Packnut
09-08-2006, 11:44 AM
Chicago at Green Bay Matchups
QB RB WR OL DL LB DB ST Coach Overall
Tuesday, our scouts filed their advance scouting report on this week's matchup between the Bears and Packers. Now they're back with a second look.
The Bears will hope quarterback Rex Grossman can break out of his preseason funk and make both the throws and the decisions to effectively lead the offense. The dominating Chicago defense should shut down the mediocre Packers offense. If not, look for Lovie Smith to turn the offensive reins over to veteran Brian Griese, seeking the leadership to get a key division win versus Green Bay.
• Green Bay has given a very young offensive line the entire preseason to work together, hoping to see the new starting center and two rookie guards jell along with tackles Chad Clifton and Mark Tausher. Head coach Mike McCarthy is betting this is the case, but rookie offensive linemen usually take a couple years to grow into the position. If McCarthy loses this bet it could be a long day trying to stave off the outstanding defensive front of Chicago. This Bears' defense can wreak havoc with veteran offensive lines and should not be challenged by this inexperienced group.
• The Chicago Bears' front office and coaching staff have seemingly desired for second- year running back Cedric Benson and inconsistent quarterback Rex Grossman to be their stars of the future, yet injuries have prevented these two from living up to their potential. Grossman has shown flashes, yet has not fulfilled his promise due to season- ending injuries the past two years.
Benson has been hurt this preseason and has some disciplinary issues, placing him in the doghouse and allowing the very productive Thomas Jones to seize the starting job for opening day against the Packers. Grossman enters the opener as the man, but the Bears management positioned Chicago for the long haul by signing the reliable Brian Griese to lead the offense should Grossman falter.
• Head coach Lovie Smith and general manager Jerry Angelo successfully accomplished the key to succeeding during the new era of free agency, which is keeping a quality team together. The Bears kept all 22 starters on the roster, as well as adding several key free agents to provide depth in key areas. The defending NFC North Champions are both intact and prepared to make another run at the playoffs. The Bears added depth in the secondary with Carolina's Ricky Manning Jr. and solved the serious concerns at quarterback by bringing in Brian Griese as insurance should the Grossman not work out.
• Green Bay has improved the personnel on the defensive side of the ball and should be solid. The challenge for this group will be defending the short field should the offense turn the ball over or the kicking game put them in a bad position. The Bears' offense should be steady, but Chicago will not be an explosive offense. The Packers' defense will be challenged by the Bears' running game, but should not give up many explosive plays in the passing game.
• The Bears are a franchise positioning to annually push for a division championship, while the Packers are a storied franchise in transition with many new parts and some old ones working to re-establish themselves.
• Should this game stay close into the second half, fans should look for the Lambeau mystique to intervene and Favre to magically take over the game in the fourth quarter. Give the future hall of fame quarterback enough opportunities and he will make something special happen. Chicago does not want to give the Packers even a glimmer of hope late in the game or Favre is very capable of rallying his team.
Special Teams
It is only September so the weather should be fairly decent this Sunday, yet special teams could be a factor in this football game. The Packers lost extremely reliable kicker Ryan Longwell and his consistency in the kicking game for both points and field position.
Now they will be counting on a pair of inexperienced specialists in Canadian punter Jon Ryan, and second-year place kicker Dave Rayner. This could cause Green Bay problems in close contests in 2006.
Matchups
• Green Bay LOG Jason Spitz vs. Chicago DT Tommie Harris
• Green Bay ROG Tony Moll vs. Chicago NG Ian Scott
• Chicago RB Thomas Jones vs. Green Bay LB's A.J. Hawk, Nick Barnett, Paris Lenon
• Green Bay RB Ahman Green (Samkon Gado) vs. Chicago MLB Brian Urlacher
• Chicago WRs Muhsin Muhammad, Bernard Berrian and Mark Bradley vs. Green Bay Secondary
Scouts' Edge
The Chicago Bears simply are a better team on paper, but the game is played on grass. Chicago has a potentially great defense matched up against a Green Bay Packers' offense that has a horribly inexperienced offensive line, battered running backs, limited receivers and an aging quarterback. Chicago should win, but never discount Favre and his Packers in Lambeau.
