Maybe you didn’t hear the NFL kicked off its season last night. Maybe you didn’t know the Chicago Bears are headed to Lambeau Field to play the Packers on NBC’s Sunday Night Football. What I’m pretty sure you heard is that Jay Cutler is a Chicago Bear.
Wait, you didn’t know that? Stop reading this blog. Now.
For the informed, let’s get you ready for this Sunday night opener on the not-yet frozen tundra! Lovie Smith and the Bears are coming off a solid preseason where they saw glimpses of what their new QB was capable of. Their first-team offense scored 17 first-half points on both the Giants and Broncos while the defensive starters held their counterparts to only a field goal in each of those contests.
Impressive as Cutler’s preseason debut was, another quarterback in this division was simply electric. Aaron Rodgers is picking up right where he left off last season, lighting up defenses in his three exhibition appearances. With the hype machine across the NFL slowly building for the Pack (I even heard one host pick them to reach the NFC title game), this division rivalry game has all the anticipation it needs.
On to the analysis!
Chicago’s offense will be staring down a new-look defense across the line of scrimmage. The Packers are transitioning to a 3-4 style of play, so their linebackers will be expected to make a load of plays on the ball carrier, as well as rush the passer. They’ve moved Pro Bowl defensive end Aaron Kampman over to linebacker alongside A.J. Hawk and drafted nose tackle B.J. Raji out of Boston College and USC linebacker Clay Matthews. Their defensive ends Justin Harrell and Cullen Jenkins may need time to adapt, but Mike McCarthy’s new front seven arrangement has plenty of talent.
What can be expected from the Green Bay defense is man coverage by the corners. Al Harris and Charles Woodson lock into receivers and press them on the line of scrimmage. With four linebackers on the field, Green Bay is hoping to slow down the opposing running attack. Chicago’s Matt Forte may be in for a rough afternoon. With the loss of back-up Kevin Jones for the season, he’ll get the bulk of the carries yet again. Adrian Peterson needs to step and instill more confidence in his abilities.
The real question is whether Devin Hester and Earl Bennett can get off their jams at the line and get away from press coverage. If not, look for Cutler to rely heavily on Greg Olsen and Desmond Clark, who have proven they are game-changers at the tight end position. I’m expecting 7-9 combined catches from those two.A gunslinger of a quarterback, Cutler will need ample protection so Hester can stretch the field and keep Green Bay from stacking the box against Forte. A couple of deep completions could lead to a big day on the ground as well.
Defensively, the Bears might be overmatched and under-manned. Aaron Rodgers has Donald Driver, Greg Jennings and Jordy Nelson on the outside with Donald Lee at the tight end spot. Handing off to running back Ryan Grant will keep the Bear defense honest, but the real threat is through the air against a questionable secondary. Charles Tillman is without question Chicago’s beat corner, but his ability to play on Sunday is still uncertain, and Zack Bowman and Danieal Manning only found the field for one preseason game.
Keep an eye on oft-injured Tommie Harris and the other defensive linemen. If they can help Urlacher and the linebackers shut down the Packers’ running game and make them one-dimensional, the Bears could make it out of Wisconsin with a victory. Pressuring Rodgers is the only way to get him off his game; otherwise he’ll pick this Bear secondary apart.
If you haven’t read between my lines, I’m expecting a shoot-out in Green Bay on national television. I think the wide receivers on both teams can take advantage of the opposing secondary; it’ll just come down to execution. Whichever defense can pressure the QB and force an interception or two will give their team the best chance to win.
*Whew* That was a long preview. What are you waiting for, go get ready for the game! The 2009 Chicago Bears Season starts in two days! You can count on me to deliver the news and analysis from every Bear game this season! Let me hear your thoughts via Twitter @JoeAnello for future entries!
