Chicago shook off an overtime loss to the rebuilding Giants in which they gave up 30 points to shut the door on the potent offense of the Los Angeles Rams in Week 14. Their 15-6 win puts the Bears in a position to clinch the NFC North in front of their home fans against a division rival.
Aaron Rodgers would like to delay that moment as he believes the Packers still have a shot at the playoffs. After a solid 34-20 victory over the Falcons, Green Bay sits just one game back of the Vikings and a half-game back of several 6-7 teams battling for the Vikings’ wild-card position.
All those teams lost in Week 14, which has Rodgers convinced that winning out gives the Packers a great chance at snagging the second wild-card ticket.
Mike McCarthy’s departure did nothing to lessen Rodgers’ drive and might help ignite the team. If nothing else, the end of the infighting should keep the team’s focus on winning.
Chicago would like to get their offense back on track this week at the expense of the Packers. After all, 15-6 wins are nice, but Matt Nagy is supposed to be an offensive genius. 30-6 would make him happier.
Still, the best news of last week’s victory had to do with the offense. Jordan Howard had some clutch runs for the Bears when they needed them. He finished with 101 yards on 19 carries, something that will only help Mitch Trubisky and the offense.
Injuries and notes
Chicago lists cornerback Bryce Callahan (foot) and safety Deon Bush (hamstring) as questionable.
Green Bay will face Khalil Mack and his friends with a battered offensive line. The Packers list right guard Byron Bell (knee), left guard Lane Taylor (foot), and right tackle Bryan Bulaga (knee) as questionable.
Coaching matchup
Joe Philbin lost two challenges within minutes of each other but was happy to grab a solid win in his 2018 debut. If he can keep this team together and win a playoff game or two, he hopes to put himself in the running for some of the 2019 head coaching openings.
Matt Nagy won’t have to pay for a drink- or much else- in Chicago after bringing “Da Bears” back into NFC North relevance. His nod to historic Bears’ plays and players endears him to nostalgic fans while his modern offense keeps the team among the new wave of powerhouse units.
How to watch the Bears-Packers game
Most of the upper Midwest will see this game via Fox Sports, including a slew of smart Packers and Bears fans who did away with their cable and satellite contracts to join the internet TV revolution.
Those fans will watch the game on Fubo TV, DirecTV Now, or maybe Sling TV. Fubo, Sling, and DirecTV Now put the livestream action at your fingertips.
That means if you can’t get home before kickoff, you can watch the game on your smartphone or computer anywhere you have an internet connection.
And when there’s no game, watch all your favorite movies and TV shows on Fubo TV, Sling, or DirecTV Now. With dozens of entertainment venues included in a typical subscription, internet TV providers can manage all your TV needs.
How much would you pay for that? Not much. In fact, you’d pay just a fraction of what cable and satellite charge. Check out their websites and sign up for a free trial today.
Read More: NFL Week 16 Game Preview: Packers at Jets
Who will win the Bears-Packers game?
Just a few weeks ago, Aaron Rodgers acknowledged that his best might not be good enough to win many games anymore. Unless you believe McCarthy’s firing was addition by subtraction, Green Bay hasn’t added any weapons for Rodgers since that statement.
His best won’t be enough against a title-hungry division rival.