The True Leader of the Pack is Aaron Rodgers

3 weeks ago the Packers were sitting at 4-6 with the prospect of missing the playoffs for the first time since 2008 when quarterback Aaron Rodgers said, "I think we can run the table. I really do."

Just like in 2014 when the Packers started 1-2 and Mr. Rodgers quieted the young and the restless with these immortal words that should be enshrined on a plaque outside the main gate to Lambeau Field, "R-E-L-A-X".

The entire phrase from September 24, 2014 was "Five letters here just for everybody out there in Packer-land: R-E-L-A-X. Relax. We're going to be OK."

No truer words were ever spoken at the right time. The Packers went on to advance to the Conference title game and had the Seahawks on the ropes with 5:04 left when Morgan Burnett had his "No Mas  Moment" followed by "He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named" blowing an onside kick. If the stupidity of those 2 plays had not happened the Packers would have won the Super Bowl.

It took Rodgers to build a bridge over troubled waters then and now because  a week earlier Coach Mike McCarthy also spoke to the press and ultimately the Packer Backers with this quite unusual utterance, "Let’s state the facts: I’m a highly successful NFL coach." To be blunt when someone has to say he's good or highly successful that usually means he hasn't been living up to expectations even in his own mind.

After McCarthy gave his "rally the troops" speech the Packers lost for the 4th straight week to the Redskins. However, after Rodgers spoke the Packers beat the Eagles, beat the Texans and upset the Seahawks.

Last week I was unable to watch the beginning of the Seahawks game because I was covering the SIU Women's Basketball Team win over Memphis and didn't get to Timmer's house until there was about 3 minutes remaining in the third quarter.

I had made sure I had not seen or heard the score before I arrived by quickly clicking on my email when I sent the story and changing the radio from ESPN to our local PBS station as soon as I got in the car. So on the way over to Herrin I was listening to some very weird jazz music.

When I entered the room I asked, "How bad is it." Andrew, of Pouring of the Beer fame, said, "it's bad, but not like you think." I glanced over the Packers were leading 28-3. I couldn't believe it. I thought for sure the Packers would lose. I was so terribly wrong.

So now it has come down to playing the North in the last 3 weeks. First up are the Bad News Bears at Soldier Field. The conditions will be terrible (around -15 wind chill) making it the coldest game in Soldier Field history and Rodgers has a bad left hamstring and a bad right calf.

I would normally have no trepidations about playing the Bears, but since Week 7 of last season I have absolutely no faith in the Packers. None. I am worried Dom Capers' defense will revert to form and Matt Barkley will have a field day like Kirk Cousins, Marcus Mariota, Andrew Luck, Matt Ryan, Dak Prescott, Matthew Stafford and Sam Bradford have had this season.

I am worried the weather conditions will even the field and the game will come down to Rodgers not getting hurt, the Packers running the ball and the Packers not turning the ball over on offense and the defense getting pressure on Barkley to force him into interceptions or incompletions. The latter is keeping me up at night because Dom Capers has trouble scheming for backup quarterbacks. I am worried. Very worried.

One more thing about the Packers-Bears game. I live in a town that could be called Little Chicago because SIU has a lot of Chicago students. Before the Rams came to St. Louis the local team was the Chicago Bears and now that the Rams have left the Bears are again the local team, but this Sunday the "local" game being televised is the Lions and the Giants. This is how far the most fabled rivalry is sports has fallen.

The injury report is again extensive with 16 listed. Nick Perry (hand) is out for the second straight week. The Packers running game is again hurt with James Starks (concussion) out, Christine Michael (illness) and Ripper (Aaron Ripkowski) (back) questionable and Ty Montgomery limited participation.

Randall Cobb (ankle) is questionable, but Jared Cook (foot) was a full participant. Mike Daniels, Damarious Randall (groin), T.J. Lang, Clay Matthews, Julius Peppers, Kyler Fackrell (hamstring), Blake Martinez (knee) and J.C. Tretter (knee) were all limited participants.

Finally some personnel news: 2014 No. 4-121 inside linebacker Carl Bradford was cut for the 3rd time since he was drafted when the Packers activated quarterback Joe Callahan for the Bears game.

