Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears: Lombardi Ave predictions

A frozen Soldier Field awaits the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears.

Aaron Rodgers’ calf and hamstring might not like it, but it’s going to be cold. Very cold. It’s December football at its finest, as the Packers begin a three-game divisional stretch that will determine their future beyond Week 17.

Will they make it four wins on the bounce?

Freddie Boston: Don’t fall into the trap of looking too far ahead. Forget about Detroit. Forget about Minnesota. Those teams will take care of themselves. The Packers must focus on a tough game with a division rival.

The Bears will keep this game close. Partly due to solid defensive play. Partly due to their electric rookie running back and partly due to Green Bay’s best player dealing with soft tissue injuries in frigid temperatures.

It’s hard to pick against the red-hot Packers, but this one will be closer than many believe.

Packers 27, Bears 20

Ralph Mancini: In case you haven’t been paying attention, the playoffs unofficially began weeks ago for the Packers, who have made it their mission to steamroll the competition in their ambitious quest to win their final six games.

Standing in their way this week is a struggling Bears team that doesn’t offer much in terms of offensive firepower beyond the hard running of rookie ball carrier Jordan Howard.

Although Chicago may keep things interesting for a quarter, I don’t expect this group to hold a reinvigorated Packers’ attack down for long.

Ty Montgomery has been giving defensive coordinators fits in coming up with the right packages to neutralize the hybrid weapon.

Similarly, the Bears lack enough bodies in the secondary to shut down both Jordy Nelson and Davante Adams in the passing game.

The weather could pose as a minor hindrance, particularly if the winds go over the 15-mph projection. But overall, anticipate Green Bay having the upper hand in this one and running out the clock with Montgomery and Christine Michael late.

The Packers won’t light up the score board, but they’ll do enough to demoralize their opponents that will be more concerned with thawing out their frozen extremities once they hit the fourth quarter.

Packers 28, Bears 9

Brad Miller: Since it will be cold, wet and windy you can plan on seeing both teams trying to establish the run game because the pass offenses will be hard-pressed to get anything going. This will level the playing field. The 3-10 Bears have been competitive of late fueled by the emergence of RB Jordan Howard. Howard has five 100-yard rushing games this season.

Aaron Rodgers, after struggling to be on the same page with his receivers, has righted the ship and has the Packers offense humming on all cylinders. WRs Jordy Nelson, Davante Adams, and Randall Cobb are each taking their turn to resurrect the passing game.

RBs Ty Montgomery and Christine Michael will be called to get some yardage on the ground. Look for both to have numerous snaps due to the weather.

This should be a low scoring fist fight on Sunday. The Bears will hang in tough for three quarters but the Packers will make enough plays to pull this one out.

Packers 20, Bears 13