The matchup is set next week for the NFC Championship game. It will feature the Chicago Bears against their archrivals, the Green Bay Packers. It will be only the second time in history that these two teams with face off in the playoffs.
The Packers (10-6) have looked like the best team in the playoffs so far, defeating the Philadelphia Eagles, 21-16 in the wild card round, and crushing the number one seed Atlanta Falcons Sunday, 48-21.
Aaron Rodgers has the offense running on all cylinders, throwing for 546 yards and 6 touchdowns with an average quarterback rating of 129.7 through the first two games. They have also discovered a running game with rookie James Starks, something that had been missing all year with the season-ending injury to Ryan Grant.
The Green Bay defense has star potential at every level as well. Starting with defensive player of the year candidate Clay Matthews, the linebacker was fourth in the league with 13.5 sacks and a non-stop motor to the quarterback. Their secondary is full of talent as well with pro bowlers Charles Woodson and Nick Collins. Tarmon Williams also came up big against the Falcons with two interceptions.
The Bears (11-5) were the number two seed and had the luxury of a first round bye. They came out strong against the Seattle Seahawks with touchdowns on three of their first four possessions, winning 35-24 in a game that was not as close as the score seemed.
Jay Culter looked great in his first playoff start throwing for 274 yards and 2 touchdowns. He also had 2 more touchdowns on the ground. He has limited his mistakes that plagued him throughout 2009 and the offensive line has kept him upright since the bye week. Matt Forte also had a bounce back year. He was the first back since Walter Payton to have over 1500 yards from scrimmage in a season.
The staple of the Bears has always been their defense and this year is no different. Newly acquired defensive end Julius Peppers anchors the line and they also have one of the best linebacker cores in the league with Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs.
The X factor for the game may be return specialist Devin Hester. After another pro bowl selection and setting the record for most kick returns in league history, he will be the most dangerous man on the field on special teams. He turned the game around in Week 3 against the Packers when he returned a punt 62 yards for a touchdown.
PREDICTION
Bears coach, Lovie Smith, did not open up the playbook all the way in their Week 17 match up against the Packers so be ready for some trickery. Soldier Field will be a big advantage for the Bears. The crowd noise will be out of this world and the lose turf is something that only the Chicago players are accustomed to. James Starks will not be a factor, but Aaron Rodgers will not go out that easily. He will have his receivers ready and place the balls where only they can catch it.
The game will set a record for viewership in a close game.
Bears 24, Packers 21