The Packers and the Bears, two of the oldest teams in the NFL tee it up a week from today and kick off what should be a great year in an extremely competitive NFC North division. The winner Sunday will feel real good about themselves going forward while the loser will already be behind the eight ball. The Packers, Vikings and Bears are all battling for the title and the team who wins the most games between the head-to-head battles will likely win the crown. I think the Packers need to go 3-1 in those games to win the division.
The Packers and Bears will have vastly different looks this year. The Bears added Jay Cutler to the offense and Lovie Smith took over the defense after the Bears slipped to the bottom half of the league the last two seasons. The Packers high-powered offense will face a stiff challenge against the rejuvenated Bears’ defense and the Packers’ new defense will not get a cream puff offense to start things off with. But you don’t ease into a street fight you jump in swinging and the Packers will have to do just that next Sunday.
At first glance I think the Packers ability to stop Bears’ running back Matt Forte may be the key to the game. Take away the run and put pressure on Cutler to throw to receivers who can’t get open will definitely would put the Packers in an advantageous position. Offensively I’m not expecting 38 points by halftime by any means, but it would be nice to see Aaron Rodgers and crew continue to move the sticks and keep the defense off the field.
Sunday Night Football, national TV for the second straight home opening, the stage is set. I can’t wait to get there.
More to come…