Despite being bothered by a sore hamstring, Chicago Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery leads the team in receiving yards with 223. Credit: Associated Press

Green Bay — For the third straight game the Green Bay Packers will be playing a team that's either inadequate or depleted by injury in the secondary.

That would be the red-hot Chicago Bears on Sunday at Soldier Field. Green Bay is favored by 1½ points.

Two executives in personnel for NFL teams and an assistant coach for a recent Bears' opponent said the Packers would win through the air just as they did against the New York Jets.

Their predicted scores were 31-28, 28-17 and 32-27.

"It's all on Aaron Rodgers," the assistant said. "He's got to win the game for them. He's so good, and he can. With their secondary so depleted, you would think he could have a hell of a day.

"I think the Bears could have a pretty good day (offensively) as well. It will be a high-scoring game because I don't think either team can hitch their wagon on their defense. They just can't."

A personnel man for a third team sees the Packers' passing game remaining lackluster as it was Sunday in Detroit. He called it for the Bears, 31-17.

"Getting back home after two rough road wins, the Bears all point to the rivalry with the Packers, the confidence their defense must have with all the takeaways," the scout said. "I'm looking at a convincing Chicago Bear win."

The Bears could be without as many as eight starters. Five play defense, including three in the secondary.

"They won't have enough secondary depth to slow down the Packers' passing attack," one of the scouts said. "As well as the Bears have played the last two weeks, I believe they'll (defeat) the high-flying but injury-riddled Bears."

The third scout said the Packers should be able to match up against Chicago's safeties.

"And because the Bears need to protect their safeties, it may create a favorable box for the Green Bay run game," he said.

The Packers should have reason for confidence entering the 189th meeting. Defensive coordinator Dom Capers is 8-1 against Jay Cutler, and Mike McCarthy is 11-6 against the Bears, including four in a row at Soldier Field.

After bowing as a touchdown favorite at home against Buffalo, the Bears won at San Francisco as a 7-point underdog and at the Jets as a 1½-point underdog.

OFFENSE

SCHEME

Coach Marc Trestman designs and calls the plays with the help of coordinator Aaron Kromer. Last in rushing (64.0), the Bears are running at just a 30.4% clip. Trestman's diverse, pull-oriented ground game has been cut back by line injuries. He loves WR-TE-RB bunches, tear screens and inserting a sixth O-lineman (Eben Britton) to aid with protection. The Bears are tied for ninth in points (75), tied for 13th in giveaways (four) and 27th in yards (300.0).

RECEIVERS

The Bears would match WRs Brandon Marshall (6-4 ½, 230) and Alshon Jeffery (6-3, 216) and TE Martellus Bennett (6-6, 265) against any threesome. Marshall, 30, reinjured an ankle against New York but finished despite a limp. He's imposing physically, beats the press by pushing and pulling, drops too many but balances it with one-handed stabs, and is strong initially after the catch. Jeffery, who has battled a sore hamstring, can bring his exceptional length, ball skills and competitive speed to bear when he's able to escape the jam. He adjusts remarkably well on deep fades and wins more 50-50 balls than he should. He's a major threat on reverses, too. Bennett, the former Cowboy-Giant, is a massive individual with an enormous wingspan and superb ability after the catch. A tremendous natural talent, he has matured into a far more focused and reliable force. His blocking has improved, too. Former Steeler Santonio Holmes (5-10½, 192), who wasn't signed until Aug. 16, remains a competitive No. 3. Backup TE Dante Rosario (6-3, 242) is a receiving type.

OFFENSIVE LINE

Two capable starters, C Roberto Garza (6-2, 310) and LG Matt Slauson (6-5, 315), suffered high ankle sprains Sept. 7 and probably won't play Sunday. C Brian de le Puente (6-2½, 306), a starter for New Orleans the past three years, is too small to move bigger foes but directs and snaps a good game and has been adequate in protection. LG Michael Ola (6-4, 312) started 21 games for the CFL's Montreal, where Trestman once coached. Like de la Puente, he has been more competitive blocking for pass than run. Another former Saint, LT Jermon Bushrod (6-4½, 320), is a six-year starter and ranks fairly high at the position. He has good feet and adequate strength, moves extremely well and is well aware of his vulnerabilities against the bull rush. RT Jordan Mills, a fifth-round pick in '13, continues to hold his own after starting 16 games as a rookie. He fares better against power than speed. He gets beat a lot, but not enough to lose his job. RG Kyle Long (6-6, 313), the 20th pick in 2013, needs refinement in everything that he does. He has huge hands (11 inches), ran a phenomenal 40 (4.96) and scored 29 on the Wonderlic intelligence test. He hits well on the move but tends to end up in off-balance positions when trying to overdo the rough stuff.

