The Absolute Best Week 13 Packers Preview: Green Bay Packers (4-8) vs Chicago Bears (3-9)
Week 13 Packers Preview: Vegas Prediction
Vegas Line: Packers -3.5 (44.5 O/U)
- Packers have hit the over in the last 3 games.
- Bears have lost the last 5 games.
- Bears’ games have hit the over 6 games in a row.
Week 13 Packers Preview: Background
The Bears host the Packers at Soldier Field this Sunday. The Packers seek to continue their seven game win streak against the Bears. The Packers won 27-10 when these teams faced each other in week 2. Justin Fields scored his first rushing touchdown against the Packers in that game. Aaron Jones also scored two touchdowns. This will be the first time rising star Christian Watson, who has scored six touchdowns in three weeks, will play against the Bears. The Packers allowed only 48 passing yards in that game while allowing 180 yards on the ground. The Packers also rushed for 203 yards.
Week 13 Packers Preview: What to Watch For
Justin Fields’ Improvement
The Bears’ former first round pick Justin Fields has shown improvement this year. He still struggles moving the ball through the air on a play by play basis, but his passing touchdown rate has increased from 2.59% in 2021 to 5.7% in 2022. He truly improved in the running game. It has been a mix of personal improvement and coaching adjustments that have been responsible for his development. He has already rushed 50 more times than he did last year (72 to 122) with nearly double the yardage totals (420 to 834). He is up to 7 rushing touchdowns so far in 2022 from 2 in 2021.
So who wins? Will it be the Packers defense, who, prior to Jalen Hurts, allowed 10.2 rushing yards per game by quarterbacks and contained the likes of Josh Allen, Daniel Jones, and Justin Fields himself? Or will it be Justin Fields, who has averaged 106 rushing yards and one touchdown per game over the last 6 matchups?
Fields has faced the Packers three times so far in his career. He has rushed for 137 yards on 23 attempts with 0 touchdowns while passing for 468 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions. He is currently recovering from a shoulder injury that held him out against the Jets in week 12. It doesn’t appear to be hindering his ability to play this week, as he turned in a full practice on Thursday. It will be interesting to be sure, especially with the defensive coaching inability to adjust mid-game.
Aaron Rodger’s Injuries
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers is facing a couple of injuries that will hold him back Sunday. He has been battling a thumb injury ever since the week 5 loss against the Giants. It has been revealed that the thumb injury is an avulsion fracture, meaning that a piece of bone got broken off when the ligament in the thumb was torn. The remedy for such an injury is surgery or extended rest.
The rib injury popped up this previous game against the Eagles, where Rodgers was noticeably in pain. Rodgers said that he got “good news on the scans” and that he will play against the Bears. I’m not really sure how to interpret what “good news on the scans” means, but knowing Rodgers, he is probably underselling the severity of the injury. The back-to-back MVP has been struggling this year with a rotating offensive line, depleted offensive weapons, and off-target throws.
Week 13 Packers Preview: My Terrible Predictions
Packers win 30-17
- The depleted Bears defense struggles against the Packers. Packers put up their highest yardage total this year.
- The Eagles exposed the Packers inability to contain the QB. Fields rushes for 80+ yards.
Week 13 Packers Preview: Injury Report
Packers
LP – OT David Bakhtiari (knee), ILB De’Vondre Campbell (knee), RB AJ Dillon (quad), WR Romeo Doubs (ankle), OT Elgton Jenkins (knee), RB Aaron Jones (shin/glute), QB Aaron Rodgers (thumb/ribs)
DNP – S Darnell Savage (foot)
Bears
LP – OT Riley Reiff (back), CB Kindle Vildor (ankle)
DNP – OT Larry Bloom (ankle/knee), S Jaquon Brisker (concussion), CB Kyler Gordon (concussion), WR Dante Pettis (illness), QB Trevor Siemian (oblique)
Thank you for reading the Absolute Best Week 13 Packers Preview!
For More Great Football Content
Follow us on Twitter at @GridironHeroics for more great content. We appreciate you taking time to read our articles. To interact more with our community and keep up to date on the latest in Football news, JOIN OUR FREE FACEBOOK GROUP by CLICKING HERE
