Matchup Preview: Green Bay vs Chicago

The Situation: This is the oldest rivalry in the NFL.   Both of these teams are 2-0.  Green Bay is coming off an impressive 34-7 romping of Buffalo.  Chicago defeated Dallas 27-20.  In that game Bears quarterback Jay Cutler outdueled Tony Romo throwing for 277 yards with 3 TDs.  The Packers have had some pretty good quarterback play of their own.  Aaron Rodgers is own pace to throw for 32 TD passes this season, after throwing 2 in each of the first 2 games.

Both teams have emerging tight ends.  Green Bay’s Finley had over 100 yards receiving against Buffalo.  Greg Olsen for Chicago caught a 39 yard TD reception.  Both of these players make good safety outlets for their respective quarterbacks and are favorite targets.

Another huge factor in this matchup is pass rush.  Second year Green Bay linebacker Clay Matthews is on a tear.  He has 6 sacks in the Packers first two games.  He will have a bulls-eye on Jay Cutler’s head tommorrow night.  Brian Urlacher for the Bears is no slouch himself.  He has 14 tackles and a sack in Chicago’s first two games.  Chicago’s defense has played inspired in wins over Detroit and Dallas.

The Outcome:  No one that isn’t a Bears fan thought Chicago would start off  so well.  The win over Dallas and Minnesota’s rocky start has experts rethinking the NFC North power rankings.  Green Bay has impressed also and were many peoples pick to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl.

With all that being said, Chicago hasn’t done anything (outside of beating 1-2 Dallas) to make me believe they can withstand the Packers high power offense and solid defense.  Rodgers is one of the most impressive young quarterbacks in the league.  The big question for Green Bay is how will running back Brandon Jackson step up in Ryan Grant’s abscense for the rest of the season.  Chicago’s running game with Matt Forte hasn’t been great either.

Cutler and Chicago will keep this one close, but with all the weapons like Jones and Jennings that Rodgers has at his disposal the Packers will simply control the game with efficient passing.  Charles Woodson is still one of the best cornerbacks in the league, and will limit the Bears offense to one side of the field in the passing game.  Green Bay wins this one 27-21.  But, another valiant effort by the Bears will prove that Green Bay will not take the division easily.