WOUNDED BEARS HUNGRY FOR A WIN

Ailing Chicago Meets Equally Ailing Green Bay

It was supposed to be a big game. In many ways the Sunday Night contest renewing the age old rivalry between the Bears and Packers still is a big game but the big game hunters if the NFL have already bagged a few trophies.

The Chicago Bears come into Lambeau Field injured and altering. If there is one team that can relate to the injury woes of the Bears it is Green Bay. The Bears will be without the services of their two most important pieces on each side of the ball. QB Jay Cutler is out along with LB Lance Briggs. Without Cutler at the helm the Bears have been flat, uninspired and listless. New coach Marc Trestman has had a very stabilizing effect on Cutler and the Bears bolted from the gate early and were running neck and neck with the Detroit Lions for the lead in the NFC North. The Pack was stumbling thru a slow start sandwiching losses to SF and Cincinnati around a win over the inexplicably tepid Washington Weneedanamechanges.

Chicago comes off a bye week and the healthy should be rested. This will be the 2^nd divisional foe to

come in missing a star. The Lions had little to no offense when Megatron Calvin Johnson was sidelined and now the Bears have to make do without Cutler and Briggs.

Don’t expect any pity to come from the Pack. The Next Man Up battle cry is resounding in Green Bay and without players that could stock an All Pro team – Randall Cobb, James Jones, Jermichael Finley, Clay Matthews, Nick Perry and Casey Hayward – the Packers are actually playing better. The injuries have forced call ups from the practice squad and WR Myles White has not just filled a roster spot he has been involved in getting the ball and making plays. His catch and run bubble screen against Minnesota showed why he was kept around and in dropping 44 points on Minnesota the Packers Offense is rolling.

It helps that Eddie “The Hammer” Lacy has been relentlessly pounding the ball so well. Add in a returning James Starks and the packers once flaccid running game has morphed into an “uh oh” moment for opposing defenses. The yardage being gained on the ground serves several purposes – the Packers are now winning  the time of possession battle, keeping their defense off the field, creating more scoring chances for Aaron Rodgers and opening up the passing lanes. Against Minnesota the Pack held the ball for just under 41 minutes. There is the crash course in how to stop the Vikings – keep the ball out of Adrian Peterson’s hands keeping him off the field.

In the process the Packers put up their highest point total of the year. After spotting Minnesota an

early lead thanks to a tremendously good kick return (or tremendously horrible coverage of said kick) by Cordarelle Patterson Rodgers took over and promptly shoved the ball down Minnesota’s throat to knot the game and then Green Bay began the python like squeezing out the air of the Vikes. Even when the Vikings knew Green Bay was going to run the ball they could not contain, delay or stop Lacy. Starks also broke a huge run for a TD looking like a racehorse pulling away from the field. Giving Rodgers the option of running or throwing has reduced Rodgers overall numbers but along the way it is making him a far better field general. Rodgers has become very efficient in checking the opposing defenses at the line and making the necessary adjustment and has been able to exploit mismatches.

The best example was in the 2^nd quarter against Minny last week. As Rodgers saw the Vikings safeties creep towards the line to bolster the run defense against Lacy Rodgers audibled to a pass and hit Jordy Nelson on a slant against a hopelessly overmatched Chad Greenway. Nelson did the rest after the 12 yard toss by streaking in for 6. Now defenses are forced to make adjustments to the new look, balanced Packer attack.

Trestman has been a breath of fresh air in the Windy City. He has established himself quickly and his low key style has done much to calm the oft times erratic Cutler. The entire Chicago coaching staff has undergone and overhaul. Lovie Smith is out and gone also is the so-smart-he’s-stupid Mike Martz as offensive coordinator. But the changes have had an immediate stabilizing effect on the Bears.

If anyone is expecting a rollover and stroll through the park win against Chicago better guess again. As overmatched as the Vikings were last week they never quit and put up 34 points, a total made more impressive when realizing the Packers defense had not allowed more than 17 in the past 3 games. The Packers have played without their stars with no excuses and are getting the job done along the way.

The Bears know clearly what is at stake. The ingredient to playoff success is getting there in the first

place. The formula is simple – win at home, play .500 on the road, and win your divisional matchups. Even without Cutler the Bears still have weapons. Matt Forte is running well to no one’s surprise while Charles ‘Peanut’ Tillman is still a huge factor for the defense. And don’t think for a second the Bears won’t look to take advantage of Green Bay’s special teams. By now Devin Hester has watched enough tape on the Packers cover units he could probably tell which way each man is going to move before he even hits his spot.

Green Bay has to contain Hester. By contain the edict will be clear to Tim Masthay. Do not, under any circumstances, kick the ball to Hester. Masthay’s only mistake last week was not kicking the ball out of the end zone to open the game. Hester already has another return for another touchdown. Winning time of possession becomes irrelevant of Hester cannot be stopped or at least limited in his ability to change a game.

In addition to Cutler and Briggs DE Julius Peppers has been slowed by a knee along with Tillman, TE Martellus Bennett and S Major Wright. But RB Matt Forte is healthy and teaming with Michael Bush to give the Bears a tandem of backs capable of keeping Rodgers off the field. One of Trestman’s first items was addressing the Bears sieve-like offensive line. Imports rookie Kyle Long and Matt Slauson have helped tremendously in fixing the leaks in the line while opening up the running lanes. It will come down to how well the lines play for each respective team.

Even wounded Chicago is dangerous. Their once rock solid grip on first place has slipped and Detroit is coming on. The Bears are facing an almost must win game which makes it all the more urgent for them and now the Packers will have to answer the bell. But this is not a game the Pack would expect to be soft. Even though Chicago looked uneven against Washington last week against the Packers they will be tougher. But against Green Bay the Bears are always tougher.

With Cutler out the ball now goes into Josh McCown’s hands. Jordan Palmer, Carson’s little brother, was signed as an emergency fill in. There is a huge drop off in talent from Cutler to McCown so expect the Forte/ Bush combination to see the ball heavily. The Packers newly stout run defense will be tested. The run D kept Peterson in check and even if Forte can be stopped the Bears still have WR threats with Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery. Rodgers will have to find Tillman at the line and it shouldn’t be too hard. Tillman will most likely draw the task of covering Nelson who is in the middle of another quietly successful season.

If the Bears know what is at stake it’s a safe bet the Packers do as well. The Packers put the throttle down and hammered Minnesota last week. This week they will unapologetically do the same to the Bears. Yes, a wounded Bear is dangerous. But a Hammer can put it down for the count.

 

 

 

GREEN BAY 27

  Chicago  17