Bears vs Packers! Chicago visits Green Bay November 9th
By Ian Palmer
Chicago (4th – NFCN) at Green Bay (2nd – NFCN) at Lambeau Field KICK OFF – 8:30 PM ET
There’s another classic NFL clash this weekend when the Chicago Bears visit the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, November 9 at Lambeau Field. The Packers head into the game with a 5-3 record while the struggling Bears are the reverse at 3-5. This is a huge game for both teams if they hope to make the postseason and neither of them can really afford a loss. Both clubs had a week off last weekend and should be refreshed and raring to go.
Chicago Bears:
- Overall Record: 3-5
- Record Against the Spread (won-lost-push): 3-5-0
- Home Record: 0-3
- Away Record: 3-2
- Over/Under Record: 5-3-0
The Bears have lost their past two outings as the Dolphins beat them 27-14 and New England thumped them 51-23. Reports out of the Windy City have hinted at some in-fighting within the squad and the players haven’t exactly been getting along with each other. Quarterback Jay Cutler has also come in for his fair share of criticism, especially after signing a huge contract extension during the off-season.
However, when you look at the numbers it’s perhaps a bit unfair to single Cutler out or to blame him for the team’s poor performances. After the first eight games of the season Cutler’s pass-completion rate stands at 67.2 per cent and his touchdown-to-interception rate is above 2-1. He’s also averaging 261.6 yards a game in the air each week. If the season ended tomorrow these numbers would all represent career high marks for the quarterback.
Either way, Cutler always seems to struggle against Green Bay. He’s been beaten seven times in a row by the Packers and has been picked off a total of 19 times in those contests. The Packers allow 225.8 yards against per game, which is eighth-best in the league, but they gave up 311 to New Orleans two weeks ago. Bears’ running back Matt Forte has had a fine season and is sixth in the NFL in rushing yards. He’s also caught 58 passes, which was good for second. Forte gained 256 total yards back in week four when the Packers beat the Bears 38-17 in Chicago. The Bears have gone 3-7 ATS in their past 10 meetings with Green Bay.
Green Bay Packers:
- Overall Record: 5-3
- Record Against the Spread (won-lost-push): 4-3-1
- Home Record: 3-0
- Away Record: 2-3
- Over/Under Record: 7-1-0
Green Bay QB Aaron Rodgers injured his hamstring a couple of weeks ago against the Saints and the Packers struggled after that and came out 44-23 losers. Rodgers will have taken advantage of last week’s bye and will hopefully be back in top shape for this tilt. Rodgers passed for four TDs and 302 yards in Green Bay’s win over Chicago a few weeks ago. Green Bay’s pass rush should be a key as Julius Peppers has four sacks on the season and has been playing well with fellow pass rusher Clay Matthews. However, they didn’t manage to record a sack against Cutler in their first meeting.
Green Bay was missing secondary players Morgan Burnett and Sam Shields against New Orleans and this meant first-rounder Ha-Ha Clinton Dix had more responsibility, but he might not be quite ready right now. The Packers are hoping Shields will return this weekend, but Burnett’s status is questionable. If neither of them can play then rookie Dix will need to step up his game. Green Bay has beaten the Bears eight times in their past 10 encounters.
