Bears, Packers continue rivalry at Lambeau
Another chapter will be added to the NFL’s oldest rivalry in Week 11 when the Chicago Bears (5-4) go head-to-head against the hated Green Bay Packers (4-5) at legendary Lambeau Field. Coming off of a tough loss to the undefeated Tennessee Titans, Chicago will be looking to at least stay atop the NFC North with the Minnesota Vikings (5-4). Green Bay has struggled since starting the season 2-0, losing five of their last seven games.
The big question for the Bears on offense is whether or not Kyle Orton will start. The former Purdue quarterback didn’t play in last week’s loss to the Titans, but has high hopes for doing so this week. Orton has practiced for the first time with the first-string offense since his high ankle sprain and has split the reps with Rex Grossman. Orton will be closely watched throughout the remainder of the week, and will more than likely be a game-time decision. Rookie Matt Forte, who is eighth in the league in rushing with 713 yards, will continue his quest for a 1,000-yard season. The NFL Rookie of the Year candidate and the offensive line will be going up against a Packers run defense that is 28 th in the league against the run (154.6 ypg). Also, Green Bay’s star middle linebacker Nick Barnett is out for the season with a knee injury. This set-back for the Packers will force them to move outside linebacker A.J. Hawk to the middle and put Brandon Chillar on the outside in place of Hawk. This adjustment to an already porous run defense should highly favor the Bears. Though Chicago may face a below-average run defense, the Packers’ pass defense is another story. Green Bay is third against the pass (179.1 ypg) and first in the league in interceptions (16). In addition, the Packers’ Nick Collins and Charles Woodson both lead the NFL with five interceptions each. Who ever starts at quarterback for the Bears will have no objection of having Brandon Lloyd return to the lineup. Lloyd, who was the Bears leading receiver prior to injuring his knee, has practiced the past two weeks and should see his first action since Week 4.
As for the Bears defense, they can only hope and pray that their pass defense (251.8 ypg; 30 th in the league) can be just as good as their run defense (74.9 ypg; fourth in the league). The only good thing that can be said about Chicago’s pass defense is that they are tied for fourth in the league with 12 interceptions. But none of that matters if they’re letting offenses convert on third downs. This week won’t get any easier for Brian Urlacher and company when they try to contain Packers receiver Greg Jennings. Jennings is second in the NFL with 801 yards receiving. Along with the coverage in the secondary, the Bears’ pass rush needs to be more consistent as well, only averaging one sack over the last four games. If Chicago’s play on defense resembles their efforts of the past few weeks, then Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers can add his name to the list of other quarterbacks that have had season-high and career-high games this year against the Bears.
> Find a great line of Chicago Bears apparel & merchandise through Pro Football Fans & get the 2008 NFL scores here as well.
Having such a close race in the division will only intensify this rivalry. Even though first place is on the line, the Chicago Bears will definitely be playing off of shear emotion just because of the simple fact that this is the Bears versus the Packers. All of the statistics mentioned before can be thrown out of the window because a season without a win over the Packers would seem incomplete not only for the Bears, but for every Bears fan out there.
By Clyde A. Speller
ProFootball-fans.com Chicago Bears Correspondent