Week 14 Preview: Packers (8-4) @ Bears (5-7)

by SackMan on Dec 11, 2009 3:00 PM CST in Game Preview

The Bears will get to try and play spoiler, at least for one week, as they host their historic rivals from up North. As has been said before, the Bears figure to win one game that they're not supposed to win. Maybe that win comes Sunday at Soldier Field at 12:00pm CT on FOX.

Week 13 Recap

The Packers: Aaron Rodgers and the Pack defense put on a good show last Monday night as they beat the Ravens 27-14. It wasn't a game for stats, but the Packers got it done in prime time, something Jay Cutler has yet to do as a Bear. The Packers have now won 4 games in a row, in large part to their defense, which has quietly vaulted to the #1 spot in the NFL. Plus, the O-line has been giving Aaron Rodgers some better protection... something he's been dying to see. The Pack have allowed 45 sacks on the year, most in the NFL. But, they've given up just 4 sacks combined in the last 3 games.

The Bears: Hey... we won! We beat the Rams... at home... but it still counts, right? There was nothing to rave about in the Bears 17-9 win last week. Heck, they didn't even cover the spread... they averaged 3.2 ypc against a horrible run defense... they were 4-13 on 3rd down and punted 7 friggin times... and they lost the time of possession battle as well. If it weren't the Rams, it would've been another loss.

Quick Numbers:

62.0: Jay Cutler's completion % for the year, right on pace with his very good career mark (62.3)
103.3: Aaron Rodgers QB rating for the year... ungodly.
3.4: Matt Forte's YPC on the season. It went up a point! Pathetic.
#1: The Green Bay Packer's defensive ranking.

When the Packers have the ball.
This is a potent offense, led by one of the best QBs in the league. I'm still waiting for the day when I can write that about the Bears. They're our rival... we know them well... there's not much to write about here. Driver, Jennings, and Grant.

The key match-up for the Packers: RT Mark Tauscher vs DE Adewale Ogunleye
A healthy Chad Clifton has returned to Rodger's left side to hold down the fort, but Tauscher is about the equivalent of Fred Miller version 2008. Ogunleye could have a nice game and force Rodgers to move to his left.

The X factor on offense for the Packers: TE Jermichael Finley
The talented young TE is a playmaker, coming off a career 7 catch, 2 TD performance on MNF. He's becoming another go-to option for Rodgers in the red zone, and at 6'5", he's a mismatch.

When the Bears have the ball.
Hey Turner, can you get Jay Cutler moving out of the pocket with regularity for once? Look at his highlight reel in Denver and there's two things in common: 1. Cutler moving out of the pocket, and 2. no Run Turner.

The key match-up for the Bears: LT Chris Williams vs blitzing LBs in Dom Caper's 3-4
If there is one reason to watch this game, outside of the rivalry, it's the Chris Williams show. Williams gets a real good test to show he belongs at LT. His next test comes in two weeks, when he faces Jared Allen. By then, I'm wagering we'll be calling him another Angelo bust.

The X Factor on offense for the Bears: LB Brian Urlacher.
Yes... Brian Urlacher. The injured Brian Urlacher. You know why? Cause he's the only damn guy in the organization who seems to motivate this team.

Side notes from the NFC North:

The Vikings finally lost their second game of the season in Arizona last week... the Bears are playing the Pack... and the Lions are still the Lions. Forgive me, but I'm gonna skimp out of this section. This crappy Bears team is wearing on me.

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Comments

I'm pretty sure the Bears eclipsed 100 rushing

by DaHamsta on Dec 11, 2009 3:12 PM CST reply actions

Thanks guys... edited that sentence.

"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that." -- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)

Jerry Angelo trades for Jay Cutler! (4.2.2009)
.

by SackMan on Dec 11, 2009 4:21 PM CST up reply actions

Bears always rise to the occasion...

but the Pack is getting better about as fast as the Bears are falling apart. The only reason I can entertain any Bears hope of victory is the home field. IF, and caps do not even do that if justice, the Bears can figure out that Omiyale is a RT and get Forte and Bell some serious carries, then maybe the Bears can keep the scoring down. Couple that with some timely Cover-2-Tillman strip-fumbles on defense and the Bears might stay close for a quarter maybe 2. Mostly, Cutler and the WRs need to make some plays for the Bears to have a chance. All in all, I see this game getting ugly, but in the end the Pack win 31-17, pulling away late. I cannot believe I just said Pack and win in the same sentence without throwing up!

