Chicago Bears vs. Green Bay Packers

The three-9 Chicago Bears will play the 4-8 Inexperienced Bay Packers at Soldier Area in a Week 13 matchup. Right here’s what it is advisable know earlier than kickoff (midday, Fox-32).

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The Bears secondary shall be lacking a number of key gamers Sunday in opposition to the Packers.

Cornerbacks Kyler Gordon (concussion) and Kindle Vildor (ankle) and security Jaquan Brisker (concussion) are all inactive. These absences are on high of security Eddie Jackson going on injured reserve this week with a Lisfranc damage in his foot.

Additionally inactive for the Bears are quarterback Tim Boyle, fullback Khari Blasingame and offensive linemen Ja’Tyre Carter and Larry Borom. Blasingame was dominated out with an sickness this morning.

For the Packers, left deal with David Bakhtiari, broad receiver Romeo Doubs, security Darnell Savage, linebacker Krys Barnes, cornerback Shemar Jean-Charles and defensive lineman Jonathan Ford are inactive.

Besides for 2 years — 1922 and 1982 — the Bears and Packers have performed one another each season since 1921.

They’re the 2 oldest groups in steady operation within the Nationwide Soccer League with a rivalry spanning 203 video games, together with two playoff conferences. The Packers maintain a slight lead within the sequence with 104 wins to the Bears’ 95, with six ties.

Here’s a look back, decade by decade, at how the groups have fared and the highlights — and lowlights — of their matchups.

The Bears have began 20 quarterbacks because the Packers since 1992. That quantity will tick as much as 21 if anybody apart from Fields begins Sunday. On the flip aspect, simply three quarterbacks have began for the Packers in opposition to the Bears since ‘92 (Brett Favre began 32 video games. Rodgers has began 29).

Learn extra eye-catching numbers before the Week 13 matchup here.

Bears quarterback Justin Fields was restricted in observe Wednesday however returned in full Thursday and Friday as he continues to recuperate from a separated left shoulder.

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is recovering from a proper thumb fracture from earlier within the season and a ribs damage that knocked him out of the loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 12.

The final time Rodgers performed at Soldier Area, he was yelling “I own you!” to bird-flipping Bears fans in a 24-14 Packers win. It was one in every of Rodgers’ 24 wins as a starter in opposition to the Bears with simply 5 losses. He has a 108.1 profession passer ranking within the rivalry, together with a 125-plus ranking in every of his final 5 video games in opposition to the Bears.

Fields mentioned Wednesday that it’s not about being 100% however having the ability to carry out as much as his requirements.

“There’s a couple of individuals on this league which might be quote-unquote 100% (in Week 13),” Fields said. “So I’m simply going to go on the market and if I really feel like I will help my workforce win … and put factors on the board, then I’m going to go on the market and play.”

The Bears have misplaced 5 consecutive video games and eight of 9, however with solely 5 video games remaining, they’re running out of opportunities for Fields and the offense to make enhancements with an eye fixed towards subsequent season.

The Bears averaged 29.5 factors in a five-game stretch by the Falcons loss when Fields was injured, so issues had been trending upward. The passing recreation stays very a lot a piece in progress, however the working recreation with Fields concerned has been dynamic and dominant.

The Bears placed Eddie Jackson on injured reserve, slicing quick a resurgent season from the sixth-year security.

Jackson suffered a noncontact left foot damage within the second quarter of a 31-10 loss to the Jets. On Mike White’s 54-yard landing cross to Garrett Wilson, Jackson was backpedaling when he slipped with no person round him. He limped off the sphere with out placing weight on his leg.

Jackson, who shall be 29 in December, was having his most productive season since 2018. He had 4 interceptions, six passes defended, two compelled fumbles and 80 tackles in 12 video games.

The Bears also placed wide receiver Darnell Mooney, who wants season-ending ankle surgical procedure, on injured reserve.

His damage leaves the Bears with out one in every of their most essential gamers as they attempt to make strides of their still-quiet passing recreation. The 2020 fifth-round select of Tulane had 81 catches for 1,055 yards and 4 touchdowns final season. He had 40 catches for 493 yards and two touchdowns this 12 months.

“If you lose the manufacturing of these guys, primary, that all the time hurts and likewise the management a part of it,” coach Matt Eberflus mentioned of Jackson and Mooney. “These guys have been nice within the locker room. They’re nice teammates. They are surely encouraging to others and so they actually mannequin the conduct we want to see.”

Cornerback Kyler Gordon and safety Jaquan Brisker haven’t practiced the final two weeks whereas within the concussion protocol and are out for Sunday. With Jackson out, the Bears once more shall be skinny at security, at which veteran DeAndre Houston-Carson and rookie Elijah Hicks will begin. Cornerback Kindle Vildor additionally has been was restricted this week by an ankle damage and is listed as questionable.

Proper deal with Riley Reiff was restricted in practices Thursday and Friday as he recovers from a again damage. However Eberflus indicated that Reiff remains to be in line to start out Sunday. Fellow offensive deal with Larry Borom, in the meantime, missed each practices didn’t observe this week with ankle and knee accidents and has been declared out.

Extensive receiver Dante Pettis, who missed two practices this week with an sickness, was again as a full participant Friday and is obvious to play.

For the Packers, left deal with David Bakhtiari underwent an appendectomy Friday and was dominated out for Sunday. Security Darnell Savage (foot) is uncertain after leaving Sunday’s recreation in opposition to the Eagles and never working towards this week. Linebacker De’Vondre Campbell (knee) and receiver Romeo Doubs (ankle) are questionable.