Chicago Looks for Fourth-in-a-Row Against Falcons

Coming off their bye week, the Chicago Bears (3-1) are gearing up to face the Atlanta Falcons (3-1) Sunday night at the Georgia Dome. Both teams met last season in a memorable game where the Bears came up short, losing 22-20 on a last-second 48-yard field goal. Last year’s game still may be looming in the back of Chicago’s mind, but the fact of the matter is that this is a new season, and these are two revamped teams.

Quarterback Jay Cutler didn’t experience the crushing defeat last year with the Bears, but he did lead his former team, the Denver Broncos, last year to victory against the Falcons in the dome. Having a little familiarity of the Falcons’ team and the loud Atlanta crowd may be an advantage for Chicago. Another thing that may work in the Bears’ favor is the fact that Atlanta’s run defense is giving up 4.9 yards per carry (24 th in the NFL) and 127.0 yards per game. This may be music to the ears of Matt Forte and the offensive line, who are coming off a huge rushing performance against the Detroit Lions in Week 4. Having an effective running game may keep the Falcons’ best defensive lineman, John Abraham, off the field. Abraham is a pass-rushing specialist and is mainly on the field in passing situations. The Falcons’ Pro Bowl defensive end will be the focal point of a key match-up in the trenches when he goes up against seven-time Pro Bowl offensive tackle Orlando Pace.

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The much-improved defensive line of the Bears will have to face a Falcons offensive line that has given up an NFL-low two sacks thus far in the season. Adewale Ogunleye will look to add to his 4 ½ sacks, which is third in the NFC, as well as Alex Brown, Tommie Harris, and the rest of the d-line. This game will mark the return of Pisa Tinoisamoa, the Bears’ new strongside linebacker who was injured on the first play from scrimmage in the first game of the year against the Green Bay Packers. Tinoisamoa will have the difficult task of covering arguably one of the best tight ends ever in Tony Gonzalez. At middle linebacker, Nick Roach is slated to start. Roach had seven tackles and a sack in Week 4 against the Lions, which was his first career start at middle linebacker. In the secondary, the Bears just might have to rely on Charles Tillman to do what he did against Calvin Johnson of the Lions. When told to defend Johnson for the second half in Week 4, Tillman only allowed three catches for 18 yards, which was after Johnson had over 100 yards receiving in the first half. However, this time, Tillman will have to cover Roddy White, who had 210 yards receiving and two touchdowns against the San Francisco 49ers last week.

The x-factor of the game just might be the play of both special teams units. The Bears are ranked number one in the league in kickoff returns (starting their average drive on their own 34-yard line), and the Falcons are ranked number one in kickoff coverage, who’s opponent’s average starting position is at their own 19-yard line. Rookie Johnny Knox, who was the NFC special teams player of the week in Week 4, hopes to have a similar showing on the field as he did against the Lions, as well as punter Brad Maynard, who pinned all four of his punts inside the 20-yard line in Week 4.

This week’s match-up between the Chicago Bears and the Atlanta Falcons should be one of the best games this week, and could possibly be a playoff preview. Both teams are in second place in their respective divisions, and both are riding the momentum of huge victories. This nationally televised game will let the whole country know which team will defiantly be a contender for the NFC crown.

By Clyde Speller
ProFootball-fans.com Chicago Bears Correspondent