SNF PREVIEW: CHICAGO BEARS AT GREEN BAY PACKERS

BY ADAM GREENE

You know, after last week’s epic three-game NFL Primetime schedule I’m tempted to complain about this one, but I’m holding off. Both these teams are currently in the playoff hunt as the Chicago Bears travel to historic Lambeau Field to take on the Green Bay Packers on Sunday Night Football. And, really, a game that actually matters is all you can ask for at this point.

CHICAGO BEARS AT GREEN BAY PACKERS (-9, O/U: 44.5)

Location: Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wis.

Kickoff: Nov. 29, 8:20 p.m. EST

Broadcast: NBC

THE HISTORY

The Bears and Packers are officially the NFL’s oldest rivalry dating all the way back to 1921 when the Bears were known as the Staleys for whatever stupid 1920s reason that made sense.

This will be the 201^st meeting all time between the two franchises with Green Bay holding only a slight edge, 99-95-6 in the all time series. That advantage comes thanks to a dominant Pack run that’s seen them win 20 of their last 25 games over the Bears going back to 2008. The last time Chicago could claim a victory was on Dec. 16, 2018, 24-17, with the team quarterbacked by Mitchell Trubisky, who just so happens to be getting the start Sunday night.

They’ve met only twice in the postseason, the first a 33-14 Bears win in 1941. They didn’t square off again until the 2010-11 NFC Championship where Green Bay won 21-14.

Their last meeting was a 21-13 Pack win on Dec. 15, 2019. Aaron Rodgers threw for 203 yards and a touchdown. Trubisky was good for 334 yards, one TD and two picks. Devante Adams caught seven passes for 103 yards and a score. Anthony Miller of the Bears had nine grabs for 118 yards and a TD.

CHICAGO BEARS (5-5)

The Bears come into this game off their bye and on a four game losing streak, but one where they’ve been right on the cusp of being a good team. Three of those four losses came by a single score, and that’s with starting quarterback Nick Foles getting knocked out on a game winning drive attempt against the Minnesota Vikings two weeks ago.

Trubisky has been tossed back the keys with a chance to get this franchise back to the playoffs here over the final six games of the season. In his last action against the Atlanta Falcons before getting the hook, he was 12 of 22 for 128 yards, one touchdown and an interception.

GREEN BAY PACKERS (7-3)

A couple of dumb fumbles in a 34-31 overtime loss to the Indianapolis Colts last week are all that’s keeping Green Bay from being dead even with the New Orleans Saints in the NFC home field advantage race. The first stupid fumble came on a kickoff return with the game tied 28-28 that led to a go-ahead field goal for the Colts.

The second came in the second snap in overtime as Marquez Valdez-Scantling coughed up a screen pass to set Indy up in field goal range before they even touched the field.

Rodgers threw for 311 yards, three touchdowns and in interception in the game. Adams caught seven passes for 106 yards and a score.

THE PICK

Green Bay has exactly one team left on its schedule with a winning record, the Tennessee Titans on Dec. 27. Because of that, they have to feel as if they have real shot at NFC home field. I don’t see them losing two in a row and blowing that chance against Trubisky in his first action in two months. Packers 27, Bears 17

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