Bears vs Redskins: Keys to a Chicago Bears Victory
Sep 29, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Matt Flynn (15) throws the ball while being pursued by Washington Redskins outside linebacker Ryan Kerrigan (91) in the second quarter at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Protection Plan
The Redskins might have their flaws, but one of them is not their pass rush. Ryan Kerrigan and Brian Orakpo are a couple of 3-4 outside linebackers that set the mold for what the Bears would like Shea McClellin to be. Brian Orakpo has 24 QB pressures so far this season, good enough for 8th in the league in pass rush efficiency. Kerrigan ranks 10th in that category.
Meanwhile, the Bears tackles Jordan Mills and Jermon Bushrod have been skidding since the first couple of games of the season. They’ve allowed 50 QB pressures between them, second worst for a tackle tandem in the league.
The Bears need to shore up their pass protection if they want to get Cutler to the bye week in one piece.
No Grudge Match
Oct 6, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) warms up before their game against the New Orleans Saints at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports
The last time the Bears faced the Redskins, Jay Cutler’s top receiver was Washington cornerback DeAngelo Hall. A DC radio station even had some fun at Cutler’s expense with a little preview commercial welcome #6 to town. Jay downplayed the matchup and called Hall “another guy” in his Thursday presser. That’s in contrast to what Cutler said after Hall picked him off four times:
"“There’s no reason to shy away from him. I mean, that’s hard for me to say, throwing four picks at a guy, but I’d still, if we had to play them tomorrow, I’d go at him every time if we could.”"
Cutler has enough ego to want to make this personal. This game cannot turn into a Jay Cutler vs DeAngelo Hall grudge match. If Jay wants to show Hall how big his balls are, invite him into the locker room after the game.
Oct 10, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte (22) rushes the ball against New York Giants outside linebacker Spencer Paysinger (54) during the second half at Soldier Field. Chicago defeats New York 27-21. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Century Club
Here are Matt Forte’s individual game rushing totals for the first 6 games of the season: 50, 88, 87, 95, 55, 67. Is anyone else surprised that Matt Forte hasn’t rushed for 100 yards yet? The offense needs to fix that. The offensive line has definitely improved, but if they want to become an elite unit, they’ll start opening some big holes.
Sure, the Bears have been getting Forte the ball aplenty in the passing game and he’s been getting a respectable number of touches, but if the Bears want to help their depleted defense, they need to start rushing the ball more effectively. A lot of Forte’s yardage has come on big runs and there are far too many rushes for no gain or minimal 1-2 yard gains.