The Midwest holds its collective foul breath. The cheese factories have shuttered for the day. Most crime has come to a halt although tuna casseroles are still being made. Cries of “You Betcha!” echo through the express line at Piggly Wigglys. Forty year old men are needing help from two or more family members to pull on their “lucky” high school jersey. Exclamations of “Cheese and Rice!” are expected to reach all-time highs. Yes, there is a playoff tilt between Green Bay and Chicago.

To The Game!

Packers/Bears:

-Chicago has been 6-2 so far at their den. She’s been a long while since it’s been tough to play there.

-Slow Starts: The Bears have been outscored 47-21 and are 2 for 12 on third downs during the first half of their last three games.

-Subtract Micah from the equation and the Packers pass rush win rate sits at an abysmal 28.1%. However, Chicago is slightly worse at 28.8%.

-That’s got this guy thinking that both QB’s can stare at their first read that much longer.

-All of Love, Burden and Odunze are back so there’s bound to be an uptick in both offenses.

-Look for Loveland to be a factor here. He started real slow to start the season but has come on recently, having caught more than 90 yards of balls in the last two games.

-This is a bit surprising but these teams have only met once before in the Super Bowl era, postseason, btw.

-BYE, BYE LOVE: (The Cars version, not Buddy Holly’s) The Bears are way out in front of the rest of the league in Roughing The Passer penalties.

Give me your best. Also, I know there are a bunch of Bears and Packers supporters out there-come say hello and join the cromulent commenters.