The Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers have been playing each other since before the NFL was the NFL. The clubs first met in 1921 as members of the American Professional Football Association, which later became the NFL, and will meet for the 205th time in the Week 2 Sunday Night Football matchup.
The series has belonged to the Packers recently winning six straight and 11 of the past 12 meetings. Oddsmakers expect another Green Bay victory with the home team pegged as a 10-point favorite on the NFL betting line.
Bears vs Packers Date and Time
The Week 2 Sunday Night Football contest between the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers will take place at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, WI at 8:20 p.m. ET on September 19, 2022 and will be televised on NBC.
Bears vs Packers Odds
Chicago Bears +10
Green Bay Packers -10
Over/Under 42
Odds Analysis
Despite the Week 1 results the Packers are still a big betting favorite in this matchup. Look-ahead lines had them at -9 with that number dropping to -8 after Green Bay’s ugly loss to Minnesota. Early action on Aaron Rodgers and Pack pushed the number to double-digits where it’s likely to stay unless something drastic happens before kickoff. Based on Green Bay’s dominance the last several years it’s easy to see why the spread is where it is. The Packers swept the last three season series going 6-0 ATS in the process. They’re also 9-0 SU in the last nine confrontations when laying points against the Bears.
Chicago Bears
It was hard to get a take on Chicago’s offense in last week’s win over San Francisco. Playing in a quagmire the Bears were able to overcome a 10-0 deficit behind the improvisation of Justin Fields, who tossed a pair of touchdown passes in a torrid rain storm for a 19-10 victory. It was an impressive debut for Matt Eberflus with the defense clamping down against a Niners club that reached the NFC Championship last season and is expected to contend again. What the Bears need is an offensive spark for a unit that’s been much maligned in previous years. Fields is hoping to give the club some stability at the most important position and he played well at the end of last season.
It’s only one game but a key takeaway was Chicago’s discipline against the Niners. They committed one turnover in the sloppy conditions and were flagged only three times compared SF’s 12 penalties. The offense is still a work in progress managing just 204 total yards and converting 5 of 14 third downs last week. Playing clean football, not turning the ball over and taking advantage of opportunities when presented will help Chicago cover the lofty spread. Oh, and slowing down Rodgers would also be a big step.
Green Bay Packers
It almost seems like management is deliberately trying to piss Rodgers off. The club drafted Jordan Love a few years ago as the heir apparent with Rodgers still in his prime. And once again they failed to get him experienced pass catchers to help the aerial attack. So instead the Packers parted ways with leading receiver and security blanket Davante Adams and the void was evident in the loss to Minnesota. Rodgers was 22 of 34 for 195 yards with an interception and four sacks. The passing game looked disjointed with a potential scoring pass dropped by Christian Watson.
We saw something similar last season when the Packers were shredded by New Orleans in the opener causing experts to predict the demise of Rodgers and the team. Well, that didn’t happen and the Pack won their next seven games scoring at least 24 points in every outing. And Rodgers is probably licking his chops at the prospect of facing Chicago. He’s 22-5 lifetime against Chicago completing at least 72 percent of his passes in each of the last four games with 14 touchdowns and zero interceptions. And if the air attack fails Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon are a strong running back duo.
Bears vs Packers Predictions
The Bears were a touchdown dog against the Niners and got the outright win thanks to a strong defensive showing. They aren’t facing a young, inexperienced signal-caller this week however. Rodgers has owned the Bears and even told Chicago fans as much during last season’s win at Soldier Field. The Bears are likely a few years away from becoming a contender, but they have a new attitude under Eberflus and I can see them covering the 10-point line, but a victory is probably out of reach.
Prediction: Chicago Bears +10 / OVER 42
