K-town
10-04-2007, 03:25 PM
Surging Packers host struggling Bears
By Scouts Inc
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Why To Watch
This should be an excellent matchup between last year's division winner and the present leader in the NFC North. In last week's loss to Detroit, Chicago started an entirely new secondary from its opening day foursome and gave up 37 points. It was also Brian Griese's first game as the starter after taking over for Rex Grossman, but he didn't fare much better. The Packers won a tough one in Minnesota in a game where Brett Favre set the all-time record for touchdown passes thrown. Mike McCarthy is no longer looking for Favre to just manage games. Instead, he needs the future Hall of Famer to go out and win games. So far, Favre is obliging.
When the Bears have the ball
Rushing: Green Bay's defense had not allowed a rushing touchdown or 100 yards rushing in a game this year before traveling to Minnesota. But, the Vikings' Adrian Peterson had a big game against the Packers defense, posting 112 yards on just 12 carries. However, the Bears do not have someone with Peterson's big play ability. Cedric Benson is big and powerful, but doesn't always run like it and will not break long runs. The Bears' running game has been pedestrian and, as a result, opposing defenses are not biting on play action as much as a year ago. Opposing running backs have caught a lot of passes against the Packers, but Benson brings little in that department as well. Green Bay did a great job of run blitzing the Chargers two weeks ago and very well could take that approach again in this game. This is an intense, well-coached defense that flies to the ball carrier.
Passing: Even though he threw three interceptions last week, Griese should be a better caretaker than Grossman. He is more mechanically sound and make better decisions. The peaks will not be as high, but there will be fewer valleys. Griese will have much more freedom with his audibles to get out of a bad situation. The Bears will probably run a lot more crossing routes and slants with Griese as opposed to the deep outs and comebacks that were prominent with Grossman. Green Bay will play a lot of press, man-to-man coverage and their starting cornerbacks, Al Harris and Charles Woodson, make up one of the best tandems in the league today. These two make the entire defense go and allow the Packers to be far more aggressive in their play calling. The Bears have talent at the wide receiver position, but Harris and Woodson will have success against Chicago's starters without a lot of safety support over the top. Nickelback Jarrett Bush has emerged as a pretty good young player as well, but he was picked on last week. Griese will have to be patient, check down and take what is available. That will probably mean a lot of throws to his tight ends and running backs. Bernard Berrian is the wild card however. While either of the Packers' corners probably has the advantage over Berrian, he is blazing fast and capable of a huge play at any time.
Packers LDE Aaron Kampman plays the game very hard and, perhaps more importantly, with great fundamentals and leverage. He uses his hands extremely well and is a great counter puncher when his opponent makes a mistake. He has a variety of pass rush moves and is difficult to read. Cullen Jenkins plays opposite Kampman and his performance has gone a bit under the radar. He is an excellent two-way end who is very disruptive. Kampman, Jenkins and Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila abused Minnesota's offensive tackles last week and should propose plenty of problems for Chicago in both the run and pass game. With first-round pick Greg Olsen healthy, look for the Bears to utilize more double tight end sets to help with the Packers' ends. This also gives Chicago more versatility in both the run and passing game. Olsen is fast and capable of stretching the field.
When the Packers have the ball
Rushing: The Packers do not trust their running game, nor should they. Last week, they faced an elite, run-stuffing defense in Minnesota and more or less just ignored this aspect of their offense. Vernand Morency is back from his knee injury and could get the bulk of the carries against Chicago, but the Packers have many running backs and predicting who will carry the most is very difficult. There are no particularly enticing options. The Bears faced Detroit last week and although the Lions have done very little on the ground this year, they were able to run the ball effectively late in the game to seal the victory. The Bears' defense is banged up, lacking depth and isn't real big. They are prone to wearing down, but it is doubtful that Green Bay stays dedicated enough to the running game for this to occur.
Passing: Green Bay used a lot of double tight end, three wide receiver sets against San Diego two weeks ago and clearly is not afraid to go empty with Favre in the shotgun and let him pick and choose which matchup he prefers. Donald Driver has been especially productive out of the slot this year, while Greg Jennings is finally healthy and James Jones has all the makings of a very good NFL receiver. Jones is big and physical with very good speed and run after the catch ability, which is especially important in Green Bay's quick-hitting passing attack. The Packers' receivers run a lot of slants and curls and Favre gets everyone possible involved. Green Bay is also getting much more than expected from their tight ends and Chicago has had their struggles shutting down opposing tight ends this year. Favre is also doing a great job of controlling the tempo of the offense and infusing his energy on his young inexperienced teammates. The pass protection is holding up as well, which is a must when going empty, but Favre is also a master of throwing out of compromising positions, especially off his back foot. Outside of Dallas' Terrell Owens, the Bears have been tough on wide receivers. This trend doesn't bode particularly well for the Packers. While they spread the ball around well, the wideouts are still the primary and most dangerous weapons in this pass happy offense. Chicago's defensive line hasn't gotten to quarterbacks as quickly as in the past and this has forced its cover men to hold their coverage too long. Last week, Favre was extremely patient against the Vikings' Cover 2 scheme and needs to take that same approach against a very similar Bears' defense. Expect more of the same from this passing attack -- a lot of slants, dump offs, screens and underneath crossing patterns to control the tempo and produce plays after the catch. Why change what's been working?
Special Teams
Everyone knows about Devin Hester and he deserves all the accolades, but the rest of Chicago's special teams are very strong as well. The Bears blocked a field goal against Kansas City two weeks ago and although Hester can make a lot out of a little, the other members of the return units deserve a lot of credit for his success as well. Brad Maynard and Robbie Gould have been consistent and reliable. Lovie Smith is a huge believer in the importance of special teams and special teams coach Dave Toub has established himself as one of the top in the profession.
