It shouldn’t surprise anyone if the NFC wild-card playoff game between the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears on Saturday night, Jan. 10, at Soldier Field in Chicago goes right down to the wire.
Both regular-season games between the teams were close finishes.
The Packers won, 28-21, at Lambeau Field on Dec. 7 as cornerback Keisean Nixon’s interception in the end zone late in the game secured the victory. Less than two weeks later, the Bears prevailed, 22-16, in overtime at Soldier Field when the Packers squandered a late lead and misfielded an onside kick.
Oddsmakers predict a close game, with the Packers as a slight favorite. The weather could be a significant factor, too, as the forecast expects wind gusts between 20 and 30 mph in overall blustery conditions.
With all of that – as well as the teams in the NFL’s oldest rivalry generally disliking each other – as a backdrop, here’s a roundup of predictions for the game:
Packers vs Bears predictions from PackersNews
Pete Dougherty: No matter what, this figures to be a tight one. The guess here is Caleb Williams will find a way to pull it out at the end against the Packers’ short-handed defense, as he has done time and again this season. Bears 28, Packers 27
Tom Silverstein: Jordan Love is the more efficient quarterback, but he has to be clutch on third down and in the red zone. A lot rests on his shoulders because offense is the way the Packers win this game. If they protect and win against man coverage, they’re going to prevail. Packers 31, Bears 27
Ryan Wood: To me, so much of this game comes down to whether the Bears offense can stay disciplined enough to line up consistently behind center and pound the Packers defense on the ground. I’m just not confident enough in Mr. Trick Play Ben Johnson to have enough self control to do that over four quarters. Packers 27, Bears 24
Dominique Yates: I think it will be a close game (not a bold take after watching the first two matchups) and the Packers get it done. Packers 28, Bears 27
Read full story: Predictions for Green Bay Packers’ wild-card game vs Chicago Bears
More Packers-Bears predictions
Most national media sites are doing roundups of predictions by their staff and other experts.
Of the 52 predictions made in these roundups, 28 pick the Bears and 24 pick the Packers.
Here’s the rundown:
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Packers vs Bears predictions, picks for tonight’s NFL playoff game
Reporting by Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
