Two NFC North teams will face off against each other on Sunday night as the Chicago Bears travel to Lambeau Field to take on the Green Bay Packers. Chicago enters this game with a 5-5 record after losing to Minnesota by six points at home in its last game while Green Bay enters this game with a 7-3 record after losing to Indianapolis on the road by three points in overtime last week.
Chicago's Offense Continues To Struggle
The Chicago Bears have been in the middle of an extremely embarrassing implosion over the past month. After starting the season with victories in five of its first six games, Chicago quickly fell apart as it has lost each of its last four games which brings the Bears back to a .500 record. In its last game, Chicago lost at home on Monday Night Football to Minnesota by six points. The main reason for that loss was Chicago's offense which failed to score a touchdown while only recording just 149 total yards. To make matters worse, quarterback Nick Foles is now out for this game which means that Mitch Trubisky should be getting the nod after getting benched earlier this season. If Chicago plans on winning this road game, Trubisky will need to provide the offense with a spark.
Chicago's defense has been the main reason why the Bears are still in the hunt for a Wild Card spot in the NFC. The Bears are allowing just 20.9 points per game which is the sixth-fewest in the league while also allowing just 340.1 yards per game which is the ninth-fewest in the league. In addition, Chicago's special teams unit managed to record a touchdown in its last game so it has the ability to generate some quick offense.
CORDARRELLE PATTERSON 105-YD KICKOFF RETURN TD!
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) November 17, 2020
Ties for longest in NFL HISTORY! @ChicagoBears
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Following the loss to Minnesota, Bears coach Matt Nagy commented about how poorly the offense played and how it was the sole reason why they lost the game.
"Obviously, we struggled mightily on offense in having the four three-and-outs in the second half. We had field position. We couldn't convert on that in the red zone. It overshadows how well I thought our defense played."
Green Bay Loses A Heartbreaker In Overtime
The Green Bay Packers have looked like one of the best teams in the NFC up to this point. The Packers have won seven of their first ten games despite losing by three points on the road to Indianapolis in overtime last week. In that game, Green Bay led by 14 points at halftime before getting outscored in every quarter from that point forward. To make matters worse, the Packers actually won the coin toss in overtime so they had a chance to win the game with a touchdown but the drive eventually resulted in a fumble which allowed the Colts to take control of the ball and to kick the game-winning field goal. Now, Green Bay will be looking to forget about that performance with a home game up next.Green Bay's defense has been the main reason why the Packers are in sole possession of first place in the NFC North. The Packers are averaging 30.8 points per game which is the third-most in the league while averaging 6.2 yards per game which is tied for the third-most in the league. Green Bay's offense has been one of the best units in all of football and it will be looking for another solid performance on Sunday.
Following last week's overtime loss, Packers coach Matt LaFleur stated that he still has trust in wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling even though his fumble was the main reason why Green Bay lost.
"I can live with MVS. I've got more confidence in him now than probably ever. I think he continues to get better each and every day. Every time we go out there, he's providing big plays."
Notable Trends
- Packers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games in November.
These trends are from Covers.com:
- Bears are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games after accumulating less than 150 yards passing in their previous game.
