Bears vs. Packers: TV Info, Spread, Injury Updates, Game Time and More

NFC North rivals collide for the second time this season when the Green Bay Packers play host to the Chicago Bears, this time at Lambeau Field on Sunday Night Football. 

One of the most historic rivalries in league history figures to see both teams firing on all cylinders, too, considering both enter the contest off byes.

That said, most have written this off as a victory for Aaron Rodgers and the home side. After all, the Packers beat the Bears in Chicago 38-17 already this year, while Chicago is just 1-4 in its last five outings.

A whole lot can change over the course of a bye, though, and plenty goes out the window in a divisional contest. Expect both teams to bring their best to the national stage.

A Tale of Opposite Paths 

Not too long ago, Green Bay scored that aforementioned win at Soldier Field and won three of its next four. 

Before that loss, Chicago had looked like the NFC North favorite most thought it to be, especially after a win in San Francisco. After the loss, though, the Bears hit a tailspin and have one win since.

Green Bay's continued strong form is the simple result of execution. Rodgers has thrown 19 touchdowns to just three interceptions this year. Eddie Lacy behind him averages 4.1 yards per carry and has 428 yards and four scores.

Chicago, despite the presence of offensive guru Marc Trestman, looks like it could learn a few things from Green Bay in regard to offensive balance and execution. As running back Matt Forte puts it, per the team's Twitter account, it is hard to make excuses: 

Speaking of Forte, he remains one of the best in the business, although the fact he has 20 or more carries in just one game this year suggests the team is getting a tad too one-dimensional at times. As a result, quarterback Jay Cutler has eight interceptions on the year already, one season removed from throwing just 12.

Bears offensive coordinator Aaron Kromer seems to have keyed on the issues over the course of the bye week:

In the second game of an annual divisional series, the pressure to adapt primarily falls on the shoulders of the team that got blown away in the first encounter.

The writing is on the wall for this matchup in particular. Green Bay needs to change little, while Chicago needs to come out with a new approach and a fire that suggests the roster has not thrown up the white flag on the season. 

Perseverance, Recovery and Silver Linings

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

To Chicago's credit, the players are saying and doing the right things, while factors are quietly turning positive in regard to their chances Sunday night.

Word has come down from the front office that the pulse of the team is encouraging, as explained by general manager Phil Emery, per STATS LLC, via ESPN.com:

"

We will not quit on the season. We will not quit on ourselves. We're not going to quit on each other. We feel, without question, we built a work ethic, a system of doing things in this building is in place to have the consistency we need to win. We're disappointed because we haven't done that.

"

Forte seems to echo these sentiments about the roster, as illustrated by Rich Campbell of the Chicago Tribune:

It helps that the team continues to get healthier. Lance Briggs seems good to go for Sunday night. Not only is the veteran a leader, he is once again one of the best in the business, coming in as the No. 13 overall 4-3 outside linebacker this season at Pro Football Focus (subscription required).

Rookie corner Kyle Fuller sounds good to go, too, and keep in mind he is a major presence when actually on the field, as noted by his No. 38 rank at PFF. The team also figures to get Jared Allen back, which will boost a rush that has already generated 20 sacks, 26 quarterback hits and 69 hurries, per PFF.

The world seems down on the Bears, and perhaps rightfully so. But from the looks of it, if the team is going to salvage its season, Sunday night is the best chance all involved will get. 

When: November 9, 8:30 p.m. ET

Where: Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin

Watch: NBC

Betting Info: (via Odds Shark)

• Over/Under: 53.5
• Spread: Green Bay (-7.5)

Team Injury Reports

Name	Pos.	Status
Marquess Wilson	WR	Out
Lance Briggs	LB	Questionable

Name	Pos.	Status
Sam Shields	CB	Probable
Morgan Burnett	S	Probable
Aaron Rodgers	QB	Probable

Injury info will be updated once released, via ESPN.com.

Prediction

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Things are mostly quiet out of Wisconsin because the Packers are once again one of the NFL's best and not only get to play a divisional foe at home, but have had an additional week to prepare.

It is hard to imagine that Round 2 is as ugly as the first, when Rodgers only fired six incompletions and tossed four touchdowns. Green Bay touts the league's absolute worst run defense, so the avenue for the Bears to keep things close on the road is certainly open for business.

At home, though, Green Bay seems a tad much for a Chicago defense to handle when it matters most. Expect Rodgers and his offense to pull away in the final frame.

Prediction: Packers 30, Bears 23

Note: Stats courtesy of NFL.com. All advanced metrics via Pro Football Focus (subscription required).