Game 5 Preview: Chicago Bears @ Carolina Panthers
by Mike Mueller on Oct 8, 2010 3:00 PM CDT
in Game Preview
Email
Print
Now that the Bears have their "Epic Fail Game" out of the way, "I'm gone to Carolina in my mind."
Jay Cutler gets the week off. So it's the Todd Collins Show.
3-1 Chicago Bears vs. the 0-4 Carolina Panthers...Sunday, Noon CT, on FOX.
Quick Numbers:
81: Number of sacks Julius Peppers had with Carolina.
2: Number of sacks Peppers has with the Bears...look for this number to double!
44: Number of games Chris Harris played and started in while with Carolina.
5: Number of interceptions Chris Harris has with both Carolina and while with the Bears in his career.
2-2: All time record between these two teams. 75-74 is the all-time score between them too. (Bears by 1)
29-21: Final score vs Carolina in their 2005 Playoff game loss. Could someone please double team Steve Smith?
Key Injuries:
BEARS
OUT: Chris Williams-hamstring; Major Wright-hamstring; Jay Cutler-head
PANTHERS
OUT: Jamar Williams-neck; Jeff Otah-knee; Steve Smith-ankle; Sherrod Martin-head
When Carolina Has the Ball:
The one thing Carolina does well is run the ball. With DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart, they have a great backfield duo. Each of these guys are strong, have quickness, and can get it done. Nique detailed the matchup of Carolina's offensive line vs. the Bears' defensive front 7 in his post yesterday. LINK. As far as the passing game goes, the Panthers are starting a rookie quarterback, Jimmy Clausen, and two rookie wide receivers, Brandon LaFell & David Gettis. TE Dante Rosario does have some talent though. The Bears defense should dominate this group. Should.
Key Matchup: Tommie Harris, Anthony Adams, Matt Toeaina, & Henry Melton vs. Travelle Wharton (LG), Ryan Kalil (C), Mack Bernadeau (RG). 89% of Carolina's running plays are over the tackles or inside (11% to the outside). These guys like to smash the football down the defense's throat. It's up to the Bears' tackles to stop that push.
X-Factor: Julius Peppers' adrenaline. Can he control his emotions and translate his excitement into football fury?
When Chicago Has the Ball:
Can we please establish the run? Please? With the prolific Todd Collins at quarterback, the Bears must do better on the ground. No doubt, Carolina thinks this too, so Mike Martz is sure to have a few surprises in the passing game too. But the Bears do not want the game in their QB's hands this weekend. They need to establish the run, and stick to it.
Key Matchup: Jon Beason (LB) is the Panthers best defensive player now that Peppers plays for the Bears. His matchup in the run game vs. Greg Olsen, Brandon Manumaleuna, Lance Louis, and Olin Kreutz should be the difference between a good day and a great day.
X-Factor: When Todd Collins drops back to pass, who steps up for the Bears and GETS OPEN?
My Prediction: Bears win 13 - 9
60 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
MAN
I hate to be a pessimist but todd collins is really awful :(
by Staleystan595455 on Oct 8, 2010 3:05 PM CDT reply actions
What's funny
Is some readers over at Cat Scratch Reader would rather have Cutler in than face Collins. Something about Cutler being an int/sack machine and not being able to gameplan all week for Collins. I laughed and would much rather Cutler be in the game as well, but for different reasons.
WILDCARD BITCHES!!! YEEEEHHHAAAAA!!!!!
There are a lot of those
posts over there. I was really surprised, as well.
Of course half the posts say nothing but BEARS SUX LOLOLOL PEPPERS IS TEH SUCK. Keep thinking that, kitty cats.
They have all been using Chemical Substances, apparently.
No way the Pussycats get a win.
If you don't ask, you don't get. So get on with it already.
by Suffering from Chicago Sports on Oct 8, 2010 4:37 PM CDT up reply actions
Well,
the last time Carolina got lucky and beat us, they came over here with CAPS LOCK and proclaimed how AWESOME JAKE DELHOMME WAS YEAH WE AWESOME YEA YOU SUCK, and so on.
Carolina has only beat us through luck. Pure ass luck. This time, however, they beat us because our offense is TEH SUCK. Otherwise, if we beat THEM? Honestly, we deserve best comeback team evah! Collins is awful. Seriously – and if you lose to us with Collins? You are done for for the rest of the season.
I'm not so mean. I wouldn't ever go out to hurt anybody deliberately - unless it was, you know, important, like a league game or something. - Dick Butkus
Just the Panthers' version of Kool Aid
"Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win."
