PACKERVILLE, U.S.A.: Bears at Packers Game Preview

Preview: Packers, Bears meet at Lambeau

The Associated Press

GREEN BAY, Wis. — After spending the last three seasons looking up at the Green Bay Packers in the NFC North standings, the Chicago Bears head into Lambeau Field in an unusual position.

The Bears (1-0) lead the Packers (0-1) in the division race for the first time since 2018, when Chicago last earned the NFC North title. The Packers have won the NFC North every year since and are 6-0 against the Bears during that stretch.

Chicago would love to take a two-game edge over the three-time defending division champions by winning Sunday night. Even with the Bears coming off a win and the Packers coming off a loss, Green Bay is a 9 ½-point favorite, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.

“It’s the tradition of this rivalry,” Bears quarterback Justin Fields said. “Means a lot to us as a team, to the fan base, to the people upstairs. It just means a lot to everyone in this building.”

The Bears’ recent struggles in this series stem from their inability to slow reigning MVP Aaron Rodgers.

The Packers are 23-5 against the Bears in games Rodgers has started. Rodgers appreciates the part he has played in the NFL’s oldest rivalry.

“I love the history of this game,” Rodgers said. “When I got to this squad, Chicago was beating us in the all-time record. Now we’re up by eight, I believe."

He's right: The Packers lead the series 103-95-6.

"That does mean a lot to me,” Rodgers said.

Rodgers is coming off a sluggish performance, going 22 of 34 for 195 yards with no touchdown passes, one interception and a lost fumble in a 23-7 loss at Minnesota in his first game since the trade of two-time All-Pro receiver Davante Adams to the Las Vegas Raiders.

Chicago won its opener 19-10 over the San Francisco 49ers, causing some Bears to celebrate by sliding along a rain-soaked Soldier Field.

If the Bears follow that up with a victory at Lambeau Field, they’ll have even more reason for jubilation.

“I’m from here and this is a big deal to me,” said Bears tight end Cole Kmet, who went to high school in Chicago suburb Arlington Heights. “To play in this game is just an honor in itself. Yeah, this game means a lot to me, and I have no problem saying that. As a kid growing up and rooting for this team, this game means a lot to a lot of people.”

EBERFLUS’ SUCCESS AGAINST PACKERS

While Chicago has struggled mightily in this series lately, new Bears coach Matt Eberflus has been successful against Green Bay.

Eberflus was Indianapolis’ defensive coordinator in 2020 when the Colts beat Green Bay 34-31 in overtime. After allowing 28 first-half points, the Colts held the Packers to just a field goal the rest of the way.

“Every game is different,” Eberflus said. “We had a different skill set than we have here, (Rodgers) had different skill sets that he was working with. I think we hung in there at the end of the day and we came up with the win at the end of it.”

FAMILIAR FACES

Bears offensive coordinator Luke Getsy worked on the Packers’ staff from 2014-21 and was quarterbacks coach the last two seasons.

“He’s just a great human being,” Rodgers said. “He’s a great father, husband, phenomenal coach.”

The Bears’ roster includes two guys who played for the Packers last season in offensive lineman Lucas Patrick and wide receiver Equanimeous St. Brown. New Packers punter Pat O’Donnell spent the last eight seasons in Chicago.

STRUGGLING OFFENSES

The Bears beat the 49ers despite gaining just 204 yards, the lowest total by any team in the season’s opening week.

The Packers posted their lowest point total since a 38-3 loss to the New Orleans Saints in their 2021 season opener.

CONTAINING QUINN

Bears defensive end Robert Quinn set a franchise record last season with 18 ½ sacks and got three of them in Chicago’s two matchups with the Packers.

The Packers allowed four sacks against the Vikings and are facing uncertainty on their offensive line. Projected starting tackles David Bakhtiari and Elgton Jenkins missed the Vikings game as they recovered from knee injuries, though they’ve both practiced on a limited basis this week. Guard Jon Runyan Jr. left the Vikings game to get evaluated for a concussion and wasn’t practicing early this week.

PRIME-TIME PACKERS

The Packers have won 12 straight regular-season night games, with 11 of those coming since the start of the 2020 season.

A victory Sunday would give them sole possession of the longest regular-season, prime-time winning streak since 2000. The Indianapolis Colts from 2004-07 and Pittsburgh Steelers from 2007-09 also won 12 consecutive regular-season night games.

BEARS PLAYER TO WATCH: DE Robert Quinn. He set a single-season franchise record last year with 18½ sacks and got three of them in the Bears’ two meetings with the Packers.

