Green Bay Packers predictions: Week 17 at Bears

Welcome to the final week of the regular season.

When the Green Bay Packers (12-3) visit the Chicago Bears (8-7) at 3:25 p.m. Sunday, it’ll all be about playoff positioning.

Green Bay will clinch the No. 1 seed in the NFC — and more importantly, the conference’s only first-round bye — with a win over the Bears or a Seattle loss to San Francisco. Chicago, on the other hand, will advance to the playoffs with a win over the Packers or an Arizona loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

How will it all unfold?

Here are predictions around the web for the Packers’ final regular season game:

Barry Wilner of the Associated Press: Packers 23, Bears 14. “Almost as good as winning the Super Bowl for Packers would be sending the Bears home.”

Pete Prisco of CBSSports.com: Packers 30, Bears 21. “The Bears might need this to get into the playoffs (they can still get in if the Cardinals lose), while the Packers need it to lock up the top seed. Green Bay is rolling right now, which will make it a major challenge for the Bears defense. Aaron Rodgers will lock up the MVP with a big-time performance in this one.”

NFL.com’s Gregg Rosenthal: Packers 31, Bears 20. “Riding a three-game win streak, Chicago’s back in the playoff picture. But I’m not convinced Mitchell Trubisky played particularly well in two of the Bears’ last four games (vs. Detroit in Week 13 and Jacksonville in Week 16) against some of the NFL’s worst defenses. Sunday represents a step up in class, especially if Chicago’s playing from behind against a Packers team hungry to clinch home-field advantage in the NFC. The Bears will be scoreboard-watching, rooting for the Rams to beat the Cardinals, because backing into the playoffs (an Arizona loss would allow Chicago to clinch a spot even if Green Bay wins) is their best route to getting there.”

John Breech of CBSSports.com: Packers 27, Bears 24. “Although this game means a lot to Chicago, it’s also an important one for Green Bay and that’s because the Packers need to win if they want to guarantee themselves the top seed in the NFC and the first-round bye that comes with it.”

Vinnie Iyer of the Sporting News: Packers 28, Bears 24. “The Packers are watching Aaron Rodgers arguably play the best football of his Hall of Fame career with how easy he’s made it look of late. The good news is that their running game and defense are becoming better support for him. The Bears have found their best offense, too, with Mitchell Trubisky, to rally back into playoff contention. Rodgers delivers with the top seed on the line while Trubisky makes one too many mistakes per usual.”

Bill Bender of the Sporting News: Packers 33, Bears 26. “In the first meeting on Nov. 29, the Packers jumped out to a 27-3 lead in the first half, but Mitchell Trubisky found something in the second half of a 41-25 loss. He’s been hot ever since and the offense is clicking. The problem? Aaron Rodgers and the Packers are clicking too, and they need this win for home-field advantage. Trubisky is 1-5 against Green Bay. The Packers pull through in the fourth quarter, but it will be close.”

Sportsnaut’s Vincent Frank: Bears 23, Packers 20. “As for the Bears, they find themselves in the driver’s seat when it comes to a playoff appearance after seeing San Francisco defeat Arizona and taking care of business against Jacksonville in Week 16. A win here over Green Bay will clinch a shocking playoff appearance for embattled head coach Matt Nagy and Co. Given Green Bay has very little to play for and the Bears’ recent shocking run, I am inclined to go with Chicago here. Of course, that changes if the Pack play their starters for the duration. Check in during the week for more updates.”

All six analysts at SI.com are picking the Packers to win.

All three writers at Athlon Sports pick a Green Bay victory.

All 10 SB Nation writers predict a win for the Packers.

All six PennLive.com writers pick the Packers to win.