After a midseason hiccup, the Green Bay Packers are in position to firmly regain control of the NFC North with a win over the Chicago Bears on Thanksgiving night.
Bears vs. Packers 2015 picks and predictions: Green Bay big favorite in Thanksgiving nightcap
The Packers have recovered from their three-game losing streak and are once again in control of the NFC North.
The Packers snapped a three-game losing skid with a 30-13 victory over the Minnesota Vikings last week. Aaron Rodgers wasn't spectacular, but was still good enough to win, completing 16 of 32 passes for 212 yards and two touchdowns. The star of the game for the Packers' offense was James Jones, who caught six passes for 109 yards and a touchdown. Running back Eddie Lacy carried the ball 22 times for 100 yards as well.
Chicago’s defense has played well as of late, only allowing opponents to score an average of 16 points per game in the month of November. But if the Packers’ offense has rebounded after a midseason slide, they’ll be difficult to stop.
Jay Cutler has played like Rodgers at times this season, posting a career-best 92.7 passer rating. He'll be without tight end Martellus Bennett, but two of his most dangerous offensive weapons (Matt Forte and Alshon Jeffery) are expected to be back in the lineup this week. Forte has missed the last three games due to a knee injury and Jeffery has only played in five games this season due to various ailments.
Despite those reinforcements, the 4-6 Bears are heavy underdogs heading into Thursday’s matchup. History is certainly not in their favor, either. Cutler is 1-11 in his career against the Packers as a member of the Bears. He’s thrown 11 interceptions and been sacked 18 times in four career games at Lambeau Field.
On top of that, the Packers are slated to retire Brett Favre’s jersey prior to the start of the game. The mystique and aura of Packers history promises to be out in full force.
Seven of our eight experts at SB Nation are picking Green Bay to win and seven of CBS’ eight are as well. Meanwhile, Bears legend Mike Ditka is the only one of ESPN’s 13 prognosticators who thinks the Packers will be victorious.
| Ryan Van Bibber | Stephen White | Joel Thorman | David Fucillo | Danny Kelly | Matt Ufford | PFT Commenter | OddsShark | |
| CHI @ GB | GB | GB | GB | GB | GB | GB | GB | CHI |
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