PACKERS PLAYERS TO WATCH: RBs A.J. Dillon and Aaron Jones. They were the Packers’ only real threats on offense last week, combining for 94 yards on 15 carries plus eight catches for 73 yards. Packers coach Matt LaFleur has emphasized the importance of getting the ball in their hands more often.

KEY MATCHUP: Packers offensive line vs. Bears pass rush: Packers' Aaron Rodgers was sacked four times at Minnesota as the Packers played without projected starting tackles David Bakhtiari and Elgton Jenkins as they recover from knee injuries. Their status remains uncertain for Sunday. The Packers must deal with Quinn and Dominique Robinson, a rookie fifth-round pick from Miami (Ohio) who had 1½ sacks in his NFL debut.

KEY INJURIES: Bears OL Alex Leatherwood is on the non-football illness list and will miss at least four weeks… Bears OL Lucas Patrick (right hand) split time at right guard with Teven Jenkins against San Francisco, and it’s not clear how long he will continue to do so before moving back to center. Sam Mustipher started at center last week… Bears WR Velus Jones Jr. (hamstring) hoped to be available this week after missing the opener… Packers OG Jon Runyan Jr. (concussion) wasn’t practicing for the Packers early this week… Bakhtiari and Jenkins have been practicing on a limited basis this week… Packers WR Allen Lazard has been practicing on a limited basis after missing the Vikings game with an ankle injury.

SERIES NOTES: The Packers have won each of their past six meetings with the Bears… In the past 14 Packers-Bears matchups at Lambeau Field, Green Bay has gone 12-2 while outscoring Chicago 406-215… The Packers are 23-5 against the Bears in games started by Rodgers. In one of Green Bay’s losses, Rodgers left with an injury after the first series… The Packers have committed just one turnover in their past six matchups with the Bears. They have a plus-12 turnover margin in the past six meetings of this series… The Packers and Bears have met 203 times, making this the most-played NFL series… This is the 17th consecutive season in which the Packers and Bears have faced off in prime time.

STATS AND STUFF: Matt Eberflus became the fifth Bears coach to win his debut with the club, joining George Halas (1920), Neil Armstrong (1978), Dick Jauron (1999) and Marc Trestman (2013). He hopes to become the eighth Bears coach to win in his first trip to Lambeau Field… Bears QB Justin Fields was 8 of 17 for 121 yards with an interception last week. But he also threw two second-half touchdowns, including a 51-yarder to Dante Pettis… Bears S Eddie Jackson had an interception last week — his first since 2019 — that led to a touchdown. Jackson had 10 interceptions from 2017 to 2019, including six in his 2018 All-Pro season… Bears K Cairo Santos missed 2 of 3 PATs last week… The Packers were the only NFL team to go unbeaten at home during the 2021 regular season, though they fell 13-10 to the 49ers in a divisional playoff game at Lambeau Field. The Packers have won 13 straight regular-season home games, but have lost two playoff contests in Green Bay during that stretch… The Packers have never lost consecutive regular-season games within the same season under LaFleur, who has coached the team since 2019… The Packers have won 12 straight regular-season night games to match the longest such streak by an NFL team since 2000. The Indianapolis Colts won 12 straight from 2004-07 and the Pittsburgh Steelers matched that from 2007-09. The Packers are 11-0 in regular-season night games since 2020… Bears OC Luke Getsy was on Green Bay’s staff from 2014-21 and was the Packers quarterbacks coach the past two seasons… Packers OL coach Luke Butkus is the nephew of Bears Hall of Fame LB Dick Butkus… Patrick and Bears WR Equanimeous St. Brown played for the Packers last season. Packers P Pat O'Donnell was with the Bears.

WEEK 2 SCHEDULE

Thursday, September 15

Los Angeles Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs, 7:15 p.m., Prime Video

Sunday, September 18

Miami Dolphins at Baltimore Ravens, 12:00 p.m., CBS

New York Jets at Cleveland Browns, 12:00 p.m., CBS

Washington Commanders at Detroit Lions, 12:00 p.m., FOX

Indianapolis Colts at Jacksonville Jaguars, 12:00 p.m., CBS

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New Orleans Saints, 12:00 p.m., FOX

Carolina Panthers at New York Giants, 12:00 p.m., FOX

New England Patriots at Pittsburgh Steelers, 12:00 p.m., CBS

Atlanta Falcons at Los Angeles Rams, 3:05 p.m., FOX