If Packers stuff the box, Bears know they must air it out
If nothing else, the Bears have proven they can run the ball on the Packers.
They've rushed for 527 yards in their past three games against Green Bay, including 235 in Week 4.
Matt Forte has run for over 100 yards in each of his previous three games against the Packers. The Packers have won two of those games and 10 of the last 12 meetings, but they're still likely to focus their attention on Forte.
“We don't know what they're going to take away,” said Bears coach Marc Trestman. “We're playing very smart people on the other side of the ball in how they play us. They may not play us the same way they played us in the last game, which may not give us the run opportunities that we would like.
“Then we've got to be able to throw the football. Certainly running the football is a big part of what we have to do. The clock runs. It's complementary to what we're trying to get accomplished defensively and that is to limit their offense's opportunities on the field.”
The Bears have vowed to run a more balanced offense, but they probably can't force the ground game against an opponent fixated on stopping it.
“We can't run our head into a brick wall,” Forte said. “If they're trying to gear it up and (stop the run), we have to take what they're giving us and keep them off balance.”
Missing Marty:
Tight end Martellus Bennett (ribs) did not practice for the second straight day and is questionable for Sunday night. Bennett was injured during Wednesday's practice.
“It was just kind of awkward on the practice field,” coach Marc Trestman said. “He twisted a little bit and we'll see where he is.”
Bennett is second on the team with 47 catches and 517 yards and tied for first with 5 receiving touchdowns. Dante Rosario, who has 9 catches for 70 yards, is the only other tight end on the 53-man roster. Bennett said Friday he expects to play, but if he can't, Blake Allen or Jacob Maxwell could be promoted from the practice squad.
Back in place:
Jordan Mills and Michael Ola flip-flopped between right tackle and left guard all week in practice, but Mills will remain at tackle, where he started the first 23 games of his NFL career before sitting out with a foot injury in the loss to the Patriots.
Ola started Weeks 2-4 at left guard when Matt Slauson was out with a sprained ankle, Weeks 5-6 at left tackle when Jermon Bushrod had knee and ankle injuries, and Week 8 at right tackle when Mills was hurt. He'll be back at left guard Sunday.
“We think that's in the best interests of our team right now,” coach Marc Trestman said.
Other injuries:
Linebackers Lance Briggs (ribs) and Jon Bostic (back), cornerback Kyle Fuller (hip/hand), offensive tackle Jordan Mills (foot) and safety Danny McCray (knee) are all probable after a week of full practices.
For the Packers, starting guards T.J. Lang (ankle) and Josh Sitton (toe) are questionable after practicing, on a limited basis, for the first time this week.
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers (hamstring), safety Morgan Burnett (calf), cornerback Sam Shields (knee) and defensive end Datone Jones (ankle) are all probable after full practices.