of a two way threat, extending passing plays with his legs or simply taking the ball on read option plays to move the chains. The Packers front seven will have to maintain disciplined rush lanes because of that threat but the number one objective will still be to control David Montgomery and for Trubisky to yes, play quarterback. The speedy Tarik Cohen is the only player who should find consistently winnable matchups. As productive as Allen Robinson has been (76 receptions), not to mention the improved play of late from Anthony Miller, I like the Packer corners ability to hold their own downfield. Chicago’s offense still ranks 29th in yards per game and they are 26th in scoring.
Bottom line.
I feel the Packer offense can get just a little bit more done against the Chicago defense than the limited damage the Bears offense can inflict on Green Bay’s D. Division games are always tough, rematches are rarely high scoring affairs. I like the Packers to win a tight one, 16-13.
Time to write the 200th chapter.
