When the Bears and Packers take the field on Sunday for the 182nd time in their 89 year history a lot will be at stake. Not only a trip to Dallas to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl, but also bragging rights for what could be the next 70 years. See, 70 years ago was the last time the Bears and Packers met in the playoffs, December 14, 1941 a game in which the Bears won 33-14 and took the rivalry's lead in playoff wins 1-0. Who knows how long it will take for them to meet again and come Sunday night one city will be celebrating while the other weeps.
Key Matchup: There are great matchups all over the field Sunday, Bear's DE Julius Peppers vs. Packer's rookie tackle Bryan Bulaga, Bear's QB Jay Cutler vs. the Packer's secondary, and even the Bear's secondary vs. the Packer's highly touted Wideouts. But when the game starts, the matchup that will have the biggest impact on the result is Packer's LB Clay Matthews vs. the Bear's offensive line.
Bear's offensive line coach Mike Tice has done a great job since the bye week of finding and correcting the mistakes on the offensive line and has turned a group of sub par linemen into a serviceable protection unit. Jay Cutler is a different player when he has time in the pocket and as long as he stays on his feet I don't see any chance of a classic 3 interception 1 Touchdown game from him.
However, keeping Clay Matthews contained is easier said then done. The favorite for Defensive MVP has 13.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and 0 showers taken this year and can really take control of a game. In order to win the Bears need to keep him in check and not allow him to terrorize Cutler with his unmatched power and motor or his golden locks.
As a Bears fan it is tough for me to say but the Packers have a clear edge in this matchup and best case scenario for Chicago is containing Matthews, he will make an impact, it just can't be to big.
X-Factor: The obvious X-factor to me is the windy city flyer himself, Devin Hester. If the Bears have any clear edge in this game it is in the Special Teams department, and specifically the return game. If the Packers decide to kick to Hester, for a reason unclear to me, Hester will have a real chance to take over the game for the Bears. Hester is due for a breakout return, against the Seattle Seahawks in the divisional playoffs he nearly broke 2 punt returns off and got the Bears great field position all game. Packer's coach Mike Mccarthy isn't over confident like Pete Carrol and will probably swallow his pride and kick away from Hester. Even without being kicked to Hester makes an impact in the field position game and either way they Bears will benefit.
Prediction: There is little to no chance of a blowout either way because of how well these teams know each other and how tough they play each other. In both meetings this year the game was close and decided by only a few plays. In their second meeting the Packers were fighting for their playoff lives and could only put up 10 against a Bears defense playing with nothing at stake. The Bears can't possibly be worried about Green Bay Running Back James Starks and should be able to completely shut him down, putting the game on QB Aaron Rodgers shoulders. The Bears defense plays this Packer team tough and will be confident from their week 17 battle. Matt Forte will get his 20 carries for 85 yards, combined with a healthy dose of Chester Taylor and the Bears will control the clock. Devin Hester makes a big play in the return game and Robbie Gould seals it. Bears 23 Packers 20
Written by: Matt Coan
Well done Matt.
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