Behind Enemy Lines: 5 questions with Packers Wire

There’s a lot at stake for the Chicago Bears (7-6) heading into Sunday’s pivotal game against the Green Bay Packers (10-3), which for all intents and purposes is a playoff game for the Bears.

With the Bears looking to keep their playoff hopes alive — and keep the momentum and success going on offense — they’ll face a tough test on the road at Lambeau Field.

Before the game, we caught up with managing editor Zach Kruse of Packers Wire to get the scoop on the Bears’ Week 15 opponent.

Here are five questions with Packers Wire:

Bears Wire: What has new head coach Matt LaFleur brought to the Packers this season that Mike McCarthy didn’t over the last few years?

Packers Wire: There is certainly more balance to LaFleur’s Packers offense, with all the pre-snap motion, disguise and play-action of a modern scheme. It has relied on running back Aaron Jones as a centerpiece, and he’s responded with over 1,200 total yards, 15 touchdowns and a breakout season. LaFleur has been especially good at scripting the start of games and finding specific weaknesses in each opponent, which has created a bunch of fast starts. The Packers will need all these elements working together on Sunday against a really good Bears defense.

BW: When you look at the stats, Aaron Rodgers looks like he’s having one of his best seasons out of the last few years. Would you say that’s the case?

PW: His touchdown-to-interception rate is still incredible, and his passer rating is back up over 100.0, but I’m not sure I’d say he’s having one of his best seasons. In fact, most of his stats this season actually look a lot like his stats from last season. There have been spurts of high-level play from Rodgers and the Packers passing offense, but consistency has been a problem, and Rodgers hasn’t been as effective when opponents take away Jones and Jamaal Williams. He’s making due in an offense that lacks a true No. 2 target behind Davante Adams. The other WRs have been hit-or-miss, and Jimmy Graham hasn’t been a difference-maker. Over the last five games, Rodgers has four games with a passer rating under 100.0 and just seven touchdown passes. He needs to get hot.

BW: Things weren’t pretty for the Bears offense the last time they played Green Bay’s defense over three months ago. Can you assess how the Packers defense has looked? What are their strengths and weaknesses?

PW: They’re certainly not the dominant defense most anticipated after the hot start. They’ve struggled against the run and allowed too many big plays in the passing game, in large part due to issues covering the middle of the field. The Packers’ pass-rush is an obvious strength, thanks to the collective efforts from Za’Darius Smith, Preston Smith and Kenny Clark. They’ve been one of the most productive trios in the NFL this season. The Packers have also been effective in the red zone, with the sixth-best red-zone touchdown percentage allowed, and good at creating turnovers (20, seventh-most). Overall, the Packers rank 13th in points allowed but 27th in yards allowed per play. It’s a bend-but-don’t-break defense.

BW: Which key matchup do you believe will have the biggest impact on this game?

PW: Bears WR Allen Robinson vs. Packers CB Jaire Alexander is one matchup I’ll be watching. Robinson remains one of the NFL’s most underrated weapons. He’s so good at getting open, making tough catches and creating yards after the catch, and it’s clear Mitchell Trubisky trusts him in every situation. Alexander is a competitively fierce and confident cornerback who will be up to the challenge. If Alexander contains Robinson, do the Bears have enough in the passing game to move the football consistently? I wouldn’t be surprised if this is a game where Robinson catches a touchdown and Alexander grabs an interception. Both will have opportunities to make plays.

BW: What’s your prediction for the game?

PW: I’m predicting a tough and probably ugly game for both sides. A few factors will help decide it: Can the Packers get Aaron Jones going? Can Mitchell Trubisky figure out Mike Pettine’s defense before the snap? And who wins in the red zone? I think the Packers end up on the winning side of two of the three, with Pettine winning the chess match against Trubisky and the Packers doing more inside the 20-yard line. It’ll be another one score game, but I’ll take the Packers at home, 20-17.

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