For the first time since 1991, Brett Favre will not be running out of that tunnel against the Bears.  The reason I say that...one of my most vivid recent memories in the 176th meeting between these two arch rivals...occured when I was working in Green Bay in 1995. 

Favre was listed as questionable with a badly sprained ankle, and wasn't expected to play.  But when he came out of the tunnel and ran past me, the roar of the crowd was incredible.  He merely threw a Packers high 5 TD's in thrashing his foes to the south.

And did I mention....Favre now has the Jets on top of the AFC East?

I digress...let's get to the action on Sunday...

When the Packers have the ball:   Pass.  Pass.  Pass.  The Bears safeties Mike Brown and Kevin Payne aren't fast, and play better close to the line.  The Packers offensive line's manhood was challenged in Minnesota.  Two safeties....four sacks...and Aaron Rodgers on his back counting lights more than six times?  That was embarrassing.  I say the o-line punches the Bears d-line in the mouth, and Greg Jennings and Donald Driver catch the corners and safeties napping for a couple of big gains deep.  I'm not that impressed with the Bears d-line...and their m.o. defensively is takeaways.  So ball security will be huge for Ryan Grant, but after 75 impressive yards on just 16 carries against a stout Vikes defensive line, I think Grant can get his as well.

When the Bears have the ball:  The Bears don't have receivers that scare you.  But they use tight ends Greg Olsen and Desmond Clark well, so it's not an ideal week for the Packers to be doing the linebacker shuffle with Nick Barnett out for the year.  Plus the d-line and the linebackers need to play much better than the past two weeks, since the Bears love Matt Forte and his "fall forward and run down hill" style.  The Packers would benefit from the inaccurate Rex Grossman under center, but I have a feeling Kyle Orton will get the start at quarterback.   And even though Devin Hester hasn't been the miracle worker he was the past two years...you shouldn't sleep on him.  Part of his ineffectiveness is playing too much on offense.  And I wouldn't want the Bears driving when its tied, for a game winning field goal with Robbie Gould on the other side of the field...he's automatic in clutch kick situations.

Prediction:  The Packers get at least two turnovers.  Ryan Grant goes over 100 yards rushing.  And Greg Jennings and Donald Driver both score on 20-plus yard TD tosses.  Packers win 31-20, which means 5-5 Packers, 5-5 Bears, and the Vikings will lose at Tampa with 4 of their next 5 on the road....that means a 3-way tie for first in the mediocre NFC North.

Emails at lallan@todaystmj4.com