Chicago Bears (3-5) at Green Bay Packers (5-3)

Sunday, 8:30 p.m. ET, at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisc. – TV: NBC

*TV announcers: Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth, Michele Tafoya

*Keys to the game: The Packers are dead last in the NFL against the run, and balance was the buzzword from coach Marc Trestman during Chicago’s introspective bye week. Bears RB Matt Forte has excelled in this matchup, including 179 yards from scrimmage in a winning effort at Lambeau last season and 171 in a Week 4 loss.

Critical to Chicago’s chances: controlling the ball to keep Aaron Rodgers and the Packers off the field and dodging the back-breaking mistakes that have so often done in Jay Cutler in this series. The Bears rushed for more than 200 yards in the Week 4 loss and dominated the ball for 36 minutes, 22 seconds, but turnovers bit Cutler in critical moments.

With the Packers holding their breath over Rodgers’ hamstring injury, the Bears defense could get a break if injuries force the Packers to go with a pair of first-time starters at guard. Lane Taylor and JC Tretter lined up there midweek – Taylor was at right guard for T.J. Lang and Tretter manned left guard for Pro Bowler Josh Sitton (toe).

With freezing and perhaps wet conditions in the forecast, the Packers might not be able to downshift into a power-based offense if the line can’t adjust. Running the ball was a struggle without Lang (ankle) in New Orleans. But the Bears are not a great tackling team, and RB Eddie Lacy is capable of being his own blocker at times.

*Matchup to watch – Packers WR Randall Cobb vs. Bears cornerbacks: Chicago doesn’t have a good matchup for slot receivers and Cobb roasted the Bears with seven catches for 113 yards and two touchdowns in September. He’s on pace for 80 receptions and 18 touchdowns.

*Player spotlight – Bears DE Jared Allen: A longtime nemesis of Rodgers, Allen missed the first meeting this season because of pneumonia. Allen had 16.5 sacks against Green Bay in 13 games as a member of the Minnesota Vikings before joining Chicago.

*Fast facts: Rodgers is 11-2 in 13 starts against the Bears. … Cutler is 1-10 all-time against the Packers. … The Bears are 6-25 when Cutler has multiple turnovers.

WHO WILL WIN AND WHY

Green Bay’s Mike McCarthy-Aaron Rodgers tandem owns Cutler, and Chicago’s plentiful shortcomings are too much to overcome.

*Our pick: Packers 32-24