The 3rd Man In

Packers vs. Bears: Preview and Prediction

Packers, Bears

When: 7:25 p.m. Thursday
Where: Lambeau Field – Green Bay, Wis.
Television: CBS, NFL Network
Series: Bears lead, 94-92-6
Line: Packers by 9 1/2
Weather: Mid-40s

Entering the season, the Green Bay Packers were a popular pick to win the Super Bowl. But through six weeks of the season, the Packers are far from postseason glory. After losing to the Dallas Cowboys at home in Week 6, the Packers (3-2) welcome the Chicago Bears (1-5) to Lambeau Field for a Thursday night showdown.

The Packers are decimated with injuries. Their top three cornerbacks won’t play against the Bears, while the Packers will rely on recent trade acquisition Knile Davis to fill the void at running back with Eddie Lacy unavailable due to an ankle injury.

Minus the injuries, the Packers as a whole have struggled in recent weeks. The offense has been disastrous, developing no consistency, while the secondary continues to get burned with the absence of cornerback Sam Shields.

On the other side, the Bears are seventh in total offense and fourth in passing offense. Since Brian Hoyer replaced injured quarterback Jay Cutler, he’s had four consecutive 300-yard passing games.

However, Chicago’s offense ranks 31st in scoring with 16.8 points per game, while topping 20 points once in six games this season.

This could be the week Aaron Rodgers returns to MVP form and capitalizes against a weak defense, or it could be another miserable performance. On a short week with less preparation, don’t expect the Packers offense to figure it out quite yet.

Prediction: Bears 27, Packers 17

What is your prediction for this Week 7 matchup between the Packers and Bears? Leave your thoughts below. 

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