The Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears are expected to have a slobber knocker of a Week 1 matchup. The betting odds have this as the closest game of the week, as the Bears were made slight one-point favorites at home. The 42 points for the over/under is one of the lowest of the week as well, as oddsmakers believe this will be a low-scoring, highly competitive game.

This is an important one for both the Packers and Bears, who are looking to put disappointing 2022 campaigns behind them. Green Bay had won 13 games in each of Matt LaFleur’s three seasons as head coach before going 8-9 last season. Chicago ended the season on a 10-game losing streak, going 3-14 and landing the No. 1 overall pick.

The Bears had a big offseason looking to change their fortunes. General manager Ryan Poles had excellent assets and a ton of cap space at his disposal and he used it to upgrade the roster around quarterback Justin Fields.

The Packers did the opposite, as they were looking to get their salary cap situation fixed. As a result, there wasn’t much spending done this offseason, but there were major changes. Jordan Love is taking over as the starting quarterback, looking to continue the 30 years of Hall of Fame production they have had under center.

That is something the Bears hope comes to an end starting in 2023. Week 1 will be a great chance for them to ensure that, but an NFL scout who spoke to NFL Analysis Network doesn’t envision that occurring. The scout believes the Packers will end up coming out with the victory in a great opening weekend contest.

“This is going to be one of the best games of the week. I think both (Jordan) Love and (Justin) Fields put up massive numbers. At the end, I have Green Bay pulling off the upset,” the scout said.

After three decades of having to deal with Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers, do the Bears now have a new owner in Love? The Packers faithful certainly hope so, as they look to assert their dominance once again in the NFC North.