Money going Bear's way
The Packers are a 3-point favorite over the Chicago Bears.
Oddsmakers are unlikely to move off such a key number as NFL favorites win by exactly 3 points nearly 10 percent of the time. There is a chance some Green Bay money will come back in on Monday evening as 71 percent of the public is backing the Packers.
The over/under line opened at 45 total points last week and has since risen to 46 in most locations.
INJURY REPORT
The Packers suffered a major blow when they lost running back Ryan Grant two weeks ago. Grant led the team with 1,317 rushing yards last season and is out for the year with torn ligaments in his ankle.
Fullback Korey Hall (hip) and linebacker Brady Poppinga (knee) did not practice this week and might not play. Cornerback Brandon Underwood (shoulder) was a full participant in practice last week for the first time since he injured his shoulder in the third preseason game.
“He went through his work last week and didn’t have any setbacks,” McCarthy said, who also commented that the Packers practiced in shells on Thursday because “the medical report wasn’t where it needed to be.”
For the Bears, linebacker Lance Briggs (ankle), tackle Chris Williams (hamstring) and safety Major Wright (hamstring) missed practice. Williams and Wright are not expected to play, but Lance Briggs is listed as probable tonight. Briggs led the Bears with 118 tackles last season.
PASS IT AROUND
Green Bay has one of the best passing attacks in the NFL behind the right arm of quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who’s already thrown for 442 yards and four touchdowns this season.
Rodgers has plenty weapons at his disposal with three solid receivers options in Donald Driver, Greg Jennings and Jermichael Finley. Rodgers does a great job of spreading the ball around and he is aware he has to keep his playmakers happy by finding them when they get open.
“The biggest challenge is if there starts to be some dissension with those guys,” Rodgers said. “I just hope they would come to me first. We’ll meet that when we come to it, but I hope we don’t have to go through that.
“Obviously, they all want to make plays. I’m not going to change the way I play. I’m going to throw it to the guys who are open, and I’m going to go through my progressions. I hope they understand that.”
CHESS MATCH
The Packers play a 3-4 defense under coordinator Dom Capers and they disguise their packages very well. The cloaked schemes have helped outside linebacker Clay Matthews sack the quarterback six times in the Packers first two games this season.
The Bears and new offensive coordinator Mike Martz feel they are well prepared for Green Bay’s defense after they played the Cowboys last week and the Chargers in the preseason (both teams also run a 3-4 front seven).
"We try to have some answers for everything," Bears QB Jay Cutler said. "We've hit a few this year, we've been stumped a few times. We spread it out sometimes so if you're going to blitz us, we're going to have some hot answers for you. It's just whether or not a defense is prepared for them or not."
SPECIALS TEAMS
One of the most important parts of a football game often gets overlooked. Special teams play is a critical factor, and many times the performance by that unit directly affects the outcome of a game.
The Packers should be in good shape with their field position if Jordy Nelson keeps producing like he has been.
Nelson ranks second in the NFL in kickoff return average (31 yards per return) which is up from his 25-yard average in 2009. Because of Nelson’s returns, Green Bay is tied for second in average starting field position (35-yard line).
Special teams were a big emphasis for the Packers in the off-season, and their hard work has paid off so far.
“The best part is we haven’t even hit full stride yet,” special teams player Derrick Martin said. “Since March-April, we’ve been working on timing, getting our technique, getting our drops. It’s really been showing. We’ve been working on it all off-season. We’re just wanting to run downhill.”
TRENDS
The Packers are 4-0 ATS in their last four games against the Bears and 9-2 ATS in their last 11 games at Soldier Field.
The under is 8-2 in the Bears last 10 games as underdogs.
Chicago is just 7-18-2 ATS vs. teams with winning records.
The Packers are 10-3 ATS in their last 13 games against NFC North opponents.
