Bears vs Packers: Week 1 Preview with Lombardi Ave

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GREEN BAY, WI – NOVEMBER 04: A fan of the Chicago Bears wears a cheese grader on his head during a game between the Bears and the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on November 4, 2013 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

6. Handicap the NFC North for me. How do you think the teams stack up? Does a Wild Card come from the division?

To me, the Minnesota Vikings are still the strongest team in the NFC North. The addition of Kirk Cousins and return of Dalvin Cook will only help their offense improve.

The Packers aren’t as strong overall as the Vikings, but they have the ultimate difference maker in Aaron Rodgers, and should be improved on defense.

I think the division will come down to Minnesota and Green Bay, but Chicago will be very much in contention for a playoff berth. I predicted back in August that the Bears would finish 9-7. With the addition of Mack, I could see them adding another win or two to that.

The competition in the NFC is as strong as ever, but this division might be the best in the conference. If ever there was a year for three NFC North teams to make the playoffs, this would be it.

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7. What’s your prediction for Sunday night? Please include a prediction and final score.

This will be a close game, and a turnover could decide it. I give the slight edge to the Packers. The game is at Lambeau. It’s Mitch Trubisky’s first game in a new offense. Khalil Mack has only just arrived and might take a few weeks to adjust to a new scheme. It could be a different story when the two teams meet in December, but I’m picking the Packers to win the season opener, 24-20.

A big thanks to Freddie for going above and beyond to answer my larger-than-usual number of questions. Be sure to head over to Lombardi Ave to check out my answers to his questions and get even more insight into this Week 1 classic Bears vs Packers matchup.

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