BLUE 1,026 Posted September 11, 2015 By JEFF MEZYDLO STATS Senior Writer (AP) -- Despite losing one of the NFL's top receivers, the Green Bay Packers are confident they'll remain a Super Bowl contender. Coach Mike McCarthy certainly believes they can continue their dominance over the Chicago Bears. The Packers can do so with a sixth consecutive road victory over the new-look Bears on Sunday. After the sting of choking away last season's NFC championship game at Seattle subsided, Green Bay received another blow when Jordy Nelson suffered a season-ending knee injury last month. While the loss of a three-time 1,200-plus-yard receiver would be devastating for most teams, the Packers still have Aaron Rodgers under center, Eddie Lacy in the backfield and above-average targets in Randall Cobb, second-year talent Davante Adams and the recently re-acquired James Jones. "That's one of the things that I think this system allows us to do is adjust and adapt," assistant coach Alex Van Pelt said. "I don't think there's anybody better in the league at making adjustments than Aaron." Rodgers led the NFC with 38 touchdowns and his five interceptions were the fewest among any quarterback to play in all 16 games last year. His 4,381 passing yards were the third-most of his career for a team that led the NFL averaging 30.4 points. "There is no one way to stop a great quarterback like himself," new Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said. Despite a sore shoulder, Cobb expects to play after setting career highs with 91 receptions, 1,287 yards and 12 TDs. Adams showed promised with 121 yards against New England in November and 117 with a TD on seven catches in the 26-21 playoff win over Dallas. Lacy, meanwhile, was seventh in the NFL with 1,139 yards and also caught 42 passes for 427. The Packers also return most of a defense that helped yield an average 19.6 points while winning seven of the final eight regular season contests. "The chemistry's strong but just like anybody, you have to sharpen your sword," offensive line coach James Campen said. "There's no question. There's work to be done." McCarthy had no trouble pumping up Packer fans when he playfully said at a recent local chamber of commerce luncheon that "we will kick Chicago's (behind)." Considering Green Bay has won three straight and 11 of 13 regular-season and playoff meetings with Chicago, the Bears can't guarantee that won't happen again. Green Bay handed them an embarrassing 55-14 loss at Lambeau Field the last time they met Nov. 9. Including the NFC championship game during the 2010 season, the Packers have outscored the Bears 140-89 to win five straight at Soldier Field. Rodgers has thrown for 1,208 yards with 12 TDs and three picks to post a 69.5 passer rating in the last four regular-season matchups at Chicago. However, with veteran coach John Fox now in charge, his former assistant at Denver Adam Gase running the offense and Fangio overseeing the defense, Rodgers and Co. face a new challenge Sunday. "You look at that roster, there's not a lot of names you recognize playing against," Rodgers said. "You have to put some extra preparation in." After second-year coach Marc Trestman and general manager Phil Emery were fired followed last season's 5-11 performance, Chicago gave former New Orleans executive Ryan Pace his first general manager job. The Bears restored some credibility by hiring Fox, who went 119-89 in 13 seasons with Carolina and Denver, and guided both to the Super Bowl. "At the end of the day, hopefully if we work as hard as we can, we'll get to where we want to," said veteran receiver Eddie Royal, who played for Fox in Denver. Under Fangio, Chicago switched from 4-3 to a 3-4 defensive scheme. Gone are longtime stalwarts Lance Briggs and Charles Tillman. In are linebacker Pernell McPhee, defensive end Jarvis Jenkins and safety Antrel Rolle to help improve a defense that allowed 27.6 points and 377.1 yards per contest. Offensively, Chicago has already been hit hard by injuries with seventh overall pick receiver Kevin White (leg) on the physically-unable-to-perform list and top receiver Alshon Jeffery (calf) uncertain for Sunday. Matt Forte topped the 1,000-yard rushing mark for a third straight season but averaged 3.9 per carry. He also set an NFL single-season record for most receptions by a running back with 102 in 2014. Hoping to cut down Forte's overall workload, the Bears brought in Jacquizz Rodgers from Atlanta and drafted Michigan State's Jeremy Langford. However, Chicago's offensive success remains on the shoulders of Jay Cutler, who is playing under his fifth coordinator since arriving in 2009. Cutler threw a career-high 28 TDs last season but the 18 INTs matched the second-most for his career. Gase, however, expects to utilize Cutler's ability to move outside the pocket more. "I think we all know that his athletic ability for a guy his size is pretty unique; there's not a lot of guys like him," Gase said. "We'll try to do what we need to do within a game." What Cutler needs is to snap a personal eight-game skid, including playoffs, to Green Bay. Since coming to Chicago, Cutler has completed 56 percent of his passes with 13 TDs, 22 picks and posted a 62.7 rating while going 1-10 against the Packers. "All that stuff is in the past," he said. "We'll worry about the game Sunday." Source: Hosted.Stats.com Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RazorStar 4,025 Posted September 11, 2015 This is probably the easiest survival game to pick this week. The Bears look absolutely dreadful. While the Packers are hurting with the loss of Jordy, they're deep at the position and can recover to an acceptable level. The Bears... hope you like running the football. 17 34 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cherry 1,302 Posted September 11, 2015 Bears have upset potential. But ARod loves to smack the Bears. 10 35 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
