BEARS 2017 STATISTICS
Sunday, 7:20 p.m. Field, Green Bay TV: NBC
Danny Sheridan’s line: Packers by 8 ET, Lambeau
Bears’ keys to victory
The Bears need to attack on offense, limit turnovers, use newcomer Khalil Mack to force Aaron Rodgers to play from the pocket and get one or two big plays on special teams. The Bears have the offensive talent to turn the opener into a track meet, especially if QB Mitchell Trubisky comes out firing in coach Matt Nagy’s new offense. Keep an eye on rookie WR Anthony Miller, a standout pass catcher all summer, and S Adrian Amos, the Bears’ top option for defending TE Jimmy Graham.
Packers’ keys to victory
Can the Packers protect Rodgers with an offensive line that didn’t get a chance to play together in the preseason, and will Mike Pettine’s new-look defense hold up against the Bears’ creative offensive scheme? Rodgers has plenty of options, including Graham and ascending WR Davante Adams, but he must be kept clean. Pettine needs the three additions at cornerback — veteran Tramon Williams and rookies Jaire Alexander and Josh Jackson — to help limit big plays. The Packers gave up 30 touchdown passes in 2017.
Who wins?
It takes a lot to beat Rodgers at home. The Bears are better this season, but the Packers have a versatile offense and a renewed energy on defense. They could return to Green Bay’s old winning blueprint: Rodgers builds a lead, and the defense seals it with late takeaways.
Packers, 27-20 Passing
Bears Opp. Rushing Bears Opp. Scoring Bears Opp. Att
473 529 Att. 422 1788 4.2 53 432 1730 4.0 58
TD Rsh Rec Ret 31 33 Cmp
291 2811 61.5 343 3376 64.8 Yds Avg Lng TD 13 10 Possession Avg. Total Net Yards Net Yards Rushing Avg. Per Game Net Yards Passing Avg. Per Game Possession Avg. Total Net Yards Net Yards Rushing Avg. Per Game Net Yards Passing Avg. Per Game Yds 13 18 Bears Packers 2 2 Cmp% 13 10 Pts 264 320 Opp. Opp. Sept. 9 . at Green Bay . 8:20 Sept. 17 ..... Seattle ..... 8:15 Sept. 23 ...at Arizona ...4:25 Sept. 30 ..... Tampa Bay ..... 1 Oct. 7 ............... Bye ............... Oct. 14 ........ at Miami ........ 1 Oct. 21 .... New England .... 1 Oct. 28 ........ N.Y. Jets ........ 1 Nov. 4 ........ at Buffalo ........ 1 Nov. 11 ......... Detroit ......... 1 Nov. 18 ...... Minnesota ...... 1 Nov.22..atDetroit..12:30 Dec. 2 ..... at N.Y. Giants ..... 1 Dec. 9 ........ L.A. Rams ........ 1 Dec. 16 ...... Green Bay ...... 1 Dec. 23 ..at San Fran. .. 4:05 Dec. 30 ...at Minnesota ... 1 Yds/ Att
5.9 13 6.4 18 Receiving
Bears Opp.
Kicking Bears Opp. TD Int Lng
12 70 8 88 Rec. Yds
Total First Downs Rushing
3rd Down Pct. 4th Down/Att. 4th Down Pct. Penalties/Yards Sack/ Lost
39/274 79.1 42/277 89.9 Avg Lng TD
Bears Rtg
Opp.