Sept 13, 2012; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews (52) celebrates with defensive tackle Jerel Worthy (99) after a sack during the game against the Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-US PRESSWIRE

Backs against the wall, division title at stake, head coach’s job likely on the line, last home game of the season oh and the 186th meeting with the Green Bay Packers.  Could we pile anything onto this Week 15 matchup forthe Chicago Bears and their arch rivals from up North?

The Packers have dominated the series of late, having taken 5 straight games and 7 of the last 8 games.  It looks bleak for the Bears, who started the season 7-1 and are now scrapping to keep their hopes of a division title or a playoff appearance alive.

To help us prepare for this epic battle, we’ve enlisted the help of Ray Rivard, editor of our FanSided sister site Lombardi Avenue for our belated weekly 5 Questions.  Here are my questions and Ray’s answers: (more…)

Things look pretty grim for the Chicago Bears, losers of four of their last five after jumping out to a 7-1 first half of the season.  The leader of their defense, Brian Urlacher, is out, as are Tim Jennings, Earl Bennett, Robbie Gould and fellow special teams aces Sherrick McManis and Craig Steltz.  Henry Melton and Shea McClellin are doubtful.  The franchise quarterback is battling a stiff neck and a sprained MCL.  But other than that, the Bears are in great shape.

Despite the pile of injuries and the woeful recent record vs the Packers, the Bears can still win Sunday’s game and keep their hope for an NFC North title and their playoff aspirations alive.

RUN. THE. BALL.

Matt Forte hasn’t had his best season.  It’s unclear if that’s on him, on offensive coordinator Mike Tice, the offensive line or even new toy Brandon Marshall.  Whatever the reason, the best way to protect Jay Cutler is to run the ball.  Take it out of Cutler’s hands and go after the Packers and their 15th ranked rush defense.

Start Fast

The Bears cannot afford to get off to their usual slow start.  The worst thing they could do is let the Packers get off to a big lead.  If the Bears get down, they get horribly predictable on offense, paving the J’Webb highway for Clay Matthews right to Jay Cutler.

Corner Cobb

Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb is having the type of breakout season that the Bears dreamed of from Devin Hester.  Cobb has 71 catches for 777 yards and 7 TD’s.  With Greg Jennings just easing back from missing most of the season with a serious injury and Jordy Nelson now taking his turn on the bench with an injury, Cobb is the Packers biggest threat.  I hope the Bears can corner Cobb with Tillman and Kelvin Hayden, who’s filling in for the injured Tim Jennings.

One for the Road

There’s a growing belief that the Bears could be parting ways with Devin Hester, who has failed to live up to the hope he’d become a reliable contributor on offense and seems to have lost his MoJo in the return game.  I can’t think of a better way to send him off in his last regular season home game as a Bear than with a return TD .  The last time the Bears beat Green Bay, Hester had a stellar return to help bring the Bears back.  Remember it fondly here:

Those are my keys for a Bears victory, what are yours?  What do the Bears need to do to pull off this game and save their season and Lovie Smith’s career as Bears head coach?  Post your ideas in the Comments.

BEAR DOWN!!!

Jan 23, 2011; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears cornerback Tim Jennings (26) breaks up a pass intended for Green Bay Packers wide receiver Donald Driver (80) during the third quarter of the 2011 NFC championship game at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-US PRESSWIRE

When the Green Bay Packers open training camp at the end of this month there will be a huge battle for the #3 WR position.  The Packers that will be battling for the position are Donald Driver, Randall Cobb, and James Jones.  Driver has been in Green Bay since 1999, and father time has seemed to caught up to the 35 year old receiver, so it will be interesting if he gets the #3 receiver spot, a roster spot, or pink slip.

Driver has had the privilege to get to play in one of the best passing offenses in the past decade, that also has been one of  the most stable.  Driver has only ever had 3 different quarterbacks pass him the ball,  future Hall of Famer Brett Favre, Super Bowl MVP Aaron Rodgers, and ” most wanted free agent qb” Matt Flynn.  That’s pretty incredible after 14 years in the NFL. If Driver had been drafted by the Bears, on the other hand, he would have all these names throw him the ball during the same career- Shane Matthews, Cade McNown, Jim Miller, Chris Chandler, Henry Burris, Kordell Stewart,  Jonathan Quinn, Craig Krenzel, Chad Hutchinson, Rex Grossman, Kyle Orton, Jay Cutler, Caleb Hanie, and Josh McCown.

Driver’s career numbers are very impressive 735 receptions 10,060 yards 59 touchdowns.  Driver has had seven 1,000 yard seasons and seven seasons of 70 receptions or more.  He ranks first all time in Packers history in games, receptions, and yards as a receiver.  His time with the team though could come to an end in training camp.  James Jones has the talent to be as high as the #2 receiver except for his hands of stone as he ranked #2 in dropped pass % last year.  The other option for #3 WR  is 2nd year man Randall Cobb.

Cobb seems to be the choice that the coaching staff will be pulling for in training camp.  He has the speed to be a good slot guy like Victor Cruz was for the NY Giants last season.  Cobb had the sensational kickoff return on opening night last season against the New Orleans Saints. Cobb will be afforded every opportunity to seize the position in training camp.

Driver wants to end his career as a Packer, so he will need to prove to the staff he still has the ability although his stats state they are in decline.  The Packers are very strong at receiver with Greg Jennings and Jordy Nelson as their top two receivers.  It must be a nice problem for Coach McCarthy to have to choose between so much talent to take the field at one position.  This will be the first season that the Bears will honestly be able to say, without the Martz propoganda machine in prior years,  they have as much talent  in comparison to the Packers at the wide receiver  position.  For a team that is considered nationally as a lock for the NFC North title, the Packers  have a lot of battles at many positions come training camp.

My prediction is that Driver makes the roster but not the #3 WR spot to start the season.  He will be counted on for his veteran leadership, and to be able to fill in if an injury does occur to the wide receiving core.  If he doesn’t make the team he still will be able to dance off the stage right into retirement as a life long Packer.

It was Bearly worth mentioning, but they are our rivals!!

DA BEARS!!!