SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL: CHICAGO BEARS AT GREEN BAY PACKERS

BY ADAM GREENE

Well, the bi-annual Aaron Rodgers paternity test is on tap early in the 2022 campaign as the Chicago Bears venture into the Deathstar itself when they face off against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeu Field on Sunday Night Football.

Coming into Sunday night’s game, Rodgers is 22-5 in his career against the so-called Monsters of the Midway. Chicago has not won a game against the Packers since Dec. 2018. They haven’t won in Green Bay since 2015.

The fact is, the Pack’s dominance over the Bears goes back long before Rodgers took over at quarterback. The longest Chicago win streak since the millennium was three games from Dec. 2005 to Sep. 2006. Over the last 23 years, the Bears have won a total of 12 games over Green Bay.

The current losing streak sits at six games, with the last coming on Dec. 12 with a 45-30 win at Lambeau. Rodgers threw for 341 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions in the victory. AJ Dillon rushed for 71 yards and Devante Adams (now with the Las Vegas Raiders) caught 10 passes for 121 yards and two scores. Allen Lazard hauled in six passes for 75 yards and a TD. Justin Fields threw for 224 yards and rushed for 74 in the losing effort. Damiere Byrd caught two passes for 76 yards and a touchdown.

CHICAGO BEARS AT GREEN BAY PACKERS (-10, O/U: 41.5)

Location: Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisc.

Broadcast: NBC

Kickoff: Sep. 18, 8:20 p.m. EST

CHICAGO BEARS (1-0)

Chicago comes into this game feeling pretty good, having just upset the San Francisco 49ers 19-10 in Week one, scoring more against the Niners defense in the pouring rain than the Packers did in the NFC Divisional Round a season ago. Fields finished 8 of 17 for 121 yards, two touchdowns and a pick. He added 28 yards on the ground. Dante Pettis caught one pass for a 51 yards touchdown.

The Bears defense sacked Trey Lance twice, picked him off once and forced a fumble.

GREEN BAY PACKERS (0-1)

The Pack opened the year with something they’ve made an annual tradition, getting thoroughly beaten down in the opener. This year, it was the Minnesota Vikings who delivered the public spanking to the tune of 23-7. Rodgers threw for 195 yards and an interception with no touchdowns. Green Bay rushed for just 111 yards and a touchdown as a team. AJ Dillon had 10 carries for 45 yards and a score and led the receivers with five catches for 46 yards. Rodgers was sacked four times.

Green Bay’s defense sacked Kirk Cousins once and did not force a turnover.

THE PICK

As bad as the Pack looked a week ago, there’s no reason to go crazy. At least not yet. Allen Lazard might still not play, but Rodgers should have enough to work with to once again to have his name revealed as Chicago’s pater familias. Packers 27, Bears 26

Last week

Straight up: 10-5-1

Against the spread: 9-7

Season

Straight up: 10-5-1

Against the spread: 9-7

Follow Adam Greene on Twitter @TheFirstMan.

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