QUARTERBACKS

Jay Cutler (6-3, 220) is 31 and guaranteed $54 million from the long-term deal that he signed March 21. After tossing a killer interception in the opener, Cutler has been almost mistake-free two weeks running. He has been terrific since absorbing a serious shot to the midsection from 49ers DE Quinton Dial shortly before halftime. Only fools would ever doubt his toughness. With his rifle arm, he's capable of completions to every sector of the field. He also doesn't have a conscience, simply shrugging off wayward throws and terrible plays. He pays the price for predetermining some reads. Despite his age, he doesn't seem to have lost much if any of his 4.77 speed and is a threat running. The backup is confident Jimmy Clausen (6-2½, 210), a bust as a 10-game starter for Carolina in '10.

RUNNING BACKS

RB Matt Forte (6-1, 218) is an elite, complete player. Once compared to Dorsey Levens, he has a fluid gait, can jump cut in traffic and doesn't take many hard shots. He also is a gifted receiver with demonstrated skills on deep wheel routes. His pass protection is just average. Rookie Ka'Deem Carey (5-9½, 207), a fourth-round pick, is tough but runs 4.69. FB Tony Fiammetta is out with a hamstring injury.

DEFENSE

SCHEME

Coordinator Mel Tucker was retained after debuting with No. 30 rankings in yards and points allowed. The Bears still can't stop the run (26th, 144.9), but they lead the NFL in takeaways (eight) after tying for 13th in '13. It's a no-frills 4-3 with double-A gap deceptions and mostly zone coverage. According to STATS, the blitz rate of 19.6% ranks 25th. The Bears rank 11th in points (62), 23rd in yards (377.7).

DEFENSIVE LINE

Five members of the seven-man rotation are new. Ex-Oakland LE Lamarr Houston (6-3, 300), ex-Minnesota RE Jared Allen (6-6, 270) and ex-Detroit No. 3 DE Willie Young (6-5, 251) arrived in free agency while No. 2 NT Ego Ferguson (6-3, 315) was drafted in the second round and No. 2 DT Will Sutton (6-0½, 303) was taken in the third. Houston, who was guaranteed $14.9 million, plays with high intensity, good hands and stubbornness at the point. Allen, 32, who was guaranteed $15.5 million, replaced Julius Peppers. He's not as explosive as he once was but still gives great effort and unselfishly makes sure to handle the run. Young, with a $3.95 million guaranteed, is off to a fast start and is the team's top rusher. He flies around, plays much faster than he once timed (4.85) and attacks the passer. Former Cowboys Pro Bowl DT Jeremiah Ratliff (6-3½, 303) re-signed for $600,000 guaranteed. A tough guy with quickness and strength, he's questionable with a concussion. NT Stephen Paea (6-1, 310), a three-year starter, uses his exceptional strength to hold his own at the point and penetrate gaps. He's better stacking blocks than shedding them. Ferguson has been OK against double-teams and shows burst in pursuit. Sutton, a sawed-off gap-shooter with quick twitch and leverage, is off to a solid start, too.

LINEBACKERS

WLB Lance Briggs (6-0½, 244), a 12-year starter, is nearing the end but still plays every down. He remains a punishing, knifing tackler in-line and a shrewd diagnostician. His declining speed leaves him vulnerable covering and breaking down in space. Shea McClellin (6-3½, 245), the 19th pick in '12, was moved from DE to SLB in the off-season and dropped about 20 pounds. After starting two games, he suffered a broken hand in practice last week and is questionable. He always gives great effort. With McClellin out against the 49ers, Jonathan Bostic expanded his nickel-dime role and played every snap. A second-round pick in '13, Bostic runs 4.62 and chases hard. It remains to be seen if he can be more physical and explosive. MLB D.J. Williams (6-0½, 242) produced for Denver from 2004-'12 but has lost his once-vaunted speed. He's OK against the interior run before exiting on throwing downs.

