Numbers can help tell a story in a football game. Here's a look at 10 important or interesting statistics that could play a role in Sunday afternoon's game between the Bears and Green Bay Packers.
5:
Interceptions recorded by the Green Bay defense in the team's Week 14 win over Seattle. It marked the first time the Packers had intercepted five or more passes in a game since December 31, 2006, when Green Bay defenders picked off Brian Griese and Rex Grossman a total of five times in a 26-7 Packers win over the Bears.
6:
Receptions for Chicago tight end Daniel Brown in Week 14, a single game career high. Brown entered the contest with just 11 career catches in three professional seasons.
6.6:
Yards per carry by Jordan Howard in Week 14 versus the Lions. The rookie running back was so productive despite rushing the ball just 13 times, his fewest attempts in a game since Week 7.
7:
Sacks this season for Chicago defensive end Akiem Hicks, a career high. The last Chicago defensive lineman with that many sacks was Julius Peppers, who had seven quarterback takedowns for the Bears in 2012. Peppers now plays for the Packers.
8:
Touchdowns by Green Bay wide receiver Jordy Nelson in his past eight games versus NFC North foes. The only divisional opponent to keep him out of the end zone so far this season has been the Bears, who limited Nelson to one catch for nine yards in Week 7. Nelson has torched teams outside of the division, too, with a league-high 12 touchdown catches on the year.
15:
Touchdown passes Aaron Rodgers has thrown over his last five regular season games at Soldier Field. During that span, the Packers are 5-0, with the last Chicago victory on its home field against Green Bay taking place on September 27, 2010. Rodgers has thrown only three interceptions in those five games.
15.8:
Yards per reception for Chicago wide receiver Alshon Jeffery this season, the highest among Bears players with 10 or more catches. Jeffery has missed the past four games because of a suspension, but will be back on the field Sunday when the Bears host the Packers.
24:
Yards on the interception return for a touchdown from Chicago rookie cornerback Cre'von LeBlanc in the Week 14 game against Detroit. It was LeBlanc's first career interception and touchdown. He also became the first Bears player to return an interception for a score since safety Ryan Mundy, who had a 45-yard interception return for a TD in Week 3 of the 2014 season versus the New York Jets. The last Bears player to return their first career interception for a score was defensive end David Bass, who did it on November 17, 2013.
47.13:
Third-down conversion percentage for the Packers this season, which ranks as second-best in the NFL. Green Bay has converted on 82 of its 174 third down attempts, including going 9 of 16 when the Packers faced the Bears in Week 7. Chicago's defense ranks right in the middle of the pack when it comes to stopping opponents on third downs, with foes converting 38.86 percent of their attempts, 16th in the NFL.
81:
Passing yards for Chicago quarterback Matt Barkley in the Week 7 game versus Green Bay. Barkley had to enter the game in the second quarter after starter Brian Hoyer broke his arm. Since becoming the full-time starter in Week 12 following an injury to Jay Cutler, Barkley has averaged 240 passing yards per game.
