The Bears no longer have a chance to make the playoffs, but they can spoil the Packers' season. The Packers have the seven seed and hold the tiebreaker over the Seahawks and the Saints. They can punch their ticket with a win, but if they lose, it will take some luck, with their odds dropping to 16%. They would need both the Vikings and Seahawks to lose and either the Buccaneers or Saints to lose if they lose this game. These teams met in Week 1, but much more is at stake this go-around.
The Bears beat the Falcons 37-17 last week and dominated on the ground. Cole Kmet only played 18% of snaps last week due to a knee injury. He was limited at practice on Thursday and will likely play Sunday. DJ Moore (ankle) and Khalil Herbert (back) were limited participants on Thursday but should play. Long snapper Patrick Scales has not participated in practice this week, which could be a problem on gameday.
The Packers beat the Vikings 33-10 last week and strengthened their chances of making the playoffs. They have quite a few injuries currently. Wide receivers Jayden Reed (chest) and Christian Watson (hamstring) have been limited participants all week. Aaron Jones (knee/finger) was a limited participant on Thursday, and AJ Dillon (thumb/neck) has not practiced this week. Left guard Elgton Jenkins has not practiced this week due to a knee and ankle injury. Linebacker Preston Smith (ankle) has also not practiced this week due to an ankle injury.
NFL Week 18 Best Bets: Bears vs. Packers
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Can the Packers Stop the Run?
The Bears have one of the best running attacks in the league, primarily because of Justin Fields. He averages 52.5 rushing yards per game and has four scores on the ground in 12 games. Khalil Herbert has made a name for himself with back-to-back 100-yard rushing games. He averages 4.9 yards per carry and 6.2 over the last two weeks. The Packers are not a feared run defense. They allow 131.6 rushing yards per game at 4.5 yards per carry. Herbert should gash this defense this week.
One area where the Packers could stifle the ground game of the Bears is if they can force fumbles. They have 11 fumbles recovered this season, which ties for fourth-most. The Bears have 25 giveaways, with 10 of them being fumbles. The Packers need something to stop the ground game because the Bears have been running all over bad rushing defenses.
Is Jordan Love the Answer?
Jordan Love has thrown for seven touchdowns in his last three games with no interceptions and two rushing TDs. He has been playing at a high level and, most importantly, taking care of the football. He must do that again this week if they want to make the playoffs. The Bears have 22 interceptions this season, which leads the league. This secondary gives up the 21st-most passing yards per game, but they do not miss their chance to pick the ball.
The pick: Packers -3 (-108)
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