Chicago Bears vs. Green Bay Packers Preview and Predictions 09-09-2018 in NFL
NFL Previews 6th September 2018 by Gracenote
Bears vs. Packers Preview and Predictions
by Gracenote on 09/06/2018
The NFL's oldest rivalry, one that featured such legendary names of Halas and Lombardi, has taken on a Moneyball slant entering the 2018 season. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers became the highest-paid player in NFL history last month and will guide the Green Bay Packers into a Week 1 matchup against the visiting Chicago Bears and new meal ticket Khalil Mack on Sunday night.
Rodgers signed a four-year, $134 million contract extension but his true value was evident last season when he missed nine games due to a broken collarbone and the Packers spiraled to a 7-9 record. "Obviously, my financial commitment is such that I feel good about my place on the team in the next few years," Rodgers said. "I want to go out and prove that I'm still an elite payer in this league, and if I do that then I'll feel good (that) I've got the opportunity to finish my career in Green Bay." Ready to make Rodgers earn every dime is Mack, who was acquired by Chicago in a blockbuster trade with Oakland and rewarded with the richest contract given to a defensive player -- a whopping six-year, $141 million extension. The Bears, who have finished last in the NFC North four years running, also will feature a different look on the other side of the ball as they begin a new era under first-year head coach Matt Nagy.
TV: 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC. LINE: Packers -7. O/U: 47.5
ABOUT THE BEARS (5-11, 4TH IN NFC NORTH): Chicago traded a pair of first-round draft picks as part of the package to bring in Mack, the 2016 NFL Defensive Player of the Year who has registered double-digit sacks in each of the past three seasons. The Bears also used a first-round draft pick (No. 8 overall) to select linebacker Roquan Smith out of Georgia to further bolster a defense that ranked No. 7 against the pass with an average of 211.0 yards in 2017. Quarterback Mitchell Trubisky threw for only 2,193 yards and seven touchdowns in 12 games as a rookie last season, but he has plenty of new weapons in wide receivers Allen Robinson (Jacksonville) and Taylor Gabriel (Atlanta) along with tight end Trey Burton (Philadelphia). Jordan Howard has rushed for at least 1,100 yards in each of his first two seasons while Tarik Cohen provides a dynamic pass-catching threat in the backfield.
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ABOUT THE PACKERS (7-9, 3RD IN NFC NORTH): Rodgers' impact on Green Bay's offense cannot be overstated -- the two-time NFL MVP started all 16 games from 2014-16 and amassed 109 touchdown passes against only 20 interceptions. Longtime favorite target Jordie Nelson was let go in the offseason, but Rodgers still has plenty of options with returning wideouts Davante Adams and Randall Cobb (140 combined catches in 2017) and the arrival of tight end Jimmy Graham, who had 10 TD receptions with Seattle last season. Jamaal Williams rushed for a team-high 556 yards last season and will share the load with Ty Montgomery while Aaron Jones serves a two-game suspension for violating the league's substance abuse policy. The Packers were 26th in points allowed (24.0) and 22nd in total defense, leading to the dismissal of defensive coordinator Dom Capers and the hiring of Mike Pettine.
VIDEO: NFL Week 1 Top Game Previews and Predictions by ScoresAndStats.com
EXTRA POINTS
1. Rodgers had 14 touchdown passes and one interception in his last four home starts versus Chicago.
2. Mack, the No. 5 overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, has 36.5 sacks over the last three seasons.
3. Green Bay has won four straight against the Bears and leads the all-time series 95-93-6.
PREDICTION: Packers 26, Bears 20
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