Bears Blitz

Published by Joseph Rapolla on January 22, 2011
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears

In last week’s Divisional round of the playoffs, the Jets stole the spotlight. With their trash talking leading up to the game and then their definitive victory over what many thought to be the league’s best team, some of the other Divisional games were forgotten about. 

Probably the most overlooked of these forgotten battles was the Bears’ spanking of the Seattle Seahawks. The Bears were up 28-0 at one point and never once during the game did they not have control. The public has forgotten this legitimate performance by a good football team because they beat the Seahawks, who, without much argument, are not a good football team. Nonetheless, to come off of a bye week and play as definitive and fluid football as the Bears played is impressive, regardless of the opponent. 

After Green Bay’s exciting end of the season and last two weeks of playoff wins, including beating the No. 1 seeded Falcons, the cheesehead bandwagon is rolling along. To cite a few reasons why the Packers are such a bandwagon-worthy team:

1. Aaron Rodgers is likable and much more so than Jay Cutler.

2. The Packers fought off injuries this year (Ryan Grant, JerMichael Finley, Rodgers himself).

3. They are the No. 6 seed and have had breakout playoff stars (James Starks, John Kuhn, James Jones).

4. The Packers are a classic team who haven’t been this good in a while (the Super Bowl trophy is named, after all, after legendary Packers coach Vince Lombardi).

5. Favre animosity.

So yes, I’ll admit that overall the Packers are a more likable team. I want them to win as well. But it won’t be a cake walk.

In fact, I don’t see it happening. 

The Bears defense ranked No. 2 in stopping the run this year. James Starks and John Kuhn are not elite runners, and they won’t fare well against this. Rodgers will have to throw a lot, and no quarterback who has to throw a lot does so without making mistakes. 

Green Bay’s run defense is not nearly as good. They ranked 18th this season. They have been playing well in the playoffs, but the Bears have an elite rusher in Matt Forte, who could easily pick up six yards a series, taking a lot of pressure off Cutler. 

Three other factors in the game are location, Julius Peppers and Devin Hester.

Soldier Field is hard for any team to play at, but it is especially challenging for Green Bay, who are extremely disliked in Chicago. They also played in a dome last week and now must play in the frigid Chicago outdoors.

Julius Peppers will certainly pressure Rodgers. I’m predicting he has three sacks on his own.

Finally, Green Bay won’t kick to Devin Hester, meaning that they will make bad punts out of bounds, resulting in Chicago field position. It will be Hester’s presence, not ability, that will make the difference. 

We all want Green Bay to win, but they won’t.

My Prediction:

Chicago: 23, Green Bay: 19

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