It's Week 1, and the Green Bay Packers are playing the Chicago Bears, so this isn't a game that needs a lot of artificial hype to get the adrenaline pumping. It is not likely to be a classic in Green Bay vs. Chicago history -- the Bears have lost eight of the last nine to the Packers, and this doesn't look a great year for them in general, while Green Bay still looks loaded, outside the Jordy Nelson injury.
Packers vs. Bears 2015 picks and predictions: Green Bay the clear favorite
The Packers are favored on the road over Chicago’s beaten-up offense and struggling defense.
With Jay Cutler at quarterback, rookie Kevin White sidelined and fellow wideouts Alshon Jeffery, Eddie Royal and Marquess Wilson all banged up, it isn't clear what kind of passing attack the Bears are going to be able to put on the field. That's going to put a huge burden on the shoulders of running back Matt Forte.
Green Bay won't be able to fully replace Nelson's production, but Aaron Rodgers is expected to have Randall Cobb back for the opener after a shoulder injury. It might not matter too much against a Chicago defense that gave up the most rushing yards in team history in 2013, then followed that up by allowing the most passing yards in team history last season.
This is the 30th anniversary of the 1985 Bears and possibly the greatest defense of them all. The 2015 Bears are not likely to resemble them in any way.
The crew at CBS Sports must hold that the same belief, because all experts are siding with the road team.
Here at SB Nation, our panel is in near unanimous agreement. Only PFT Commenter stands alone with his pick of the Bears.
| Ryan Van Bibber | Stephen White | Joel Thorman | David Fucillo | Danny Kelly | Matt Ufford | PFT Commenter | OddsShark | |
| GB vs. CHI | GB | GB | GB | GB | GB | GB | CHI | GB |
See More:
