Bears Blitz

Published by Ross Read on December 19, 2014
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears have sure managed to make things interesting even with their 5-9 record. Starting quarterback Jay Cutler is out in favor of Jimmy Clausen, and the team now must face a Detroit Lions team poised to win the division.

In order for Clausen to succeed, he’s going to need time in the pocket, his tight end to get open quickly and his defense to not put him in an early hole.

Cutler was sacked seven times in the Week 15 meeting against the New Orleans Saints. It will be important for left tackle Jermon Bushrod to slow down disruptive pass-rusher Ezekiel Ansah.

Ansah comes into this game with 7.5 sacks and three forced fumbles. He had a sack and a safety in the first meeting against the Bears. Bushrod has to slow down Ansah enough for Clausen to go through his progressions and find the open receiver.

Clausen‘s coming into this game very cold. He hasn’t had a start since 2010, so he will need all the time he can get as he tries to adapt to the speed of live game action.

While the Lions bring pressure from all angles, it’s Clausen‘s blind side that will cause him the most trouble due to lack of game experience.

If Bushrod can hold up his end long enough, Clausen might have enough time to look for Martellus Bennett over the middle of the field.

Bennett has to be Clausen‘s security blanket in this game. He comes into this game with 24 receptions over the past three games and figures to continue to get a heavy dose of targets.

Strong safety James Ihedigbo will likely get the task of trying to slow down Bennett. He has great size and speed and is having an outstanding season with four interceptions, two forced fumbles and over 60 tackles. 

Bennett must use his strength to fight off the line and savvy to know when to sit down on a route and make himself a viable target for Clausen.

With Clausen being very rusty, it’s important that Bennett shield his body away from Ihedigbo, who’s going to want to jump the routes for a quick pick-six.

In the first meeting, rookie Kyle Fuller was embarrassed by wide receiver Calvin Johnson. Johnson had 11 receptions for over 140 yards and two touchdowns.

Fuller might not shut Johnson down, but he cannot let him have that big a game again. Fuller needs to be more physical at the line of scrimmage with Johnson. The only way you are going to slow him down is bump him off his spot and hope the pass rush gets to Matthew Stafford in time.

If the Bears have any shot to win this game, Bushrod has to protect the quarterback, Bennett has to have at least eight catches and a touchdown, and Fuller has to hold Johnson to around five catches for under 100 yards.

Those are high hopes of course, but, hey, it can happen, right?

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