Chicago Bears vs Green Bay Packers: 5 Key Matchups for a Bears Win

On the surface, it would appear that this contest is a mismatch and one that the Packers should dominate. But the Chiefs proved that Green Bay is not infallible, and if they can beat the Pack, the Bears can, too.

But to do that will require the Bears to win the key positional matchups.

To that point, yes, the Bears will consider how Kansas City ended the Packers perfect season, by using press coverage. But they also will need to do their own scheming, since this is a rivalry that extends beyond the usual game planning.

For when the Bears and Packers get together, you can often throw the records out the window. The Bears desperately need a win, and while Green Bay wants to win to possibly gain the home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, there is much more motivation for Chicago.

Look, miracles do happen, and since this game will be played on Christmas night, for the Christmas miracle to happen, they will need to win these matchups.

Hey, stranger things have happened.

Bears Safeties vs. Packers TE Jermichael Finley

In the first game this season against the Bears in Week 3, Finley had three of his seven catches (out of eight targets) result in touchdowns of six, seven and 10 yards.

With Greg Jennings (knee) out of the mix until the postseason, it is widely assumed Finley and Jordy Nelson would combine to become the primary targets for Aaron Rodgers. Yet Finley was targeted 10 times by Rodgers last Sunday but caught only three passes.

The Chiefs' pass defense did a great job of holding Green Bay's receivers in check, using five or six defensive backs a lot of the time.

But even if the Bears wanted to do the same, they have limited manpower. Starting FS Chris Conte was placed on injured reserve early this week, and S Major Wright has missed the past two games with a shoulder sprain.

This leaves the Bears with only three healthy safeties (Craig Steltz, Brandon Meriweather and Winston Venable).

Steltz and Meriweather will be the starting safeties on Christmas night, as was the case back in Week 3 when Finley proved to be particularly effective. In that game, Steltz and Meriweather combined for nine tackles but only one pass breakup (by Meriweather).

Bears DE Julius Peppers vs Packers OT Marshall Newhouse

The Chiefs gave the rest of the league a blueprint for how to attack the Packers in Week 15, and the plan calls for pressuring QB Aaron Rodgers over and over again.

Kansas City was credited with five QB hits in its upset of Green Bay. OLB Tamba Hali was a consistent presence in the backfield, recording three of the Chiefs' four sacks.

He repeatedly beat Newhouse, the Packers' starting left tackle, who will be charged with blocking another of the league's top pass-rushers Sunday night in Peppers, who has 10 sacks this season.

Bears Kick Returners vs. Packers Special Teams

How bad have things gotten for the Bears? So bad that probably their only weapon capable of putting a scare into the Packers on Sunday night is kick-return ace Devin Hester.

But Hester is injured and may not be capable of handling punt returns. And even if he is, he may not be effective.

With Johnny Knox out, the punt and kick returns may fall to Earl Bennett and Kahlil Bell, and while the special teams blocks well, that won't be as much of a problem for Green Bay.

Don't be shocked if the Bears try another trick play against the Packers' special teams like the kickoff return for a TD by Knox earlier this season that caught the Packers totally off guard but was nullified by a holding call.

In the last three games vs. the Bears, Packers P Tim Masthay has done a terrific job neutralizing Hester.

In the last month or so, Masthay has done an outstanding job of directional punting.

Last week he had a 71-yard punt, with three of his five punts landing inside the 20-yard line. In each of the recent games vs. the Lions and Giants, he landed 4-of-5 punts inside the 20. The weather forecast for Christmas night appears relatively mild for this time of year, which should make for an easier night for the punters.

Bears QB Josh McCown vs Packers Secondary

Josh McCown will be making his first start since 2007 and while I believe that they should start Nathan Enderle, Lovie Smith believes that McCown gives the Bears the best chance to win on Sunday.

Look, he came in and threw a pick-six last week, so it is doubtful that he will be effective Christmas night, though the Packers defense is not that good.

 Green Bay ranks 31st in the league against the pass. But can McCown take advantage?

I don't think so.

Bears RBs Kahlil Bell and Marion Barber vs Packers Run Defense

The Green Bay defense is a lot better against the run than they are against the pass.

The Packers ranks 12th against the run, and with McCown at the helm, I'm sure the Bears will try a healthy dose of Bell and Barber versus the Pack.

But the problem is that Green Bay will be stacking the box, daring the Bears to throw the ball.

This does not look promising for Chicago.