Thursday Night Football is back, only this season it is starting two months earlier than normal on the NFL Network.
The initial game for the 2012 season is the Chicago Bears at the Green Bay Packers in historic Lambeau Field.
The NFL's oldest rivalry in prime time.
The Bears are coming off a 41-21 win at home against the Indianapolis Colts, in which the defense intercepted Colts' rookie quarterback Andrew Luck three times. The Packers lost their opener at home, 30-22 against the San Francisco 49ers.
The Bears were swept last year by the Packers and the two teams split the regular season games in 2010 when they both made the playoffs. The Packers beat the Bears in Chicago, 21-14 for the NFC Championship and went on to win the Super Bowl two weeks later.
However, the 2012 version of this rivalry should be interesting.
The Bears feature a more potent offensive attack with the addition of wide receivers Brandon Marshall (nine catches, including a touchdown in their win on Sunday) and rookie Alshon Jeffery, who had three receptions for 80 yards, including a 42-yard scoring pass from quarterback Jay Cutler.
Cutler is surrounded with speedy wide outs and of course, running back Matt Forte', who played well in the opener, going for 80 yards on the ground and also scored on a six-yard run. Reserve back Michael Bush scored two touchdowns as well as he spelled Forte' in the red zone while gaining 42 yards rushing in the win.
The Packers struggled to get their potent offense going against one of the league's top defenses Sunday afternoon.
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers threw for 303 yards, but was intercepted while throwing for two touchdowns. The Packers' running game was non existent as Cedric Benson was limited to 18 yards on just nine carries. There is the possibility that Packers' wide receiver Greg Jennings (five catches for just 34 yards) may miss this game.
On defense, the Bears came up with turnovers against Indy and also recorded three sacks. Corner man Charles Tillman left the game with a leg injury in the first half and didn't return. Tim Jennings made two picks for the Bears' defense.
Meanwhile, Green Bay allowed 377 yards to the 49ers, including 186 on the ground. The defense did get to the quarterback four times, but did not create any turnovers.
The Packers know they will have to stop the Bears' running game and also get pressure on Cutler in order to have success in this game. The Bears have to keep Rodgers in check and not allow him to roam outside and throw on the run, where he is very effective.
Special teams may play a role as well as the Packers got a touchdown from Randall Cobb via a 75-yard punt return that put them back into their game on Sunday.
The Bears have Devin Hester ... enough said.
These teams know each other so well, as Chicago Head Coach Lovie Smith often says. Green Bay's Head Coach Mike McCarthy concurs and alluded to that following the Sunday loss, stating it's a short week, so there is no need to keep talking about the first game because the Packers have a game in three days.
The Bears and the Packers at Lambeau Field under the Thursday night lights.
That is NFL football at it's best.
PREDICTION - Green Bay 31, Chicago 28 (in overtime)
(Note: The Heftyinfo NFL Preview for Week Two with game predictions will be posted on Friday.)
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