Key to Bears game this Sunday

[Spaulding]

If you had to pick one key on defense and one on offense, what would it be?

I think the key defensively is stopping Forte both on the run and the dump off screens or swing passes. He gashed us underneath quite a bit and kept some drives going. Hopefully the Pack can get away with minimal blitzing with Matthews, Raji, and Jenkins producing pressure out of base defense and using the blitzing only on certain down/distances. Otherwise I think Forte gets free for some big plays.

I think the key on offense is the WR's consistency. Late in the season they seemed to have problems with concentration but against Atlanta they were lights out. Barring the WR's with another case of the dropsies, I'd think we put up at least 20 which should be enough to win barring massive special teams breakdowns or a slew of turnovers.

[Freak Out]

Stopping Forte would be the key on D one would think.....no drops and no TO's on offense. The Bears will probably be able to stuff the run but you have to keep them honest and keep trying....to a certain extent.

I hope the weather is ok (not windy)....if it comes down to a slugfest I don't like the odds.

[Packers4Glory]

The key is going to be special teams. Its the only area chicago has a huge advantage. chicago has won a lot of games this yr playing excellent ST and playing the field position game. How we handle KO's and punts is going to be the most important aspect of sundays game. we can't give up big return yards, however we can't be getting cute on kick offs and handing them the ball on the 40 each time either.

[mraynrand]

Trenches. It always comes down to the trenches. You win that battle on Defense and Forte won't gash you and Cutler will throw picks. You win on offense and Rodgers will slice their secondary to ribbons. Packers will struggle against the Chicago D line. they have to win enough to score a few TDs. on the other side, the Packer should be able to control the line, but Chicago will challenge them to stand up to a heavy dose of runs at Walden. If the Packers don't shut that down reasonably well, Cutler will hurt them with play action because they have some speed at skill positions - Knox and Hester can get open across the middle, and Olsen will get open versus Collins or Peprah if Cutler has too much time, because they will have to cover the entire field due to the strength of Cutler's arm.

[Fritz]

Trenches. It always comes down to the trenches. You win that battle on Defense and Forte won't gash you and Cutler will throw picks. You win on offense and Rodgers will slice their secondary to ribbons. Packers will struggle against the Chicago D line. they have to win enough to score a few TDs. on the other side, the Packer should be able to control the line, but Chicago will challenge them to stand up to a heavy dose of runs at Walden. If the Packers don't shut that down reasonably well, Cutler will hurt them with play action because they have some speed at skill positions - Knox and Hester can get open across the middle, and Olsen will get open versus Collins or Peprah if Cutler has too much time, because they will have to cover the entire field due to the strength of Cutler's arm.

What he said.

[OS PA]

Two players that will play a huge role in winning Sunday: Cullen Jenkins and Bryan Bulaga.

[steve823]

Two players that will play a huge role in winning Sunday: Cullen Jenkins and Bryan Bulaga.

Agreed, especially about Bulaga. If he plays like he did last game it will be a huge boost for our offense. (Bulaga only allowed one sack and no other pressure and did good in run blocking last game)

[Guiness]

I think the Clifton vs Peppers matchup is going to be an important one - need to keep him off of Rodgers, and out of the backfield in general. I wonder if Crabtree will get some quality time chipping him?

[denverYooper]

Fun fact, the last 4 teams to get a KOR TD in the playoffs have gone on to lose. Not since 2001 has a team with a KOR TD won, and their opponent in that game scored on a KO also...

1    ATL 2010 2011-01-15   GNB 19 17 Sat L 21-48          1       0       0       0
2    CHI 2006 2007-02-04 N IND  0 19 Sun L 17-29          1       0       0       0
3    DAL 2006 2007-01-06   SEA  0 17 Sat L 20-21          1       0       0       0
4    KAN 2003 2004-01-11   IND  0 17 Sun L 31-38          1       0       0       0
5    NYG 2000 2001-01-28 N BAL  0 19 Sun  L 7-34          1       0       0       0
6    BAL 2000 2001-01-28 N NYG  0 20 Sun  W 34-7          1       0       1       0
7    NYG 2000 2001-01-07   PHI  0 17 Sun W 20-10          1       0       1       0

[BobDobbs]

Fun fact, the last 4 teams to get a KOR TD in the playoffs have gone on to lose. Not since 2001 has a team with a KOR TD won, and their opponent in that game scored on a KO also...

