NFL Week 4 Preview & Odds: Packers vs. Bears

Despite the Green Bay Packers’ slow start to the 2014 season, franchise quarterback Aaron Rodgers had just one word for Packers fans: “relax.”  Considering they are only 1-2, Rodgers is right.  But with a huge division/rivalry game looming on Sunday against the Chicago Bears (1 p.m. Eastern on FOX), Packers fans won’t be relaxing unless their team returns home with a win.

Despite the Green Bay Packers’ slow start to the 2014 season, franchise quarterback Aaron Rodgers had just one word for Packers fans: “relax.”  Considering they are only 1-2, Rodgers is right.  But with a huge division/rivalry game looming on Sunday against the Chicago Bears (1 p.m. Eastern on FOX), Packers fans won’t be relaxing unless their team returns home with a win.

Green Bay’s offense has been mostly underwhelming this season, a surprise given their new-found balance last year.  The quarterback-running back tandem of Aaron Rodgers and Eddie Lacy has underperformed so far.

“We haven’t been a sharp offense.  I haven’t been as sharp,” acknowledged Rodgers.  “We’ve all got to do better.”

Rodgers hasn’t been bad (697 passing yards and five touchdowns, along with one interception), but he hasn’t been at his usual MVP level either.  More importantly however, the Packers need much more from Lacy, who has only 113 rushing yards through three games.

The Chicago Bears on the other hand, are riding high.  The Bears suffered a heartbreaking loss to the Buffalo Bills in their season opener, but have come back with two huge road victories against the 49ers and Jets.

The team is looking to capitalize on that road momentum to get its first home win.  It’s a great sign for the Bears that their defense is back to creating turnovers.  They’ve already forced eight turnovers this season.  As is the case with any game involving Chicago, the turnover battle will be huge in this one.

Chicago also has the upper-hand on the outside, with big receivers Alshon Jeffery, Brandon Marshall (who is questionable but likely to play) and tight end Martellus Bennett providing easy targets for quarterback Jay Cutler.

The Bears are currently a narrow 1.5-point favorite in this one.  The over/under is at 49.