Originally Posted by
McBa1n
Lots of great information in this thread! (lol Packer D or corners are old - sheesh, do you even watch football? haha)
I have no action on the game - I got too emotionally connected to the game, so I'm out.
The Bears were the best or 2nd best team in the NFC EASY last year when Cutler got hurt, in spite of a bottom 10 O Line. Add in Marshall and move Earl Bennett (who is solid) down the depth chart? Now they have strong receiving corps.
What they still lack is an O Line. The game Sunday did change for them when Freeney got injured, obviously... And it went from a ballgame to a blowout.
Only way the Packers have a chance in this is to outscore the Bears (not likely - even if Peanut Tillman doesn't go), or if they are able to sustain pressure on Cutler/get a lot of turnovers. The Bears weakness is at LT. The Packers strength is that Matthews now rushes off that side. I figure the Bears are going to run the ball a LOT that direction, set up the play action for 20 yard down the field routes (the Packer's biggest weakness with their personnel is the 15-20 yard dig) and control the ball.
The only way the Bears lose this one is if they beat themselves... The Packer D is as bad as I've ever seen watching the NFL (preseason + week 1 vs Alex Smith and a balanced 9r attack). They are very soft vs the run and incredibly poor against the pass. Without turnovers, the Pack has 0 chance. If they can get a couple of big picks/fumble recoveries - they can score enough to win. That's a big if. The Bears D is not what it was. It's better than average, but I don't think you can count on them winning games or stealing games for the team anymore.