Bears at Packers: Preview and prediction

The Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers meet in a divisional scrap on Thanksgiving day.

The Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears both enter a divisional matchup at Lambeau Field in Green Bay on Thursday with major playoff implications on the line.

The 7-3 Packers ended a three-game losing streak with a huge win over the Minnesota Vikings, and the 4-6 Bears are coming off a heartbreaking 17-15 loss to the Denver Broncos to end their two-game win streak. The Bears need a win to stay relevant in the NFC wild card hunt. They currently sit two games behind the Atlanta Falcons for the final wild card spot in the NFC, and are currently winless in the NFC North. Green Bay holds a tie-breaker over the Vikings for the NFC North crown, but with both teams sitting at 7-3, the division title is all but decided.

The Packers topped the Bears, 31-23, in the season opener—a game in which the Bears secondary held Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers under 200 passing yards—which was one of the only two games in which Rodgers has been held under 200 yards this season. Bears quarterback Jay Cutler had been on a tear before Sunday’s loss, throwing five touchdowns and just one interception against the Rams and Chargers.

Fantasy owners and the NFL audience alike will be interested to see how Packers running back Eddie Lacy performs after his best performance of the season. The bruising back broke the 100-yard mark for the first time in what has been a disappointing 2015 campaign. It’s likely that the Packers can get Lacy going, as the Bears rank 25th in run defense. However, Lacy has recorded poor statistics against the Chargers and the 49ers, both who rank below the Bears in total rushing defense.

The Bears have an injury report as long as the Declaration of Independence, but could be regaining a few key players. Running back Matt Forte was listed as a limited participant in Monday’s practice, and could make his first start since suffering an MCL sprain. In addition, receiver Alshon Jeffrey was also a limited practice participant, as the Pro-Bowl receiver is dealing with a groin injury.

Pro-Bowl tight end Martellus Bennet was the only notable scratch from Monday’s practice, but is questionable for Thursday with a rib injury. The Packers enter Thursday’s matchup in relatively good health as center Corey Linsely was the only starter sidelined from practice due to an ankle injury.

For the Bears to pull off the upset, they will need to pressure Rodgers. In the three Packers’ losses, Rodgers has been sacked 11 times. He has also been sacked 13 times in the past four games. However, pressuring the quarterback has not been the Bears’ forte this season, as they have recorded just 20 sacks which ranks 22nd in the NFL. In addition, Cutler will need to exploit Green Bay’s No. 23 pass defense whether or not Forte, Jeffrey, and Bennett suit up.

Pick: Packers 23, Bears 17