Chicago Bears @ Green Bay Packers – Week 12 Preview, Keys to Game (Video)
The reeling Chicago Bears (5-5) are back from a much-needed bye week to face the division-leading Green Bay Packers (7-3). As usual, the blood feud will be in prime time at 7:20 pm CT on NBC’s Sunday Night Football. The big news this week is the return of Mitchell Trubisky to replace an injured/ineffective Nick Foles in the starting role. The oddsmakers are not impressed with the quarterback swap, as Vegas has the Packers favored by 9.5 points.
The Bears got some good injury news this week when running back David Montgomery cleared concussion protocol and safety Eddie Jackson returned from the COVID list. It isn’t all positive, however, as defensive anchor Akiem Hicks missed practice all week with a hamstring injury and is questionable to play Sunday.
Aaron Rodgers was slightly off in an overtime loss to the Colts last week, but he still put up 300 yards passing and three touchdowns. The Bears absolutely need to get to him and keep him off his game, which isn’t an impossible task. Even if the defense plays lights-out, however, Chicago’s anemic offense will need to produce something against a middling Packers defense. As difficult a task as it might appear, unlikely outcomes are why they play the games.
Here are my keys to Sunday’s game. If these things happen, the Bears should have a shot to win.
- Kyle Fuller must contain star wide receiver Davante Adams. The Green Bay all-pro has a whopping 10 touchdown catches in 2020. Make someone else beat you.
- Run, Mitchell, run! The Bears running game has been non-existent of late and Trubisky’s speed may be the best way to create a run game via scrambling, especially with a patchwork offensive line.
- Generate pressure on defense with the front four. Blitzing Rodgers rarely works well for opponents, so generating a rush with the big uglies is a must. Might be a good time for Robert Quinn to finally do something productive.
- Get Allen Robinson involved early and often. The Bears’ best offensive weapon has been underused recently. Getting him going in this game would really help the Bears’ chances for success.
My Prediction: Packers win 24-13
Here are Bears analysts Jeff Joniak and Tom Thayer with their preview of the Bears’ upcoming Week 12 matchup.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5EKIZyAKjGw
