LeGere: Rodgers just the guy Bears don't need to see
Only once in their last nine meetings have the Bears defeated the Packers, and that was last year at Lambeau Field.
How'd they do it? The formula was simple.
"Shea (McClellin) took out Aaron Rodgers," Bears linebacker Lance Briggs said of the first-quarter sack that knocked the Green Bay quarterback out for seven weeks.
The Packers have won eight straight against the Bears when Rodgers starts and finishes. The NFL's all-time career leader in passer rating is 11-3 lifetime against the Bears.
"You can play good defense the whole game," Briggs said. "I've played good defense against him for 58 minutes out of the game and the last minute he throws a bomb and they win the game. You have to be on your toes for the whole 60."
That's what happened when Rodgers returned from his fractured collarbone for the 2013 season finale with the NFC North title up for grabs.
He threw a 48-yard TD pass to Randall Cobb with 38 seconds left to give the Packers a 33-28 victory over the Bears at Soldier Field. Before that pass, a rusty Rodgers had a very un-Rodgers-like 71.2 passer rating and had been sacked three times and picked off twice.
Rodgers has thwarted the Bears' efforts to pressure him in the past by frequently getting rid of the ball quickly after three-step drops.
But Bears defensive end Jared Allen has 16 sacks in 13 games against the Packers. He said it's imperative for the pass rush to remain relentless throughout Sunday night's game at Lambeau, knowing Rodgers already has been sacked 20 times this season.
"He will give you shots to get to him because he has the ability to go down the field at any given time, and he'll take those shots on you," Allen said. "So you've got to keep rushing. You can't get tired of three-step (drop), ball out (quickly). (Because) all of a sudden, he sits back there for five seconds and pats the ball and really torches you."
That's what Rodgers did to the Bears in Week 4, when he threw for 302 yards and 4 touchdowns and finished with a 151.2 passer rating, the fourth-highest in the NFL this season. That leaves plenty of room for improvement on the Bears' defense.
"We have to challenge the throws (and) win the contested throws," defensive coordinator Mel Tucker said. "We need to get more pressure on him and get off the field on third down when we get those opportunities."
The Bears' only sack that day came when rookie Ego Ferguson corralled Rodgers at the line of scrimmage.
"It's just a game you've got to play of continually trying to beat that guy in front of you," Allen said. "Whether it's flashing in front of Aaron or disrupting him. If you let him sit back there, pat the ball and get it out, it'll be a long day."
The Bears will be without defensive end Lamarr Houston (knee, injured reserve), but they still should have a stronger group for the rematch.
Allen missed the first Packers game with pneumonia, and defensive tackle Jeremiah Ratliff was out with a concussion. Both will be back Sunday, as will linebackers Lance Briggs (ribs) and Jon Bostic (back), who each missed the previous three games.
The Packers could be in worse shape this time. Starting guards Josh Sitton (toe) and T.J. Lang (ankle) missed practice Wednesday.
The last time they played, the Bears didn't force a Packers punt all day. A repeat of that and another loss to the Packers, who have won 10 of the last 12 meetings, would leave the Bears at 3-6 and all but eliminated from postseason consideration.
Anxiety? No.
Anticipation?
"Absolutely," Allen said. "I wish we were playing the game right now. I've been in worse situations with lesser players and still made the playoffs.
"Green Bay is Green Bay. But Green Bay-Chicago Bears Sunday Night Football in Lambeau? I don't know if it gets much more fun than that. Guys are, 'We haven't lived up to what we need to. So let's go out there and let's just have the best eight games we can.' "
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