Chicago Bears vs. Green Bay Packers: What's the Game Plan for Green Bay?

On Thursday night, the Green Bay Packers will play host to the Chicago Bears in a divisional matchup of two teams that have yet to face each other on Thanksgiving. 

That's right. In the 94-year, 191-game history of the rivalry, Green Bay and Chicago will battle it out on Turkey Day for the first time ever. 

The night will be special for the Packers (7-3) for another set of reasons, too. The team will honor Brett Favre at halftime, as the former Green Bay quarterback's name and number are set to be unveiled in the north end-zone facade of Lambeau Field next to other Packer greats—one of which, Bart Starr, is set to be present for the ceremony. 

Meanwhile, the Bears (4-6) hope to crash the party despite losing the first meeting between these teams back in Week 1—a 31-23 Green Bay victory. 

Enough of the small talk, though. Let's run through some game plans the Packers could use on both sides of the ball before their Thursday night Thanksgiving showdown with Chicago in Week 12.

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Offensive Game Plan

The scene could not be more perfect for Aaron Rodgers to have a huge game at the helm of Green Bay's offensive attack—prime time on Thanksgiving with a national TV audience against a division rival desperate for revenge.

If that weren't enough, Favre and Starr—both Packers legends at the quarterback position in their own times—will be present Thursday for a separate ceremony that, in a way, feels like a passing of the torch. The night will be a time for Green Bay to remember its great quarterbacks of the past and watch its present version follow in their footsteps.

Although Rodgers struggled mightily in the Packers' recent three-game skid, he bounced back to the tune of two touchdowns and countless remarkable plays in last week's win over Minnesota.

Yet, a 47.1 completion percentage and just 212 passing yards marred the performance. Fans are still wondering whether the reigning league MVP can return to full form. 

This Thanksgiving showdown could prove to be an opportunity for Rodgers to show the nation which Green Bay team to fear come playoff time.

Rodgers will also benefit from facing a Chicago defense hurting at the safety position. Chris Prosinski will start his second straight game on Thursday in place of the injured Antrel Rolle—and it's a matchup that's sure to have the Green Bay signal-caller drooling. 

To put the situation in perspective, here are a few facts. The last time Rodgers faced the Bears in Week 1, Prosinski was unemployed after having been cut in training camp by the Philadelphia Eagles. Chicago signed him on Sept. 29 to bolster its special teams—not start at safety against one of the league's best quarterbacks. Then, a week ago, Prosinski was part of a Bears defense that made Broncos quarterback Brock Osweiler into the AFC Offensive Player of the Week in his first NFL start.

It's all teed up for Rodgers and the passing game to light up the scoreboard Thursday night.

Still, expect the Packers to use a fair amount of Eddie Lacy as a change of pace to their balanced offensive attack. Lacy racked up 100 yards on 22 carries in last week's win and seems to have found a groove after losing his lead back role to James Starks two weeks ago.

Defensive Game Plan 

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The Bears boast a variety of dangerous weapons on offense—yet none of them have all been healthy at the same time in 2015. If only, if only, right?

Lately, stars Matt Forte and Alshon Jeffery have both missed time, but the latest setback in Chicago comes at the tight end position. Martellus Bennett has been ruled out for Thursday's game after suffering a rib injury last week.

Bennett would have presented a tough challenge for a Packers team that's struggled to cover the tight end this season. Yet, backup Zach Miller has scored three touchdowns in the past three weeks and could have his way with Green Bay's safeties and linebackers up the middle. 

Nonetheless, the Bears will look to Forte and Jeffery as their primary playmakers.

Forte (knee) will play this week after missing the last three games, and Jeffery (groin) says he hopes to play but is still a game-time decision.

Despite the uncertainty, Chicago will benefit nicely with its starting tailback healthy and ready to do some damage against a team he's all too familiar with. In Forte's last five games against the Packers, he's rushed for at least 100 yards four times—including a 141-yard performance in Green Bay's Week 1 win.

Forte presents the best chance the Bears have to pull off an upset Thursday. All the Packers have to do is limit the workhorse back who can snap off big gains on designed runs or as a receiver out of the backfield. 

Since 2008, Forte leads the NFL with 12,198 yards from scrimmage and 25 games with at least 150 all-purpose yards. He literally does it all in Chicago's offense, and it seems as if only injuries can slow him down.

Obviously Green Bay's defense must respect Jeffery (if he's active) and Miller, but the unit's main responsibility lies in stopping Forte from doing too much damage in his featured role. 

Players and Matchups to Watch

RB Eddie Lacy

Although he busted out a season-high 22 carries and 100 rushing yards last week, it's still up in the air which Lacy the Packers will get week-in and week-out. 

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Will they have the back-to-back 1,000-yard rusher in their backfield this Thursday, or the out-of-shape version who mustered just 27 rushing yards on 13 carries in a game earlier this season?

Chicago's 25th-ranked run defense should help—the unit allows 123.7 rushing yards per game this season. Lacy himself ran for 85 yards and a touchdown in the Packers' Week 1 win over the Bears.

Lacy's big game a week ago also provided Green Bay with a more balanced attack on offense that's been lacking lately. In particular, a 27-yard carry—his longest of the year—was highlighted by a spin move, quick feet and a few broken tackles. 

If Lacy comes out on Thanksgiving and has another productive day on the ground, there will be a lot of happy families in Green Bay for more reasons than one. 

OLB Julius Peppers vs. Bears RT Kyle Long

Kyle Long is an interesting project for Chicago. After starting 31 games at right guard the past two seasons and being named to the Pro Bowl in 2014, Long made a position switch to right tackle a few days before the Bears' season opener against the Packers. 

Ever since, he's played every snap this season at right tackle and has still been Chicago's best offensive lineman.

We'll likely see a head-to-head matchup between Long and Packers outside backer Julius Peppers this Thursday—and boy, will it be one fit for prime time. 

The veteran Peppers has racked up a team-high 6.5 sacks as Green Bay's top pass-rusher this year and is tied for 11th among the league leaders in the category. 

Game Prediction

If this matchup is anything like the Packers' Week 1 victory over the Bears, we're in store for a nail-biter filled with stars and storylines. 

Yet, Green Bay is the better team on paper despite a three-game losing streak still fresh in its mind. On the other hand, you can bet Chicago is poised to upset its division rival and exact revenge on a team that's dominated the NFC North in recent years. 

Ultimately—with Favre and Starr in the house—be prepared for an Aaron Rodgers performance for the ages. The prime-time slate usually brings out the best in the Packers quarterback and a Thanksgiving showdown with Jay Cutler and the Bears is the perfect time. 

Forte will likely get his fair share of rushing yards and maybe even a touchdown or two, but that's about all Chicago fans can hope for. 

Either way, get ready for some fireworks this Thursday when the Bears visit the Packers in this Week 12 matchup.

Final Prediction: Packers 33, Bears 24