Packers vs. Bears – The Opening Act

After eight months without real football, the Packers are ready to erase the disappointing memories of 2018 and find their way to victories this season. They will be tested by the Chicago Bears, defending champions of the NFC's North Division, who pose a daunting challenge, as they are a tough unit to stop in attack and defense.

The innovative offensive system of head coach Matt Nagy has created many packages and formations that have allowed Mitch Trubisky to progress in his second season. His progression turned the Bears' offensive into one of the best performing units of the conference. On the defensive side of the ball, the exchange against Khalil Mack completely changed the face of the Bears defense and became one of the best leagues.

As a result, the Bears won a fierce battle with the Minnesota Vikings to represent NFC North in the playoff jersey against the Eagles. Just as the Bears were preparing to pass the division against the Saints, Cody Parky scored a goal and fell like a lightning bolt. Just like that, their magic season ended in a disastrous way.

The Packers and Bears are looking to write new stories for their respective franchises this season. The Bears are looking to come back as division champions and ultimately have a different result in the playoffs, while the Packers are only looking for a winning record and are competing for a playoff run for the first time in two years. Tomorrow night, these two historic franchises begin their quest for the playoffs on a prime time football to launch the hundredth season of the NFL.

Key Battles: Packers vs. Bears

The keys to victory for the Packers are very simple.

1. Can the Packers offensive line control the point of attack?

When you match with the Bears, you can tell if you will be able to move the attacking ball the way you control the point of attack. If the pocket collapses and the traffic lanes close quickly, you know you'll be facing a long day against Khalil Mack, Akiem Hicks and Roquan Smith. What I'm going to look for is how the right side of the Packers' offensive line will withstand the heat of the first seven Bears.

If the Bears really break the pocket and collapse on the race halls, it will be Akiem Hicks followed by a speed boost followed by the speed of the second level of Khalil Mack and Roquan Smith against Billy Turner and Brian Bulaga. The way the right side of the Packers offensive line will resist will determine if the offensive can move the ball towards the field.

2. Can special teams score goals and win the battle for field positions?

At the beginning of this year, I do not expect the greatness of the Packers special teams unit. In fact, I'm expecting a bag mixed with some fatal mistakes in every Packers defeat this season. However, when the unit of the Packers special teams realizes the necessary number of fundamental games and avoids the fires of dumpsters, the team will often have a very good chance of winning these games. Last year, the appalling game of the special teams unit easily cost at least 3 wins and countless records to the Packers as they were saved in their own end zone.

This year, if they reduce their mistakes by half, they can go from a team with 6 wins to a team to 8 or 9 wins. The rebuilding of the special team begins tomorrow night as the Packers seek to minimize penalties, missed tackles and missed goals.

The unit's special teams do not need to do anything spectacular, they just need to play with caution and avoid the catastrophic mistake. All Packers need are ten-yard returns WITHOUT penalty, balls that are not returned, and have the opponent starting at their own 20-25 yard line, successful PAT attempts and placements on the field, and no fumble or missed tackle.

Believe it or not, the battle of the special teams is a battle that can be won. All that the Packers need is Mason Crosby to succeed, JK Scott to trigger high and long shots between the 20-30 meters line and for the return match does not imply. If the Packers manage to fight and eliminate Tarick Cohen and the Bears return game, they will be able to steal a victory at Soldier Field.

3. Can the current game start, protect Aaron Rodgers and control the clock?

Battles 1 and 3 are interconnected, which means that if the Packers do not win the point of attack, they will not be able to run the ball. As a result, I think that the Packers run will determine many key battles on Thursday night. There are different "if-then" scenarios related to the success or failure of the game being run by the Packers.

For example, an "if-then scenario" that I see is that, if the game is successful, it will shorten the game and relieve the defense. In addition, if the Packers succeed in throwing the ball and capturing some first attempts, they will have a better chance of winning the battle of the field position and maintaining prolonged practice. Long training and an optimal position on the pitch are what will change this game one way or the other for the Packers.

4. Aaron Rodgers and the offensive do they have some dynamic games in the bones?

It always seems that, regardless of the structure of each Packers team, wins and losses often come back to the question of whether Aaron Rodgers and the Offensive have some dynamic games in the bones a given week. We can go from one band to another to emphasize that this statement is true.

The question that arises is which match will give one of those dynamic games the future quarterback of the Hall of Fame. I will try to find out if the Packers can handle a match between Prince Amukamara and Davante Adams late in the game. Another player Aaron Rodgers will seek to exploit is Ha-Ha Clinton-Dix. I believe Rodgers will follow Clinton-Dix on sloping roads over the center and force him to face Jake Kumerow and Davante Adams in open ground. A patented Clinton-Dix breath in a free field could mean the difference between a win and a defeat for the Packers.

I will search Aaron Rodgers to test Prince Amukamara and Ha-Ha Clinton-Dix early and often.

predictions:

I think the Packers lose a disputed 24-20 fight. I just think that the Bears attack is more consistent and more dynamic at this point, and that their defense will force a sack or roll at the end of the game.