The Green Bay Packers head to Chicago to take on the Bears in the first game of the regular season. Green Bay is looking to continue its dominance over its NFC North rival after taking nine of the last 10 meetings.
Packers vs. Bears 2015 live stream: Time, TV schedule and how to watch online
The 2015 regular season opens for these two teams with a division rivalry.
The Packers made a big move following the final roster cuts, re-signing former receiver James Jones to fill the void left by Jordy Nelson’s season-ending ACL tear. Jones played seven years with the Packers followed by one season in Oakland, and boasts 383 receptions, 4,971 yards and 43 touchdowns in his career. His familiarity with Aaron Rodgers could pay immediate dividends for Green Bay.
The Packers are is in good hands with Rodgers under center, who tossed 38 touchdowns to just five interceptions last season. In addition to Jones, second-year wideout Davante Adams is coming off a 446-yard season and will see time as a starter for Green Bay.
For Chicago, Jay Cutler has spent the offseason working with new Bears offensive coordinator Adam Gase, formerly with Denver. Cutler was benched late last season, which was just the latest in a tumultuous tenure in Chicago. Despite a career that includes 2,390 completions for 27,749 yards and 183 touchdowns, the 32-year-old is still a question mark ahead of the season.
The Bears are having their own issues at the wideout position. After losing receiver Brandon Marshall, they drafted Kevin White to fill the spot; White quickly suffered a stress fracture in his leg that could keep him out all season. Alshon Jeffery missed the preseason with a calf injury, Eddie Royal was nursing a hip injury and Marquess Wilson was out with a hamstring strain. Several of these players are expected to be back this week, but could be rusty after missing the preseason.
In addition to the new players on the sidelines, the Bears have a new head coach in John Fox. This will be Fox's first regular season game in Chicago, much less his first rivalry game, and it brings a whole new element to the competition.
“John Fox is an outstanding coach, I’ve had the chance to compete again John a number of times. He’s put together an outstanding coaching staff. This is a whole different challenge for us, it’s something we’re getting ready for,” said Packers head coach Mike McCarthy.
Another questionable area for the Bears is the secondary. The team added veteran safety Antrel Rolle during free agency to play alongisde second-year player Kyle Fuller and rookie Adrian Amos. The team released cornerback Tim Jennings ahead of the roster cut deadline, just two years into his four-year, $22.4 million contract extension.
The last time these two rivals met, the Packers trounced the Bears, 55-14, in Nov. 2014. Rodgers threw three touchdown passes for 40-plus-yards, marking the first time this had happened in a game for the franchise since 1942.
Cutler is 0-4 against the Packers in Green Bay, but the 2015 season opener is in Chicago, and the team is hoping to capitalize on home field advantage. Both teams are hungry, and this game will set the tone for the division early in the season.
How to Watch
When: 1 p.m. ET
Where: Soldier Field, Chicago
TV: FOX
Announcers: Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Erin Andrews
Online: NFL Game Pass
See More:
