Bears vs. Packers matchup

If you are a true football fan then you have to love this matchup. Not to sound too much like Ron Jaworski but we have a classic battle of two of the most historic franchises in NFL history on our hands this Sunday. Much of this game has been overshadowed by the AFC game, mostly because of the personalities involved, but the Chicago Bears- Green Bay Packers rivalry is the oldest and perhaps greatest rivalry in football history.

Both these teams have true grit and spit football roots with legendary players toeing the turf on both sides: Lombardi, Starr, Nitschke and Favre; Halas, Butkus, Walter "Sweetness" Payton, Singletary, Ditka. The list of great players and coaches that have gone to war against one another in this rivalry is staggering. Surprisingly these two teams have only matched up once in the playoffs, a Bears 33-14 victory in 1941. Both teams are used to playing in arctic temperatures and both teams have a prodigious amount of hate for one another. A great backdrop for hard-nosed, black-eyed, swollen nads football.

Everyone seems to be giving this game to the Packers. I do think they will ultimately win the game but I have a feeling it will not be nearly as easy as everyone is making it out to be. Let us remember that the Packers are the 6 seed and the Bears are the 2. The Bears defense is very strong, especially against the run. (2nd in the league) Brian Urlacher is playing with a chip on his shoulder and their front four are relentless. Julius Peppers will be bothering Rodgers all day and could potentially create a game-changing turn over. The Bears also have a talented but vulnerable secondary. I think the entire Bears team will play with something to prove. No one has taken them seriously all years; everyone has written them off as lucky. Now they are one game away from the Super Bowl and I think they are grinding their teeth, hoping to have the last laugh.

The problem for the Bears is that Aaron Rodgers is playing like Joe Montana re-incarnated so far in these playoffs. He has the 2nd greatest completion percentage in the playoff's (so far) for a QB who has thrown at least 70 passes, 76.4%. (Montana threw for 78% in 1989). Rodgers has long been touted as a great Quarterback but he is playing like an MVP right now. I don't think that any team, unless they are hitting him all day, can stop his air assault. He also has a great set up legs and can elude potential pressure. He also has a reliable stable of receivers and an improved running game.

I think the Packers defense is underrated and will be another factor the game. Cutler is shaky, as he is subject to implosion at any moment. The Packers should be able to rattle him. Clay Matthews will be running around like a hippie-freak and the Packers secondary is solid against the pass. The Bears running game is much improved and they also have quality guys to haul in the rock.

I think, ultimately, the Packers have too many playmakers for the Bears to contend with. I'll take the Pack to shake the Bears 27-17 with a furious 4th quarter finish.