Packers @ Bears Week 13 Game Preview
This NFC North clash between the Packers and the Bears has QB question marks for both this week and long-term uncertainty in their franchise futures.
Packers at Bears (+4.5) – 43.5 total
This NFC North clash features two teams who have been thinking about the future a lot in recent weeks. The Bears are on their way to a high draft pick while also confirming that they have their franchise QB, the ideal combo for a rebuilding team. The Packers, on the other hand, have massively underperformed their expectations this season and could be on the verge of a QB controversy.
Somehow, the game on Sunday has just as much uncertainty as the long-term future of these franchises. Justin Fields' status is up in the air as he works to return from the shoulder injury that kept him out last week. Meanwhile, Aaron Rodgers has proclaimed he will play this week despite aggravating his rib injury on Sunday. We shouldn’t doubt his ability to dominate this Bears defense, even if he isn’t 100% healthy, but the reality is that the Packers coaching staff has to feel confident turning to Jordan Love if things aren’t going according to plan in Chicago.
Regardless of who is at QB, you can continue to ride the hot hand with Christian Watson as a top-24 WR per Fantasy Life rankings. The only other must-start guy in this matchup is Aaron Jones, while A.J. Dillon and Cole Kmet are both borderline options depending on your roster. The same is true of starting Justin Fields if he plays – hopefully you have a better option, but you could definitely do worse.
With Darnell Mooney now out for the year, the Bears’ offense is more talent-deprived than it was to start the season, which is really saying something. Combine that with their equally depleted defense, and the most likely outcome this weekend is Aaron Rodgers re-certifying his ownership of the Bears.