SECONDARY

Rookie RC Kyle Fuller (5-11½, 190), the 14th pick, has been a godsend since taking over for Charles Tillman (torn triceps) in Week 2. He already has made three skillful interceptions, forced two fumbles and is the leader in solo tackles (16). Prepared well by having grown up with two NFL-playing brothers (CB-S Vincent, WR Corey), Fuller is zone aware, runs 4.43 and is a heavy hitter. LC Tim Jennings (5-8, 185), an 82-game starter for the Colts and Bears, is 30 and not tackling as well as he did. He plays taller than he measures and competes at the ball. The No. 3 corner will be cautious Isaiah Frey (5-10½, 190) or special-teams dynamo Sherrick McManis (5-11, 193), who sat out last week (quad). Heady ex-Steelers-Giants SS Ryan Mundy (6-1, 209) is the best of a poor lot of safeties. Mundy (stinger) should play but FS Chris Conte (shoulder) and ex-Cowboy Danny McCray (unspecified) might not. Rookie FS Brock Vereen (5-11½, 199), a fourth-round pick, has played 49 snaps and held his own. Bright and athletic, he must prove himself as a hitter.

SPECIAL TEAMS

A strength from 2004-'12 under coach Dave Toub, it's a weakness now under Joe DeCamillis. K Robbie Gould, 32, is among the best. Rookie P Patrick O'Donnell, a sixth-round pick, has had one blocked and two almost blocked as he adjusts to DeCamillis' scheme. Holmes returns punts by default; free agent Rashad Ross is no better on kickoffs.

GAME-BREAKER

As recently as 2011, the Bears' wide receivers were Roy Williams, Johnny Knox, Earl Bennett, Devin Hester and Dane Sanzenbacher, and their tight end was Kellen Davis. They're all gone now, replaced by Brandon Marshall, Alshon Jeffery and Santonio Holmes at wide receiver and Martellus Bennett at tight end. Marshall and Bennett each have four TDs, a total surpassed by just one other receiver (Denver TE Julius Thomas) in the NFL. Jeffery leads the team in receiving yards with 223 and RB Matt Forte is one behind Bennett in receptions with 19. Pick your poison.

WEAKEST LINK

The Bears were hopeful of getting by at safety this season after drafting Brock Vereen in the fourth round and signing veterans Ryan Mundy, Danny McCray and two ex-Packers, M.D. Jennings and Derrick Martin. Mundy and holdover Chris Conte started the first three games and played OK, but both were injured Monday night against the Jets and might not play Sunday. McCray was injured as well, forcing Vereen and ex-Viking rookie Ahmad Dixon to play at the end. The Bears' last capable safeties were Mike Brown and Danieal Manning.

McGINN'S VIEW

On paper, the Bears would be a better football team with Charles "Peanut" Tillman in uniform.

In reality, they might well be a better team without him.

Tillman, 33, suffered a season-ending triceps injury early in the third quarter Sept. 14 with the Bears trailing in San Francisco, 17-7. His rookie replacement, Kyle Fuller, made a pair of spectacular interceptions in the fourth quarter and the Bears won in Frisco for the first time since 1985.

When the season started, Tillman was playing every snap at right cornerback, generally his home since 2003. The left cornerback, Tim Jennings, moved to the slot in nickel to accommodate Fuller.

In the opener, Fuller played 35 snaps, which was 61% of the downs. Based on the last few weeks, it's clear that he deserved to be an every-down player. So did Jennings, 30.

Tillman, an all-time great when it came to forcing fumbles, remained tough and reliable but was slowing down. Because Tillman's game really isn't suited for inside, the Bears would have had a problem on their hands benching the old pro.

As cruel as it might seem, an executive in personnel for another NFL team and an assistant coach for a recent Bears' opponent both said Tuesday that Chicago probably caught a break when Tillman went down. Their point was that hard feelings would have resulted either way, and now Fuller has brought a whole new dimension of speed and energy to the defense.

Addition by subtraction? If Fuller and Jennings stay healthy, maybe so.