It's no secret that the Chicago Bears have an excellent defense and enough weapons on offense to get the job done. How well do the Green Bay Packers match up in the season opener tonight in Chicago?
Aaron Nagler of Cheesehead TV writes about what to watch for when each team's offense is matched up against the other's defense:
When The Packers Have The Ball
How will Aaron Rodgers play in Matt LaFleur's system? ... Khalil Mack will get the spotlight leading up to this game, and for good reason. He's an incredible player on track for a Hall of Fame career. But to me, this whole game can be wrecked by Akiem Hicks ... If the Bears are able to slow down the running game without committing an extra body in the box, which I suspect will be the case, Rodgers is going to have to be efficient from the pocket and LaFleur will need to be patient and probing with his play calls ... Rodgers obviously has a major security blanket in wide receiver Davante Adams, but the Bears will undoubtedly roll coverage his way much of the evening and it will be up to guys like Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Jimmy Graham, Geronimo Allison and Jake Kumerow to make hay against the Bears secondary.
When The Bears Have The Ball
Mike Pettine has been handed a bunch of talent by Brian Gutekunst and he'll need to utilize all of it on Thursday night ... The more you watch Mitchell Trubisky's film from last year, the more you see a guy who definitely found a way to make plays against the Packers defense, usually by escaping pressure and using his mobility to either find something downfield or just tuck and run it and live for another down ... I don't know how much we'll see Jaire Alexander matched up on the much bigger Allen Robinson, but it feels like that's the way to go. Even with the size difference, Alexander's tenacity and technique are their best bet at slowing down the imposing receiver ... Kenny Clark is the headliner for the Packers defense up front, but I suspect second year lineman Tyler Lancaster to have an important role in trying to keep the Bears running game in check.
Enough Already, Who Wins?
You can read all of Aaron's thoughts on tonight's game, and his pick for the contest, by going to Cheesehead TV (click here).
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