Green Bay and Chicago renew the rivalry tonight as we have a fantastic prime time matchup. It probably won’t be San Diego and Oakland, but we will just have to make due. Chicago was 7-3 last year at the time that Jay Cutler got hurt; Green Bay was 10-0. They met last year once when both quarterbacks were healthy, with the Packers winning by 10 in Chicago.

Green Bay, though, looks to be entering this game with the danger of being very one dimensional. That dimension is the one you would want if that was your malady–passing offense–but it’s still not a recipe for long term playoff success. San Francisco pounded them on the ground, averaging 5.8 yards a carry, while having plenty of success through the air as well. San Francisco’s rush defense is very good, and Benson could do nothing. We’ll see if that was entirely on the insane 49ers rush defense or not in this one.

Chicago, meanwhile, showed that the Cutler-Marshall combo can still fire, when Cutler gets a little bit of time. The game against the Colts started with early pressure on Cutler, but then they settled down and he was able to make plays, connecting with Brandon Marshall nine times and also hitting rookie Alshon Jeffery for a big touchdown.

In tonight’s game, it comes down to a couple of things:

1) Is the Packers defense going to play better, because you know they will be tested by Forte and Bush early?

2) Can the Packers get anything from the running game, or will it fall on Rodgers to make plays all game without Jennings? Randall Cobb was used in a variety of roles last Sunday, and he, James Jones and Jordy Nelson should be a big part of the game plan. Of course, last year, Jermichael Finley tore up the Bears, scoring 4 touchdowns. You would think Chicago has been preparing for him this time around.

The Line: Packers by 5 1/2

The Picks: Stephen and I will have the full set of picks for Sunday in tomorrow’s Pigsplosion, but for tonight’s game, we are both taking the Bears +5 1/2. The Packers lost at home last year in the playoffs, then in their opener. These Packers/Bears games show no home field advantage over the years, so I think that line is high as a result. Will Green Bay lose three in a row in Lambeau?

[photo via US Presswire]