Bears vs Packers: Inside the Matchups
Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Packers Passing Offense (13th, 248.6 YPG) vs Bears Pass Defense (23rd, 262.3 YPG)
Nov 4, 2013; Green Bay, WI, USA; Chicago Bears defensive end Shea McClellin (99) and cornerback Isaiah Frey (31) sacks Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) in the 1st quarter at Lambeau Field. Rodgers left the game with a hand injury after the play. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Hot knife, meet butter. Aaron Rodgers, meet the Chicago Bears secondary. This matchup has been a man against boys. The best chance the Bears have to keep this matchup close is to get Shea “Widowmaker” McClellin take out Rodgers again. Lance Briggs admitted as much the other day when asked about the Bears’ success in Green Bay last season. McClellin has 4,5 of his career 7.5 sacks against the Packers. At least he gets the rivalry. (Tongue firmly planted in cheek!)
Rookie Kyle Fuller came off a rookie of the month performance in September to face a harsh reality when the Bears last met up with the Packers a few weeks ago. Jordy Nelson took him to the woodshed. Let’s see how the rookie responds in this matchup. Can he make the adjustments to slow down Nelson?
Speaking of adjustments, the biggest adjustments need to be made by Mel Tucker. If he has his guys just sit back in zones, Aaron Rodgers will carve them up again. They need to redirect receivers’ routes at the line. They need to mix up their coverage. They need to disguise their blitzes and get home when they do blitz.
Jeremiah Ratliff and Jared Allen are both expected to play Sunday after missing their first matchup this season. Allen has recorded 16 sacks in 13 career games against the Packers, so this should set up as a good game for him. Both he and Ratliff should both have a positive impact on this game. They both need to have a positive impact on the game. If they don’t, it’s going to be a long night for the Bears.
Advantage: Packers
Prediction
I hate to pick against my Beloved Bears, but there’s no reason in the world to think they can win this game. I think the Bears offense will improve and should move the ball. I am making a bold prediction that Cutler has zero turnovers. But the problem this week is on the other side of the ball. The Bears defense has no answers for Aaron Rodgers. Packers win going away.
Packers 41 – Bears 31
So what do you think? Can the Bears open the second half of the season with a W or is it more of the same? Is there any hope for the season?