I definitely expect big things from
Greg Olsen for someone who is not suppose to be a big part of the offense ….well……he is a big part of the offense. 2nd to only forte in receptions and td catches.
This is the type of game in which collins will dump the ball off plenty to olsen and the running backs to keep the game manageable.
Martz will let him take a chance or two but were not going to live on the mighty arm of collins.
Olsen has a big day!
Jeebus I hope so
I’m starting Olsen in my FF league, plus I love G-reg anyway. Plus I think he’s the rare kind of TE that can dominate a game. So let’s hope so …
I'm not so mean. I wouldn't ever go out to hurt anybody deliberately - unless it was, you know, important, like a league game or something. - Dick Butkus
Look here's the deal...
The Steelers went 3-1 with their 3rd string QB. We should expect a victory Sunday. If this defense is for real, which I think it is, then you don’t make a star out of Jimmy freaking Clausen. You go out there and you make the necessary plays to win the game. Period.
Also about all this hand-ringing over the offensive gameplan, If Martz wants to stay in the league and not end up alongside Sterling Sharpe and Joe Theisman on NFL playbook, then he damn well better run the ball and find a way to adjust . There’s no reason for Todd Collins to be flinging the ball all over the field and there’s no reason the Bears shouldn’t come back home at 4-1. I expect a win. No excuses.
Yeah but it worked!
by Dils on Oct 8, 2010 3:23 PM CDT reply actions 8 recs
Are you available to talk to the team at halftime?
If you can't laugh at yourself you must not be very funny.
I remain a pessimistically hopeful Bears fan.
LOL!
I just had a moment there you know? I mean what are we talking about here? If this team is going to be anything this year then they better win Sunday. With a healthy Urlacher and Pisa, Devin being Devin again, Cutler playing at a Pro-bowl level, and a down NFC, if the o-line was just below average instead of historically inept, this team could actually find themselves in a Superbowl. Of all years, this is the year where the Bears could catch lightning in a bottle.
Instead we got Mike Martz being so stubborn that he’d rather get the Franchise QB we’ve dreamed of all our lives embarrassed and killed on national TV. We’re Bears fans, we’ve seen that Giants game before and we all know that even Ron Turner would’ve won that game 10-7. You have 2 better than average running backs on this team. What the hell were we doing Sunday? It better not happen this Sunday.
Yeah but it worked!
I agree
I was watching the Giants game and kept saying, “well we have started slow the first few games so, next series we will get it going.” That never happened and I don’t understand why we didn’t make the necessary adjustments like we did with the Cowboys. We only tried 1 screen and didn’t dump the ball off to the tailback enough nor did we hit the quick pass to Olsen or the receivers. We SHOULD have won that game the way our defense played but, NOW we have to win this week and rejuvenate this team.
by Stellarpete22 on Oct 8, 2010 5:45 PM CDT up reply actions
Rec for excellence
"I'd rather have an ugly win than an ugly loss. Yeah, they had a lot of yards, but yards don't mean crap. Points do." -Brian Urlacher
by BearNecessities on Oct 8, 2010 4:58 PM CDT up reply actions
This Post
"I feel like the pieces are in place. But we have to execute...It's about execution. You have to execute. You have to have a scheme that facilitates the strengths of your players. If it doesn't, then it's a bad scheme. It's that simple. So we feel real good about the parts in place on offense."
"We feel very good about this football team. We felt very good about our football teams in the past and it's no different. You've got to go out there and you've got to do it."
-Jerry Angelo, Aug. 2, 2010
by Sam Householder on Oct 8, 2010 5:21 PM CDT up reply actions
i am happy to give it the green
because this is the pure and simple truth.
by reefermadness3 on Oct 8, 2010 6:18 PM CDT up reply actions
I'm smellin' a lot of "if" coming off this plan.
Nobody who ever gave his best regretted it. -George Halas
Negative Nancy
The man’s on a roll. Buzz kill. ;(
If you can't laugh at yourself you must not be very funny.
I remain a pessimistically hopeful Bears fan.
I bought in last week and they lost
I’m retreating to negativity. :-P For the better of the team, ya know.
Nobody who ever gave his best regretted it. -George Halas
Thank you.
You are the voice of “reason” for me…..
If you can't laugh at yourself you must not be very funny.
I remain a pessimistically hopeful Bears fan.
Nicely put....
Wrecky…wrecky!
