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Green Bay Packers @ Chicago Bears Picks, Predictions for Jan 3

Author: americangambler | Last Updated: December 30, 2020

NFL Week 17: Packers Prolong Win Streak Over Chicago Bears

The most played fixture in the NFL returns in Week 17 when the Green Bay Packers close out their 2020 regular season with a visit to bitter rivals the Chicago Bears.

Chicago have won their past three games to revive an 8-7 record and be in with a shot at making the playoffs, with a home win over Green Bay ensuring their wild card spot. However, defeat could see the Arizona Cardinals swoop in front of the Bears, meaning a lot rides on the line despite the Packers long having secured the NFC North.

Numerous teams are expected to rest key stars with little at stake in Week 17, but the same doesn’t appear the case for Green Bay, who travel to Chicago as -235 moneyline favorites with Betrivers. Illinois residents may be interested in the Bears’ +200 billing in case their guests do decide to rest any key players, though Packers coach Matt LaFleur appeared to signal a full-strength lineup is en route:

Whether or not that will be the case remains to be seen, but the visitors are in good shape against this opponent regardless, having won eight of their last nine meetings, as well as the last three in succession.

Aaron Rodgers threw for four touchdowns as Green Bay racked up 41 points in three quarters when these teams met in Week 12, holding off a late rally to win 41-25:

Green Bay Packers @ Chicago Bears Game Info

Date: Sunday, January 3

Time: 4:25 p.m. ET

Venue: Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois

TV Info: FOX

Packers @ Bears Prediction: Packers by 7

Green Bay Packers: -235

Chicago Bears: +200

Odds via Betrivers IN

The Packers lead the overall record between these teams 100-95-6 (including two post-season matchups) after cutting down the distance significantly over the last 12 years. Chicago’s most recent win in this fixture (Dec. 2018) did come at Soldier Field, and all but one of their last six encounters have been settled by a scoring play or less.

An observer might say the Bears have a lot more reason to be fired up considering their playoff place isn’t yet secure, and wide receiver Allen Robinson isn’t among those in need of a reminder what’s at stake:

The Packers are still playing for that No. 1 seed in the NFC and know a win over the Bears will be enough to clinch it. Rodgers may struggle more against Chicago this time around following improvements in recent weeks, but not enough that it will prevent Green Bay winning on the road.

LaFleur & Co. have won five in a row and in fact are the better defensive unit despite that being Chicago’s major strength. Green Bay to win and under 52 points scored at +175 seems the sensible wager in Illinois, what should be a tenser clash than their war in Wisconsin earlier this year.