The rivalry between the Chicago Bears and the Green Bay Packers turns 101 years old this year, and it’s been a remarkably close series. The Packers lead, 103-95, with six ties, and they have pulled away in recent years, having won six straight. The Bears have struggled in recent seasons, particularly on the offensive side of the ball, while the Packers have been a dominant team for the last couple of decades, having been fortunate enough to go from one elite quarterback right to the next when Brett Favre gave way to Aaron Rodgers. Let’s take a closer look at Sunday’s matchup as you consider your NFL betting options.
NFL Preview: Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers<
(Sunday, September 18)
When: Sunday, September 18, 2022, 8:20 pm ET
Where: Lambeau Field, Green Bay, WI
TV: NBC
Radio: Westwood One
Live Stream: Sling TV
NFL Odds: Green Bay -10 / O/U 41.5 // Green Bay -480 / Chicago +360
Why should you bet on the Bears?
Chicago picked up an upset win in Week 1, beating San Francisco, 19-10, on a day when there was so much rain at Soldier Field that the turf turned into a giant slip-and-slide. The 49ers had a 7-0 lead at the half, but the Bears came back to get the win, with 12 points in the fourth quarter. Justin Fields was just 8 of 17 for 121 yards, but he had two touchdown passes (and an interception). Dante Pettis hauled in a 51-yard touchdown pass to lead the Bears’ receivers, and Khalil Herbert carried the ball nine times for 45 yards and a touchdown.
Even with the win, the Bears have covered just four times in their last 13 games, and they have covered just five times in their last 19 games against NFC opponents. Fields should have some confidence coming in after having beaten San Francisco, even though the conditions for Sunday’s game should be much more hospitable than were the virtual lake that gathered atop Soldier Field’s grass. Can Chicago mount the same sort of defensive push again? The Vikings were able to harass Aaron Rodgers all night long in Week 1.
Why should you put your money on the Packers?
We’ve now see the Packers open up two regular seasons in a row with a head-shaker of a loss. Last year, the Packers met New Orleans in Jacksonville (due to hurricane-related damage in New Orleans) but got shredded. This year, they went to Minnesota and had a disappointing outcome against the Vikings, losing 23-7 after going into the locker room at halftime down, 17-0. Aaron Rodgers went 22 of 34 for 195 yards and an interception. HIs top receiver was checkdown A.J. Dillon, catching five passes out of the backfield for 46 yards. Aaron Jones ran for 49 yards on five carries but did not have many opportunities.
The Packers have historically done well in Week 2, covering four years in a row at this point on the schedule. They also do well for bettors at Lambeau, covering in seven of their last nine games at home. If you like the Packers, you see Rodgers communicating better with his young wide receivers, and you see the offensive line doing a more effective job against a Bears’ defense that has a number of young starters.
Final Score and Prediction
A ten-point line sounds like a lot, but at some point, Aaron Rodgers has to catch fire and have a big day. He tends to do this against the Bears, and so in the absence of elite pass-rushers, I se the Packers sustaining drives much more effectively. I predict a final score of Green Bay 30, Chicago 16.
NFL Betting Odds
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