Bears predictions: Week 1 vs. Packers

The Sun-Times’ experts offer their picks for the Bears’ season opener Thursday against the rival Packers:

RICK MORRISSEY

Bears 24-17

There are a few good reasons why the Bears shouldn’t win this game. There’s Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who likes to torment his neighbors to the south. And there’s all the hoopla surrounding the Bears’ 100th season, a possible distraction. But Khalil Mack and a feral defense are reason enough for a Bears’ victory.

RICK TELANDER

Bears 21-17

Let’s assume the new George Halas and Walter Payton statues at Soldier Field will inspire the Bears past Rodgers. That Bears Slayer will get his own statue soon enough at Lambeau Field.

PATRICK FINLEY

Bears 27-23

Matt Nagy doesn’t expect rust, but who’s he kidding? His starters haven’t played in an ultra-competitive situation in eight months. Still, the Bears defense will buy Trubisky time to get on track and — crank up the “Bear Raid Siren” — might even provide a touchdown of its own.

JASON LIESER

Bears, 37-17

The Packers are heading into a storm. The league has hyped this game for months, the crowd will be playoff-level raucous and the Bears have been dying to pounce on anyone in a helmet. That’s dangerous for a Green Bay team that’s light on talent outside of Rodgers and has a new head coach.

MARK POTASH

Bears, 27-17

The Bears figure to get out of the gate quickly — as they did last year at Lambeau — and should have more staying power in Nagy’s second season. Rodgers is always dangerous, but for all the focus on last year’s opener, the Bears contained Rodgers in a 24-17 victory last year at Soldier Field.