STONEWALL THE RUN: After getting pushed around at the line of scrimmage by the Packers in mid-November, the Bears are in run shutdown mode.
Led by Ryan Grant, the Packers rushed for 200 yards against the Bears, more than any team they’ve faced this season. Grant gashed the Bears on runs of 35, 22, and 18 yards, while his backup Brandon Jackson had a run of 19 yards.
In two games against the Bears, Grant is averaging 6.3 yards-per-carry.
Stopping the run is still the Bears defensive strength, and they must prevent Grant from cranking it up again. After a slow start to the season, Grant is the league’s ninth ranked rusher, but is averaging only 3.9 yards/carry with four touchdowns.
WRECK RODGERS: Brutally cold weather could limit the passing game, but the Bears still have to respect the arm and mobility of Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
In the first meeting, Rodgers was sharp and accurate. His only two big pass plays were 29-yards to Greg Jennings and 21-yards to Donald Driver. He completed 77 percent of his passes, and put together one of his seven 100.0+ quarterback rating games this season.
Jennings and Driver are his go-to targets, but last week against Jacksonville, James Jones got into the act with a four-catch, 132-yard performance. His return from a nagging knee injury allows the Packers to use more of their “Big Five” formation, but again the conditions may derail that plan.
This is a terrific catch and run group, which includes the productive tight end Donald Lee who has 39 receptions, five for touchdowns this season. When and if the Packers spread the Bears out, they have to tackle in space and prevent the big play.
BEAT THE JAM: Bear receivers had a difficult time dealing with the Packers aggressive press coverage in the first meeting. It disrupted the rhythm of the passing game to the tune of just four catches for 60 yards.
Devin Hester and Rashied Davis in particular were affected by the work of the Packer corners and safeties over the top. They know it is coming, and they have to find a way to beat it.
Offensive coordinator Ron Turner can help the process by the use of formations and motion to discourage the Packers from being so aggressive. Green Bay’s defense has suffered of late.
They have not created a lot of pass pressure and injuries in the secondary have forced Charles Woodson to move to strong safety. Woodson is a better corner.
BIG SPLASH: In the past two games, Danieal Manning has been the fire starter for the Bears. His interception set up a quick-strike touchdown against Jacksonville and his opening kickoff return touchdown set the tone for a win against a stubborn New Orleans outfit.
If it’s not Manning for a third straight game it has to be somebody else to get it started. It might be a sack and a strip of Rodgers or an interception...anything to get the night off to a great start.
The one thing about the Packers; they will not go away at any point in the game. They have lost a league high six times this season in games decided by four-points or less. They will hang around despite the fact they have lost six out of seven games.
The Packers are 1-7 when opponents score first, and 0-and-8 when trailing at halftime.
BLOCK KAMPMAN: Conditions will likely make it less conducive to throw the ball, but protecting Kyle Orton from Packers defensive Aaron Kampman is critical.
He is their best and only productive pass rusher; a consistent performer and two-time Pro Bowler. The Packers lost a lot when defensive end Cullen Jenkins was lost for the season in week four.
With Jenkins, the Packers had nine sacks including 3 ½ by Kampman.
Since then, Kampman has six of the Packers 14 over the last ten games. Kampman also leads defensive lineman with 73 tackles.
The Bears offensive line has done a terrific job protecting Orton this season. He was sacked only once in Green Bay.
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