Tickets–None available. Sellout of 56,926.
TV-radio–WBBM-TV (Channel 2), Tim Ryan and Johnny Morris. WGN-AM (720), Wayne Larrivee, Dick Butkus, Jim Hart.
The game–Second in 13 days between Bears and Packers.
The series–Bears lead 69-55-6.
Last game–Oct. 21, 1985. Bears won 23-7 in Chicago when Walter Payton scored two touchdowns and defensive tackle William Perry scored one.
The records–Packers (3-5) lost to Patriots 26-20, beat Giants 23-20, lost to Jets 24-3, lost to Cardinals 43-28, beat Lions 43-10, beat Vikings 20-17, lost to Bears 23-7, lost to Colts 37-10. Bears (8-0) beat Buccaneers 38-28, Patriots 20-7, Vikings 33-24, Redskins 45-10, Buccaneers 27-19, 49ers 26-10, Packers 23-7, Vikings 27-9.
What to watch–When the Packers have the ball, new starting QB Jim Zorn will add a scrambling dimension that benched Lynn Dickey could not provide. Whether Zorn can find receivers James Lofton, Paul Coffman and Phillip Epps as well as Dickey could remains to be seen. The Bears have a new defensive lineup waiting for Zorn.
When the Bears have the ball, QB Jim McMahon will try to take advantage of injured Packer secondary. Packer defense will gang up on RB Walter Payton and blitz McMahon with their version of Bear ”46.” Payton has rushed for 100 yards in 12 of 19 games against the Packers.
Key matchups–Packers` RT Greg Koch vs. Bears` DLE Dan Hampton. Two former Arkansas teammates renew old rivalry as Hampton moves back to LE for first time since 1981.
— Packers` TE Paul Coffman vs. Bears` LB Wilber Marshall. Marshall is covering tight ends better every week.
— Packers` WR James Lofton vs. Bears` LCB Ken Taylor. With regular Mike Richardson injured, the Packers will send Lofton after rookie Taylor.
— Packers` LG Rich Moran vs. Bears` DRT William Perry. Two rookies go head-to-head.
— Bears` C Jay Hilgenberg vs. Packers` NT Charlie Martin. These two were among the featured fighters last time.
— Bears` RB Walter Payton vs. Packers` ILB Brian Noble. Payton needs only 39 yards to become first runner to reach 14,000.
— Bears` Kevin Butler vs. Packers` Al Del Greco. Butler is two field goals away from tying Bob Thomas` consecutive record of 11.
Key injuries–Packers: SS Daryll Jones (neck) out; FS Tom Flynn (ankle), SS Mark Murphy (ribs), G Keith Uecker (knee) all doubtful; DE Robert Brown
(ankle), DE Ezra Johnson (leg). WR Phillip Epps (thigh), OT Karl Swanke
(neck) all questionable. Bears: CB Mike Richardson (hamstring) doubtful;
FB Calvin Thomas (knee) questionable.
