For the second straight year, all that the 8-8 Green Bay Packers have to do in order to secure a playoff berth is beat a division rival at home. Last year, it was the Detroit Lions that ruined the Packers’ hopes with a 20-16 road win.
This season, it’s the Chicago Bears that come to town looking to spoil the Packers’ season.
Which team has the edge in this rivalry? Here’s a deeper look at this matchup.
Bears vs. Packers Betting Lines, Start Time, and More
All odds from DraftKings Sportsbook.
- Spread: Packers -3
- Moneyline: Bears (+136), Packers (-162)
- Over/Under: 45.5
- Game time: 4:25 p.m. ET
- Location: Lambeau Field
- Channel: CBS
Bears vs. Packers Prediction
Quarterback Jordan Love is playing for the future of his team’s 2023 season.
Quarterback Justin Fields is playing for the future with his team after this season.
There is definitely more at stake than just a playoff spot for the Packers on Sunday. The Bears, who are playing their best ball of the season right now, have to be feeling good over the fact that regardless of the outcome, Chicago will have the No. 1 pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.
The Carolina Panthers are already assured of the league’s worst record, and Chicago has the Panthers’ first-round pick as a result of last year’s trade that gave the Panthers QB Bryce Young.
Chicago decided to stick with Fields, and after a rough start, he has been productive of late, with a passing and rushing touchdown in three of his last four games.
However, Fields is 0-5 all-time vs. the Packers as a starter, so that is one notable mountain still to climb for the third-year pro.
For Green Bay, the pressure is all on the shoulders of Love. He has been spectacular over his last eight games, with 18 touchdown passes and only three interceptions. His 34 total touchdowns are tied for the third most in the NFL this season.
It also helps out Love that running back Aaron Jones has looked like his old self of late, with back-to-back games with 120 or more rushing yards. And the last time the Packers hosted the Bears, Jones finished with 132 rushing yards and a touchdown run.
But the Bears have allowed the fewest rush yards per game (84.0) and second-fewest rushing touchdowns (eight) in the NFL this season.
The Bears have some injury issues with significant players this week. Chicago will not have wide receiver Darnell Mooney (concussion), and cornerback Jaylon Johnson (shoulder) is doubtful. In addition, running back Khalil Herbert (back/personal) did not practice Friday and is questionable for the game.
MORE: PFN’s FREE NFL Playoff Predictor
For the Packers, running back AJ Dillon (thumb/neck) is out, while wide receivers Jayden Reed (chest), Christian Watson (hamstring), and Dontayvion Wick (chest) are all questionable.
The Packers have only covered the spread in five of their last 13 games, but they are 3-1 vs. the spread in their last four home games.
Chicago, meanwhile, is not only an impressive 7-3-1 vs. the spread against teams from the NFC, but it is also 5-1 against the spread in its last six games overall.
Make no mistake; while the Packers have more on the line than the Bears in this matchup, Chicago will be looking to ruin its rival’s season. This is definitely not the same Bears team that was looking like the league’s worst one month into the season.
I think Justin Fields plays well enough to get the Bears the win and makes the front office work overtime thinking about the future of the quarterback position.
Best Bet: Bears +3 (-115 at DraftKings Sportsbook)
Our Betting Lines page has the freshest lines and promos to get BANG for your buck. PFN’s FREE Parlay Calculator and Betting Odds Calculator are also available for your betting process! New to sports betting? Check out our guide on How to Bet on the NFL. Visit our Sports Betting Legal Tracker on how to bet legally in the U.S.
