Bears vs Packers: Game Time and Analysis

Who would have thought that Bears vs Packers could turn out to be a shoot out?

Yet after last week's 41-21 blowout against the Indianapolis Colts, the Chicago Bears look poised for another high scoring match at Lambeau Field on Thursday. Jay Cutler has a new weapon in Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery. Last week, Marshall was targeted a staggering 15 times. He finished with 9 catches for 119 yards and a touchdown. The last time he played the Packers was in 2010, where the big receiver caught 10 balls for 127 yards.

The one-two punch in Matt Forte and Michael Bush also proved effective last week, with the duo scoring a combined three touchdowns.

However, let's not ignore the obvious: The Bears played a young team last week at home. They should have destroyed them, and despite a slow start, they did. Both the Bears and Packers are playing on a short week for a fight for NFC North supremacy.

The Packers, on the other hand, faced a much tougher team in the San Francisco 49ers. On paper, quarterback Aaron Rodgers looked good, throwing for 303 yards, two touchdowns and a pick. But for anyone watching the game, it was obvious that the 49ers were in control from the very start.

Former Bears running back Cedric Benson will once again be playing against his old team, but this time on the Packers. The last time Benson faced the Bears he was playing for the Cincinnati Bengals, and rushed for 189 yards and a touchdown.  Despite this, Rodgers was the Packers leading rusher last week, so don't expect anything big from the former Auburn running back.

For the Packers, this may be a must-win game as only two teams that have started the season 0-2 since 2008 have made the playoffs.

Notable injuries for the Packers include Greg Jennings, who is listed as doubtful with a groin injury, running back James Starks and cornerback Davon House are also list as doubtful. The Bears have four key players who haven't practiced on their list. Linebacker Brian Urlacher, cornerback Charles Tillman, tight-end Kyle Adams and offensive lineman J'Marcus Webb.

It would be a surprise, though, if Urlacher and Tillman did not play on Thursday.

In the end, we're looking at a high scoring game, with plenty of turnovers on both sides. Expect the Bears to edge out the Packers in this one.

Game time

The Bears-Packers game will air on NFL Network Thursday, Sept. 13 at 7:20 p.m. Central Time.

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