Green Bay could have trouble shifting the Bears

Sky Sports Action, 1.25am Sunday night

The sight of quarterback Aaron Rodgers back in action for Green Bay will gladden the heart of every Lambeau Field loyalist.

The Packers would have probably made the playoffs last season had their star player not broken his collarbone and the fact he was rushed back to try to get them over the line showed how valuable Rodgers is to the team.

Wide receiver Davante Adams will be keen to link up with him after excelling under replacement Brett Huntley, but this could prove a tough game against their NFC North rivals.

Chicago finished 5-11 last season but quarterback Mitchell Trubisky looks set to improve and while he will have one eye on where Packers linebacker Clay Matthews is lurking, Trubisky could still perform well against a defence who were ranked 23rd best against the pass last season.

New receiving options Allen Robinson and Taylor Gabriel can help him do that, while the Bears are also boosted by the capture of Khalil Mack from Oakland, one of the strongest defensive players in the game.

The Packers have claimed a big recruit of their own in tight end Jimmy Graham, but he has a bit to prove as he needs to hit the heights he did in New Orleans before an underwhelming spell at Seattle.

His aerial ability does boost the Packers offence but while Rodgers may be great, Green Bay may not be able to run away with things in what should be a keenly fought contest.

Recommendation
Chicago +7
2pts 19-20 Coral, Ladbrokes

The lowdown

Venue Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin
Surface Grass
Weather Clear, 15C
Vegas handicap Chicago +7
Vegas points line 47

Team news
Chicago
Safety DeAndre Houston-Carson has been ruled out with a back injury.

Green Bay
Linebacker Oren Burks is rated as questionable with a shoulder problem.

Key stat
The points total has gone under the line in seven of Chicago's last ten visits to Green Bay.

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