Bears vs Giants – Keys to the Game

The Bears and Giants face off in a Sunday night showdown in the Giants shiny new stadium in front of a national audience.  The Bears are coming off a prime-time win on Monday night against a Packers team that seemed to have the edge everywhere except the scoreboard.  Jay Cutler hasn’t performed especially well under the lights while the Giants have struggled so far this season.  Here are my keys to the game.

Gimme Fewell Gimme Fire

Does the name Perry Fewell ring a bell?  He’s a former Bears assistant who turned down the Bears Defensive Coordinator job to take the same position in New York.  He is a Cover-2 disciple, so there shouldn’t be anything that he’s doing that Jay Cutler hasn’t seen in practice.  Giants would love to get pressure on Cutler with their front four, but injuries have left the line in shambles.  Look for lots of blitzes and lots of hot routes by Cutler.

Tommie Can you Hear Me?

Julius Pepper has been a beast, but he’s been going to battle alone along the defensive front for the Bears.  Last week, Tommie Harris was a healthy scratch.  Will he come out motivated?  The coaches have issued the challenge.  Does Harris hear them?  Will he respond?  Now is the time to step it up.

It’s Johnny’s Turn

The Giants Special Teams are brutal.  Giants head coach Tom Coughlin has promised that his punter will be kicking away from the resurrected Devin Hester.  What does that mean?  It means it’s Johnny Knox’s turn to bring one back on a kick return.
That should cover all three phases.

My prediction?  Bears 26-23.

BEAR DOWN!!!

Through the month of October, my usual BEAR DOWN signoff will be in pink to raise awareness for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.