Riding high with four straight wins, the Chicago Bears welcome in the San Diego Chargers, who are sweeping the floors of the AFC West thanks to four straight losses. Can the Bears force more Philip Rivers turnovers in front of their home crowd today? Or will the Chargers begin their annual late-season winning streak? It’s time for another Gameday Preview!
(6-3) Chicago Bears
Philip Rivers leads the league in turnovers with 15 interceptions and six fumbles. That’s all Lovie Smith’s defense needs to hear. Without All-Pro center Kris Dielman and left tackle Marcus McNeil, the Bear defensive line should have a freaking field day. Julius Peppers, Henry Melton and Israel Idonije can smell the sacks already. With no Malcolm Floyd on the outside, Charles Tillman can match-up one-on-one with the tall and dangerous Vincent Jackson. That leaves Antonio Gates as the Chargers’ only other play-maker. Chicago will continue to mix-in single high safety looks, but they’ll probably throw in more cover two schemes to prevent Rivers from getting downfield, which he loves, especially to Jackson. My only question is: how many boomerangs will I see today? My hope: six.
Much like their offense, the Charger defense is soft. Matt Forte should have little resistance as he shreds the Soldier Field turf, but look for a big day from Jay Cutler. He needs to avoid forcing throws towards safety Eric Weddle, but otherwise the San Diego secondary isn’t to be feared. On the injury front, the Chargers will be without linebacker Shaun Philips, who is one of their better pass-rushers as well as defensive end Luis Castllo. For the Bears, another shift on the offensive line: Instead of Chris Williams, who was lost for the season after emergency wrist surgery, Edwin Williams will get the call at left guard. Williams should be fine in pass protection, which leads me to believe the o-line will continue its progress and Cutler won’t be under duress all day. I need another strong outing from Earl Bennett, who should see a lot of the crafty Quentin Jammer. For the rest of the Bear wide-outs, this might be the one game where they have an advantage over the opposing secondary.
Normally I don’t talk QB versus QB, but with Cutler and Rivers old nemeses from the AFC West, I can’t wait to see the jawing today. Cutler’s at his most entertaining when he’s yelling at someone.
The Odds:Chicago is a 4.5 point home favorite.
The Prediction:The Bears should have this one in hand. San Diego’s short-handed and playing like crap.
How many hear attacks will Joe suffer?One? I imagine this won’t give me too much heartburn.
Message to the Bears:Everyone thinks you should win. Don’t make them look stupid.
Keywords: Chicago Bears, Edwin Williams, Jay Cutler, Joe Anello, Julius Peppers, Matt Forte, NFL, Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers
