The NFL season Will Start on Thursday night when the Chicago Bears host the Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field, exclusively live on Sky Sports Action and Main Event.
This is what to expect…
Green Bay (6-9-1 final season) finally forced a head coaching change by the end of last year after 13 decades of Mike McCarthy and his offense that had lots of success but ultimately become stale and predictable. Matt LaFleur, who arrives from Tennesee as a Sean McVay’disciple’, will in the minimum mean defenses won’t understand what to expect.
The defense has seen a whole revamp, using the Packers uncharacteristically spending large in free service (Za’Darius Smith, Preston Smith and Adrian Amos) and incorporating two first-round selections from the 2019 NFL Draft (Rashan Gary and Darnell Savage Jr).
Following an eight-year playoff absence, the Bears (12-4) returned to the postseason. First-year head coach Matt Nagy was named athlete of the Year, second-year quarterback Mitchell Trubisky bettering his passing touchdowns (24) in the year prior and the defense allowed a league-low 17.7 points. There was at home A first-round playoff depart finally a disappointment.
Last year’s breakout signifies Chicago have significant expectations this year, and the way they respond to this reduction of defensive coordinator Vic Fangio (Denver’s new head coach) will go a long way to determining their success. Will Chuck Pagano be able to replicate last year’s dominance, although the players are still there?
It starts with Aaron Rodgers along with his target last year, Davante Adams, who hauled 111 moves. But the question is can offense look in charge with LaFleur? Will Rodgers be slinging it? What is the strategy with Aaron Jones and the game?
Green Bay have a secondary using playmakers. Jaire Alexander was exceptional as a rookie, and Adrian Amos, Kevin King and rookie Darnell Savage Compose the rest of the four. Can they produce a turnover?
Chicago fans will want to watch Mitchell Trubisky progress in year two using Nagy. Wideout Allen Robinson was returning from injury last season, but will he return to his 2015 Pro Bowl form now fully healthy?
Rookie running back David Montgomery is also predicted to have an effect, and that he could help.
Then, among a whole group of studs that are defensive, there’s Khalil Mack. In a year’s opener from the Pack, he managed one forced fumble, a single sack, one comeback, an interception and a touchdown. Plus, he included 2.5 sacks in the return fixture. He could win the game for Chicago.
The series record between both is 97-95-6 in favour of the Packers. Last year, the spoils were shared 1-1 with both teams winning by a single score. These groups are hard to separate.
But we are looking to the Green Bay crime that is new and they are going to take care of the, tackling linebackers and sturdy secondary of Chicago.
Rodgers was stifled – 42 moves were thrown by him with zero touchdowns 25 completions and one pick – and has been shot five times. Top rusher Jamaal Williams just managed 55 yards on the floor also.
LaFleur’s assault – and he predicts the game against this particular shield – are the trick to this matchup.
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