Packers vs Bears: What Experts Are Saying About Chicago

It's Packer week! The Bears can make a big statement in the NFC by knocking off their divisional foes and putting Green Bay in a big hole early in the season. 

Coming off two big wins on the road, the Bears are looking to get back on track at home and a few things have caught the experts' eyes going into this Sunday. 

Can the Bears get the running game going? Are they really going to start 0-2 at home? These are just a few of the topics on the minds of experts around the league. Click through to see the rest. 

ESPNChicago's Michael C. Wright Thinks Everybody Is Happy with Jared Allen

Tony Avelar/Associated Press

Statistically, it hasn't been the start everybody was expecting for defensive end Jared Allen, but his contributions extend far beyond sacks right now. 

ESPNChicago.com's Michael C. Wright believes the team is happy with Allen even though he has not recorded a sack yet. He's been a great leader on a defense with a number of young players suddenly thrust into the limelight. 

"

The Bears are certainly pleased with Allen's contributions up to this point, but I also think the staff's feelings concerning the defensive end are more about his contributions at practices and in the meeting rooms. Remember, originally, the Bears brought in Willie Young to start opposite Lamarr Houston. Then, Allen sort of just fell in the team's lap in free agency and it had to pounce. Allen has been instrumental, in my opinion, on helping to develop Young, as well as some of the other players.

"

While Allen has been key to the development of Willie Young and other players, it's time he starts producing. He gets the perfect chance this Sunday as the team finally gets away from the zone read and faces a true passing threat in Aaron Rodgers. 

ChicagoBears.com's Eli Kaberon Cautions When Facing Julius Peppers

Mike Roemer/Associated Press

The Bears will welcome an old friend to town on Sunday. Former Bears defensive end Julius Peppers racked up 38 sacks in four years with Chicago. He will look to build his career sack total against his old team. 

ChicagoBears.com's Eli Kaberon thinks the Bears need to proceed with caution when facing Peppers. 

"

Sunday marks the first game the Bears will play against Julius Peppers since he signed with the Packers in March, just days after being released by Chicago. Peppers is not only familiar with the Bears players and coaches, having spent the last four seasons playing for the team, but he is also a handful for the offensive linemen assigned to block him because of his tremendous size and ability.

"

Kaberon is right. Peppers will have heightened energy, looking to stick it to the Bears, but Chicago should use that to its advantage. This is the perfect game to get running back Matt Forte going again using misdirection, draw plays and forcing Peppers upfield, allowing for bigger lanes to run through. 

Chicago Tribune's Rich Campbell Says Kick Aaron Rodgers While He's Down

Duane Burleson/Associated Press

It's been a very uncharacteristic start for All-Pro quarterback Aaron Rodgers. He's struggled to get anything going and sees his team in a 1-2 hole. 

During his game preview, Chicago Tribune's Rich Campbell points to the stats behind Rodgers' struggles and believes the Bears can take advantage before he regains his mojo. 

"

Rodgers has been uncharacteristically inaccurate. His 62.7 completion percentage is lower than any of his single-season totals since he became the starter in 2008. Receivers have dropped passes, and no tight end has replaced Jermichael Finley’s production.

"

The struggles for the Packers hasn't been all on Rodgers. Running back Eddie Lacy has been largely ineffective to start the year, which has put more pressure on Rodgers and the passing game. 

The Bears have to get pressure on Rodgers. Outside of Jordy Nelson, he really doesn't have a reliable target and it shows as he's locked in on the receiver all year. Some pressure could force Rodgers to make some mistakes even against a beaten-up Bears secondary. 

AP Sports' Alan Ferguson Has the Stats and Something Has to Give

Nam Y. Huh/Associated Press

When it comes to this week's Packers vs. Bears game, something has to give. AP Sports' Alan Ferguson has some interesting numbers on the season starts for these two historic franchises. 

"

Green Bay has not started 0-3 on the road since dropping its first four there in 2005. The Packers haven't lost three in a row on the road in one season since Nov. 28-Dec. 19, 2010, but are seeking a fifth consecutive win in Chicago, including the NFC title game.

The Bears haven't opened with back-to-back home defeats since an 0-3 start in 2004. Their last set of consecutive losses at Soldier Field came at the end of 2012.

"

Which telling number bucks the trend this week? It's hard to imagine the Bears losing two-straight home games especially since they have been gone for a couple weeks and want to put the bad Buffalo game behind them.

ESPN's Matthew Berry Thinks This Is the Week for Matt Forte

Julio Cortez/Associated Press

It's been a tough go of things for Matt Forte so far this year. He's had to face three stingy defenses in a row but could finally get some relief this week. 

The Packers' defense isn't exactly setting the world on fire right now and ESPN's fantasy football expert Matthew Berry thinks this is the week. 

"

I know, I know. I own him in a league myself. But I'm rolling with him. If he can't get it done against Green Bay, then you can panic. But no team has allowed more rushing touchdowns than Green Bay this year.

"

Berry is right. Forte is too good of a back to be held down and this is the week he will break out in a big way. The Bears are getting more healthy on the offensive line and Forte will feed off the home crowd. Look for him to have a big day on the ground and through the air.