Bears-Packers: Keys to the Game

CHICAGO -- A quick start and a big finish is what the Bears seek at Lambeau Field this evening.  The broadcats is on WBBM 780.

Nothing takes the starch out of a home crowd than playing inspired ball from the opening snap. It requires touchdowns, not field goals and ferocious tackling on defense and kick coverage. The Bears need to set the tone and exercise some of their first month demons. 

The Bears have won the past three visits to Green Bay, by a combined 71-27. They set the tone for the 2006 season with a 49-yard Rex Grossman to Bernard Berrian touchdown pass on the opening drive of the game. The time is right for another “big play” to impact the game immediately.

GRAB THE LEAD: Playing from behind is not how the Bears win games. They are built to play off the lead allowing the defense to play aggressively and the running game to become deeply rooted in the second half. 
Packers quarterback Brett Favre is on a streak of 119 consecutive passes without an interception, which is the fifth longest of his career. However, 12 of his 18 interceptions last season came when the Packers trailed. 
In his effort to make something happen, he takes more chances. When he does, the Bears must make Favre pay.
The opportunities will not come around often.

KEEP THE LEAD: “Finishing” games is one of Lovie Smith’s preaching points.
After the second-half collapses against Dallas and Detroit, the Bears are looking for answers.  They’ve allowed only 13 first half points, but 82 in the second half.  Favre is an escape artist. He’s led 38 come-from-behind fourth quarter victories, including two this season.  Against the Chiefs, the Bears had three sacks and forced two turnovers in the fourth quarter to ”finish” and a similar performance will be needed against the Packers. 

TURNOVERS: In the past eight games -- including the Super Bowl -- the Bears are -12 in takeaway/giveaway ratio. They have already lost the ball 14 times in 2007. 

Those are difficult numbers to overcome for any team. 

Opponents have scored 34 off those 14 turnovers, while the Bears have only a field goal to show for seven takeaways.  Green Bay has scored 41 off its eight takeaways. That’s quite a difference. 

The Bears under Lovie Smith are 12-20 when losing or even in turnover margin, but 18-3 when winning the battle. So, it’s quite simple. Value the ball, and cash in on Packer mistakes.

RUNNING GAME: Cedric Benson has talked this week about becoming more of a leader.  The best way he can become one is to produce for an ailing offense. He’s averaging 6.0 yards/carry on 24 attempts against the Packers. 
This is a hearty defense Benson will be facing with stout linemen and active linebackers.  In putting together an eight-game winning streak dating back to last season, the Packers defense has developed into one of the league’s best.  They’ve allowed just over 13 points per game during this streak of success and are taking the ball away with regularity.

FRONT FOUR PRESSURE: Tied with the New York Giants for the NFL lead in sacks (16), Bob Babich’s defense is getting to the quarterback.  Adewale Ogunleye is playing as well as he’s ever played for the Bears and Mark Anderson has piled up 16 sacks in his first 20 NFL games.  They’re work against veteran tackles Chad Clifton and Mark Tauscher will say a lot about the outcome of this game.
However, defensive tackle Tommie Harris is the defensive engine.  The Packers must account for him on every snap, and it creates opportunities for the ends to create chaos.  Favre is outstanding handling pressure and remains one of the most difficult quarterbacks to sack in the NFL.