Week 17: Bears vs Packers 5 Questions with Lombardi Ave.

Did you expect the Packers to be in a one game playoff with the Bears for the NFC North division after Rodgers went down on that sad Monday night?

"Dec 15, 2013; Arlington, TX, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Matt Flynn (10) reacts to a touchdown with tight end Andrew Quarless (81) in the fourth quarter at AT Not at all. At the time, many of us believed Rodgers would only miss three or four games, so we assumed the Packers would take a step back but then be back on track when Rodgers returned. After the embarrassing Thanksgiving loss to Detroit, it appeared Rodgers wasn’t even close to coming back and the Packers’ season was well over. Many fans were even talking about how Green Bay should just rest Rodgers for the rest of the year and play for a higher draft pick. Things have really turned around in December. Now, Detroit is out of the division race and ironically it all comes down to Green Bay and Chicago, the two NFC North teams that have dealt with a significant number of injuries this season. Life in the NFL is a strange and unpredictable one. I love that both teams have everything on the line going into the last week of the season. It should be a great game."

Regardless of who wins, do you think the NFC North representative has any chance of advancing past the first round of the playoffs?

"Feb 3, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis (52) hoists the Vince Lombardi trophy after Super Bowl XLVII against the San Francisco 49ers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Ravens defeated the 49ers 34-31. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports Yeah, I do. When the playoffs start, everyone is 0-0. It’s a clean slate, and if the past few years have taught us anything is that you can just throw out everyone’s regular season records once the playoffs start. The Packers won the Super Bowl in 2010 after just barely making it into the playoffs and being the sixth seed. In 2011, they went 15-1 and were eliminated in the playoffs after one game. A few years back a 7-9 Seahawks team defeated the defending Super Bowl champion Saints. So you never know what can happen. It literally is “Any Given Sunday” when it comes to the NFL playoffs. And that’s the beauty of it. Every team has the ability to beat every other team, and vice versa. It should be a great playoffs this year, regardless if it’s the Packers or Bears representing the NFC North."

Finally, what is your prediction for the game, including the final score?

"Dec 8, 2013; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers defensive tackle Johnny Jolly (97) celebrates a fumble recovery during the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Lambeau Field. Green Bay won 22-21. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports This could be the game of the year. I don’t care that the Bears laid an egg against Philadelphia last week. As Packers fans, we know the Bears are going to be tough, especially at home. It should be a close one. The level of competition will be heightened with a healthy Rodgers in the lineup and a Jay Cutler that will have another week being back to full strength. Despite the quarterback situation, the running game will be the key for this cold December game. Neither defense is very good at stopping the run and both teams have very talented running backs in Matt Forte and Eddie Lacy. Look for this game to be won at the line of scrimmage. I will take the Packers 27, Bears 24 in a NFC North classic."

I want to thank Dan Dahlke for taking the time out of his busy schedule to answer our questions this week. Make sure you head on over to Lombardi Ave to find out all about our rival Green Bay Packers.