Bears-Packers Preview

First off, Happy New Year to everyone! Now, here's my preview of tonight's Bears-Packers regular season finale:

Who Has the Edge?

Offense
Expect the Bears starters to play into the third quarter and for Lovie Smith to try to get them out on a good note (i.e. after a scoring drive). The game plan again is simple: run the ball well, remember the intermediate routes to Clark and Muhammad, and take the occasional deep shot to Berrian, etc. with play action. The Packers will likely try to establish Ahman Green, but you can also expect a good amount of throwing from Brett Favre. You'd have a hard time finding someone who thinks that this will be Favre's last game, most people (including yours truly) think he will come back. Edge: Bears

Defense
Again, expect Bears starters to play into the third quarter and for Smith to try to get them out on a high note. The Bears need to work on their pass defense after getting gashed through the air the past few weeks. Tank Johnson will make his return to the lineup, but is not guaranteed to start. Also look for Todd Johnson to be worked into the rotation some more at safety. The Packers will try to slow the Bears running game and get pressure on Grossman. DE Aaron Kampman is a Pro Bowler with 15.5 sacks this season. Edge: Bears

Special Teams
For the Bears, Robbie Gould needs to continue to solidify his kicking stroke, and Devin Hester needs to get his groove back on returns after a shaky outing against Detroit last week. Packers kicker Dave Rayner has had an average year, going 24 for 32 on field goals. Vernand Morency and Charles Woodson have been average on kickoff and punt returns, with no TDs. Edge: Bears

Coaching
Bears coaches face the question of when to rest their starters, that is the main issue for them tonight. Packer coaches will just try to get their team to play hard and beat a division rival with the playoffs out of reach. Edge: Bears

Intangibles
There are a whole bunch of intangibles for this game. How long will the Bears' starters play? Will there be a higher premium placed on resting the starters or winning the game? Will the Bears play down to their competition again? How hard will the Packers play now that they've been eliminated from playoff contention? How will the full moon affect the game? Ok, forget the last one. I expect the Packers to come out with energy, whether they'll be able to sustain it is another question. Edge: Even

Prediction
Even though it's the hated Cheeseheads, it'll be hard for the Bears to get up for this one with home field advantage already wrapped up. A close, ugly victory... Bears 23, Packers 17