NFC North Rivals Clash in High-Stakes Wild Card Battle

1. Game Overview

A historic NFL rivalry is renewed in the postseason as the Green Bay Packers travel to Soldier Field to face the Chicago Bears in an NFC Wild Card matchup. This classic showdown is scheduled for Saturday, January 10, with kickoff at 8:00 PM ET. The game will be broadcast on CTV and is available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video. The contest will take place in what could be classic winter conditions in Chicago, a factor that often plays a role in this storied rivalry.

2. Team Form and Analysis

Green Bay Packers (9-7-1)

The Green Bay Packers enter the playoffs on a significant downturn, posting a 1-4 record in their last five games and a 4-6 record over their last ten. Their struggles were highlighted in a 16-3 Week 18 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. The offense, led by quarterback Jordan Love, has been inconsistent during this stretch. For the Packers to find success, Love will need to recapture his mid-season form and effectively utilize the weapons around him, including running back Josh Jacobs. Historically, Green Bay has dominated this rivalry, holding a 17-3 record against the Bears over the last ten years, but their recent form presents a serious cause for concern as they head into a hostile road playoff environment.

Chicago Bears (11-6-1)

The Chicago Bears host their first playoff game in years after a successful 11-6-1 campaign. Despite a narrow 19-16 loss to the Detroit Lions in the final week of the regular season, the Bears have been the more consistent team down the stretch, going 2-3 in their last five contests. The offense is directed by rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, who has a dynamic receiving duo in D.J. Moore and Rome Odunze. The connection between Williams and his top targets will be paramount against the Green Bay secondary. While the Bears’ defense has been a foundational element of their success, their ability to generate big plays on offense at home gives them a balanced approach heading into this critical elimination game.

3. Injury Report

The Green Bay Packers will be without a key offensive piece, as WR Dontayvion Wicks has been ruled out with a concussion. They also have several starters listed as questionable, including G Zach Tom (Back), LB Nick Niemann (Pectoral), DT Warren Brinson (Foot), SAF Javon Bullard (Knee), and backup QB Malik Willis (Shoulder).

The Chicago Bears’ defense will be missing key personnel. Safety Chauncey Gardner-Johnson (Concussion), linebacker Amen Ogbongbemiga (Concussion), and defensive end Joe Tryon-Shoyinka (Concussion) have all been ruled out. However, the Bears’ offense received positive news, as wide receivers D.J. Moore and Rome Odunze are not on the final report and are expected to play. Defensive back Kyler Gordon is listed as questionable but was a full participant in practice.

Full Injury Report

4. ATS Trends

The Green Bay Packers have struggled against the spread (ATS) this season, posting a 7-10-0 record. Their 41.2% cover rate is among the lower marks in the league. On average, they have failed to cover the spread by 1.8 points, indicating they have consistently underperformed market expectations.

Conversely, the Chicago Bears have been a strong team for bettors. They have a 10-7-0 ATS record, covering the spread in 58.8% of their games. Their average ATS margin is +2.2 points, suggesting they have regularly exceeded expectations throughout the season.

5. Betting Odds Breakdown

• Point Spread: Green Bay Packers -1.5The Packers are slight road favorites. For a bet on Green Bay to win, they must defeat the Bears by 2 or more points. A bet on the Bears (+1.5) wins if they win the game outright or lose by a single point.

• Total: 44.5The over/under for the game is set at 44.5 points. Bettors can wager on whether the combined score of both teams will be over or under this total.

• MoneylineWhile not explicitly provided, the Packers would be a slight favorite on the moneyline (e.g., -125), meaning a bettor would risk $125 to win $100. The Bears would be a slight underdog (e.g., +105), where a $100 bet would win $105.

6. Prediction

This matchup presents a classic case of recent form versus historical precedent. The Packers are favored by a slim margin, likely due to their long-standing dominance in this rivalry and the presence of a talented quarterback in Jordan Love. Their path to victory involves Love shaking off the team’s recent slump and exploiting a Bears defense that is missing key starters in the secondary and on the defensive line. If Green Bay’s offense can control the clock and limit mistakes, they can silence the home crowd and escape with a narrow win.

However, the data points toward the home underdog. The Bears have a superior overall record, are playing at Soldier Field, and have been significantly more reliable against the spread all season. While their defense is missing players, their offense is at full strength with Caleb Williams, D.J. Moore, and Rome Odunze ready to go. The Packers have stumbled into the postseason with a 1-4 record in their last five games and now face a confident rival on the road. Considering the Bears’ strong ATS performance, their home-field advantage, and the Packers’ poor recent form, an outright win for Chicago is a highly plausible outcome.

Prediction: Chicago Bears 24, Green Bay Packers 20

Disclaimer: This article is for entertainment purposes only. All betting information is provided for informational purposes and is not a recommendation to wager.

Sources:
Bears vs. Packers Results | The Football Database
Bears–Packers rivalry – Wikipedia
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Chicago Bears Official Website | ChicagoBears.com ️
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Bears Vs Packers Record Last 10 Years | StatMuse
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