After missing the playoffs last season, the Green Bay Packers have to be relieved to have their quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, back on the field. Rodgers suffered a broken collarbone in Week 6 last year, spiraling the Packers season downward. But having Rodgers back is only one piece of the cheesehead puzzle. His favorite receiver, Jordy Nelson, is now an Oakland Raider, so the Packers picked up tight end Jimmy Graham as a new security blanket. Randall Cobb, who appeared on 105.7 FM The Fan, praised Graham and said he's seen glimpses of the old Jimmy Graham, who caught touchdown passes from Drew Brees in New Orleans. Now the Packers are hoping their offensive line stays healthy and intact and can find a reliable running game. Defensively, Green Bay added former New York Jet Mo Wilkerson, who adds size to their defensive front and looks to improve a defense that was ranked 22nd last season overall.
How to Watch
Where: Green Bay, Wisconsin
Start Time: 8:20 p.m. ET
TV: NBC
Stream Online: Watch live with fuboTV
While there is optimism in Green Bay with Rodgers back, there is also a buzz in Chicago. The Packers have the highest paid offensive player in the game and the Bears now have the highest paid defensive player in the game: Khalil Mack joins new head coach Matt Nagy's defense after being traded to Chicago from Oakland. Mack teams with a Bears bunch that racked up 42 sacks last season and was ranked 10th in total defense. Mack and Chicago's first-round pick, linebacker Roquan Smith, creates a formidable tandem that could rule the Midwest for a number of years. Injuries have bitten the Bears this preseason, however, losing Leonard Floyd to a broken hand and Aaron Lynch to a hamstring injury. When they get healthy it will only make the defense even better.
Offensively, the Bears will rely on their 2017 second overall pick, Mitchell Trubisky. He'll be joined by some new weapons, tight end Trey Burton and wide receiver Allen Robinson. Add to the mix, backs Jordan Howard and Tarik Cohen you can see why there is a little excitement in the windy city.
