It's the most important game the Packers and Bears have played in mid-season since 1995.

A win and a Minnesota loss to Tampa Bay on the road (very probable) makes a three-way tie for the NFC North lead.

A loss might doom the Packers in the 2008 playoff race.

Who'll come through in this critical home showdown?

The answer comes through these things to look for:

When the Packers have the ball: Make Chicago's defense have to play close to the line.
The Bears' defensive backs have had trouble in pass defense in recent weeks, and they're facing perhaps the deepest receiving corps in the NFL. 

The Packers offensive line has to step up and force Chicago to use its linebackers and safeties to stop the run and rush Aaron Rodgers (in other words, have the O-line actually show up, unlike last week). 

If they do, that means single coverage on Packers wideouts, which means carved Bears and big plays.

When the Bears have the ball: Tie up Olin Kreutz and company.
When defensive tackles do their job and make interior offensive linemen double-team them, linebackers can roam free.   This week is especially key for the D-tackles to help a makeshift linebacking corps without Nick Barnett. 

It's especially challenging this week with all-galaxy center Olin Kreutz and the productive rookie Matt Forte pounding the ball.

Who wins and why?  Green Bay 27, Chicago 24
The quick three-step rhythm passing game of Rodgers will be in prime shape, since the Packers will have just a smidgen more time to throw versus the semi-monstrous Midway-ers than they had against the second-coming of the Purple People Eaters. 

By the way, if they win this game and the rematch on Dec. 22, they'll win the NFC North.  Don't, and they're cooked like a Chicago-style hot dog.  (No ketchup, please.)