Packers vs Bears Previews–5 Things to Watch: BASICS–teams: The Green Bay Packers (2-0) vs. the Chicago Bears (2-0). Time: Monday, 7:30 p.m. Wisconsin time. Place: Soldier Field, Chicago. TV coverage: ESPN. The ESPN broadcast will also be simulcast on WISN (Ch. 12) in Milwaukee. BREAKDOWN: FIVE THINGS TO WATCH. Laying it on the line--Game could very well be decided by which team’s offensive line handles its opponent’s best pass-rusher most effectively. Shielded so far.
In Packers’ first two games, neither the Philadelphia Eagles nor the Buffalo Bills found a way to exploit No. 3 cornerback Sam Shields, an undrafted rookie free agent who won the spot in the nickel defense in training camp. One would think the Bears’ Jay Cutler will be looking for that matchup. Looking good: Bears quarterback Jay Cutler looks like a changed man now. Gaining yards his Forte: Although his productivity in the run game hasn’t been much (27 carries, 79 yards), RB Forte has been terrific catching passes out of the backfield with his 188 receiving yards and three TD catches lead the Bears. Many happy returns.
The coverage units have been solid, new punter Masthay has been an upgrade and kicker Crosby is back on track. The biggest improvement has come on returns where kick returner Nelson has emerged as a significant weapon in the battle for field position.
PREDICTION: Packers’ 2-0 record is significantly less surprising than the Bears’ 2-0 start. After sweeping Chicago last year, this is one of those games where a Packers team with Super Bowl aspirations needs to play like a contender in a marquee prime-time game against a motivated division rival. The guess here is that, after some up-and-down performances in the passing game, Rodgers & Co. exploit the Bears’ secondary and claim sole possession of first place in the NFC North. Packers 31, Bears 21.
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