Bears Game Preview: Week 2 vs. Packers

Bears QB Jay Cutler is riding high after throwing for 333 yards and two touchdowns in Week 1. (AP Images)

Bears at Packers -- Week 2

Where: Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisc. (grass, outdoors)

When: Thursday, 8:20 p.m. ET (NFL Network)

Spread: Packers by 6

Forecast: Showers, mid-50s

Records: Bears (Overall: 1-0, NFC North: 0-0); Packers (Overall: 0-1, NFC North: 0-0)

Past results: Two most recent meetings -- Dec. 25, 2011: Packers 35, Bears 21; Sept. 25, 2011: Packers 27, Bears 17. Series record: Bears hold 92-86-6 edge. The Packers have won six of the last seven.

What matters: A questionable offensive line that passed its first simple test gets a more severe one from LB Clay Matthews and the Packers' 3-4 defense in a hostile environment. The Packers' defense struggled in all phases last week against San Francisco, so the Bears are hoping to find ways to exploit it with an attack that piled up 428 yards against the Colts' 3-4. The Bears know what to expect from Green Bay's defense, but the Bears offense will hold an edge in that regard with only one game played in their new system for the Packers to study. The Packers defense gave up 186 rushing yards last week to San Francisco, which invites a heavy dose of Matt Forte and Michael Bush on the ground. But offensive coordinator Mike Tice may not want to put away QB Jay Cutler's newfound toys in the passing game. Chicago's defense, with Brian Urlacher playing after resting his knee much of the second half last week, confronts old nemesis Aaron Rodgers, who threw five TD passes against them in the last matchup.

Who matters: DT Henry Melton, who had two sacks last week, has a key role in this one because Rodgers will step up in the pocket to throw. The Bears feel they have the ends taken care of if Rodgers rolls out and throws. But they didn't get enough consistent push in the middle last week to keep Andrew Luck from stepping up and throwing despite Melton's stats. ... Nickel back D.J. Moore will be on the field almost all night because of Green Bay's pass emphasis. If he can take away the slot receiver, often Randall Cobb, he can force Rodgers into riskier passes. ... Forte has averaged only 54.4 yars per game against the Packers and last year rushed for just two yards on nine attempts in the first game. He missed the second game due to his season-ending knee sprain. Forte has never had a 100-yard game against them. ... Urlacher, who keeps players lined up in the right places on defense and frequently is engaged in a cat-and-mouse game with Rodgers in these matchups. Is he physically up to the challenge of playing deep middle in the zone all night against an explosive offense?

Key matchups: SS Major Wright vs. Packers TE Jermichael Finley. Wright has been burned by Finley before -- he had three TDs in one game last year and has 19 catches over the past three games against the Bears. Wright played with newfound confidence last week while in the secondary with free safety Chris Conte. In the 10 games he has been paired with Conte, the Bears have allowed only five TD passes. ... Bears cornerback Tim Jennings vs. Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson. Last week Jennings more than held his own with two INTs and another deflection that went for an INT to Conte. However, at 5-8 and facing the 6-3 Nelson, it could be an entirely new type of challenge for him. ... Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall vs. Packers cornerback Jarrett Bush. Bush has had a couple INTs vs. the Bears but has never had to battle a legitimate 6-5, 230-pound star receiver like Marshall, who had nine catches for 119 yards last week. Usually it's been cover Devin Hester, Earl Bennett or Roy Williams and shut down the run game. Marshall makes it a whole new ballgame.

Injuries of note: Urlacher's stamina and conditioning is an issue even if his knee appears fine. ... CB Charles Tillman did not practice this week after getting his shin banged up badly, and his absence would be huge. He has made a habit of causing fumbles against Packers receivers. He would be replaced by Kelvin Hayden. ... LT J'Marcus Webb had a slight thumb injury but hasn't missed practice time.

Inside stuff: Defensive end Julius Peppers moved inside to tackle on numerous occasions last week and should be expected to do it again. His height gives him an advantage when it comes to knocking down the quick inside slants that the Packers like to throw at the Bears coverage, which tends to funnel receivers inside. In fact, the Bears used more than 20 different defensive line combinations last week against the Colts and should be doing something similar again to keep players fresh and throw different looks at the Packers offensive line.

Connections: The Bears get to see a familiar face in former teammate Cedric Benson, who had only 18 rushing yards the first game but overpowered them for 189 yards in a 2009 game while with Cincinnati. Some of the Bears' defenders once were accused by Benson of being too rough with him in practice -- no doubt they'd like to get too rough with him now. ... Bears CBs Kelvin Hayden and Tim Jennings were teammates in Indianapolis with Packers C Jeff Saturday.

Stat you should know: Although Rodgers has a reputation for struggling against the Bears defense, his passer rating against them is 98 and he has a 7-2 record starting against them. ... Cutler has a 65.2 paser rating and a 1-6 record against the Packers, including the 2010 NFC title game. ... Green Bay's rushing game was so poor last week that Rodgers led them with 27 yards.

Record watch: Devin Hester needs one TD return to tie Deion Sanders for the most combined TD returns (INT-fumble-kick-punt) in NFL history at 19. His first career TD return came against the Packers at Lambeau Field in a 2006 season-opening victory.

Bulletin board quote: "Good luck. We've got some dudes that if you're going to get up in our face, even our speed guys are going to get around them and our big guys are going to throw-and-go. ... We invite press coverage. We invite man. And if we get in that type of game, our guys outside have to make some plays for us." -- QB Jay Cutler on the Packers playing press coverage against his receivers.

Looking ahead: The Bears return home to play a Sunday, Sept. 23 game against Lovie Smith's former team, the St. Louis Rams and new coach Jeff Fisher, whose NFL start came with the Bears as a defensive back.

Prediction: Packers 27, Bears 24