It's Bear Week I

[Joemailman]

Like last year, the Packers are 2-0 going into Chicago. Unlike last year, the Bears are 1-1. This will be a huge game for them. A loss would put them down 2 games to the Packers.

My guess is the Packers are going to get Tramon Williams back, but probably have to play without Nick Collins. My biggest concern defensively is Matt Forte. 2 weeks in a row, the Packers have been gashed by backs catching passes out of the backfield. Forte has the ability to turn a screen pass into a long TD.

Offensively, the key is protecting the football. The Packers will move the football against the Bears. The Bears though are probably the best at stripping the ball. Right? James Jones? Urlacher always seems to make a big play against the Packers. Having Finley back should help.

[hoosier]

Agreed about containing Forte and ball security on offense. They will also need a repeat performance from Masthay and the punt coverage unit. It will be interesting to see whether they can generate consistent pressure on Cutler with the Bears's substandard OL.

[Joemailman]

Gabe Carimi was hurt yesterday, and all of Saint's sacks came after he went out. His status is uncertain for Sunday. Of course, one big difference is that in this game the Bears O-Linemen will be able to hear the snap count, which likely was not the case in New Orleans.

[hoosier]

The Chicago Tribune has an article today in which the writer claims that Martz yesterday reverted to the "egomaniacal" coordinator who tries to make the team fit his system rather than the other way around. He continued to ignore the run and ran slow developing deep routes even after it became clear that the Bears OL couldn't keep the Saints defenders off Cutler. The Packers chances will improve greatly if they can generate pressure with three or four while keeping Forte in check as a reciever.

[smuggler]

Definitely agree on Forte. No word on Camini yet, but he seems questionable at best. Major Wright and Nick Collins are both out at least this week.

[rbaloha1]

Gabe Carimi was hurt yesterday, and all of Saint's sacks came after he went out. His status is uncertain for Sunday. Of course, one big difference is that in this game the Bears O-Linemen will be able to hear the snap count, which likely was not the case in New Orleans.

Good point. Expect hard fought typical Packer-Bear game.

[rbaloha1]

The Chicago Tribune has an article today in which the writer claims that Martz yesterday reverted to the "egomaniacal" coordinator who tries to make the team fit his system rather than the other way around. He continued to ignore the run and ran slow developing deep routes even after it became clear that the Bears OL couldn't keep the Saints defenders off Cutler. The Packers chances will improve greatly if they can generate pressure with three or four while keeping Forte in check as a reciever.

Good info. This plays right into the Packer's hand.

[Smidgeon]

Is it just me, or does Cutler look thinner this year? No more neck fat. I wonder if the criticism he got this offseason got to him and he worked out harder than he ever has before. Has anyone watched any games? Is he playing better? Will this one be extra tough?

[pbmax]

Is it just me, or does Cutler look thinner this year? No more neck fat. I wonder if the criticism he got this offseason got to him and he worked out harder than he ever has before. Has anyone watched any games? Is he playing better? Will this one be extra tough?

He broke up with his fiance, so he had to get back into dating trim.

[mmmdk]

He broke up with his fiance, so he had to get back into dating trim.

Funny stuff

[Joemailman]

Maybe he's a bad enough cook that he's eating less.

[smuggler]

I'm guessing he got a little more trim to better avoid knee injuries. And the horrible, horrible criticism they bring.

Speaking of knee injuries: http://espn.go.com/chicago/nfl/story...ted-right-knee

Bears rook Gabe Carimi is, best case scenario, out for about 4 weeks. I haven't anything on the results any diagnostic imaging, but I imagine this is because he tore his LCL. If he damaged other ligaments as well, he could be out 6-10 weeks or, in the worse case, for the rest of the year.

Not that I want the Bears to have an excuse, but this makes their game with us next week quite an uphill battle.

[buchunter03]

Bears first rounder Gabe Carimi dislocates knee... per ProFootballTalk on twitter

[sheepshead]

The Chicago Tribune has an article today in which the writer claims that Martz yesterday reverted to the "egomaniacal" coordinator who tries to make the team fit his system rather than the other way around. He continued to ignore the run and ran slow developing deep routes even after it became clear that the Bears OL couldn't keep the Saints defenders off Cutler. The Packers chances will improve greatly if they can generate pressure with three or four while keeping Forte in check as a reciever.

A buddy of mine that was watching the games with me (a bears fan) said the same thing

[Joemailman]

Bears first rounder Gabe Carimi dislocates knee... per ProFootballTalk on twitter

Which probably means a lot of double teams on Matthews. I would look for a lot of blitzing from Woodson next week, if T-Will is back.