Bears Look to Avenge Conference Championship Loss
Week 3 of the regular season will bring the rematch of the 2010 NFC Championship Game between the 2-0 Green Bay Packers and the 1-1 Chicago Bears. This storied rivalry is always intense, and with the struggle of position in the competitive NFC North, emotions are expected to be at a high level.
The main concern for the Bears is the protection, or lack there of, that Jay Cutler has been getting from the offensive line. Cutler has been sacked 11 times in the first two games of the season, and is on pace to be the most sacked quarterback in the league for the second consecutive year.
Chicago’s offensive front is in disarray to say the least. With the injury to rookie right tackle Gabe Carimi (knee) veteran Frank Omiyale will fill in, giving the Bears their third different starting lineup on the o-line this season. With the constant change up front, head coach Lovie Smith, offensive coordinator Mike Martz, and offensive line coach Mike Tice may have more of a challenge to counter a complicated Packers blitzing scheme.
Two of those blitzers, linebacker Clay Matthews and cornerback Charles Woodson, are on the injured list with a quad and a foot injury respectively. Both Matthews and Woodson are expected to play on Sunday.
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One of the things that will help Cutler and the offense is a more balanced offensive attack. Last week against the New Orleans Saints, Chicago only ran the ball 11 times the entire game; even only being down 16-10 at halftime and only trailing 16-13 at one point in the third quarter.
Smith mentions during the week that they will have a more balanced approach offensively. This will go well for running back Matt Forte, who has been the only consistently productive player for the Bears so far this season.
In addition to the contributions of Forte, the possible return of running back Marion Barber and receiver Roy Williams will greatly benefit Chicago’s offense as well. Barber, who injured his calf in the preseason, would be a great change-of-pace option for the Bears’ ground attack and in goal line situations. Williams’ presence was greatly missed in last week’s loss to the Saints, especially with Earl Bennett being knocked out of the game with a chest injury. Bennett’s status for this week’s game is unknown.
If the protection up front and the running game is effective, then Cutler shouldn’t have a problem dissecting a Green Bay secondary that has given up a league-high 800 yards passing this year. Moreover, to make matters worse for the Packers, their three-time Pro Bowl safety Nick Collins is out for the year.
Looking at the other side of the ball, the main concern is at the both safety positions. Veteran Chris Harris is expected to play this week, after missing last week’s game with a hamstring injury. Major Wright, who sustained a head/neck injury against the Saints, is a game-time decision.
Newly acquired safety Brandon Meriweather may have to step in and play a bigger role if Wright is unable to play. Meriweather is a two-time Pro Bowler, but is still getting used to the Bears’ defensive scheme, and may be susceptible to giving up a play or two.
This Week 3 matchup for the Chicago Bears will gauge how they can make the adjustment of having a disappointing loss from the previous week, to turning right around and facing a championship team. In most cases, this game would be viewed as just another regular season game versus a hated rival. In this case, the Bears are playing for the redemption of losing a trip to the Super Bowl, a chance to prove all of the critics of Jay Cutler and the offensive line wrong, and possibly a chance to climb their way out of the middle of the divisional race to the top of the NFC North.
By
Clyde Speller
ProFootball-fans.com Chicago Bears Correspondent