Chicago Bears vs. Green Bay Packers NFL Week 1 Final Score Prediction

The Chicago Bears will welcome the Green Bay Packers this afternoon to open the season. What is a reasonable final score prediction for this Week 1 game?

Both of these teams have quite a few weapons on the offensive side of the football, but there is no question that the Packers are the superior team. They are still expected to contend for a Super Bowl appearance despite losing star wide receiver Jordy Nelson for the season due to a torn ACL. Randall Cobb was questionable for today's game, but it appears that he will be on the field playing.

Chicago has some injury issues as well, with both starting receivers Alshon Jeffery and Eddie Royal dealing with nagging issues. They are likely to play as well, which will keep the playing field fairly even.

Green Bay has the advantage of having the best quarterback of the game on their side. Aaron Rodgers is the reigning NFL MVP and is looking to make it back-to-back seasons winning the award. He certainly has a chance to do just that and the Packers have put the necessary weapons around him to help him do so.

On the defensive side of the football, both teams have question marks surrounding their 2015 seasons. Green Bay has a very young secondary that will be asked to step up and compete with Jay Cutler and the Chicago offense, while the Bears are going to have their hands full with the Green Bay passing game and Eddie Lacy on the ground. The edge goes to the Packers defensively, but it could go either way.

Cutler has struggled mightily against the Packers throughout his career with the Bears, but new coaches John Fox and Adam Gase have brought an offense that fits him much better. If he can take care of the football, today's game could end up being much closer than many expect it to be.

That being said, Green Bay is simply a much better football team and shouldn't have too much trouble coming away with a win. Rodgers will have to step up as a leader for the offense without Nelson, but he is more than capable of doing just that.

Green Bay vs. Chicago Week 1 Prediction: Packers 35, Bears 24