Bears Blitz

Published by Mike Chiari on November 16, 2011
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears

When the 6-3 Chicago Bears host the 4-5 San Diego Chargers on Sunday, it will be a clash between two teams heading in opposite directions. The Bears are currently one of the hottest teams in football, while the Chargers are free falling.

The Bears started the season in inconsistent fashion, but they have come around in recent weeks with four consecutive wins, including a demolition of the Detroit Lions last week. The defense seems to have returned to its excellent form of years past, and the offense has had great balance.

Quite unlike the Bears, the Chargers have lost four straight contests and relinquished their perch atop the AFC West. The Chargers have long been known for getting off to rough starts, but this year they have fallen into a mid-season slump instead.

Although the Bears and Chargers have been total opposites lately, both teams desperately need to win. The Chargers need to stabilize themselves and get back in the playoff hunt, while the Bears have to win to keep pace in the competitive NFC wild card race. This has game-of-the-week potential.

Where: Soldier Field in Chicago, Ill.

When: Sunday Nov. 20 at 4:15 p.m. EDT

Watch: CBS; KFMB Channel 8 (San Diego) and WBBM Channel 2 (Chicago)

Listen: KIOZ 105.3 FM (San Diego) and WBBM 780 AM (Chicago); Sirius XM Satellite Radio: XM Internet 886 (San Diego) and XM 227 (Internet 866, Chicago)

Live Streaming Audio: NFL.com Audio Pass ($29.99 for year, $27.99 team specific, $9.99 a month)

Betting Line: Chicago (-4)

What’s at Stake?

Both teams are very much in the playoff race in their respective conferences, so this should be viewed as a vital game from the perspective of both the Chargers and Bears. The Chargers are only a game out in their division, but they desperately need a win in order to regain some confidence.

While a loss wouldn’t devastate the Bears quite as much as the Chargers, every game is of the utmost importance. The Bears aren’t going to win the NFC North with the Green Bay Packers running rampant, so they are going to have to outflank teams like the Lions, Falcons, Cowboys and others for a wild card position.

Chargers Injury Report

Questionable: OL Marcus McNeill (neck), OL Louis Vasquez (ankle), LB Takeo Spike (concussion), DB Steve Gregory (thigh), LB Shaun Phillips (foot), WR Malcom Floyd (hip)

Probable: RB Mike Tolbert (hamstring), WR Vincent Jackson (hamstring)

Bears Injury Report

Out: TE Kyle Adams (hamstring – IR), DB Anthony Walters (hamstring – IR), OL Chris Williams (wrist – IR)

Doubtful: OL Gabe Carimi (knee)

What They’re Saying

San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers‘ fiery attitude tends to rub opposing players the wrong way at times. This would seem to be the case with Bears quarterback Jay Cutler, who played Rivers often as a member of the Denver Broncos. While Cutler complimented Rivers on his play, he said he didn’t miss playing him regularly, according to Fred Mitchell of the Chicago Tribune.

Encouraged to elaborate, Cutler said: “We don’t play him every year, so it’s kind of different. It’s something that is in the past… He’s a great player. He is still putting up big numbers. He’s going to throw the ball down the field. Defensively, the way we’re playing, hopefully we can shut him down.”

Asked if the relationship with Rivers could be repaired, Cutler joked: “I don’t know. You got his number? We can call him.”

 

Chargers Player to Watch: QB Philip Rivers

With a touchdown to interception ratio of 13:15, Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers most certainly has not been his dominant self this season. He will have to be much better on Sunday, though, if the Chargers are to entertain any thoughts of upsetting the Bears.

While Chicago’s defense has played extremely well as of late, they are still susceptible to being passed on as they rank 29th in the league in that regard. It may be tough to Mike Tolbert and Ryan Mathews to find running room, so Rivers may need a vintage 300-yard, three-touchdown performance to lead the Bolts to victory.

Bears Player to Watch: RB Matt Forte

As the NFL’s leader in yards from scrimmage this season, running back Matt Forte has meant absolutely everything to the Bears this year. Forte leads the team in rushing yardage, receptions and receiving yardage, and is one of the biggest reasons for its bounce back from early season struggles.

The Chargers are certainly vulnerable against the run so they figure to see a heavy dose of Forte on Sunday. Forte has proven to be able to run on virtually anyone, but there is the potential for him to have a field day on Sunday, and the Bears will need it.

Key Matchup: P Mike Scifres vs. PR Devin Hester

Despite the fact the Bears return man Devin Hester is the best at his craft in the history of the league, teams continue to kick the ball to him. Hester extended his NFL record for career punt return touchdowns last week when he took one to the house against the Lions.

We’ll see if the Chargers decide to keep the ball far away from him on Sunday. They certainly have the punter to do it, as Mike Scifres is one of the best in the league at his position. No player changes the game from a special teams perspective like Hester, so San Diego would be best served kicking the ball out of bounds.

On the Hot Seat: HC Norv Turner

Chargers head coach Norv Turner has long been criticized for being unable to take his teams to the next level, but he has generally succeeded in making the playoffs. A slow start doomed the Bolts last year, though, and ultimately cost them a spot in the postseason.

With the way the Chargers have been floundering lately, it looks like a second straight year without the playoffs is a very real possibility. If that happens, then it will be very tough for the organization to justify keeping Turner around. A loss to Chicago won’t lead to an immediate firing and it won’t end their playoff hopes either. It would make it an uphill battle, though, and it would put Turner on thin ice.

Prediction

Bears 31, Chargers 28

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