Maybe the O-line just needs to have one game where they do less retreating to watch the D-line fly past and more attacking to push them off the line. No trickery or slight of hand, but take it to them. Beat then at their own game!
IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO TRADE TOMMIE!...
Agreed, but
When’s the last time our line has been able to push anyone around?
I know, I know – I’m being negative, again…
They've gotta start somewhere...
and why not now. IMO, it’s not as much about the continuity and coaching anymore. The o-line to a man needs to dig deep a and man up. It about pride now!
IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO TRADE TOMMIE!...
Todd Collins has his own show??
Nooooooooooooooooo
Look for the Bears LB Corps to play big in this one!!
If you don't ask, you don't get. So get on with it already.
by Suffering from Chicago Sports on Oct 8, 2010 4:35 PM CDT reply actions
as long as the offense doesn't turn over the ball
the defense should win this game for us.
"I am a sinner who does not expect forgiveness. But I am not a government official." - Francis Wolcott
Bear need to find a way to get 14 points on the board.
That should be enough to win the game.
by Dominique Blanton on Oct 8, 2010 4:38 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
+1
If you don't ask, you don't get. So get on with it already.
by Suffering from Chicago Sports on Oct 8, 2010 4:38 PM CDT up reply actions
sunday
17-21 should be enough to win this one. Run the ball and playaction w/ Collins and we should be ok.
is it wrong to hope that
collins gets a booboo and has to sit so #12 can assume his rightful spot behind center?
i hope taylor finally gets some real playing time this week.
Hanie should definitely be starting
The only problem is that we don’t want to have ONLY Hanie left and then the surprise 3rd backup to take over if something goes wrong.
by Stellarpete22 on Oct 8, 2010 5:49 PM CDT up reply actions
Over/under on Peppers' Sacks?
You could tell this week when he talked with Charlotte media that he has at least a little bit of bitterness towards the Panthers organization. I think he’ll be looking to get out there and show them that all the crap about him taking plays off and that he didn’t want to stay or wasn’t worth his contract that it was just that…crap.
I’d set the over/under at 2.5 and I’ll take 3.
"I feel like the pieces are in place. But we have to execute...It's about execution. You have to execute. You have to have a scheme that facilitates the strengths of your players. If it doesn't, then it's a bad scheme. It's that simple. So we feel real good about the parts in place on offense."
"We feel very good about this football team. We felt very good about our football teams in the past and it's no different. You've got to go out there and you've got to do it."
-Jerry Angelo, Aug. 2, 2010
I really flippin' hope so
I’ll take 2 and be happy with that. The guy’s an animal!!!
by Stellarpete22 on Oct 8, 2010 5:38 PM CDT up reply actions
Why shouldn't he?
They are the most mis-managed franchise in HISTORY! How in the HELL do you lose a gem like Pep? When you were on the brink of greatness for several years, and you lose HIM? What the eff?
I'm not so mean. I wouldn't ever go out to hurt anybody deliberately - unless it was, you know, important, like a league game or something. - Dick Butkus
is anyone else nervous about this game?
I think the Bears should definitely win this game but, I’m nervous for a few reasons.
-The Panthers are at home and haven’t won a game so, they will be playing their hearts out. -might need a big turnover that is returned for a TD!
—We have Collins starting with a horrible Bears offensive line. Can we rebound?
—We have to run the ball, which, we haven’t done yet sucessfully in order to help Collins.
—Can we get a better pass rushing this week and force Clausen to make mistakes?
I really think with our special teams and stellar defense we can pull this one off
sorry, don't know how i did the lines nor do i know how to edit this.
by Stellarpete22 on Oct 8, 2010 5:31 PM CDT up reply actions
It's ok. I kinda like like this. Call it creative editing.
Personally I wouldn’t have apologized. I’d let people think I did it on purpose.
If you can't laugh at yourself you must not be very funny.
I remain a pessimistically hopeful Bears fan.
Creative editing like like twice.....
If you can't laugh at yourself you must not be very funny.
I remain a pessimistically hopeful Bears fan.
agree with Dave
I thought the lines represented heavy sarcasm at it’s best!
"I am a sinner who does not expect forgiveness. But I am not a government official." - Francis Wolcott
nice quote BTW.
…maybe you’ll recognize where I got my username =)
My adam's apple is off-center...WTF?!?!
i thought you did it on purpose...
and laughed my ass off when i read what was left un-crossed out at the end.
My adam's apple is off-center...WTF?!?!
Hey check this out
Bold italic striked
*bullet
*bullet
#number
#number
bq. Blockquoted
p(. Indented
"Serious sport has nothing to do with fair play. It is bound up with hatred, jealousy, boastfulness, disregard of all rules and sadistic pleasure in witnessing violence. In other words, it is war minus the shooting." - George Orwell
I really hope your team's strategy isn't to run the ball ...
… ‘cause that would play right in to Carolina’s strength. Their defense is fifth in the league in rushing yards per attempt. They’ve held backs to 3.3 yards per carry. The linebackers are unquestionably the strength of the whole team. Beason isn’t even the one doing the best. James Anderson, the SAM backer, has ten more tackles on the year than Beason. Dan Connor is a force at MLB. You all are really going to need to throw, and often. Or, you can just stop Carolina’s running game and the game is all over. Either way.
stuff 'bout stuff.
By the way, keep in mind that rushing number included a game against a scrambling quarterback.
Josh Freeman picked up a lot of yards on the ground against Carolina. So, if you only include running backs, Carolina’s defense is probably ranked higher.
stuff 'bout stuff.
by silver82blade on Oct 8, 2010 11:38 PM CDT up reply actions
We Need Logan Mankins
Angelo needs to trade our 1st rounder along with Manamuela (who sucks balls anyway) and Forte to get him. Do it before its too late!
Maybe not but its better than what we have right now.
Its clear that no matter how good a coach Tice is there just isn’t any talent in the line. Mankins is 28 and is a solid Pro Bowl player and could anchor the the center o line with Kruetz for many years to come. Maybe we could get Mawae out of retirement too.
Its clear now that every team that the Bears face from now on will go after the QB so even if Cutler returns he will get slaughtered again. If Cutler takes a few more concussions his career will be finished. Think about it.
lol
k
You're being very Un-Dude right now.
by IslandBoodler87 on Oct 9, 2010 8:08 AM CDT up reply actions
That is easily the worst trade scenario I've ever heard.
Bravo, sir.
If I did what I love for a living, what would I do in my free time?
Writer at windycitygridiron.com {-/-} http://www.twitter.com/kdoggers
Well, I take that back
I could see, theoretically, Forte and a 5th, if the Patriots were at all interested in a running back who can’t run the ball out of the backfield.
If I did what I love for a living, what would I do in my free time?
Writer at windycitygridiron.com {-/-} http://www.twitter.com/kdoggers
Behind our line who could ??? Barry Sanders called and ....
…. said " Damn not even I could run behind that O-line , they’re bad " .
As for the trade issue , yea thats a bad trade . Considering that Mankins could possibly be had for say 2 second rounders or even maybe 2 third rounders . Heck throw in Garza or Schaffer to sweeten the pot .
" Everyone has a plan 'till they get punched in the mouth. " ~
Mike Tyson
by MidWayMonster54 on Oct 9, 2010 1:29 PM CDT up reply actions
Sweeten the pot?
How much, since the pot doesn’t taste any better than old fashioned cough syrup to begin with?
"Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win."
not worried bout panthers
bears 21- panthers 10
by Tommy Ohyeah Mcduffie on Oct 9, 2010 9:30 AM CDT reply actions
we stop the run
we stop carolina
the last 4 weeks we played
Eli Manning
Aaron Rodgers
Tony Romo
Matt Stafford/Shaun Hill…
trust me when i say Jimmy doesnt scare our defense enough with Steve Smith let alone without him.
by Tommy Ohyeah Mcduffie on Oct 9, 2010 9:32 AM CDT up reply actions
collins will be fine
His age is not a problem its a plus, he’ll make good decisions and move the ball.
We have the 3rd most accurate kicker in nfl history.
Our D will shut down their running game and force Clausen to pass.
Look for a Defensive Score by our D.
Bears 17-9
by 62bearsthe best on Oct 10, 2010 10:09 AM CDT reply actions
I know hindsight's always 20/20 but you may want to rethink your position
If you can't laugh at yourself you must not be very funny.
I remain a pessimistically hopeful Bears fan.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Community Guidelines
Related FanPosts on Windy City Gridiron
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Shutdown Corner - NFL - Yahoo! Sports
- Lawrence Taylor was told his Super Bowl ring was bought by Charlie Sheen
- Chad Ochocinco gets robbed, mourns loss of Starbucks gold card
- Robert Griffin III will be first NFL player with Roman numerals on his jersey
- Alex Smith joins the burgeoning ‘stats are for losers’ movement
- Roger Goodell wants Wi-Fi in every stadium
