It’s that time of the year for us to stuff our faces full of turkey and hard-hitting football action with the NFL’s annual serving of Thanksgiving football games. Capping off the day’s three-game slate is the pivotal primetime NFC North matchup between the Chicago Bears and the Green Bay Packers.
Chicago’s two-game win streak came to an end this Sunday, but they can still make a push for a wild card playoff spot by starting a new run. However, getting a win at Lambeau is easier said than done, especially with Green Bay finally having snapped its own three-game losing streak with a dominant win against another division rival in the Minnesota Vikings this Sunday as well.
Can the Packers solidify their spot atop the division, or will the Bears pull off the stunning upset on the road? Let’s break down this thrilling bout below. Afterwards, check out our previews for Eagles vs. Lions and Panthers vs. Cowboys to be on top of all the action of Thursday’s football festivities for us to gladly feast upon.
[sc:Football ]Chicago Bears vs. Green Bay Packers Preview
Where: Lambeau Field, Green Bay
When: Thursday, November 26, 8:30 PM ET
Line: Chicago Bears (+8.5) at Green Bay Packers (-8.5); total: 45.0 – view all NFL lines
TV Broadcast: NBC
Betting on the Chicago Bears (4-6)
The Chicago Bears certainly put up a fight against the AFC West-leading Denver Broncos, but head coach John Fox still came up short against his former team on Sunday, 17-15. Chicago failed to convert a two-point attempt to tie the game after its late touchdown in the fourth quarter, ultimately snapping the team’s two-game winning streak.
[sc:NFL240banner ]Backup running back Jeremy Langford scored the only touchdown for his team in that game, but gained just 25 yards on the ground on 13 carries after exploding for 182 total offensive yards and two TDs last week against the Rams. And as a team, Chicago totaled just 86 rushing yards on Sunday.
The Bears badly need their main weapons back from injuries. The good news is that feature back Matt Forte (knee) looks ready to return for their Thanksgiving matchup against the Packers, and so is wideout Alshon Jeffery (groin/shoulder). Both of their returns are extremely crucial, as team’s passing game is starting to go back to its erroneous ways.
Quarterback Jay Cutler finished Sunday’s game with 265 passing yards, but he had no touchdowns, and also committed two back-breaking turnovers – a pick and a lost fumble – in the fourth quarter. Cutler is now accountable for nearly half of Chicago’s turnovers for the season, and badly needs at least either Forte or Jeffery to help him produce better on offense.
On the bright side, the Bears’ defense is still playing at a high level. The team managed to sack Denver’s Brock Osweiler five times on Sunday, and has not allowed an opponent to score 20 or more points for the third-consecutive game. Chicago is also currently fourth-best in the league right now at 217 passing yards allowed per game, so you know that it’ll be more than capable of stifling Aaron Rodgers and the Packers’ aerial attack on Thanksgiving.
However, the Bears probably wish that their contest would be played in the Windy City instead of Cheesehead territory, as they have lost six of their last seven contests (2-5 ATS) played in Green Bay.
Betting on the Green Bay Packers (7-3)
In a vital NFC North clash on Sunday, the Green Bay Packers proved that they are still the team to beat in the division after their resounding 30-13 win over rivals the Minnesota Vikings. With the victory, the Packers snapped their three-game losing skid, dealt the Vikes their first home loss of the season, and also pulled even with them in the division standings.
Green Bay has got to be thrilled that their starting running back Eddie Lacy regained his top form. Lacy had a season-high 100 rushing yards on 22 carries in the win, and his involvement in the the team’s running game is most welcome, especially with Aaron Rodgers still going through the motions.
The defending league MVP scored two passing touchdowns on Sunday, giving him 28 TDs and just three picks over the last 11 games against Minnesota. However, Rodgers connected on just 16 of his 34 attempts and finished with just 212 yards in the air for a paltry average of 6.2 yards per passing play.
Then again, Rodgers is poised to break out of his relative funk this Thursday, as he has thrown a total of 13 TDs and not a single pick in his last three games against the Bears, including his three-TD performance from the season opener this year.
On a quick side note, Green Bay’s front seven seems to have also picked up its slack. The once-feared unit registered six huge sacks against the Vikings this Sunday after failing to get to the opposing QB in all of their contests during the three-game slide.
While a seemingly resurgent offense has the Packers terrorizing the rest of the league once more, it’s worth noting that the total has actually gone under in five of their last six games played in Lambeau, and five of the last seven home starts against the Bears as well.
Writer’s Prediction
Green Bay outguns Chicago with ease, 35-19.
Be thankful for all the riveting NFL action this Thanksgiving and create a betting account now to enjoy the festivities even more with your own stellar predictions for Week 12.
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