One of the NFL experts said the move was in case both Rodgers and Brett Hundley were injured, but I think it was made because Hundley has not played well when has played this season and Callahan was able to move the ball and score TDs when he played extensively in the preseason.

We'll see if he is activated or is designated the third quarterback. If he's activated I am right and if he isn't the other guy is. I am shooting about 50% this season on my predictions.

Speaking of predictions the consensus is the Packers will win. The Big Board on FOX Sports says the Packers have a 65.9% chance of winning. Bleacher Report predicts Packers 27-20. Winner and Whiners predicts Packers by 7. Dratings says Packers 26-20.

The New York Times says "The Packers have parasailed back into contention with three consecutive wins, saving their hottest play for the coldest time of the year. It is doubtful the coldest game in Soldier Field history will be enough to cool off Green Bay, given the current state of the opponent. The forecast for kickoff is 1 degree with 15-mile-an-hour winds, one degree colder than the 2008 Packers-Bears game in Chicago. The Bears won that game, but that team was a 9-7 team in the making. Pick: Packers.

The ESPN Insider says, "Aaron Rodgers may be hampered because of his right calf injury, but he has been dominant against the Bears: 17 touchdowns and only one interception in his past five games against them. He has thrown at least three touchdown passes in four of those five games. Rodgers also has a streak of eight straight games with two or more touchdown passes, which is the second-longest streak of his career. It might be tough to do that in the cold that's expected in Chicago on Sunday, but the Packers should be capable of beating a bad Bears team. Packers 17, Bears 9 -- Rob Demovsky

Matt Barkley went 6-for-15 for 81 yards and two picks when he faced Green Bay on Oct. 20. Barkley, however, has played much better since permanently taking over for Jay Cutler, but the track record versus the Packers is concerning. Plus, the Packers basically have to win on Sunday to keep their playoff hopes alive. The forecast calls for a high of zero degrees at Soldier Field. The Bears play hard, but Green Bay has way more motivation. And it has Rodgers. Packers 23, Bears 17 -- Jeff Dickerson

Elliot Harrsion from NFL.com says, "The only thing this matchup needs is icy conditions -- and for the Bears' 3-10 record to be inverted. OK, so the last thing won't happen, but Packers- Bears is always fun, especially when at least one of the teams has something to play for. In this case, Green Bay is hoping the Lions falter in a tough matchup against the Giants, so they can gain a game in their pursuit of the NFC North leaders. The Packers are also hoping Aaron Rodgers isn't limping around out there. Obviously, Bears quarterback Matt Barkley won't be able to keep up with Rodgers in a track meet. So it's up to an improving Chicago defense to hold the fort. You know which D really has been holding it down lately? Green Bay's. Dom Capers' unit has allowed 36 points over the last three games. Packers 26, Bears 16.

Kevin Patra of NFL.com says, "Aaron Rodgers is in no danger of missing Sunday's rivalry game, but how mobile will the passer be in the frigid temps after tweaking his calf last week? Rodgers' MVP-caliber play has propelled the Packers back into the thick of the playoff race. The QB has averaged 294.9 yards per game with 22 TDs to 3 INTs in the past eight games. He'll face a Chicago defense that has racked up 33 sacks (T-5th in the NFL). The Bears' pass defense has been stingy for stretches this season, allowing 219.5 yards per game, but haven't faced a combo as good as Jordy Nelson and Davante Adams.

Matt Barkley has performed admirably since taking over the starting quarterback gig, displaying an ability to move the offense with heady passes and eliminated turnovers. Barkley, however, doesn't possess a big arm, so it will be interesting to see how many shots he takes deep to Alshon Jeffery, who returns from suspension. The Packers' defense got burned deep often earlier this season but, with the return of corner Damarious Randall, has given up 13 points or fewer the past three weeks. If a stout Packers run defense keeps Jordan Howard bottled up, can Barkley make enough plays down the field to pull off an upset? Say what? Stat of the week: Matt Barkley will be the fifth Bears quarterback to start versus the Packers since Aaron Rodgers became the starter in Green Bay in 2008. The four others: Jay Cutler (2-10), Kyle Orton (1-1), Josh McCown (1-1) and Brian Hoyer (0-1).

I want you to notice something. Even though the Packers have given up 13 or less points the last 3 games most pickers are saying Matt Barkley will score more. That is an indictment of Dom Capers.