Joe's Gameday Preview: Bears at Giants

Fresh off the insanity of beating Green Bay Monday night at Soldier Field, the Chicago Bears head to New York on Sunday night to take on Eli Manning and the struggling Giants. Can the Bears make it to 4-0 or will the Giants rebound at home? Get your Gameday Preview on here!

(3-0) Chicago Bears at
(1-2) New York Giants

Mike Martz's offense never really got going Monday night thanks to the Packers' ball control offense. This week Jay Cutler will face the fourth ranked pass defense in the NFL, but that stat is marred since the Giants give up more than 135 yards on the ground per game. If Matt Forte and Chester Taylor are going to find their rhthym, this is the game to start looking. With defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka out, the Bears have one less end-rusher to worry about. Kiwanuka has accounted for four of the Giants' six sacks this season, so Perry Fewell's defense is going to have trouble generating pressure from the front four. Add in Osi Umenyiora not playing at 100% thanks to a knee injury and the Bears shouldn't have problems blocking even without Chris Williams. If they can handle the gammut of pass-rushers that Green Bay threw at them, Mike Tice and the Bears will be fine against the 4-3 scheme of the Giants.

On offense the Bears can take advantage of an inexperienced and non-frightening Giant secondary with their quick receivers. Corey Webster and Terrell Thomas won't exactly strike fear in the heart of Cutler. Antrell Rolle will be roaming around from his free safety spot, but otherwise Knox and Hester can find the open spots down the field. The Giant linebackers are weak and lack depth, so Martz best dial up some rushes and passes to Olsen over the middle of he wants to take advantage.

For the third straight week, the Bear defensive linemen are frothing at the mouth at the prospect of facing another offensive line with injury issues. Mainstay center Shaun O'Hara is out this week, so expect Lovie Smith to send blitzes right up the middle to confuse back-up Adam Koets. The effort-challenged Tommie Harris will be dressed for tonight's game, but he won't start. If Tommie can't make a few plays against a back-up center, this is the beginning of the end for him as a Bear. Right tackle Kareem McKenize made several dumb penalties last week, giving Tom Coughlin fits and backing up the offense. Chicago will likely move Julius Peppers in front of McKenzie to draw mistakes like they did last week. 

If the Bears can keep the Giant offense stifled, they'll have to keep watch on their trio of young wide-outs. Mario Manningham and Hakeem Nicks are Eli Manning's deep threats, partnered with third-down target Steve Smith. Zack Bowman will be back in the fold at corner, but Tim Jennings earned playing time with his play aganst the Packers. Chicago won't be over-powered on the outside. Brandon Jacobs always gives the Bear linebackers trouble, but he's not out of Coughlin's doghouse yet. I'm not especially worried about Ahmad Bradshaw out of the backfield with Brigg and Tinoisamoa on the edge of the defense.

The Odds:

The Giants are 3.5 home favorites.

Prediction:

I don't like the Giants at all. Manning throws too many picks, their back seven on defense isn't all that talented and they're completely undisciplined. My Bears can get this road win if they play smart and get two turnovers.

How many heart attacks will Joe suffer?

I'd say three to four heart attacks is a safe, low estimate. I don't expect a lot of drama to be honest.

Message to the Bears:

Good teams win games they're supposed to win. At 3-0, you're supposed to win this game. Go out there and get it done.

Bear down and Happy Jay Cutler Day!