• Packers And Bears
• Why Do The Bears And Packers Have A Rivalry
• Bears Vs Packers Mnf
• Packers Vs Bears Stats
• Are The Packers Better Than The Bears

The Green Bay Packers and San Francisco 49ers are scheduled – despite COVID-19 concerns – to play Thursday night at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.

The long-anticipated rematch of the NFC title game has been marginalized slightly by positive COVID-19 tests and a never-ending list of injuries and unavailable players for both teams, but especially the 49ers.

Rodgers throws 3 TD passes, Packers beat Bears 26-10. Aaron Rodgers threw for 326 yards and three touchdowns, Davante Adams and Ty Montgomery emerged. The Green Bay Packers beat the Chicago Bears, 10-3, in the first game of the NFL's 100th season on Thursday Night Football at Soldier Field. Credit: AP/Charles Rex Arbogast Chicago Bears' Buster. Week 1 TNF Betting Props: Packers vs Bears. Stephen Campbell Thu, Sep 5 2019, 9:55am. Facebook; Twitter; Reddit; NFL football is officially back tonight, as the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears kick off the 2019 NFL season in a matchup at Soldier Field between two of the league’s most bitter rivals.

Packers And Bears

Here’s a look at five things to watch on Thursday night:

Mike Pettine, it's time

Why Do The Bears And Packers Have A Rivalry

AP Photo/Mike Roemer

If ever Mike Pettine’s defense was going to stop Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers, Thursday night has to be it. San Francisco’s offense is devastated. In fact, no player that touched the football on offense for the 49ers will be available for Shanahan on Thursday night, including quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, running back Raheem Mostert and All-Pro tight end George Kittle. Still, Pettine’s defense, coming off another woeful showing against the run against the Minnesota Vikings four days ago, must now take on one of the best playcallers and most inventive schemes in football. It will be a challenge. But the personnel advantage for the Packers is significant and should be overwhelming. The seat will get awfully hot for Pettine if he can’t find a way to shut down the 49ers’ JV offense.

Bears Vs Packers Mnf

Call on Dex?

Jeff Haynes/AP Images for Panini

The Packers aren’t going to have Jamaal Williams and A.J. Dillon (COVID-19 reserve list), and Aaron Jones (injury) remains questionable. They represent the team’s top three running backs. If all three are out, the Packers might have to turn to Dexter Williams – a 2019 sixth-round pick currently on the practice squad – as the offense’s lead back. He is talented, with some explosive traits, but the Packers haven’t trusted him as a pass blocker or pass catcher. Thursday night will provide a chance for him to prove he’s better in both areas and capable of handling a role moving forward. Maybe, if he’s good enough, the Packers will see him as something more than a practice squad player in the future, especially with tough financial decisions coming up at running back this offseason. It’s a big spot for the young player.

Packers Vs Bears Stats

All eyes on SF's RBs

Nov 1, 2020; Seattle, Washington, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back JaMycal Hasty (38) rushes against the Seattle Seahawks during the first quarter at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Are The Packers Better Than The Bears

The 49ers are devastated at wide receiver and will start a backup quarterback, putting even more emphasis on San Francisco’s ability to run the ball. As many will remember, the 49ers rushed for 285 yards and threw the ball only eight times in the NFC title game. The Packers know Kyle Shanahan is going to attempt to run the ball down the defense’s throat again on Thursday night, especially after Green Bay gave up 226 total yards to Dalvin Cook four days ago. Can the Packers commit even more resources against the run and contain running backs JaMycal Hasty and Jerick McKinnon, forcing the 49ers to throw it more? Both backs have some explosive ability that could threaten the Packers shaky run defense, and everyone knows Shanahan can cook up the right run schemes to gouge Green Bay up front. This matchup may determine whether the Packers blow out the 49ers or if Shanahan’s bunch can pull off the upset.

The Tonyan/Sternberger ticket

Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Expect the 49ers, like the Vikings last week, to focus attention on Davante Adams, especially if Allen Lazard isn’t activated before Thursday night. If that’s the case, the Packers’ emerging tight end tandem must produce. Robert Tonyan and Jace Sternberger caught eight passes for 125 yards and created several big plays as secondary weapons behind Adams. Tonyan is really coming on as a consistent producer, and Sternberger is showing signs of a second-half breakout. These two could really be what the Packers need down the stretch, especially after not adding another receiver at the trade deadline. Thursday night will provide an opportunity to see if they can continue ascending as playmakers in the passing game.

Trimming the penalties

(AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)

The Packers committed a season-high nine penalties for a season-high 85 yards against the Vikings, including five holding penalties. Veteran tight end Marcedes Lewis and left guard Elgton Jenkins were both flagged for a pair of holding penalties, helping to short-circuit drives, especially in the second half. On defense, defensive pass interference penalties on Jaire Alexander and Josh Jackson extended a scoring drive. The Packers know they must trim down the self-inflicted errors, especially on the road after a short week. Penalties and turnovers from the Packers could be equalizing factors for the undermanned 49ers.