PROTEUS24 NFL THURS PACKERS VS BEARS

Bears -3: 3 units

Bears ML: 2 units

Top Defense

Bears (at home) are just too much to handle as the league’s premier defense. They aren't going to maintain that +13 turnover differential, but I expect the defense to be as stout from top to bottom again. Akeim Hicks and Eddie Goldman are thicc run stuffers, and their DBs as a unit might be at the top of the league: Clinton-Dix (from packers to bears) replaces Amos (from bears to packers) in the off-season. Plus they still have elusive playmaker and end-zone conductor Eddie Jackson and solid corner Kyle Fuller. They also have one of the  sickest linebacker crew: Khalil Mack, Trevathan, Roquan.

Contrarian View

Now, Imma pull my head out my asshole. Here’s some stats:

GB 8-2 last 10 vs CHI  -  Just 6-4 Against the Spread in that range, but outscored Chicago

            GB 12-5 last 17 vs CHI 

But GB 1-9 Against the Spread last 10 games on the road

Public Numbers

This makes me shiver away from the spread, especially when we look at a lot of betting numbers: vegas insider, pregame, oddshark. There’s money on the Packers/Rodgers, and several had much more money/tickets behind the Pack. The numbers can be put into question. But as people (who watch ball) it’s pretty obvious it’s because of Rodger’s history of being a bad MFer. And Mitchell Trubisky is darn solid but not in the conversation of being one of the best QB’s we’ll see in our lifetime.

Packers Defense

Packers defense looks to be improving. There's talent at all levels. However, just up and down compared to the Bears, Bears are a different class. The Pack do not match up well against Chicago. I'm even a bit iffy to start Rodgers against the Bears in fantasy if I have a decent alternative.

Packers O besides Rodgers

WR: Devante, Geronimo, and Valdes Scantling - lotta questions outside of devante, but to tell you the truth it's Rodgers. He can make something out of nothing with another year under each youngsters’ belt. Devante will get into those holes of the defense and has synchronous communication with Aaron. I wouldnt be surprised if there's a couple deep passes for him to keep the game close.

Backs: Aaron Jones and Jamal Williams - both talented but still unproven; they've been around. Packers just dont call run plays often. They arent going to have that big of an opportunity to rush against this Bears team, who gave up the least amount of rushing yards from any team last year.

TE: Jimmy Graham is still a decent big body, but pretty far from his prime. But expect him to be good for 2-5 catches and maybe even a TD.

O-Line: One of the things the Pack have going for them is they got a top of the line o-line, which might be better as a unit than Chicago’s. Although Rodgers is great outside the pocket, he needs the protection of Bakhtiari and Bulaga, who form one of the best duo tackles in the league.

Losing Vic Fangio

Now, here comes another caveat: Bears lost DC Vic Fangio, and a lot of intelligent talking heads have speculated that the Bears are going to regress this year as a result. Fangio took a job to be the head coach of the Broncos. However, Chuck Pagano steps in as DC after serving as HC of the Colts 2012-17 (during that time he beat cancer) and earlier around 2011 was considered to be a top DC.