By Scouts Inc
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Why To Watch
This should be an excellent matchup between last year's division winner and the present leader in the NFC North. In last week's loss to Detroit, Chicago started an entirely new secondary from its opening day foursome and gave up 37 points. It was also Brian Griese's first game as the starter after taking over for Rex Grossman, but he didn't fare much better. The Packers won a tough one in Minnesota in a game where Brett Favre set the all-time record for touchdown passes thrown. Mike McCarthy is no longer looking for Favre to just manage games. Instead, he needs the future Hall of Famer to go out and win games. So far, Favre is obliging.
When the Bears have the ball
Rushing: Green Bay's defense had not allowed a rushing touchdown or 100 yards rushing in a game this year before traveling to Minnesota. But, the Vikings' Adrian Peterson had a big game against the Packers defense, posting 112 yards on just 12 carries. However, the Bears do not have someone with Peterson's big play ability. Cedric Benson is big and powerful, but doesn't always run like it and will not break long runs. The Bears' running game has been pedestrian and, as a result, opposing defenses are not biting on play action as much as a year ago. Opposing running backs have caught a lot of passes against the Packers, but Benson brings little in that department as well. Green Bay did a great job of run blitzing the Chargers two weeks ago and very well could take that approach again in this game. This is an intense, well-coached defense that flies to the ball carrier.
Passing: Even though he threw three interceptions last week, Griese should be a better caretaker than Grossman. He is more mechanically sound and make better decisions. The peaks will not be as high, but there will be fewer valleys. Griese will have much more freedom with his audibles to get out of a bad situation. The Bears will probably run a lot more crossing routes and slants with Griese as opposed to the deep outs and comebacks that were prominent with Grossman. Green Bay will play a lot of press, man-to-man coverage and their starting cornerbacks, Al Harris and Charles Woodson, make up one of the best tandems in the league today. These two make the entire defense go and allow the Packers to be far more aggressive in their play calling. The Bears have talent at the wide receiver position, but Harris and Woodson will have success against Chicago's starters without a lot of safety support over the top. Nickelback Jarrett Bush has emerged as a pretty good young player as well, but he was picked on last week. Griese will have to be patient, check down and take what is available. That will probably mean a lot of throws to his tight ends and running backs. Bernard Berrian is the wild card however. While either of the Packers' corners probably has the advantage over Berrian, he is blazing fast and capable of a huge play at any time.
Packers LDE Aaron Kampman plays the game very hard and, perhaps more importantly, with great fundamentals and leverage. He uses his hands extremely well and is a great counter puncher when his opponent makes a mistake. He has a variety of pass rush moves and is difficult to read. Cullen Jenkins plays opposite Kampman and his performance has gone a bit under the radar. He is an excellent two-way end who is very disruptive. Kampman, Jenkins and Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila abused Minnesota's offensive tackles last week and should propose plenty of problems for Chicago in both the run and pass game. With first-round pick Greg Olsen healthy, look for the Bears to utilize more double tight end sets to help with the Packers' ends. This also gives Chicago more versatility in both the run and passing game. Olsen is fast and capable of stretching the field.
When the Packers have the ball
Rushing: The Packers do not trust their running game, nor should they. Last week, they faced an elite, run-stuffing defense in Minnesota and more or less just ignored this aspect of their offense. Vernand Morency is back from his knee injury and could get the bulk of the carries against Chicago, but the Packers have many running backs and predicting who will carry the most is very difficult. There are no particularly enticing options. The Bears faced Detroit last week and although the Lions have done very little on the ground this year, they were able to run the ball effectively late in the game to seal the victory. The Bears' defense is banged up, lacking depth and isn't real big. They are prone to wearing down, but it is doubtful that Green Bay stays dedicated enough to the running game for this to occur.
Passing: Green Bay used a lot of double tight end, three wide receiver sets against San Diego two weeks ago and clearly is not afraid to go empty with Favre in the shotgun and let him pick and choose which matchup he prefers. Donald Driver has been especially productive out of the slot this year, while Greg Jennings is finally healthy and James Jones has all the makings of a very good NFL receiver. Jones is big and physical with very good speed and run after the catch ability, which is especially important in Green Bay's quick-hitting passing attack. The Packers' receivers run a lot of slants and curls and Favre gets everyone possible involved. Green Bay is also getting much more than expected from their tight ends and Chicago has had their struggles shutting down opposing tight ends this year. Favre is also doing a great job of controlling the tempo of the offense and infusing his energy on his young inexperienced teammates. The pass protection is holding up as well, which is a must when going empty, but Favre is also a master of throwing out of compromising positions, especially off his back foot. Outside of Dallas' Terrell Owens, the Bears have been tough on wide receivers. This trend doesn't bode particularly well for the Packers. While they spread the ball around well, the wideouts are still the primary and most dangerous weapons in this pass happy offense. Chicago's defensive line hasn't gotten to quarterbacks as quickly as in the past and this has forced its cover men to hold their coverage too long. Last week, Favre was extremely patient against the Vikings' Cover 2 scheme and needs to take that same approach against a very similar Bears' defense. Expect more of the same from this passing attack -- a lot of slants, dump offs, screens and underneath crossing patterns to control the tempo and produce plays after the catch. Why change what's been working?
Special Teams
Everyone knows about Devin Hester and he deserves all the accolades, but the rest of Chicago's special teams are very strong as well. The Bears blocked a field goal against Kansas City two weeks ago and although Hester can make a lot out of a little, the other members of the return units deserve a lot of credit for his success as well. Brad Maynard and Robbie Gould have been consistent and reliable. Lovie Smith is a huge believer in the importance of special teams and special teams coach Dave Toub has established himself as one of the top in the profession.