Week 1 of Sunday Night Football was a one-sided, low-scoring game as the Buccaneers knocked off the Cowboys, 19-3. On paper, we may be in for more of the same in Week Two. The Chicago Bears visit Lambeau Field to take on Aaron Rodgers and the Packers this week and enter the game as 9.5-point underdogs. With a total on the game of only 41.5, the books are forecasting a dominant, low-scoring win for the Packers.
Neither team's offense dazzled in Week 1. The Packers were shut out in the first half of their game against the Vikings en route to a 23-7 loss, while the Bears managed to score 19 points in a sloppy, rainy upset over the 49ers. If the Bears’ defense can replicate their Week 1 performance, they'll have a chance in the game, but they'll be in for a much more difficult challenge playing against Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers has owned Chicago recently, especially in Lambeau. The Bears haven't won in Green Bay since 2015, with 5 of their 6 losses since then coming by 8 or more points.'
Last week's Packers loss reminds me of their 2021 season opener – a game they lost 38-3, in which Rodgers played poorly. Rodgers came back in Week 2 with an excellent game, throwing for 255 yards and 4 touchdowns in a dominant win over the Detroit Lions. I expect Rodgers to put up a great game again on Sunday night. The Packers are 9-0 after a loss in the regular season under Matt LaFleur, and it seems unlikely that Rodgers will allow the Packers to fall to 0-2 at home.