BEARS (1-5) VS. PACKERS (3-2)
THURSDAY, 8:25 P.M. ET, LAMBEAU FIELD, GREEN BAY, WIS. uTV: CBS/NFL NETWORK
Announcers: Jim Nantz, Phil Simms, Tracy Wolfson, Jay Feely
About the Bears: They squandered a 13-point fourth quarter lead en route to a 17-16 defeat to the Jacksonville Jaguars, a new low in the tenure of coach and general manager QB is among the NFL’s highest-rated passers at 100.8, but he’s also 1-3 as the starter and the caretaker of the NFL’s worst scoring offense (16.8 points a game). Chicago, 7-15 under Fox and Pace, has prime-time games vs. the Packers and Minnesota Vikings before its bye. The Bears’ undermanned pass rush could get help as OLB (knee) is eligible to be activated from the physically unable to perform list, and top pick (calf ) could return after missing two games.
About the Packers: They sit two games behind the Vikings after getting walloped by the Dallas Cowboys 30-16, their worst home loss since 2006, the first year of coach
tenure. Their previously impenetrable run defense was raided for 191 yards by the Cowboys’ rookie backfield, yet the most stunning development remains the struggles of QB offense, which accounted for four giveaways, including Rodgers’ tide-turning fumble at the 1-yard line. Green Bay began Sunday without two starting cornerbacks, (concussion) and
(groin), before losing to a groin injury. The Packers, who also began the game with RB at less than 100% with an ankle injury, lost RT
(back) and WR (concussion). After hosting Chicago, they’ll play four of the next five on the road. Josh Sitton, now with the Bears, played his first eight seasons with the Packers.
Porter last season became the first player to record four passes defensed in a game against Rodgers in Chicago’s Week 12 upset at Lambeau Field. Stunningly, Rodgers’ ball security has worsened, though he’ll have WR back. Nelson, who also lost a fumble Sunday, likely will match up against Porter. Assuming his ankle injury, suffered late Sunday, isn’t prohibitive, the former Packer will reunite for the first time with the club for whom he played his first eight seasons. Sitton, cut in a cost-saving move Sept. 3, has bolstered Chicago’s offensive line but the Packers have effectively plugged in LG
Green Bay is minus three in turnover differential, its worst mark with Rodgers as the healthy starting quarterback. Four of Rodgers’ six giveaways have come in the last two games.
KEYS TO THE GAME
1. Run commitment: Neither team has run the ball consistently, and both are coming off their least-efficient outings. Lacy and Bears rookie each averaging more than 5 yards a carry, have been underutilized but will be needed on a short week to better complement sputtering offenses.
2. Red-zone woes: They went a combined 2-for-8 in the red zone last weekend. Chicago, 25th in red-zone efficiency, has consistently bogged down inside the 20-yard line. Although Green Bay is struggling offensively of late, Rodgers typically fares well vs. the Bears.
3. Corner conundrum: Even with its receiver depth diminished, Chicago must use its outside playmakers, and
to attack a green cornerback group that includes
who struggled a week ago. Meredith has 20 catches for 243 yards over the last two weeks after managing 17 for 172 yards in his first 11 NFL games.
Arthur Arkush