Scouting Report on the Bears

[CaliforniaCheez]

Cutler is going to go for the throat of Sam Shields. Watch them run multiple receivers through his zone attempting to get him to go with one and leave the other open.

Chillar and Barnett on Olsen is an important match up.

If the D can get Cutler rattled early with pressure and an INT success will come.

Rodgers might get 75 yards rushing (before the kneel downs).

[Pugger]

It is always a battle with Chicago no matter what their record is. It appears they are playing much better so winning this game is going to be a daunting task. To get out of there with a W we have to continue to play well on ST, protect Rodgers' backside, not turn the ball over and let CM3 and friends get after Cutlet.

[Tony Oday]

Cutler is going to go for the throat of Sam Shields. Watch them run multiple receivers through his zone attempting to get him to go with one and leave the other open.

Chillar and Barnett on Olsen is an important match up.

If the D can get Cutler rattled early with pressure and an INT success will come.

Rodgers might get 75 yards rushing (before the kneel downs).

So Sam Shields gets 3 picks and defensive player of the week?

[mmmdk]

Chicago might not be Super Bowl contenders but Bears are rock solid and healthy again. Their playmakers are back on track early in the season and the offense ain't killing themselves.

It's Bear week - my favorite matchup 'cos it oozes with history and it's the greatest rivalry in NFL.

[denverYooper]

Cutler is going to go for the throat of Sam Shields. Watch them run multiple receivers through his zone attempting to get him to go with one and leave the other open.

Chillar and Barnett on Olsen is an important match up.

If the D can get Cutler rattled early with pressure and an INT success will come.

Rodgers might get 75 yards rushing (before the kneel downs).

So Sam Shields gets 3 picks and defensive player of the week?

I have a feeling that if Shields get tested he might get beat a couple of times but will make a play or 2 also. I like having his speed out there this week.

[Bossman641]

Scouts Inc take on the game. I'll post the advanced scouting report later in the week.

1. The Packers must utilize their wide-open offense early: At 2-0, Chicago's got a lot of confidence. This game is at Soldier Field. If they come out quickly, the crowd will become a factor. Green Bay's clear superiority here is the vertical passing game. If the Packers script the first dozen or so plays with a heavy dose of passes, it could take the air of the Bears early.

2. Green Bay must continue to run the football: With Ryan Grant out for the season, Brandon Jackson became the main back. In Week 2 against the Buffalo Bills, the Packers had only 91 yards on the ground. It wasn't overly impressive, but the mere threat of the run will keep a defense honest and open up play-action opportunities. Aaron Rodgers is very strong in that facet of being a QB. If he can get Lance Briggs, Brian Urlacher and company to bite, it could be a long night for the Bears.

3. Will the Packers show us a lot of nickel coverages? Chicago is not going to try to jam the run down their throats, so the Packers may have the luxury of giving Jay Cutler a lot of looks to figure out.

4. The value of the Bears' Cover 2: It's hard to throw the deep ball against a Cover 2, especially if the safety can get to the outside. Rodgers has the skills -- and the weapons -- to throw the deep out, although we haven't seen a ton of it in Weeks 1 and 2. The Bears' base defensive scheme could prevent it again.

5. Matchup to watch: Green Bay TE Jermichael Finley vs. Urlacher: Finley is an excellent vertical receiver; he does a terrific job on the seam route and really puts pressure on the safeties. If the Bears play a lot of Cover 2, Rodgers will lure the safeties outside to free up the deep middle of the field. Then it's all Finley vs. Urlacher. Urlacher is still elite -- one of the best at covering TEs in the NFL -- but can he win this matchup consistently without help over the top?

6. Mike Martz needs to throw the screen and check-downs: Martz has two good receiving backs in Matt Forte and Chester Taylor, and heavy blitz defenses leave big holes on the second level. The screen play has become a staple of this offense and if the Packers continue to attack on defense, it could be an effective weapon.

7. Look at Cutler's steps on the dropback: In the early parts of the Week 2 game, Cutler was getting destroyed by the Dallas rush. Mike Martz and OL coach Mike Tice made some adjustments -- going to shorter three and five-step drops -- and he got the ball out quicker and started being effective. The Packers have a good defense and can get after the QB (see the next point), so Cutler needs to be getting the ball out to someone very fast.

8. The Bears must figure out a way to stop OLB Clay Matthews: Matthews is on a 48-sack pace this season! Obviously, the Bears will game plan for him and try some double teams, but that is easier said than done because the coaches move him all around the formation -- to not only avoid those double teams, but also to find good one-on-one matchups. His pressure is relentless.

9. The Bears must play better on third down, on both sides of the ball: Even though the win against Dallas was nice, the Bears were 1-for-11 on third downs. That probably won't cut it against Green Bay.

10. Matchup to watch: Green Bay LT Bryan Bulaga versus Chicago RDE Julius Peppers: Bulaga moved to LT in Week 2 to replace an ailing Chad Clifton and fared well -- but he is a rookie. He has good movement skills, but Peppers is a veteran with a variety of moves who has looked good this year so far. Bulaga must protect Rodgers' backside.



Prediction
Green Bay 27
Chicago 14

[mission]

The Bears don't even beat the Lions and then they're 1 for 11 on 3rd down against Dallas?

I know it's a division game and anything can happen, but if we're a legitimate SB contender, we should win this game by at least 10 points. I'm not calling a massive blowout, just a good solid win that's never questioned.

The Bears are not for real and exactly what we expected them to be. They just happen to have a 2-0 record right now.

[RashanGary]

The Bears don't even beat the Lions and then they're 1 for 11 on 3rd down against Dallas?

I know it's a division game and anything can happen, but if we're a legitimate SB contender, we should win this game by at least 10 points. I'm not calling a massive blowout, just a good solid win that's never questioned.

The Bears are not for real and exactly what we expected them to be. They just happen to have a 2-0 record right now.

I don't think the Bears are as good as we are, but they have Urlacher and Peppers right now. Both players they didn't have last year. Cutler has had a great start to the season.

This is no gimme game, but if I had to wager, I'd bet on the Packer. We just have more talent and less holes. We should win this one.

[Gunakor]

I like our chances with #5. Jermismatch Finley would win that battle no matter who the opposition decides to have covering him. Any opposition. He's uncoverable without safety help IMO. Even if it's a healthy Urlacher.

As far as #10 goes, has MM indicated who will be starting at LT against Chicago yet? Last I heard, if Clifton was okay to go he would be the starter, but no official decision had been made yet. The analysis given in #10 assumes that BB would certainly be the starter. TBH, I hope Clifton is good to go. I have my concerns about a rookie making his first NFL start against a beast like Julius Peppers. I have a feeling that Clifton at 80% would be more effective in that role than Bulaga would be at 100%.

[Lurker64]

As far as #10 goes, has MM indicated who will be starting at LT against Chicago yet? .

Unbalanced line! Bulaga as tackle-eligible!

[denverYooper]

CHTV's opposition research article..

Meaty.