The Chicago Bears haven’t beaten the Green Bay Packers since 2018. Sunday afternoon on September 10th will make their best opportunity on paper in years. Aaron Rodgers is gone. The Packers’ ace-in-the-hole for so many years isn’t there to cover up their weaknesses anymore. If that weren’t enough, their defense is coming in banged up. Rashan Gary is still working his way back from a torn ACL. Eric Stokes is on the PUP list for the first four games. That alone should give the Bears some confidence that they have no reason to fear this team.
Well, the good news keeps rolling in. Green Bay’s Wednesday practice saw an unwelcome development. Wide receivers Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs didn’t participate. Doubs is dealing with a hamstring issue. It isn’t certain yet what happened to Watson. Either way, that is two of the Packers’ three leading wide receivers from last year now on the shelf. The other, Allen Lazard, is currently in New York with Rodgers. If both of them can’t go on Sunday, that leaves Green Bay with rookies Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks to carry the load.
Not ideal.
The Chicago Bears have few excuses at this point.
Green Bay has never been more vulnerable than they are right now. They’re still a good team. They have a talented defense and a proven ground attack. It won’t be easy. Still, this is a game the Bears should win. Their talent level has improved offensively and defensively. They will be at home and, unlike the Packers, mostly at full strength. Head coach Matt Eberflus reported that every player has returned to practice with the exception of those on Injured Reserve. That means every available man will be suited up on Sunday.
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Jaquan Brisker and Justin Jones have already set the tone for this matchup, declaring their unbridled hatred for both the Packers and their fans. It’s clear many in the locker room are tired of hearing about how great Green Bay is. The has come to change the narrative. To do that, they must accomplish some key tasks. They have to stop the Packers’ ground attack, they must pressure Jordan Love, and they have to protect Justin Fields. If those three goals are achieved, then victory should be theirs.
