Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers
Sunday, 12/25/11, 5:20 PM EST, TV: NBC
Opening Point Spread: Green Bay -13
Current Betting Line: Green Bay -11
Opening Total: 44
Current Total: 42
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker
The roles will be reversed from the second meeting a year ago when the Chicago Bears visit the Green Bay Packers on Sunday Night Football. Last year, it was the Bears (7-7) who had an opportunity to knock the Packers (13-1) out of the playoff picture at Lambeau Field in the NFL’s oldest rivalry.
That obviously didn’t work out too well for Chicago with Green Bay (-11, O/U 42) surviving the season finale with a 10-3 victory and putting together a 19-game winning streak that ended last week with a 19-14 loss at Kansas City. The defending Super Bowl champion Packers have won three straight games in the series, including a 21-14 victory in last year’s NFC Championship Game and a 27-17 win at Soldier Field earlier this season.
Last Sunday’s setback against the Chiefs ended Green Bay’s dream of completing a perfect season, but the team can clinch the top seed in the NFC playoff race with a victory against the Bears while also eliminating them from postseason contention. The Packers are will still be without star wide receiver Greg Jennings due to a sprained knee, and second-year offensive tackle Bryan Bulaga is expected to join him and rookie tackle Derek Sherrod on the sidelines.
Chicago’s season fell apart after starting quarterback Jay Cutler suffered a fractured right thumb in a 31-20 win over San Diego in Week 11. The Bears were riding a five-game winning streak until Caleb Hanie took over under center in a 25-20 loss at Oakland the following week. Hanie played so poorly in losing his four starts – throwing three touchdown passes and nine interceptions – that he was benched this week in favor of veteran Josh McCown.
McCown has not started a game since 2007 when he was with the Raiders, and his only action since 2009 with Carolina came last week in a 38-14 home loss to Seattle. He attempted two passes, completed one and threw a pick in relief of Hanie after he threw his second interception for a touchdown against the Seahawks.
Running back Matt Forte (sprained knee) and wide receiver Johnny Knox (back) will also literally hurt Chicago’s chances for success offensively against Green Bay while All-Pro kick returner Devin Hester (ankle) did not practice all week and could miss the game as well. In addition, RB Marion Barber is doubtful with a calf injury, which means third-year player Kahlil Bell will be counted on to help take some pressure off McCown.
The UNDER has cashed in the last eight meetings between the Bears and Packers, who have scored more than 21 points only once in the past seven. Chicago has not won in Green Bay since 2007 but covered the spread there last year as an 11-point underdog.
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