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From the ShadowLair
*Lovie Smith would really love to win this game. The 2 NFC teams he considers the most dangerous in the playoffs are the Saints and the Packers. I don't believe he fears the Eagles, Falcons, Giants - and any NFC West team - as much.
*But he is in a quandry : does he go all-out to win, potentially putting his key players at risk?
*He will go with a mixed-bag approach. He will begin the game full force. If things are going well, he will keep the pedal to the floor. However, he will alternate his starters with a more-than-usual dose of backups.
*Expect to see a very liberal dose of Chester Taylor (for Matt Forte) and Devin Aromashoudu for Hester.
Bears' Defensive Approach
1.Smith will want to force the Packers to take the patient approach; if drives must take 10+ plays, he counts on a mistake that can result in a turnover.
Therefore, Brandon Jackson and the Tight Ends (and perhaps Driver, if he is in the slot) become huge in this game.
2.Smith has done his homework. He wants to take away the "Jordy Nelson" Giants play. He will attempt to do this by instructing Urlacher to drop 2-3 yards deeper in the middle than usual.
He will also attempt to neutralize the back-shoulder routes along the sidelines by instructing the S & W LB's to take slightly deeped drops, thereby interfering with Rodger's sightlines down the sidelines.
3. In effect, the best Packer gameplan here is the one the Colts used in their Super Bowl victory over the Bears : take the short routes over the middle, be patient, take what the defense is giving you. Shallow crosses over the middle by Driver could be very effective as a counter, also.
4. Smith has studied the Packers. He wants :
a. to take Greg Jennings out of the game. To do this, he will shade a safety definitively to Jenning's side.
b. to make James Jones & Andrew Quarless consistently Rodger's best options. He sees the chances of a strip with
these guys a distinct possibility.
McCarthy should be really preaching to these 2 fellows (Jackson, too!) the importance of ball security.
5.Expect the defensive ends to take wide routes to the pocket and stay in their gaps in an attempt to take away Rodger's rollouts.
Bear's Offense
1. I think Smith will not want to run long drives Sunday - chances of injury/fatigue.
2.I think he will count on the Packers' eagerness to use a number of screens to Taylor.
3.Expect also to see a few jump balls to the outside receivers (he saw the Giants' game!) and a lot of quick slants - hoping the receivers can bust loose.
If the Packers can get to a 9+ lead, I expect to see Smith fold the tent and go heavily with backups.
*Lovie Smith would really love to win this game. The 2 NFC teams he considers the most dangerous in the playoffs are the Saints and the Packers. I don't believe he fears the Eagles, Falcons, Giants - and any NFC West team - as much.
*But he is in a quandry : does he go all-out to win, potentially putting his key players at risk?
*He will go with a mixed-bag approach. He will begin the game full force. If things are going well, he will keep the pedal to the floor. However, he will alternate his starters with a more-than-usual dose of backups.
*Expect to see a very liberal dose of Chester Taylor (for Matt Forte) and Devin Aromashoudu for Hester.
Bears' Defensive Approach
1.Smith will want to force the Packers to take the patient approach; if drives must take 10+ plays, he counts on a mistake that can result in a turnover.
Therefore, Brandon Jackson and the Tight Ends (and perhaps Driver, if he is in the slot) become huge in this game.
2.Smith has done his homework. He wants to take away the "Jordy Nelson" Giants play. He will attempt to do this by instructing Urlacher to drop 2-3 yards deeper in the middle than usual.
He will also attempt to neutralize the back-shoulder routes along the sidelines by instructing the S & W LB's to take slightly deeped drops, thereby interfering with Rodger's sightlines down the sidelines.
3. In effect, the best Packer gameplan here is the one the Colts used in their Super Bowl victory over the Bears : take the short routes over the middle, be patient, take what the defense is giving you. Shallow crosses over the middle by Driver could be very effective as a counter, also.
4. Smith has studied the Packers. He wants :
a. to take Greg Jennings out of the game. To do this, he will shade a safety definitively to Jenning's side.
b. to make James Jones & Andrew Quarless consistently Rodger's best options. He sees the chances of a strip with
these guys a distinct possibility.
McCarthy should be really preaching to these 2 fellows (Jackson, too!) the importance of ball security.
5.Expect the defensive ends to take wide routes to the pocket and stay in their gaps in an attempt to take away Rodger's rollouts.
Bear's Offense
1. I think Smith will not want to run long drives Sunday - chances of injury/fatigue.
2.I think he will count on the Packers' eagerness to use a number of screens to Taylor.
3.Expect also to see a few jump balls to the outside receivers (he saw the Giants' game!) and a lot of quick slants - hoping the receivers can bust loose.
If the Packers can get to a 9+ lead, I expect to see Smith fold the tent and go heavily with backups.
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