Green Bay Packers vs Chicago Bears Thursday Night Betting Odds
The Green Bay Packers lost one game during the 2011 NFL regular season. They have already equaled that mark through one game of the 2012 season, after losing at home in Week 1 to the San Francisco 49ers. And it doesn’t get much easier in Week 2, as the Packers matchup in an NFC North division battle on Thursday night against the Chicago Bears.
The glaring weaknesses for the Packers on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball were revealed against the 49ers on Sunday.
Packers weak on offense?
Well, it’s certainly not the passing game with Aaron Rodgers. But it doesn’t matter how good Rodgers is this season, Green Bay simply lacks any presence running the ball. They bring in Cedric Benson to shoulder the majority of the load, but he doesn’t appear to be the answer.
The opposite can be said for the Bears and their running back Matt Forte. Forte proved why he was worth that big contract he signed in the offseason. He ran the ball for 80 yards and a touchdown, and also caught three passes for 40 yards in Chicago’s 41-21 route over the Indianapolis Colts at home in Week 1.
Now, the Bears go on the road to Lambeau Field to face a Green Bay team that will be desperate not to fall to 0-2 on the season.
Oddsmakers have already formed a betting line for this game, installing the Packers as five-point home favorites on NFL Week 2 Betting Odds available at BetOnline Sportsbook. Green Bay obviously failed to cover the spread at home in the Week 1 loss to the 49ers. Chicago got the win straight up and the cover over Indianapolis to move to 1-0 ATS this season.
The over/under point total for the game has been set at 49.
You can bet that the Bears will be watching plenty of tape of the San Francisco game from this past Sunday to see what they did to limit Rodgers and the Green Bay offense. But more importantly, what did the 49ers offense do to exploit the weaknesses in the Packers defense.
For the Packers, they will have to try to establish some type of a rush attack, even if it means using screens or small dump off passes to keep the Bears guessing.
