Bears predictions: Week 17 vs. Packers

The Sun-Times’ experts offer their picks for the Bears’ season-defining finale Sunday against the Packers:

RICK MORRISSEY

Packers, 31-20

Aaron Rodgers with the ball in his hand should frighten any team. Rodgers with the ball in his hand and the chance to get his team home-field advantage in the playoffs has the potential to be a horror movie. Season: 8-7.

RICK TELANDER

Packers, 27-24

A huge game for Mitch Trubisky. Just another day with the scalpel for Rodgers. One’s a guaranteed Hall of Famer; the other’s not even a guaranteed Bear next season. High drama, folks. Season: 9-6.

PATRICK FINLEY

Packers, 33-30 (OT)

I’ve got the Rams beating the Cardinals to punch the Bears’ playoff ticket just as the game at Soldier Field heads into overtime on a Cairo Santos field goal. And I’ve got the Packers — who have won seven of eight — beating the Bears in OT to clinch the top seed. Season: 12-3.

JASON LIESER

Bears, 24-21

The Bears are at home, and they’ve been playing better lately, so this figures to be a much different game than when they met in November. At the end of a grueling season, the Bears sneak into the playoffs by beating their archrivals. Season: 6-9.

MARK POTASH

Packers, 27-24

The Bears have the momentum of a three-game winning streak, a red-hot offense that has averaged 35 points the last four weeks, home-field advantage and the greater motivation. The Packers have Rodgers. Season: 8-7.