1    ATL 2010 2011-01-15   GNB 19 17 Sat L 21-48          1       0       0       0
2    CHI 2006 2007-02-04 N IND  0 19 Sun L 17-29          1       0       0       0
3    DAL 2006 2007-01-06   SEA  0 17 Sat L 20-21          1       0       0       0
4    KAN 2003 2004-01-11   IND  0 17 Sun L 31-38          1       0       0       0
5    NYG 2000 2001-01-28 N BAL  0 19 Sun  L 7-34          1       0       0       0
6    BAL 2000 2001-01-28 N NYG  0 20 Sun  W 34-7          1       0       1       0
7    NYG 2000 2001-01-07   PHI  0 17 Sun W 20-10          1       0       1       0

So we should probably defer if we win the toss and then let them score off the opening kickoff and the game is basically over.

That's a weird stat. But honestly its hard for me to think this is going to be a high scoring game with how good the defenses are. They've got a better running game and running defense. We have a better passing game and passing defense. It's not like its going to -40 wind chill with 40 mph winds, its going to be in the human range. Our quarterback is better than theirs. There's the advantage.

The difference in the game is turnovers. Each team excels at taking it away and each offense has had streaks of giving the ball away too often. And I think every fumble that James Jones has lost in his career has been against the Bears, that's scary.

I know its almost not worth typing because its the biggest cliche in football, but whoever wins the turnover battle wins the game.

[Gunakor]

we should probably defer if we win the toss.

Absolutely agree with this. Even without that rather odd stat, given the way our season has played out I want my defense on the field first to set the tone.

[VermontPackFan]

If you had to pick one key on defense and one on offense, what would it be?

I agree with others that keeping Hester in check will be a key to winning this game and also winning the battles on the OL & DL. If I had to narrow it down and get specific, my single key would be forcing the Chicago D to rush more than 4 to create pressure on ARod. If we can contain Peppers and company and force them to bring 5 or 6 on blitzes to create pressure, ARod will carve their secondary up.

Next stop, Dallas, TX...

[Packers4Glory]

over under 2 penalties on Clifton for lining up too far off the line of scrimmage?

[RashanGary]

A clean game. That means at least tie the turn over battle, keep penalties down and don't get destroyed on ST's.

Offense and defense, I think we're taking the superior team to Chicago. It's no dome, but the conditions look adequate for passing the football. They will score less on our defense than we do on theirs. If we can play a clean game, we will win.

McCarthy has the right approach. I've listened to every MM press conference in the last 4 or 5 years. I've never heard him so committed to just doing what they do. He said Chicago knows what we do. We know what they do. It's going to come down to the players on the field. My biggest complaint with McCarthy is his tendency to get cute. Well, he doesn't sound like a guy with even the slightest urge to get cute against the Bears. I think that bodes well for the Pack.

[denverYooper]

Remember this?



That didn't turn out so well...

Getting the #2 seed and first round bye? Check
Playing Seattle in the Divisional Round and rolling? Check
Snowy SI cover? Check
Playing the #6 seed at home for the Halas Trophy? ...

[Little Whiskey]

Nice!

[Little Whiskey]

Remember this?



That didn't turn out so well...

Getting the #2 seed and first round bye? Check
Playing Seattle in the Divisional Round and rolling? Check
Snowy SI cover? Check
Playing the #6 seed at home for the Halas Trophy? ...

nice!

[Smidgeon]

Remember this?



That didn't turn out so well...

Getting the #2 seed and first round bye? Check
Playing Seattle in the Divisional Round and rolling? Check
Snowy SI cover? Check
Playing the #6 seed at home for the Halas Trophy? ...

Well, techinically the Giants were the #5 seed...

[denverYooper]

Well, techinically the Giants were the #5 seed...

Oops. I should have said "Playing a 10-6 wildcard team at home for the Halas Trophy". I'd go back and fix it but don't have the option to edit that post now.

[denverYooper]

Bears are doomed: