Rivals clash again in a high-stakes playoff rematch. Can Green Bay Packers conquer the Chicago Bears and advance?
Well this is it, folks. It's the rematch to end all rematches in arguably the greatest rivalry in sports. The Green Bay Packers travel to Soldier Field on Saturday evening to play the Chicago Bears and their stupid cheese grater hats in the Wild Card round of the NFC playoffs.
This may not be as big of a game as the last time these two rivals met in the playoffs. That was in the NFC Championship game and the Packers beat the Bears to advance to the Super Bowl, which they ultimately won.
Who could forget that game? B.J. Raji's interception is a thing of legend:
So no, the stakes aren't as high as that game, but this is still a massive matchup in the history of these two organizations.
The Packers went 1-1 this season against the Bears and they really should have gone 2-0. Had they not botched an onside kick recovery a few weeks ago in Chicago, perhaps they wouldn't be the seven seed right now and this game would be at Lambeau Field.
That doesn't matter, though, because the reality is that Green Bay must go into Soldier Field and beat these upstart Bears one more time if they want to advance in the playoffs.
If they can do that, anything can happen moving forward. This is the playoffs, after all.
If they can't do it, they'll finish this campaign on a five-game losing skid and there will be serious questions to answer all throughout the organization.
Here's everything you need to know about this game:
Game Time:
7:00 PM Lambeau Time
TV Channel:
Prime Video
Betting Odds:
Packers -1.5 per DraftKings, O/U 44.5
Key Matchup: Rome Odunze vs. Packers' secondary
Chicago wide receiver Rome Odunze has missed the past five games with a foot injury. He is expecting to play in this one, though, and if the Packers aren't careful, he could really tilt the field in the Bears' direction.
Despite missing several games, Odunze has caught 44 passes for 661 yards and six touchdowns this season, averaging 15.0 yards per catch.
The Packers secondary must key in on him when he's on the field. He may not have a featured role in this one as he comes back from injury, but if the Packers forget about him, that could lead to some big trouble.
Specifically, keep an eye on new cornerback Trevon Diggs, who has the potential to be an X-factor for Green Bay's secondary.
Key Quote: Josh Jacobs on the hit Jordan Love took against the Bears last time around
"I know a lot of guys took that hit that he took a little personal. So I'm not saying we gon' go out there and play dirty or nothing like that, but we definitely gonna defend our brother."
Prediction:
Packers 27, Bears 20