JEFF’S SPORTS BLOG – THE CLASSIC RIVALRY: THE CHICAGO BEARS VS. THE GREEN BAY PACKERS

JEFF’S SPORTS BLOG – THE CLASSIC RIVALRY: THE CHICAGO BEARS VS. THE GREEN BAY PACKERS

For die-hard football fans it doesn’t get any better than watching two rivals battle it out. The intensity and in this case the balance of power in the NFC North plays out tomorrow in Green Bay Wisconsin as our beloved Chicago Bears will visit their long time nemesis the Green Bay Packers.

In years past the Bears would be facing legendary Packer QB Brett Favre and would have the daunting task of slowing him down. However Favre is a New York Jet now and the Bears will shift their focus to current Packer QB Aaron Rodgers.

Rodgers has had an up and down season but has kept the offense fairly stable for the second place Packers. He’s been playing with an injury to his right shoulder but has shown flashes of brilliance in the passing game. Rodgers has recorded 13 touchdown passes while throwing only 5 interceptions in nine games. He has completed over 63% of his passes and also has 3 rushing touchdowns to his credit demonstrating an ability to hurt defenses with his legs as well as his arm.

The Packer running attack is led by running back Ryan Grant who enters this rivalry with just 2 rushing touchdowns and a dismal 3.6 yards per carry average. The Bears will have to control Grant to be successful tomorrow. The Bears defense shut down the Tennessee running game last week so I’m confident they can control Grant.

For the Bears offense much of it rests on whether or not QB Kyle Orton will start despite his bad ankle. The Bears have listed Orton as probable for the game and that means he should start. The weather will have a lot to say about how prolific either team’s passing game will be so look for the Bears to rely heavily upon rookie running back Matt Forte.

Forte enters the game with 4 rushing touchdowns and 3.8 yards per carry average while also playing a huge role in the Bears passing attack. Forte has caught 37 passes out of the backfield and has three receiving touchdowns to his credit. He’ll be the key component to the Bears attack tomorrow.

In conclusion I can see the breath vapors out of the players’ mouths the snow covered field the red noses and the smell of the playoffs as the Bears and Packers face off at legendary Lambeau Field for the 176^th game between these two historic teams. Whatever the outcome this is as good as it gets for diehard football fans. GO BEARS!!!

JEFF ARDITO & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO