the Seahawks are all banged up… a smart game plan will take advantage of their backups, I think the Bears offense will be clicking this week

I’m lookin for Forte to bust out with 120 yd rushing day.

I agree with you about the get off the bus passing too. If we take an early lead it will take away Seattle’s ability to run on us. They will have to go to the air with Seneca Wallace, while we in turn will get to grind it out with Forte.

Also, I would like to see some down-field blocking out of Omiyale in the run game. He looks like he moves pretty good for a big guy, I want to see him engaging LB’s in space to spring Forte for some big gains on the ground.

I’d really like to see us (and believe we can) have a +3 turnover ratio against the ‘Hawks. I love the new intensity of our exterior pass rush, now I’d like to see what it translates to up against QB’s that aren’t Rodgers and Roethlisberger. I can see it happening against Wallace or even a banged up Hasselbeck.

Also, if Odom was being guarded by Clifton, his absence for the next two weeks may not be missed that much.

Jone’s yardage for game one was driven by one long run. They have struggled with their run game since hutchinson left and have never recovered. They brough in Oline coach Mike Solari last year to change the blocking scheme and improve the run game but the affect was minimal. Their offensive line is just talent poor outside of Walter Jones who is aging and banged up. Their offensive strength lies in the passing game and rely on timing. I am not converend about their ability to run the ball but do have concerns about their itermediate passing game. Wallace while not great, does know the system well so it is important that we disrupt the timing of their offense. They should not score more than 17 points against us.

Seattle’s defense is decimated by injury as stated above but even when healthy is not a pass rushing force. Their only godd run defender on the front four is Brendan Mebane who may not play and this should key Forte’s good day. Also, Hill and Tatupu probably will not play which will add to that. Thier number one pick Curry looked lost last week and was out od position numerous times. Both CB’s are out leaving the veteran Kelly jennings as one of the remaining corners. He is small and quick but not great in coverage. Their safeties were a problem last year and did not do much to address this. This is a difficult venue to play in and they always play well at home. But all things are pointing favorably in this matchup. No turn overs should lead to a solid victory Bears 27 – Seattle 13.

At one point, we had a Hasselbeck vs Cutler / Urlacher vs Tatupu drama in the making. It’s a damn shame that we are only at week 3, and there is only one out of that group that is healthy.

Getting a win Sunday would be huge for us, as we have Detroit next week, then a Bye week to heal up (and have an extra week to prepare for the Falcons). 3-1 headed into that Bye week would be a great thing.

My only major concern (other than injury) is Wallace’s mobility. Usually, Urlacher handles that. We desperately (ok, maybe an exaggeration) need the DTs to hold their own in the middle. That leaves the LBs free for sweeps and slants. I’m sincerely hoping THarris puts on the type of show we know he can have.
Prediction: Bears 117 Seahawks 0

another fine post Wilty!

I have read/heard a great deal about the “balance” of run/pass in the Bears offense. Everyone has some argument about it, but I see your point as the key:

An injured Seattle LB unit could be just the cure for the Bears running woes. However, look for the Bears to do the unexpected and “get off the bus passing” downfield with play action in the first series… to set up the run.

Honestly, i agree that balance is stupid if it means losing. If the Bears pass 85% of the time and win, I’m all for it! And the stats about rushing attempts of the last 10 SB champs are a bit skewed. If a team is ahead, they tend to run the ball to kill the clock. If rushing attempts were king, the 1st and 2nd quarter rushing attempts would generally be higher. (I’ll try to track some down to illustrate my point).

But no matter what the rationale offensively, the Bears ability to run is almost all about the defense! If the Bears can establish the run, the defense stays fresher and will see less running from the Seahawks as a result; assuming the Bears offense scores touchdowns. My hope is we see the second teamers on O and D this week because the game will be so far out of reach, it will be our first shot to watch “garbage time”!

This is a winnable game against a les talented and more injured team. Put them away early with the pass and pad Forte’s fantasy numbers later. It would be a mistake to rush too often early to prove a dubious point. Both starting corners are out, so go 3 wide and score quick, early and often. Then let Omiyale get reps pushing DTs and LBs around.

MAN UP AND BEAR DOWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i think they pound forte this week i predict he breaks a 50 plus yarder

Because the Seahawks have been toasted on the ground thus far, I suspect they will be gearing up to stop the run this week. We could see a lot of 8 in the box fronts, and run blitzes, to open up the passing game.

While I hope Forte does have a great game (100+), it would surprise me at all to see a big passing game.

Either way, we should be 3-1 after Lovie’s 1st quarter of the season, going to the bye.

Great observation on Pat Williams and his apparent decline. Interesting stats, and maybe he isn’t gooned on the juice any more since the Starcaps thing.

but the new look LB unit (minus Brian Urlacher and Pisa Tinoisamoa) did allow 105 yards on the ground to a Steelers team that has struggled to run the ball.

Mendenhall’s long run should’ve been nulified for a holding call cause HH was assaulted on the play, but the refs ignored the obvious infraction.

Additional Packer’s note: Their safety positions are in trouble because of a rash of injuries.

on the demise of the Vikings dreaded run defense. I’m not ready to call them “done,” but certainly they’re not what they used to be.

The could win with Hasselbeck, but I don’t think Wallace can do anything against the Bears Defense.

the last few years this a game we would normally lose late….you know? coming off a big win i.e. steelers and we would have a let down but i think tomorrow we see a complete seem about 3 sacks of wallace 3 picks and forte at about 100yrds 2 tds and cutler MANAGES the game with a modest 180yrds and 2tds

prediction bears 28-13

If they put all the focus on Houshmazilly, Nate could end up burning us deep. Not that our secondary ever lets people get behind them, but still. He’s not Greg Jennings by any stretch, but he has a) a pulse, and b) functioning limbs which makes him capable of outplaying 3/4 of our DB’s.