When you find yourself in a hole, STOP DIGGING!!!

by LostInSTL on Dec 11, 2009 3:13 PM CST reply actions

Nice,

I cannot believe I just said Pack and win in the same sentence without throwing up!

Not even a little bit in your mouth or something?

by Fridge72 on Dec 11, 2009 7:10 PM CST up reply actions

Rushing last week

Forte (24-91)
Bell (11-35)
Combined: 35 carries, 126 yards

Beyond that, sounds about right.

by Steven Schweickert on Dec 11, 2009 3:39 PM CST reply actions

Fixed it. Thanks for looking out!

"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that." -- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)

Jerry Angelo trades for Jay Cutler! (4.2.2009)
.

by SackMan on Dec 11, 2009 4:21 PM CST up reply actions

Sure thing, man. Happy to help

by Steven Schweickert on Dec 11, 2009 9:41 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

sackman

I think all Bears fans feel the same way. I think what makes it worse. we all know they won’t make any changes in the offseason. I almost think Ron Turner will stay.

by Daseabeez on Dec 11, 2009 3:42 PM CST reply actions

Hmmm...

I almost think Ron Turner will stay.

I almost think you are unwrong.

You are all gentlemen (and ladies) and good judges of cheap whiskey.

by Dane Noble on Dec 11, 2009 3:44 PM CST up reply actions

I hope i am 100 percent wrong.

but Lovie seems to have problems firing his buddies.

by Daseabeez on Dec 11, 2009 4:58 PM CST up reply actions

Meh...

Turner may end up being the scapegoat, but it’s not his fault our OL is as bad as it is.

Besides, would it make sense to bring in a new OC if Lovie is on the hot seat in 2010? Probably not.

You are all gentlemen (and ladies) and good judges of cheap whiskey.

by Dane Noble on Dec 11, 2009 5:05 PM CST up reply actions

Well if they stay

I hope Jerry is fired so he doesn’t waste our 2011 picks with garbage trades.(not saying Cutler was a garbage trade its more the Gaines Adams trade)

by Daseabeez on Dec 11, 2009 5:12 PM CST up reply actions

I guess i should've put

or garbage picks I’m not going to get into that list.

by Daseabeez on Dec 11, 2009 5:13 PM CST up reply actions

That Adams trade is looking more and more like another boner by Angelo

I still think they did the right thing in bringing Cutler in. But it’s still gonna be painful seeing how bad we end up, and how high a pick we end up giving away next year.

"Yes, risk taking is inherently failure-prone. Otherwise, it would be called sure-thing-taking." - Jim McMahon

by JimmyMack on Dec 12, 2009 4:03 PM CST up reply actions

i think its safe to say they got the better end of the deal.

by Daseabeez on Dec 13, 2009 2:19 AM CST up reply actions

That Adams trade is looking more and more like another boner by Angelo

That explains his stupid expression.

Price Check on Isle BOOM.

by Ditkavsworld on Dec 13, 2009 9:20 AM CST up reply actions

Ugly Folks

Packers 33
Bears 13

There’s really nothing I can say that hasn’t already been said on this site ad nauseum. You can’t compare Week 1 because these teams have gone in completely different directions. The Packers have really started to show the NFC that they are legit Superbowl contenders. They are the 3rd best team in the NFC, right now!! They are on fire!! The Bears, not so much!! Since their bye week, the Bears are arguably the worst team in the NFL!! That’s a fact!!

Bear Dow……ah, forget it!!

by McRipper on Dec 11, 2009 4:00 PM CST reply actions

Almost forgot

Great job on the preview Sackman!!

by McRipper on Dec 11, 2009 4:01 PM CST up reply actions

Thanks as always buddy!

"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that." -- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)

Jerry Angelo trades for Jay Cutler! (4.2.2009)
.

by SackMan on Dec 11, 2009 4:48 PM CST up reply actions

Worst? Someone forgetting STL?

I think there’s a pretty bad team right there… I know the season’s mostly over but it’s too soon to proclaim the sky is falling, Chicken Little. We aren’t WORST bad. We’re just not good.

by Steven Schweickert on Dec 11, 2009 4:03 PM CST up reply actions

We are NOT the Steelers

Losing, to KC,Oakland,and now the Browns.The GOOD to average teams kick our butts.Not the god awful teams.

