NFL Week 16 Preview: Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers
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Sports Betting Overview
Many of the pay per head sportsbook experts were shocked when the Green Bay Packers
were beaten in week 15 by the Kansas City Chiefs. There were a couple of reasons why
that loss was so shocking. That game was the last win the Packers needed to clinch home
field advantage throughout the playoffs. The Packers still clinch home field if the 49ers
lose to the Steelers in week 16, but the Packers had its destiny in its hands and let it get
away. The other surprise is the fact that the Packers’ offense was completely shut down
by the Chiefs’ defense. This game was a glaring example of how the lack of a running
game could hurt the Packers in the playoffs. Then again, the Packers did not have much
of a running game going into last year’s playoffs either.
The Chicago Bears started off the season staying in the hunt for the NFC North title. But
as the Packers kept winning and the Bears kept losing, the Bears found itself struggling to
maintain a grip on an NFC wildcard spot. Now the Bears are 7-7, and the price per head
bookmaking experts are quick to point out that 8-8 is not going to make the playoffs in
the NFC this season. The Bears know that it will need to win out to have any chance of
making the playoffs. But winning football games has become much more difficult for the
Bears ever since starting quarterback Jay Cutler was lost for the season to an injury.
Green Bay Packers
The problem the Packers face is that, while it was unlikely that the team would go
16-0 considering the last two games are against the Bears and Detroit Lions, it was
also supposed to be unlikely that the team would lose in week 15 to the Chiefs. But
a betonline.com review of the game against the Chiefs showed how any team could
neutralize the Packers’ offense and beat Green Bay. That is not to say that every team
has a defense capable of doing what the Chiefs did. But Chicago does have that kind of
fast and aggressive defense and now is not the time for the Packers to decide to go into
a tailspin. Playing at home is going to help the Packers in this game, but Green Bay is
going to need more than Lambeau magic to win this game.
Chicago Bears
Caleb Hanie is having a rough time as the starting quarterback for the Bears in the
absence of Jay Cutler. In the week 15 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, Hanie threw three
interceptions. The NFL schedule does not favor the Bears as it fights for its playoff life.
After playing on the road in Green Bay in week 16, the Bears finish the season on the
road in Minnesota. That Minnesota game will be very interesting depending on who
starts at quarterback for the Vikings. The Bears need to win out the season to get into the
playoffs and even then the team needs help. Chicago can help itself with a win in week
16 over Green Bay.
The Bottom Line
The most important thing for the Packers’ offense to do in this game is to go out and
show that the Kansas City Chiefs did not just put down the blueprint for beating the
Green Bay Packers. Green Bay needs to run the ball effectively in this game and spread