Thursday, November 13, 2008

Bears-Packers Preview

Well it's that time of year again. Chicago Bears vs. Green Bay Packers. Although this rivalry holds great importance regardless of the teams' respective records and playoff hopes, this year it has a special significance. Both teams are in the hunt for the division title. The Bears are tied with the Vikings at 5-4 for first and the Packers are breathing down their necks at 4-5. Here are a few things to note about the upcoming game:

  • The Bears have won 6 of the last 8 meetings with the Pack, including the season sweep last year and the last 4 straight at Lambeau.
  • The big Bears question is, as usual, about the quarterback position. Will Kyle Orton be back? Will Rex play another game? It appears that Orton practiced yesterday in a limited capacity, but will he be 100% if he does play?
  • Whoever plays at quarterback will have to deal with something we haven't seen in Chicago in a while: a very good pass defense. The Pack is 3rd in the league against the pass, only allowing 179.1 yards/game with an NFL high 16 interceptions. A defense like that would wreck the Sex Cannon, so we can only hope that Orton is 100% to even have a chance to get our pass game going.
  • While Aaron Rodgers has not been stellar the last month or so, he is definitely looking to have a big week against a Bears defense that gave up 879 yards and 6 TDs to Collins, Orlovsky and Frerotte the last three weeks. I just read what I just wrote again and it made me throw up in my mouth a little.
  • Look for Matt Forte to run all over a suspect Green Bay run defense. They have had problems stopping the run all season and with Nick Barnett still out, they will be hard-pressed to stop the powerful rookie.
  • How will the Bears secondary look Sunday? Will Graham replace Vasher? Will Daniel Manning move to nickelback? Changes could be in the works in the Bears defensive backfield.
  • Injury Updates: Bears--Mike Brown and Tommie Harris did not practice Wednesday; Orton, Tillman and Hillenmeyer were limited in practice. Packers--Barnett, Blackmon, Bush and Thompson did not practice; Rodgers and Woodson were limited.
Key to the game: The Bears defense needs to contain Aaron Rodgers and a deep receiving corps to be able to compete Sunday. If they are able to do that, the Bears have a good shot at winning. Bear Down!

1 comment:

Unknown said...

Given the way Nick Barnett has played so far, his season-ending-injury might make the Packers a better team, especially against the run. If I were a bears fan, I'd say the key to the game is whether or not Forte can take the pressure off whoever is QB, and help setup the play-action.

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