Although Oakland looks ok.

by T.Moore on Dec 11, 2009 4:06 PM CST up reply actions

I didn't forget STL

I said arguably!! You can make an argument for either team. The Rams suck!!! They suck hard!!! But so do the Bears!! At least the Rams have Stephen Jackson!!

by McRipper on Dec 11, 2009 4:21 PM CST up reply actions

as long as im breathing i will never pick the bears to lose to the packers

bears 20 packers 17

by Bear Lovin 21 on Dec 11, 2009 4:25 PM CST reply actions

Amen!

by T.Moore on Dec 11, 2009 4:37 PM CST up reply actions

excellent

well the bears did barely squeeze out W’s the last 2 years the packers played at soldier field. hopefully 3rd time is a blowout in favor of the bears. sounds unpossible, like failing english, but maybe we can at least be competitive.

by reefermadness3 on Dec 11, 2009 4:44 PM CST up reply actions

im sorry but i will never say the bears will lose to the cheese f**cks

bears upset this sunday cutler has a game similar to the steelers one he manages but makes enough plays forte gets about 80 yrds rushing,

ill even go out on a limb for you
D.A. scores his first td

by Bear Lovin 21 on Dec 11, 2009 4:53 PM CST up reply actions

i hope you are right

bout DA getting in the end zone. however i hope the bears victory this sunday includes lots of cutler gone wild. as in good wild, not bad rex wild.

by reefermadness3 on Dec 11, 2009 7:31 PM CST up reply actions

500 yrs, 8 tds, 0 ints

For Cutler

by DaHamsta on Dec 11, 2009 7:50 PM CST up reply actions

And 3TDs by Izzy off FB dives?

by GtM on Dec 11, 2009 11:44 PM CST up reply actions

Plus Izzy blocks for another two

and throws one on a FB option!

"The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt." - Bertrand Russell
"F*** everybody outside of Halas Hall. BEARDOWN" - WavyGravy

by Spongie on Dec 12, 2009 6:09 AM CST up reply actions

I firmly believe that the FB Option

might be the greatest play call of all time.

I'm a firm believer in the philosophy of a ruling class. Especially since I rule. -Randal Graves

by Kev H on Dec 12, 2009 8:07 AM CST up reply actions

along with the LT end around

if only it was allowed

by DaHamsta on Dec 12, 2009 7:49 PM CST up reply actions

Love the sentiment.

I hope you’re not a wagering man.

If you can't laugh at yourself you must not be very funny.

by Just Dave on Dec 11, 2009 9:52 PM CST up reply actions

Sad,

but true about Urlacher getting this team motivated

by GriggsBriggs on Dec 11, 2009 5:09 PM CST reply actions

Why the Chris Williams Hate?

Wilt broke down his performance last week and liked what he saw. A lot of others seem to think he’ll be fine, so I am just wondering, what makes you think he’ll bust?

by Sam Householder on Dec 11, 2009 5:12 PM CST reply actions

williams is starting, right?

sun times seems to suggest pace is going to start at LT

by guy incognito on Dec 11, 2009 8:37 PM CST reply actions

Hey,

Does anyone know if Hester is out for Sunday?

I saw in an earlier post it appeared unlikely he would play. Any updates?

Bound for New York City: January 6-9! Can't wait!

by Vermont Cubs Fan on Dec 11, 2009 11:04 PM CST reply actions

Vikings Envy

I really get the feeling that the Packers are operating on 100% Viking Envy. We don’t know how much hate there is between them and Favre, but it must run pretty deep. Running him out of town was the job of their coach and GM, who figured Favre was done and wanted him gone so they could run their own system, etc. But he came back and now has beaten them twice. I think the second time just got the Packers super motivated to win. Really fired them up. The Packers coach is a real clown yet he manages to win up there. I really hope they get to play the Vikings again in the playoffs, and lose again. That said, I think they might be looking past the Bears, and since the Bears are now in the same group as the Rams, the Bears may have a chance. If they can give Cutler some time to throw the game could end up being one of those 38-34 affairs.

by Rugmaster D on Dec 12, 2009 10:01 AM CST reply actions