Saturday’s highlight in Week 16 of the NFL season is the NFC North matchup between the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears. Similar to Thursday night’s excitement between Los Angeles and Seattle, the stakes couldn’t be higher. The winner will be alone in first place in the division and will remain in the mix for the highest points in the conference.
Let’s get into my Packers vs. Bears.
Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears odds
Money line: Parks +105 / Bears -125
Spread: Parks +1.5 (-108) / Bears -1.5 (-112)
Total: Over 46.5 (-110) / Under 46.5 (-110)
Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears best bet #1: Bears -1.5 (-112)
The two arch-rivals squared off two weeks ago in the Frozen Tundra, where the Packers prevailed in front of the home crowd in a contest that couldn’t have been more competitive. It was a one-point play and the visiting Bears came within a few yards to force overtime. Fast forward 13 days and coach Ben Johnson’s side are in a better position for success – and not just because they are playing at home. The Bears are coming off a 31-3 win over a Browns team that has been showing recent signs of being a competitive football team. Caleb Williams continues to play the best football of his young career and should have plenty of confidence heading into Saturday after throwing for 242 yards with two TDs and no INTs against Cleveland.
Meanwhile, Green Bay is without star defensive end Micah Parsons for the remainder of the season due to a torn ACL. On the other side of the ball, wide receiver Christian Watson (chest/shoulder) is questionable. Watson may play, but he may not be 100 percent. Look for Chicago to avenge its Week 14 loss.
Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears best player betting: DJ Moore Over 43.5 receiving yards (-114)
Moore had negative-4 receiving yards in the first game of the head-to-head. Yes, negative-4. Count that as the calm before the storm. In fact, Moore has already greatly elevated his game since that performance, catching four of five passes for 69 yards and two scores against Cleveland. The former Maryland running back has produced four of his five touchdowns this year in the past four games.
The momentum should continue against the Packers, whose run has obviously ended in Parsons’ absence. That will give Williams more time to work, and the second-year QB should get Moore early and often because two of his favorite weapons are out (Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III sidelined with injuries). Green Bay is also very good at protecting tight ends, which means the impact of Colston Loveland and Cole Kmet (questionable with knee and ankle issues) could be limited. It should also be noted that while Moore did nothing against the Packers two weeks ago, he caught 16 of 17 passes for 148 yards and one touchdown against them in the 2024 meeting.
