On Sunday, the Bears and Packers will meet for the 194th time, with the Packers leading in the all-time series 94-93-6.
Despite this historic rivalry only being a game apart, the matchup has been one sided as of late. In the last 10 years, the Bears have won six games and have been swept five times.
But this week’s matchup at Soldier Field is different.
According to Chicago Tribune writer Brad Biggs, the Bears are favored for the first time since 2008 and for good reason – Aaron Rodgers isn’t playing.
With Brett Hundley taking over at quarterback the once dynamic passing game for the Packers is now reminiscent of the Bears – short and ineffective. The Packers starting right tackle Bryan Bulaga is also out for the season with a torn ACL and the organization just cut tight end Martellus Bennett. This team is slowly deteriorating and the Bears must take advantage of it.
That is why on Sunday the Bears can’t just simply win, they need to completely dominate their division rival.
For starters, a victory against the Packers will set the tone of what is expected from Mitch Trubisky moving forward in this rivalry. The Bears coaching staff will downplay the significance of this game but not Trubisky.
I know this is a big rivalry for the fans and the city of Chicago … We’re just going to go out and give it everything we got,” Trubisky told reporters on Wednesday.
For a newcomer to the Bears organization, whether a coach or player, if there are two games on the schedule with the label “must win” it’s against the opponent from up north.
A lopsided victory will also begin the payback for the countless times the Packers have embarrassed the Bears. The 55-14 loss in 2014 still makes me cringe and now it’s time for the Bears to give the Packers a much deserved beatdown.
Having a convincing victory to start the second half of the season doesn’t just provide momentum moving forward but will hopefully teach this young Bears team about developing that killer instinct. Each time the Bears have had a lead this season, they go from playing conservative on offense to ultra conservative. An offensive series will consist of three consecutive runs then a punt and unfortunately that will be consistent until time runs out.
Once the Bears take the lead on Sunday, they can’t let up and instead should, keep their foot on the gas and run the offense as if they were trailing. If the Bears can embrace this mentality of beating teams when they’re down to secure a victory in the contest and not wait for the clock to declare the winner, that will only benefit them moving forward.
Bears fans shouldn’t be content with a close win because this should be the blowout people have been waiting for. If the organization is serious about competing in the near future, they will make this a statement win.
if they get up by 3 scores in the second half, they need to put the scrubs in. they have no more bye weeks, and hicks plays nearly every down. that is unsustainable for more than a yr or two with giants like him. we run the ball because we have no one to pass it to, period. and, our run game is our forte. (no longer is forte our run game however). the run game keeps the defense fresh (if executed), and is easier on our 0-line than the pass game. i hope inman and wheaton can give us something that resembles a passing game, but i’m not holding my breath. we should easily win this one, coming off a bye. if not, our coaching staff are not doing their jobs.