Chicago Bears vs Green Bay Packers: Week 15 Keys to the Game

3) Score on defense or special teams

The Packers are favored by 5.5 points over the Chicago Bears for Sunday’s matchup. The majority of big upsets come from a surprise touchdown of some sort. For the Saints in Super Bowl XLIV, that surprise score was set up by an onside kick. The Bears found themselves in position for an upset last week because of a pick six. Chicago was even spotted the lead the last time these two teams met because of a defensive touchdown by Leonard Floyd. Regardless, the Bears need to find and an extra touchdown somewhere in the game on Sunday.

Chicago can achieve this key in a variety of ways. The most likely candidates seem to be Chicago’s fearsome front seven. Green Bay’s line has been suspect all year, and it seems like the Bears’ pass rushers get better every single week. However, Chicago’s secondary showed signs of life last week after a long drought with no takeaways. That being said, the Bears could benefit most by a fake punt or field goal. John Fox is one of the more conservative coaches in the NFL, which would make a fake all the more effective. We saw exactly what a surprise onside kick did for the Bears against the Titans, now imagine if it were a score. Of course, a punt and kick return would qualify to earn this key as well.

One way or another, the Bears must find a way to squeeze out an extra touchdown on Sunday.