The Chicago Bears travel to Lambeau Field to face the Green Bay Packers in an NFC North showdown that’s set to bring down the curtain on Sunday’s round Week 14 NFL matchups.
Predictably, sportsbooks opened this game with Green Bay tipped as the formidable home favorites, and with a double-digit point spread, to boot, the Packers are the biggest favorites on the NFL odds board this week.
Chicago Bears vs. Green Bay Packers
Sunday, December 12, 2021 – 08:20 PM EST at Lambeau Field
Packers Coming Off Bye
Aaron Rodgers and the Packers are coming off a bye week which couldn’t have come at a more fitting time. Rodgers is dealing with a foot injury, and while it didn’t deter his ability to navigate the Packers’ offense to a statement 36-28 win over the Los Angeles Rams in Week 12, the week off will have helped him heal.
There was a suggestion the veteran signal-caller might have foot surgery during the week of rest, but nothing of its kind was announced or confirmed.
Sports betting markets were high on the Los Angeles Rams, going so far as to tip the star-studded Tinseltown residents the 1.5-point road favorites over the Packers at Lambeau Field. Somehow, the fact that Aaron Rodgers owned Matthew Stafford during his years with the Detroit Lions didn’t register.
Well, Rodgers made sure it did when all was said and done. Rodgers went 28 of 45 for 307 yards and 2 touchdowns with no interceptions. He also rushed for a touchdown.
Rodgers Owns Bears
The last time the Packers and Bears collided, Rodgers was at pains to remind Chicago’s faithful that he owned the Bears. Arguably, one of the best soundbites to come out of the 2021 NFL season as Rodgers, caught up in the moment after rushing for a score, yelled at fans in the stadium, “I still own you.”
Then, Rodgers led the Packers to a 24-14 win over the Bears at Soldier Field, covering the 5.5-point spread in the 10-point margin of victory at the online betting markets.
It was the first meeting between Rodgers and rookie Justin Fields. Understandably, there was a buzz about the rookie’s first start against Rodgers and the Packers and his introduction to one of the storied NFL rivalries. However, it didn’t change the outcome.
Rodgers was asked after the game whether he could recall all the different Chicago quarterbacks he’d squared up to on the way to a 21-5 head-to-head record over the NFC North rivals during his 16 years with the Packers. After rattling off a few names, he gave up.
Bears Lose Again
A week after snapping a five-game losing streak at the expense of the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving Day, the Bears returned to their losing ways with a 33-22 loss to the Arizona Cardinals at Soldier Field. The Bears closed as the 8-point home underdogs but failed to come through for ATS NFL picks.
Andy Dalton started the game in place of an injured Fields (ribs), but it might have been his last start for Chicago. It was one of the worst games of his career, underscored by four interceptions that donated 23 points to Arizona. Talk about Christmas coming early.
Justin Fields is expected to return this Sunday, although how much of an impact the rookie will have is debatable. Nick Foles, who’s been hobnobbing with the practice team and held mostly out of sight, is reportedly being considered for the backup role.
But Chicago’s problems are broad and go beyond the quarterback position. From the coaching staff to the roster, there are issues at every turn. They’ve lost six of their last seven games and slipped to a 4-8 record on the season. The offense is averaging 16.8 points per game, which frankly doesn’t cut it. The defense is allowing an average of 24 points per game, but with no help from the offense, their efforts are a lost cause.
NFL Predictions and Picks
The Green Bay Packers are one of the best teams in the NFC, up in second place in the overall standings. They’re chasing the Arizona Cardinals for the conference no.1 seed, meaning this game is a must-win game. Considering the importance of the occasion, the Packers are sure to be fired up.
Granted, the Packers are coming off a bye week. Several top contenders have come out of the bye only to fall flat on their faces this season. But, somehow, it’s hard to imagine such a scenario happening in this matchup and against a team Rodgers owns. Thus, as daunting as big point spreads can be under most circumstances, it feels like the only sensible option here for NFL picks.
NFL Pick: Packers -12 (-110) at Bet365
