Packers-Bears Preview
The Associated PressSep 4, 2019, 10:39 AM
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FILE - In this Dec. 14, 1941, file photo, Chicago Bears' Hugh Gallarneau (8) stumbles as a Green Bay Packers defender attempts a diving tackle during a football game in Chicago. The NFL's most ancient rivals open the league's 100th season in Chicago, Thursday, Sept. 5, 2019. (AP Photo/File)
CHICAGO (AP) -- The NFL's oldest rivalry takes on a different look to open the league's 100th season.
''It was always big Chicago against little Green Bay,'' Rodgers said. ''We've held our own over the years and it's always been a great rivalry.
''It's one of the special ones in the history of professional sports.''
In Rodgers' experience the Packers trust, even using a new offense for the first time since he became starter in 2008.
''He's been there before, he's got a lot of game reps,'' LaFleur said of Rodgers. ''The one thing you can always find comfort in is that you know the moment won't be too big for him. He's played in a lot of big games.''
Chicago returned the favor in December and ended Green Bay's five-game series winning streak to clinch the NFC North title en route to a 12-4 record.
Now it's a matter for Rodgers of using an offense emphasizing more running and deception while facing the NFL's top defense at intercepting passes (27).
''It's so new, it's so different than what we've done in the past,'' Rodgers said.
''Now we're throwing new things at them with personnel groupings and motions and alignments and movement and adjustments that they haven't seen from us,'' Rodgers said.
The Bears have revealed nothing offensively after sitting starters in the preseason, including Trubisky.
''He's mentally grown, he really has,'' Nagy said. ''That's what we look for, and now we have to do it on the field.''
The defense also sat out preseason, but inactivity failed to slow Mack in last year's opener. With no training camp and only five practices after his trade from Oakland, Mack decimated Green Bay's offense with a strip sack, fumble recovery, and a touchdown return after an interception.
He's aching to face Green Bay again as the Bears seek their first season-opening win since 2013.
''Oh man, I'm so ready to hit somebody other than my teammate,'' Mack said. ''You know what I mean?''
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