Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers are heading into their key Week 15 matchup against the Chicago Bears with a huge opportunity to not only improve their chances of winning the NFC North division title, but also help knock one of their bitter rivals out of the playoff picture.

After major struggles early on this season, the Bears are now 7-6 and have a chance to make a postseason run. They will need some help, but beating the Packers would be a big step in that direction. Green Bay simply cannot allow that to happen.

In a season that has been a bit of a surprise for many fans, first-year head coach Matt LaFleur has taken over and turned things around. Green Bay general manager Brian Gutekunst has also looked very good for the big money that he spent on upgrading the defense with playmakers during the offseason. The Packers simply seem to have taken all the right steps to become a Super Bowl contender once again.

This week is going to be a very intriguing installment of the bitter rivalry between these two teams. If the Packers are able to make a statement in this win, it will set the stage for the opportunity to clinch the division the next week against the Minnesota Vikings on Monday Night Football.

All of that being said, let's dive in and take a look at four reasons the Packers will defeat the Bears on Sunday afternoon.

4. The Bears Are A Bit Banged Up

First and foremost, injuries always seem to play a part in late-season matchups like this one. Unfortunately for the Bears, they are dealing with some serious injury issues, including linebacker Roquan Smith being ruled out for the season due to a torn pec. That loss in and of itself will have an impact on this game.

Thankfully, Akiem Hicks will be making his return to the field for the Bears after a long absence. He might have some rust, but he should be able to have an impact. Other names that are questionable to play are wide receiver Taylor Gabriel, cornerback Prince Amukamara, offensive lineman Bobby Massie, and linebacker Danny Trevathan.

3. Green Bay's Defense Will Force Trubisky Turnovers

Next up, the Packers may not have one of the NFL's best defenses like many of us thought early in the year, but they aren't a shabby defense either. Mike Pettine needs to figure out the balance of his play-calling, but the team has a lot of talent and Mitchell Trubisky is capable of making mistakes in bunches.

Green Bay will be looking to throw pressure at him early and often this week. The secondary, assuming guys like Kevin King and Tony Brown are able to play, will be ready to capitalize. A couple of key mistakes will help lead the Packers to a big-time victory.

2. Aaron Jones Is Back On Track

Last week, the Packers were finally able to get rising star running back Aaron Jones back on track. Against the Washington Redskins, Jones ended up carrying the football 16 times for 134 yards and a touchdown. He also caught six passes for 58 yards in the game.

There is no doubt that Rodgers it the face of the offense, but Jones has been a crucial part as well. When he is at his best, the Packers are nearly impossible to stop. He is back on track and is ready to make a much bigger impact against the Bears this week than he did back in Week 1.

1. Aaron Rodgers Is At His Best In Clutch Games

Finally, the Bears have had their fair share of heartbreak at the hands of superstar quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Green Bay has seen Rodgers carry them to huge late-season wins time and time again. That will be the case once again this week.

That isn't to say that Rodgers will carve up the Bears' defense for 300 yards and three touchdowns, but he is going to make key plays when Green Bay needs him the most. Whether those plays are keeping drives alive or picking up huge chunks of yardage, Rodgers is going to get the job done. Any time a quarterback like Rodgers is on your side, you have a big advantage.