seanbrock 1,684 Posted September 12, 2015 You know, the Packers defense looks pretty damn weak. I think the Bears might be able to score some points, but this is the first game the Bears are playing using 3-4 concepts and if they've got communication problems they're going to get shredded by the best QB in the game. I do expect at least 2 picks from Cutlers because well, he's Jay Cutler. 38-27 Pack Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ATL_Predator+ 1,196 Posted September 12, 2015 There's no hope for the Bears here...as much as people want to talk shit about the Packers defense...take a look at the decline of the Bears D ever since Urlacher left. Pack win big here... 42 20 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Favre4Ever+ 4,476 Posted September 12, 2015 I am more interested to see how we come out and play. Regardless of the score, I want to come out and play disciplined football. I want to see that the Packers are prepared. I know it's Week 1, but I really don't want to see much sloppiness or miscommunication or missed assignments, etc. Packers - 31 Bears - 17 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch 874 Posted September 12, 2015 Can't see a scenario where the Bears come out with a win. I think the Packers destroy the Bears. 35 17 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Packers Dynasty 2010 116 Posted September 12, 2015 Bears are getting destroyed, they have no answer to Rodgers and this offense while the defense is improved and should be able to stop Cutler and a bunch of banged up WRs. 45 10 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BC 331 Posted September 13, 2015 (edited) The poor Bears have a brutal opening schedule. Rodgers should be good for 4 TDs on the Bears, and should be a good opportunity to get used to the new receiving group without jordy. 30 17 Edited September 13, 2015 by BC Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vin+ 3,121 Posted September 13, 2015 Marquess Wilson (hamstring) is active for Week 1 against the Packers. With Alshon Jeffery (calf) and Eddie Royal (hip) also active, Wilson will be limited to No. 3 receiver duties. He's not on the fantasy radar outside of deep leagues. Inactive for the Bears are QB David Fales, CB Tracy Porter, RB Ka'Deem Carey, ILB Jon Bostic, C Hroniss Grasu, OL Tayo Fabuluje, and WR Cam Meredith. Packers SS Morgan Burnett (calf) is inactive for Week 1 against the Bears. He was listed as questionable after missing practice all week. Look for Sean Richardson to get the start next to FS Ha Ha Clinton-Dix. Also inactive for the Packers are QB Brett Hundley, CB LaDarius Gunter, RB Alonzo Harris, LB Andy Mulumba, OG Lane Taylor, and TE Kennard Backman. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Favre4Ever+ 4,476 Posted September 13, 2015 The Bears offense is a pleasant surprise so far... Well, not so great for the Packers, but.. Adam Gase has neutered Jay Cutler. Every single pass is quick, predetermined, short. They have taken Cutler and made it not possible to allow him to be himself.. Which is probably the best thing you can do with him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F 2,241 Posted September 13, 2015 Why did the Bears challenge that?? Smh Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Favre4Ever+ 4,476 Posted September 13, 2015 It's John Fox we are talking about here, haha. James Jones is back and in a big way! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F 2,241 Posted September 13, 2015 Packers picking up chunks of yards every play... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F 2,241 Posted September 13, 2015 Cutler gonna Cutler... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Favre4Ever+ 4,476 Posted September 13, 2015 Will the real Jay Cutler please stand up?BEAR DOWN! BEARS DOWN! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
badgers 380 Posted September 14, 2015 A win is a win but we really played shaky today. So many penalties and Sam Shields looked like nasty garbage out there. Hayward looked okay but nothing great. Hopefully just a fluke bad game from them but I'm still kinda nervous. We weren't exactly playing a team that likes to dominate with the pass. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Favre4Ever+ 4,476 Posted September 14, 2015 Cutler was pretty bad and that last TD was complete garbage time. Not being able to get off the field on 3rd downs is what worries me most. I generally liked the pressure we got. Only a pair of sacks I think, but the pressure was fairly steady even after the Bears made some nice adjustments. I also hate how undisciplined we were. There were guys not in the spots they needed to be. Missing tackles. Tons of penalties. That stuff needs to be cleaned up immediately. Better teams will kill us when we show up like that... And our schedule doesn't get easiers. Seattle than Kansas City are going to be TOUGH assignments. Not saying we will, but I could see us dropping both games and starting 1 - 2 for like the 4th year in a row. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Packers Dynasty 2010 116 Posted September 14, 2015 Shields and HaHa looked like utter garbage today. If Jefferey was healthy or Cutler more accurate, it could've been ugly. The run D is once again terrible and needs some fixing. Only hope is that Burnett and Barrington can somehow improve it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
seanbrock 1,684 Posted September 14, 2015 Marshawn Lynch and Jamaal Charles are coming up on the schedule. Yikes. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
