Monday Night Football: Positional Keys To the Packers vs. Bears Matchup

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We all know what Monday night's are used for.

Football -- and nothing short of that.

As two undefeateds go head-to-head at Soldier Field this Monday night, we will soon find out who will be in control of the NFC North for the long-term this season.

Breaking down the positions of each team will further help us decide who has the upper edge in Chicago this coming Monday.

Quarterback

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Aaron Rodgers vs. Jay Cutler

Aaron Rodgers' MVP season enters its third week to date, and not much is yet to be proven on the offensive side of the ball.  We all know what Rodgers and his recievers are capable of doing -- winning games in the clutch.

 

On the other hand, Jay Cutler has much more to prove, and a boatload of pressure to go with it.  Under new offensive coordinator Mike Martz, Cutler has shown strides of strenght and consistency through two games.  But with out a proven No. 1 reciever on this Bears team, Cutler is bound for a downfall 

Advantage:  Green Bay

Running Back(s)

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Brandon Jackson vs. Matt Forte

To be honest, newly crowned starting RB Brandon Jackson isn't quite ready for primetime.  The offensive line is there, but the natural ability, quickness, and speed isn't there yet.  Without veteran help from RB Ryan Grant, there is a bit of a cause for concern in Green Bay.

Matt Forte can flat out play -- that's all you can say about the guy.  Forte will be there for Jay Cutler in the check-down position if trouble lurks in the secondary.  Breakout plays from Forte are imminent. 

Advantage: Chicago Bears

Wide Receivers

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Green Bay's usage of freakish TE Jermichael Finley will determine the outcome of this game.  Linebackers are much too slow to cover him, Defensive Backs are to small to cover him.  Its that simple.  Usage of Pro-Bowlers Greg Jennings and Donald Driver will be key, as well. 

The Bears have not seemed to find their No. 1 WR -- as mentioned earlier.  Play from Johnny Knox and Devin Hester once in a while should help out a stressed Jay Cutler.  Count Matt Forte as a WR, also.

Advantage:  Green Bay

Offensive Line

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Aaron Rodgers has been sacked two times this season.

Jay Cutler has been sacked five times this season.

But with Ryan Grant out for the season, the offensive line of the Packers won't have much to be blocking for -- at least in the running game.

The offensive line of the Bears has propelled Matt Forte's running abilities even further, and will continue to do so.

Advantage: Toss-up

Linebackers

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Woah, hold on to your hats, people.

For starters, Sophomore OLB Clay Matthews is having himself an unprecedented Defensive-MVP type season -- recording six sacks through two games (Matthews had 10 sacks last season to lead all NFL Rookies).  Along with proven beasts Nick Barnett and A.J. Hawk, this defense is hungry.

With Brian Urlacher, well, not being Brian Urlacher, the Bears aren't getting very far here.  Lance Briggs has left the better part of his career behind him.

Advantage: Green Bay

Overall Defense

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Green Bay's defense is ranked 3rd in the league in total defense (253 yards per game allowed).  Don't expect that to change in Chicago.  Charles Woodson and company won't be allowing the aerial-assault that many seem to expect out of Jay Cutler. 

Chicago's defense is ranked 12th in the league in total defense (289 yards per game allowed).  The Bears have also played mediocre offenses so far, to say the least. 

Advantage: Green Bay

Prediction

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This Monday night will be a dog-fight in the trenches -- without a doubt.

But the Packers have the upper edge on the Bears in a majority of the categories.  Plus, they have Aaron Rodgers -- what's not to love about that situation?

Prediction: Packers 24, Bears 13