The Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears will face off in Week 6 on Sunday afternoon at 12:00 pm CT. The game will feature the NFL’s longest-running rivalry, and it will take place at Soldier Field.
Coming into this week’s contest, the Packers are 4-1 while the Bears are at 3-2. Matt LaFleur’s team has swept the season series over the Bears in each of his first two seasons as Packers coach, and in total, Aaron Rodgers is 21-5 as a starter (including postseason) vs the Bears.
In a new twist, The Bears will wear their white 1936 classic uniform on Sunday against the Packers, meaning Matt LaFleur’s team will wear their traditional home green jerseys on the road at Soldier Field.
Here are a few other things to look out for.
Packers Run Defense
The Chicago Bears haven’t thrown for more than 200 yards in a game all season. That’s with Andy Dalton at quarterback, or rookie Justin Fields. In fact, we’re only a few weeks removed from this performance.
The Chicago game plan has heavily relied on their rushing attack. With starting RB David Montgomery still out, and now back up Damien Williams out on the Covid-19 reserve list, it’ll be up to the Packers defense to stop rookie RB Khalil Herbert. Last week against the Raiders, Justin Fields only completed 12 passes for 111 yards, but they won because of their success rushing the ball.
Something to watch for will be Justin Fields as a scrambler. He has only rush for 59 yards so far this season, but the Packers have allowed 94 yards on scrambles to quarterbacks Jameis Winston, Jared Goff and Joe Burrow through the first five games.
If the Packers can prevent the run game from having success, that should be enough to slow down the Bears offense.
Packers Offensive Line
Although early in the season, the Chicago Bears lead the NFL with 18 sacks entering Week 6. Edge rushers Khalil Mack and Robert Quinn have 9.5 combined sacks and 12 quarterback hits in five games.
On the plus side for Green Bay, they could be getting back starters Elgton Jenkins and Josh Myers. Injuries have hit the offensive line early this season for Green Bay, but they’ve responded brilliantly. In fact, Aaron Rodgers has a 122.6 passer rating from clean pockets, and a 31.0 under pressure. It’ll be more important than ever to get Rodgers upright.
Passing Game
As mentioned, the Bears lead the league in sacks, however, the Bears have the 28th worst pass coverage grade through five games according to Pro Football Focus. In fact, their defensive backs Kindle Vildor and Eddie Jackson are among the worst in passer rating allowed according to Pro Football Reference.
It should be noted though, that Bears CB Jaylon Johnson is playing outstanding right now. Most likely, he’ll be matched up against Davante Adams, which should be thrilling to watch. Also great, Davante Adams had this to say when asked about the Packers-Bears rivalry: “I hate everybody that I play against.”
Green Bay hasn’t been shy about utilizing Adams as their primary weapon, but, they’ve had success sprinkling in Randall Cobb and Aaron Jones. Maybe this is the week Allen Lazard AKA the Alien Lizard gets a few more targets. Also to note, Rodgers has thrown 23 TDs at Soldier Field, two shy of Brett Favre’s team record of 25 at Soldier Field.
AJ Dillon
While only in his second year, AJ Dillon is building quite a name for himself this season. The Door County ambassador has stepped right into the role that Jamaal Williams occupied last season, as the perfect complement to Aaron Jones. The 1-2 punch of him and Jones continues to be effective every week, as they finished with 188 total yards on 30 touches against the Bengals. After his breakout performance against Tennessee in Week 16, racking up 124 rushing yards and two touchdowns, he should become a staple in this offense every week.
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