Packers-Bears: Five Matchups To Watch

It's the start to the home-stretch in the NFC North, and each game's importance will begin to be magnified for the remainder of the season. The Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings currently sit atop the division at 5-4, but the Green Bay Packers are still lurking around at 4-5.

For Green Bay to get back in the title hunt, they will need to beat Chicago Sunday in the 176th installment of this heated rivalry. The Bears have owned the series recently (5-1 in their last six games against the Packers), and have won six of eight since coach Lovie Smith was hired in 2004.

Both teams are coming off tough losses last weekend, so emotions will be running high on the frozen tundra.

Five matchups to watch Sunday

1. Packers' run-defense vs Bears' running back Matt Forte

The Packers' run-defense this season has been a consistent disappointment. The unit ranks 28th in the NFL, and are coming off a game where the Vikings' Adrian Peterson gashed them for 192 yards. If Green Bay gives up that much to the Bears' Forte, it could be a long Sunday afternoon for the Packers.

Forte is a versatile player, and has come on as one of the NFL's better running backs. He has shown the ability to run in between the tackles, and also the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. After the Packers terrible coverage of the Vikings' running backs last weekend, Forte could have a big day catching the ball as well.

There is nothing that points to the Packers shoring up their run-defense this weekend, so don't expect Green Bay to do much against the NFL's 15th ranked rushing offense.

Advantage: Bears

2. Packers' receiver Donald Driver vs. Bears' cornerback Nathan Vasher

The sexy matchup would be Greg Jennings against any of the Bears' corners, but I'm leaning towards Driver Sunday. He's been quarterback Aaron Rodgers' favorite target as of late, and—with his ability to stretch the middle of field—could have a big day against the Bears' cover-two scheme.

Driver has 12 catches for 182 yards and a touchdown in his last two games, so Bears corners can't forget him in their defensive gameplans. Jennings is the big-hitter, but Driver will hurt you if you let him.

Vasher and his secondary teammates will need to play better this weekend, but don't expect much of an improvement against the Packers potent passing game.

Advantage: Packers

3. Packers' offensive line vs. Bears' defensive coordinator Bob Babich

The Vikings exposed the Packers offensive line last weekend, and Babich will try to replicate the blitz schemes that had Rodgers on the run all game. Minnesota used overload outside blitz's and interior zone blitz's to confuse and rattle the Packers offensive line throughout the afternoon.

The Bears' pass rush has been underwhelming thus far in 2008. No Bear has more then three sacks, and the unit as a whole only has 17. Rodgers has been sacked 21 times this season, and in the games he's been pressured he's struggled. It will be imperative for Chicago to pressure Rodgers to help their struggling secondary.

It's a matchup of struggling units, so expect both to win a few battles. Rodgers will get sacked a couple of times, but he'll also burn the Bears for a few big plays against the blitz.

Advantage: Even

4. Packers' linebackers Brady Poppinga and Brandon Chillar vs. Bears' tight end Greg Olson

Olson is the Bears' leading receiver in '08, and he has the speed and size to cause the Packers problems. Bears offensive coordinator Ron Turner loves moving Olson all over the field, and it appears that Olson can the handle the slot as well as any tight end in the game.

Poppinga lacks the speed to keep up with Olson, but Chillar is athletic enough to handle the matchup. If Orton sees Poppinga on Olson, expect him to exploit that matchup. Chillar has been asked to cover the athletic tight end the Packers have faced, so it would shock me to see Poppinga covering Olson.

Tough matchup for the Packers, but Chillar has the skills to shut him down. Olson is the leading receiver for Chicago, but you have to remember—he only has 29 catches.

Advantage: Even

5. Bears quarterback Kyle Orton vs. Kyle Orton's ankle/Packers' secondary

Orton plans to play Sunday, but he most likely will be playing in pain. The ankle is important for a quarterback—throwing can be a painful endeavour with an injured ankle—so Orton will need to make sure the injury doesn't hinder his performance.

Not only will Orton be battling his ankle, but he will also be up against the NFL's most opportunistic secondary. The Packers lead the NFL in interceptions, and have three players in the NFL's top five in picks (Nick Collins-five, Charles Woodson-five, and Tramon Williams-four).

Packers shut down Gus Frerotte last weekend, and Orton and Frerotte are comparable quarterbacks. Look for Green Bay to dominate this matchup.

Advantage: Packers

Green Bay plays host to Chicago Sunday at 12:00 CST, on FOX.