Dissecting Most Crucial Matchups in Chicago Bears’ Week 11 Contest with Vikings
Published by Ross Read on November 14, 2014
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears
The battle for the bottom of the NFC North kicks off on the Chicago lakefront this Sunday. The Bears desperately need a win against the Minnesota Vikings to stop the beating, and it’s about time their stars show up.
As we look at the important matchups, we have to start on the defense with a player setting up to face his former team.
Defensive end Jared Allen continues to be a disappointment, only registering 1.5 sacks this season. This week, he faces former fourth overall pick Matt Kalil, an offensive tackle who has regressed since coming into the league in 2012.
Overall, Vikings quarterbacks have been sacked 30 times this season. Teddy Bridgewater has been sacked 18 times alone in just six games.
Allen has to be able to use his speed and awareness to get around Kalil. Right now, Kalil is a player lacking confidence, and Allen must take advantage.
Putting Bridgewater under pressure will help out a Bears secondary that clearly can’t match up with receivers right now.
When wide receiver Brandon Marshall lines up on Sunday, he will be looking at veteran cornerback Captain Munnerlyn. At 6’4″, 230 pounds, Marshall has a clear size advantage over Munnerlyn (5’9″, 195 pounds) that he should be able to exploit all game.
This is the perfect chance for Marshall to inflict his strength and dominate one-on-one battles. Shots down the field to Marshall should come early and often.
At the start of the game, Marshall and the Bears should set up Munnerlyn with quick routes where Marshall can shield off his big body and take Munnerlyn off balance. Up and outs downfield would work best against the smaller but aggressive corner.
Finally, quarterback Jay Cutler has to do something to quiet his haters for at least one week. He can’t turn the football over, and he needs to carve up a Minnesota defense that’s going to give him multiple looks and try and confuse him with pressure from all angles.
At the top center of this defense is rising star free safety Harrison Smith. He has two interceptions, including one for a touchdown return, in three career games against the Bears. He comes into this matchup with three interceptions and a touchdown on the season.
Smith loves to read the quarterback’s eyes and jump routes. Cutler has a bad habit of not looking off the back defenders before he slings the ball into a tight spot.
Cutler has to be aware of where Smith is at all times. Cutler must look Smith off and use Smith’s aggression to his advantage. Pump fakes and checkdowns work best here. There’s no need to force the football unless he has individual matchups against smaller corners.
It hasn’t been a good stretch for the Bears, but if they are able to win these key matchups, then they will get back into the win column and start the process of salvaging a season.
Read more Chicago Bears news on BleacherReport.com