Prediction: Packers 24, Bears 20
Also SeeScouts Inc. Previews
View all this week's games
QB RB WR OL DL LB DB ST Coach Overall
Tuesday, our scouts filed their advance scouting report on this week's matchup between the Bears and Packers. Now they're back with a second look.
The Bears will hope quarterback Rex Grossman can break out of his preseason funk and make both the throws and the decisions to effectively lead the offense. The dominating Chicago defense should shut down the mediocre Packers offense. If not, look for Lovie Smith to turn the offensive reins over to veteran Brian Griese, seeking the leadership to get a key division win versus Green Bay.
• Green Bay has given a very young offensive line the entire preseason to work together, hoping to see the new starting center and two rookie guards jell along with tackles Chad Clifton and Mark Tausher. Head coach Mike McCarthy is betting this is the case, but rookie offensive linemen usually take a couple years to grow into the position. If McCarthy loses this bet it could be a long day trying to stave off the outstanding defensive front of Chicago. This Bears' defense can wreak havoc with veteran offensive lines and should not be challenged by this inexperienced group.
• The Chicago Bears' front office and coaching staff have seemingly desired for second- year running back Cedric Benson and inconsistent quarterback Rex Grossman to be their stars of the future, yet injuries have prevented these two from living up to their potential. Grossman has shown flashes, yet has not fulfilled his promise due to season- ending injuries the past two years.
Benson has been hurt this preseason and has some disciplinary issues, placing him in the doghouse and allowing the very productive Thomas Jones to seize the starting job for opening day against the Packers. Grossman enters the opener as the man, but the Bears management positioned Chicago for the long haul by signing the reliable Brian Griese to lead the offense should Grossman falter.
• Head coach Lovie Smith and general manager Jerry Angelo successfully accomplished the key to succeeding during the new era of free agency, which is keeping a quality team together. The Bears kept all 22 starters on the roster, as well as adding several key free agents to provide depth in key areas. The defending NFC North Champions are both intact and prepared to make another run at the playoffs. The Bears added depth in the secondary with Carolina's Ricky Manning Jr. and solved the serious concerns at quarterback by bringing in Brian Griese as insurance should the Grossman not work out.
• Green Bay has improved the personnel on the defensive side of the ball and should be solid. The challenge for this group will be defending the short field should the offense turn the ball over or the kicking game put them in a bad position. The Bears' offense should be steady, but Chicago will not be an explosive offense. The Packers' defense will be challenged by the Bears' running game, but should not give up many explosive plays in the passing game.
• The Bears are a franchise positioning to annually push for a division championship, while the Packers are a storied franchise in transition with many new parts and some old ones working to re-establish themselves.
• Should this game stay close into the second half, fans should look for the Lambeau mystique to intervene and Favre to magically take over the game in the fourth quarter. Give the future hall of fame quarterback enough opportunities and he will make something special happen. Chicago does not want to give the Packers even a glimmer of hope late in the game or Favre is very capable of rallying his team.
Special Teams
It is only September so the weather should be fairly decent this Sunday, yet special teams could be a factor in this football game. The Packers lost extremely reliable kicker Ryan Longwell and his consistency in the kicking game for both points and field position.
Now they will be counting on a pair of inexperienced specialists in Canadian punter Jon Ryan, and second-year place kicker Dave Rayner. This could cause Green Bay problems in close contests in 2006.
Matchups
• Green Bay LOG Jason Spitz vs. Chicago DT Tommie Harris
• Green Bay ROG Tony Moll vs. Chicago NG Ian Scott
• Chicago RB Thomas Jones vs. Green Bay LB's A.J. Hawk, Nick Barnett, Paris Lenon
• Green Bay RB Ahman Green (Samkon Gado) vs. Chicago MLB Brian Urlacher
• Chicago WRs Muhsin Muhammad, Bernard Berrian and Mark Bradley vs. Green Bay Secondary
Scouts' Edge
The Chicago Bears simply are a better team on paper, but the game is played on grass. Chicago has a potentially great defense matched up against a Green Bay Packers' offense that has a horribly inexperienced offensive line, battered running backs, limited receivers and an aging quarterback. Chicago should win, but never discount Favre and his Packers in Lambeau.
Prediction: Packers 24, Bears 20
Also SeeScouts Inc. Previews
View all this week's games