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Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers Thursday Night Preview

GREEN BAY, WI - DECEMBER 25: James Jones #89 of the Green Bay Packers catches a touchdown pass against the Chicago Bears on December 25, 2011 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.  (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WI - DECEMBER 25: James Jones #89 of the Green Bay Packers catches a touchdown pass against the Chicago Bears on December 25, 2011 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images)
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The matchup leading off Week 2 in the 2012 NFL season is an NFC North rivalry that goes back 90 years. The Chicago Bears and the Green Bay Packers first played on November 27, 1921 when the Chicago Staleys defeated the Packers 20-0. Chicago leads the all-time series 92-82-6, thought Green Bay has won the last 4 in a row. The Packers have also won the last 5 at home between these two and six of the last eight. The Bears last victory in Green Bay came in October 2007.

TV/RADIO

The game will be Broadcast at 6:00 pm MDT on the NFL Network with Brad Nessler, Mike Mayock, and Alex Flanagan calling the game action. Dial Global Radio has Ian Eagle, Trent Green and Hub Arkush. SIRIUS: 88 (DGR), 92 (Chi.), 93 (GB). XM: 88 (DGR), 225 (Chi.), 226 (GB).

STATS Bears Packers
Passing Cutler 21/35, 333, 2, 1, 98.9 Rodgers 30/44, 303, 2, 1, 93.3
Rushing Forte 16-80, 5.0, 1 Rodgers 5-27, 5.4, 0
Receiving Marshall 9-119, 13.2, 1 Cobb 9-77, 8.6, 0
Offense 428.0 324.0
Take/Give +4 -1
Defense 356.0 377.0
Sacks Melton: 2 Matthews: 2.3
INT's Jennings: 2 ---
Punting Podlesh: 41.6 Masthay: 48.2
Kicking Gould: 11 (5/5 PAT, 2/2 FG) Crosby: 2 (2/2 PAT, 0.0 FG)

NOTES

BEARS: QB JAY CUTLER has won 6 starts in row. Has won 9 of past 12 starts vs. division & has 100+ rating in 6. Incl. playoffs, when he has 100+ rating, his teams are 24-0…RB MATT FORTÉ has 4,313 rush yards & 2,025 rec. yards. Joined HOFer WALTER PAYTON & NEAL ANDERSON as only Bears with 4,000+ rush & 2,000+ rec. yards…In last game vs. GB (10/17/10 with Mia.), WR BRANDON MARSHALL had 10 catches for 127 yards. Since 2007, has 12 games with 10+ catches, 2nd most in NFL. Had 9 catches for 119 yards & TD last week, most yards in Bears debut since 1954. Incl. playoffs, WR-KR-PR DEVIN HESTER has 19 total return TDs (12 PR, 6 KR, 1 missed FG), tied with HOFer DEION SANDERS for most in NFL history…DE JULIUS PEPPERS has 100 sacks since entering NFL in 2002, tied for 4th most. CB CHARLES TILLMAN had sack & FF in last meeting. CB TIM JENNINGS had career-high 2 INTs last week.

PACKERS: QB AARON RODGERS aims for 5th win in row vs. Chi. (incl. playoffs). In last meeting, completed 21 of 29 (72.4 pct.) for 283 yards with 5 TDs vs. 0 INTs for 142.7 rating. Incl. playoffs, Packers have won past 18 starts when Rodgers has 100+ rating…RB CEDRIC BENSON was drafted by Chi. in 1st Rd. (No. 4 overall) in 2005…WR JORDY NELSON had 6 catches for 115 yards & 2 TDs in last meeting. In past 2 vs. division, Nelson has 15 catches for 277 yards (138.5 per game) & 5 TDs. WR GREG JENNINGS had 9 catches for 119 yards in last game vs. Chi. WR JAMES JONES had 2 TDs in last meeting. WR-PR-KR RANDALL COBB had 75-yard PR-TD last week…Since joining GB in 2006, S CHARLES WOODSON has 37 INTs (2nd in NFL) & 9 INT-TDs (1st in NFL). Has 5 INTs vs. Chi. Since 2010 (incl. playoffs), CB TRAMON WILLIAMS ties for NFL lead with 13 INTs. LB CLAY MATTHEWS had INT & FF in last meeting. In past 4 vs. division, has 3 sacks, 2 INTs & 2 FFs.

WEATHER

The Forecast for tonight's game call for Partly Cloudy skies with temperatures in the low 40's. It has been raining all day, so the conditions will be set for a classic Mud Bowl type atmosphere.

ODDS

The Wise guys in Las Vegas have the Packers favored by 5 points with the Over/Under at 51.

Why Bronco Fans should Watch

Neither team is on the Broncos 2012 schedule, but former Broncos and current Bears players Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall will be competing. The ones feeling jilted by Jay (Bronco fans are 6's and Bears fans are 9's) may enjoy seeing him Sacked multiple times by Clay Matthews. Brandon Marshall's bipolarity make him a target of more than Cutler. Still, both players score well for Fantasy Football enthusiasts and it is Football. You got anything better planned for tonight?