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Packers, Bears clash in key NFC North contest

Nov 11, 2008 - 7:22 PM Chicago (5-4) at Green Bay (4-5),1:00 pm EST

GREEN BAY, Wisconsin (Ticker) -- Aaron Rodgers was tabbed as the Green Bay Packers' quarterback of the future when the club elected not to bring back Brett Favre.

While Favre has his new team, the New York Jets, in playoff contention, Rodgers faces his most critical test Sunday when the Packers host the Chicago Bears in a key NFC North clash.

Having dropped two in a row, Green Bay's season may have reached a crossroads. Trailing the Bears and Minnesota Vikings by a game, the Packers (4-5) may need a win Sunday to keep alive any realistic playoff hopes.

Rodgers did not play well in last week's 28-27 loss at Minnesota, completing 15-of-26 passes for only 142 yards and no touchdowns. The Vikings pressured him into two first-half safeties.

Green Bay's porous rush defense, which is ranked 28th, also was victimized by Adrian Peterson, who ran for 192 yards, including a game-winning 29-yard touchdown with 2:22 remaining.

"No one wants to hear it, and I don't want to keep standing up here and saying it," Green Bay coach Mike McCarthy said. "Your opponent is making one more play more than you are. Those are things we need to stay focused on. That's what we're not getting done. We're not making enough plays to win the games."

Green Bay received more bad news Monday when it learned that starting middle linebacker Nick Barnett will miss the remainder of the season with a torn knee ligament. McCarthy said that Barnett will have to undergo surgery.

Chicago has been vulnerable against the pass and Rodgers will try to take advantage of the Bears' suspect secondary, which has allowed a season high in passing yards in each of the last four games.

In last week's 21-14 loss to Tennessee, 35-year-old Titans quarterback Kerry Collins passed for 289 yards. Chicago also surrendered 301 yards to Atlanta rookie Matt Ryan and 292 yards to Detroit's Dan Orlovsky.

"I've heard a lot about switching up schemes and different things like that," Bears coach Lovie Smith said. "Our scheme is good. We have to execute better. It's as simple as that."

With Kyle Orton sidelined last week due to a sprained ankle, Rex Grossman made his first start of the season against the Titans.

Initially expected to be sidelined three to four weeks, Orton has shown improvement and hopes to return against the Packers. Smith, however, has not yet named a starter.

"It hurts when you put pressure on it and hopefully we'll just continue to make the same amount of improvement this week and have a great chance to play this weekend," Orton said.