Cutler failed his first test against Green Bay in last year’s season opener en route to a 21-15 loss, throwing four interceptions and just one touchdown. He did not fare any better in the second meeting later in the year with two more interceptions during a 21-14 loss. However, Cutler has thrived in new offensive coordinator Mike Martz’s scheme so far this season and hopes to show even more growth as the NFL’s top-rated passer through the first two games.
Running back Ryan Grant was a major factor for the Packers in that second game against the Bears a year ago, rushing for 137 yards on 20 carries and scoring both touchdowns. But Grant will not be available after suffering a season-ending ankle injury in the season-opening 27-20 victory at Philadelphia. Brandon Jackson remains the starter despite finishing with only 29 yards on 11 carries in last week’s 34-7 win over Buffalo.
Chicago’s defense has been stingy against the run in the first two games, allowing an NFL-low 56 rushing yards combined to Detroit and Dallas. That could mean Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers will instead look to exploit a secondary that has been shaky at times by throwing more than he has in the team’s first two wins against the Eagles and Bills.
Rodgers’ passing numbers have yet to really take off and mirror last season, although he still has 443 yards and four touchdowns for the highest-scoring offense in the NFC (30.5 points per game). He may be without starting left tackle Chad Clifton due to a knee injury, which means rookie Bryan Bulaga would have the responsibility of stopping Bears defensive end Julius Peppers.
The offensive line for Chicago is also in question since former first-round pick Chris Williams went down with a hamstring injury in last week’s 27-20 win at Dallas. Williams has been ruled out, which means Frank Omiyale will have to play left tackle and try to contain the league’s top sack leader Clay Matthews.
If the Bears are not able to stop the pass rush, it could be a long day for Cutler and the offense. Running backs Matt Forte and Chester Taylor have not been able to generate any kind of a rushing attack so far and have only been a factor in the passing game.
The Packers have covered the last four meetings with Chicago, although the Bears have won seven of the last 12 games between the teams since Lovie Smith became head coach. The UNDER has cashed in each of the last four meetings along with six of the past eight.
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