The Green Bay Packers have already lost as many games as they did all last season and will look to avoid a 0-2 start Thursday night as they take on their division rivals, the Chicago Bears.
The two teams have the oldest rivalry in the NFL and will both look to make a statement within the division early in the year.
Last season the Packers were 15-1 in the regular season before losing to the Super Bowl Champion New York Giants in the second round of the playoffs.
The Packers fell 30-22 at home at Lambeau Field in week one against the San Francisco 49ers and were the only team in the NFC North to lose. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers had 303 yards passing and two touchdowns in the loss.
The Bears got off to a fast start in their first game against the Indianapolis Colts, winning 41-21 and totaling over 400 yards of offense. A win would give the Bears their sixth 2-0 start since the NFL added Wild Card playoff teams and would snap a four-game losing streak against the Packers.
In the offseason the Packers worked to correct their defense after being ranked as the worst in the league, while the Bears worked on becoming a more explosive offense.
"We're just getting started here," veteran Packers defensive back Charles Woodson told ESPN.com. "It's been a long training camp, and we're trying to figure out pieces and how we're going to run this defense going forward. I'm going to keep saying, we're going to be a good defense, trust me."
Early returns on Chicago's moves have been stellar, including the play of receiver Brandon Marshall, who was acquired in a trade from the Miami Dolphins this offseason.
Cutler connected with Marshall for nine catches and he had a touchdown to go along with 119 yards receiving. He and Marshall were teammates while playing for the Denver Broncos from 2006-2008.
"It was fun to watch," defensive end Julius Peppers said. "Hopefully, that's a sign of things that are going to happen all year."
Cutler hasn't had much success in the past against the Packers, throwing 12 interceptions with only six touchdowns in the past six games.
The Packer offense will look to rebound against the Bears and get back to their high-scoring ways. The team set a franchise record last week by gaining 300 yards in offense for the 17th consecutive game.
The team may be without one of its best weapons in receiver Greg Jennings, who is doubtful with a groin injury suffered in last week's game.
Chicago will also be dealing with injuries, including to Pro Bowl cornerback Charles Tillman who is questionable with a lower leg injury. The Bears will need their corners to play effectively if they hope to shut down reigning NFL MVP Rodgers.
The rivalry between the Bears and Packers is the oldest in the entire league, with the two teams first facing off in 1921. They have played 184 regular and post-season games against each other. The Bears have the edge in all-time matchups, with a 92-86-6 record.
Recently though, the games have been all about the Packers.
Last season Green Bay had 62 points in two wins against the Bears. Rodgers had eight touchdowns in those games. The team also beat the Bears in the NFC Championship game two years ago.
Four out of the previous five times the Bears started 2-0, they made the playoffs. The Packers will try to improve their record in September games to 8-3 since 2009.
The game will kickoff at 8:20pm Thursday night on the NFL Network.
© Copyright 2024 Sports World News, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.