Bears Blitz

Published by Bryan Dietzler on January 18, 2011
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears

One of the most anticipated matchups in football history is about to happen next Sunday afternoon; The Chicago Bears will host their division rivals, the Green Bay Packers for a chance to go to the Super Bowl representing the NFC. 

These two teams split their regular season series, with the Bears winning the first game at Soldier Field 20-17 while the Packers beat the Bears at Lambeau Field 10-3.

The Packers have played two games so far in the playoffs, their first a 21-16 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles and their second win over the Atlanta Falcons this past Saturday, 48-21.  The Bears beat the Seahawks 35-24 at Soldier Field on Sunday.

The following is a quick look at the Green Bay Packers, their biggest threat, biggest weakness and which players the Bears need to watch out for on Sunday.

Biggest Threat

The biggest threat to the Bears is quarterback Aaron Rodgers.  Rodgers is a master at getting the ball out to his wide receivers, so the Bears will need to not only put pressure on Rodgers, but also need to blanket the Packers wide receivers, ensuring that they don’t make the catch.  Chicago’s game plan against Seattle included blanket coverage on their wide receivers which really limited their options in the passing game.

If the Bears can come up with a good game plan and take away the Packers receivers, much like they did this Sunday against the Seahawks, they will make things difficult on Rodgers and should be able to win the game.

Biggest Weakness

The Packers may have gotten a good game out of running back James Starks during the playoffs (against the Eagles) but against the Bears, their running game isn’t going to work.  The Bears have shut down the Packers rushing attack in both games that they have played this season, so running the ball probably won’t be an option.  Still, the Bears cannot afford to let the Packers rushing attack come out and surprise them.

Players To Watch Out For

Besides Rodgers, the Bears need to make sure that they don’t allow the Packers’ wide receivers to beat them on Sunday.  Guys like Greg Jennings, Jordy Nelson and Donald Driver have been a huge part of Green Bay’s passing game and the Bears are going to have to attempt to take those guys out of the game.  If they can limit Rodgers’ options to throw to, they should be able to force him into making mistakes and create some turnovers.

Chicago also needs to be aware of where outside linebacker Clay Matthews is at all times.  Matthews has made opposing offenses pay at times this season and can cause a lot of problems for quarterback Jay Cutler and the rest of the offense if he isn’t accounted for and stopped.  Look for the Bears to try to put a tight end and an offensive lineman on him or keep a running back in (or the H-back) to try to keep from causing problems for the Bears.

Green Bay cornerback Tramon Williams has been a thorn in the side of many passing offenses this season and the Bears need to keep him from making big plays.  It will be difficult not to throw at him, so Cutler needs to make wise decisions when throwing the ball.  The receivers also need to run good routes and not make mistakes there so that they don’t give the cornerbacks and safeties opportunities to make plays on the ball.

The Biggest Trap

The Bears cannot allow the Packers defense to get heavy pressure on Cutler, making it difficult for him to get into a rhythm to pass the ball.  The Bears cannot rely solely on their rushing attack in this game (no matter how nice that might be) so the passing game will be a big part of what the Bears need to do to win this game.

The offensive line has gotten better as the season has gone on (despite the fact they allowed a six-sack game the last time these two teams met) and the reason that they have gotten better is because the Bears have found balance on offense.  The less passing the Bears do, the better they are, and the greater their chance to win—that’s plain and simple.

This offensive line is not a pass-blocking offensive line.  Granted, they did very well against the Seahawks, but that was against a sub-.500 team.  Green Bay is a whole other animal and a much more powerful one.  So, in order to keep Cutler clean and passing the ball effectively, the Bears need to continue with that offensive balance that they have had and win the game.

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