The Bear Den: 2009 Chicago Bears Season Preview (Part III)
Published by Zack Pearson on May 26, 2009
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears
In this four part preview of the 2009 Chicago Bears, I will preview weeks 10-13.
Week Ten: at San Fransisco, Nov. 12 2009. 7:20 CST
In this Thursday night NFL Network game the Bears travel to take on a 49ers team that improved over the off season, and might be a contender in the NFC West.
This is the third consecutive year the Bears will play a game on the NFL Network’s Thursday Night Football.
In 2007 they lost to the Redskins at Washington, and last year they beat the Saints in a must win game at home.
This will also be the first time new 49ers head coach Mike Singletary will face his former team.
The 49ers improved over the offseason when they got lucky and had Michael Crabtree fall to them. They can thank the Oakland Raiders for that.
Crabtree is a game changer in my opinion, and if Gore can stay healthy the 49ers have a shot to win that division.
This could be a big game for the Bears also. This will be their second game in four days, with an earlier start time because of the western time zone.
The Bears have won two of the last three against San Fran. In 2001 they won on a OT touchdown by Mike Brown. In 2003, they were blown out bad at San Fransisco.
The 49ers weak secondary will be the key to this game. If Cutler can establish a rhythm early and get hot, it could be a long day for the 49ers defense.
On the other side, Chicago has to stop Frank Gore and the ‘Niner run game. Otherwise it will be a long game for them.
I like the Bears in this one, because they are more talented on both sides on the ball.
Final Score Prediction: Bears 13, 49ers 9
Week Eleven: vs Philadelphia, Nov. 22 2009. 7:20 CST
The Eagles come into sweet home Chicago for the Bears second consecutive prime-time game.
The Eagles are my pick to win the Super Bowl, and why not? They have an explosive offense with McNabb, Westbrook, Jackson, and now Maclin.
They also added Pro-Bowl left tackle Jason Peters. Scary, huh?
The Eagles could even be the best team in the NFL next season, but who knows?
The Bears barely beat the Eagles last season who where without stud running back Brian Westbrook. But a key goal line stand saved the game in the fourth quarter for the Bears.
This should be a huge game for both teams, and what a better way to settle it than on NBC Sunday Night Football.
Both teams should be fighting for division titles and possibly home field advantage for the playoffs.
The Eagles are just too much for the Bears this season. I expect them to come into Soldier Field and quiet the crowd early. Never letting the Bears offense establish rhythm is key.
Final Score Prediction: Eagles 24, Bears 16
Week Twelve: at Vikings. Nov. 29, 2009. 12:00 CST
This is the first meeting between the division rivals for the 2009 season, and I expect both teams to be first and second in the division.
This should line up as a huge game for both teams and maybe even the division lead at stake.
Last year the teams split the series with both winning at home.
The Vikings return a fast offense with Peterson, Berrian, and the newest addition Percy Harvin.
Last year the Bears blew a golden chance to take a big lead in the division when they went ahead early in Minnesota. But a big rally by the Vikings sealed the deal for them.
This should be one of those hard fought NFC North battles, that will end in a tight finish.
I think Minnesota has the advantage with home field, but expect the Bears to be fired up.
The Vikings still have a question mark at quarterback. Will it be Tavaris Jackson, Sage Rosenfels, or Brett Favre?
All three quarter backs could make the game a different game, but we will have to wait and see.
I’m going to take Minnesota in this one, just for the fact they will have the home field crowd with them.
Cutler and the Bears make it interesting late, but the Vikings hold on.
Final Score Prediction: Vikings 27, Bears 23
Week Thirteen: vs St. Louis, Dec. 6, 2009. 12:00 CST
The Bears come back home after a division matchup against the Vikings, looking to get back on track.
The Rams had a terrible year last year and are in rebuilding mode.
What a perfect time for the Bears to have this game on the schedule after two tough games against the Eagles and Vikings.
This is one of those games that the Bears need to take advantage of on the schedule <!– /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:”Cambria Math”; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:1; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-format:other; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:0 0 0 0 0 0;} @font-face {font-family:Calibri; panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:swiss; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-1610611985 1073750139 0 0 159 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:””; margin-top:0in; margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:10.0pt; margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:”Calibri”,”sans-serif”; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:”Times New Roman”; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} .MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:”Times New Roman”; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} .MsoPapDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; margin-bottom:10.0pt; line-height:115%;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} –> —one of those so called “should win games.” If your a good team, you need to win the games like this on the schedule.
I don’t know how much St. Louis will improve from last season, but the Bears are ultimately the better team.
Cutler and the offense should once again have a field day against a weak Rams secondary. Forte should have a big game also.
This should be a nice bounce back game for the Bears.
Final Score Prediction: Bears 38, Rams 10
Key Player: Matt Forte. Forte needs to stay healthy and on track for the Bears to have a good season. All the wear and tear throughout the season could take its toll on Forte. Playing in big games late down the stretch, could make Forte better.
