posted December 21, 2007 at 15:47 in NFL Articles

When Tony Romo and the Dallas Cowboys delivered a lackluster performance last week losing to the Eagles, the Green Bay Packers dream of entering the playoffs as the No. 1 seed in the NFC took one decisive step closer to becoming a reality. The accolades continue to pile up for Brett Favre who was named the NFC’s starting quarterback for the Pro Bowl, yet gentle Hawaiian breezes will be the farthest thing on his mind when he steps on to chilly Soldier Field come Sunday. Green Bay has everything to play while the Bears would be satisfied with bragging rights to the longest standing rivalry in football that will tally its 171st meeting this week. The Bears defeated the Packers 27-20 back in Week 5 before their season was derailed by injuries, and nothing would satisfy them more than sending the Packers packing. The Week 16 line has the Packers favored by 8 1/2 on the road where they’ve played well but face a wounded but dangerous Bears team looking for redemption.

Green Bay will look to establish the run early with Ryan Grant against a once dominant Bears defense that currently ranks 25th against the run giving up 124 yards a game. Chicago did a commendable job last week holding Minnesota rookie Adrian Peterson to 78 yards rushing, and they’ll need to rise to the challenge against Grant, a back who runs with burst and vision. Brett Favre continued to deliver the deep ball well last week in St. Louis connecting on a 44-yard bomb to Greg Jennings for his 12th touchdown catch this season. Favre will spread the ball around to all his targets against a defense that ranks 26th against the pass. The good news for the Bears is that cornerback Nathan Vashar is back – he had one interception and helped create a second against the Vikings on Monday night. Favre will need to work methodically and not force the ball up against Vashar and Charles Tillman – two players that can make you pay. The Bears can still generate a pass rush with 37 sacks entering Week 16. Arthritic back or not, Brian Urlacher continues to make plays all over the field, and defensive end Adelawe Ogunleye has nine sacks and will test Mark Tauscher severely.

The Bears will look to third-year quarterback Kyle Orton to spark the offense this week. He didn’t play horribly against Minnesota making accurate reads and check downs, but his longest completed pass went for 18 yards and the offense sputtered. Against the Packers he’ll need to take some shots down field looking for big play threats Bernard Berrian, Mark Bradley and sure-handed veteran Muhsin Muhammad. First round pick Ben Olsen is emerging as a quality tight end and Desmond Clark is a reliable target. The Packers have several key injuries on defense where tackle Ryan Pickett may sit out with a strained groin. This would give rookie Justin Harrell his first career start but may provide some extra space for Bears running backs Adrian Peterson and rookie Garrett Wolfe. Defensive end Aaron Kampman has 12 sacks and a motor that doesn’t quit – he’ll give Bears’ tackle Fred Miller fits and should deliver a multi-sack performance. Charles Woodsen should play but is listed as day-to-day with a toe injury.

Kick return man Devin Hester is always the X-factor for the Bears. In Week 5 the Packers kicked away from Hester and the strategy effectively held Hester to a minimal 10-yards per return. Chicago will need to generate a couple turnovers to keep pace with Green Bay’s prolific offense and hope Kyle Orton rises to the occasion. This will be a punishing old school Black and Blue Division matcgamehup. Green Bay is 9-1-1 ATS in their last 11 road games, but the Bears will prove a feisty adversary at home this week.

NFL FREE PICK: TAKE BEARS AT +8 1/2

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