WCG Key Match-Up: Bears O-Line vs. Lions D-Line

by Dominique Blanton on Dec 2, 2010 6:10 PM CST

Big win from the Bears this past Sunday against the Eagles, but now is not the time to look past our next opponent. They have to keep their eyes on the prize and protect their lead in the division while also pushing for home field advantage throughout the playoffs. The Bears need to continue their strong play this Sunday against the Lions who, despite possesing a pretty good defensive line, have been a complete punching bag. The key match-up this weekend will be our offensive line versus their defensive line. If the line can put together a solid performance, it will give the rest of this offense a chance to put together an all around great offensive performance.

LT Frank Omiyale vs. RE Kyle Vanden Bosch

Vanden Bosch bullied Chris Williams on opening day, but he will get a different look this time around in Frank Omiyale. I really underestimated Vanden Bosch with the thought that he was overrated, and his one good season in Tennessee had much to do with Albert Haynesworth's presence in the middle. This guy may have the best motor of any defensive end in the NFL. Omiyale needs to stay with his block and not be lazy for one second because Vanden Bosch will fight until the whistle is blown.

LG Chris Williams vs. DT Corey Williams

This may be the most interesting match-up on this line because Chris Williams has been becoming a better LG with each passing week, while Cory Williams is no slouch on the Lions defensive line and part of the reason why it's tough running inside against them. Chris Williams' strength is pass protection and pulling outside on running plays. Given the fact that Forte is much better running outside, I expect Williams to be key in the running department as he has proven he has the agility to pull outside and get up the field.

RG Roberto Garza vs. DT Ndamukong Suh

Garza is going to need a lot of help from Olin Kreutz against Suh this Sunday. Suh is quick, powerful, and comes with rude intentions. It will be important for Garza and Kreutz to contain Suh and not let him wreak havoc on Jay Cutler. Suh so far this season has 8 sacks and is looking like the best 4-3 DT in the NFL in just his first year.

RT J'Marcus Webb vs. LE Cliff Avril

J'Marcus Webb has been coming around well for a guy that wasn't supposed to be playing this season. Webb gets another tough match-up this Sunday against Cliff Avril who plays to Webb's weakness, the speed rush. Webb might struggle some against Avril in pass protection as he still needs to polish up his footwork, but I look for Webb to make more of an impact in the run game against Avril.

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Comments

Was that Williams who had the pancake on that screen last week?

That block was unreal.

A DRaysBay writer from Cubs Stats and Twitter @BradleyWoodrum

by BWoodrum on Dec 2, 2010 6:47 PM CST reply actions

Yup , C-Dub smeared the corner on that play . As for ....

… this game I see getting , not an easy win , but a win reguardless . The Lions are fighters so I expect a hard fought game , but in the end the injuries will catch up to them . Final score 38 – 17 Bears win .

" Everyone has a plan 'till they get punched in the mouth. " ~
Mike Tyson

by MidWayMonster54 on Dec 2, 2010 6:52 PM CST up reply actions

I'll go with

Bears- 43242389742987
Lions- negative 38992

by DaHamsta on Dec 2, 2010 7:29 PM CST up reply actions

I agree

Ditkas-3440 (get what i did there)
Lions-3 (cuz they are at home)

by l3ig_lvlike_430 on Dec 2, 2010 7:46 PM CST reply actions

Hanson on IR.

They’re not getting 3. It’d TD or bust for this team.

by Doshi on Dec 2, 2010 8:50 PM CST up reply actions

Nique

you make it sound like the Bears O-Line is going to get handled? I’m much more optimistic, cautiously this is the Bears, that at this point in the season the Bears will handle the Lions.

Surely Suh is a beast and Vanden Bosch’s motor is not to be denied, he seems to be heeling nicely. There was a time a few months ago, I thought that maybe we would have been better off acquiring Vanden Bosch instead of Peppers. At the time, I thought that if we passed on Peppers and grabbed Vanden Bosch instead, that we would have still been able to make a play for O.J. Otagwe. I readily admit that I underestimated Peppers, unbelievable beast that he is, plus I think that I heard Otagwe is having injuries this season.

On top of that, Danieal Manning has finally found his spot at SS and Chris Harris is playing better than average at FS. Apparently, who needed Otagwe anyways. I’m starting to have some confidence in our O-Line and more importantly I think Cutler is too, it’s showing. I love the way that Kreutz is as ornery as ever and the rest of the line is improving weekly. All through November our O-line has consistently played it’s best game most recently. While we might still play down to this opponent, I think that we should and will handle them more resoundingly than week one.

editing? Bear Down!!!

by Fridge72 on Dec 2, 2010 10:05 PM CST reply actions

Not so much handle, but it won't be a walk in the park. I think the Lions Defensive Line is very underrated.

If the line can protect well (and I expect they will in most parts in the game) we can carve up their back 7.

For me I never wanted Vanden Bosch or Kampman because they not big upgrades over Alex Brown. Peppers is the guy I wanted the whole time and if we had enough money left for Antrell Rolle to go after him. The play of Manning and Harris, and Wright looking like he be a good one makes passing on Rolle not look that bad now.

by Dominique Blanton on Dec 3, 2010 10:57 AM CST up reply actions

No cakewalk!

Bears over Lions, … 23-20, … with a late field goal winning it in the closing seconds :)
Go Bears!

pbanachi

by pbanachi on Dec 2, 2010 11:02 PM CST reply actions

If the Lions Score 20, I'll eat your hat.

If you don't ask, you don't get. So get on with it already.

by Suffering from Chicago Sports on Dec 3, 2010 9:11 AM CST up reply actions

"J'Marcus Webb has been coming around well"

Are you joking? Defensive ends and their mothers having coming around him pretty well. The guy is a revolving door and the mos penalised lineman in the NFL. Too big and slow to pass block, he’s a drive-stopper.

by Wally&Mac on Dec 3, 2010 12:18 AM CST reply actions

Well if he knows who to block then everything will be okay.

When he gets confused its like he doesn’t do anything….You don’t think he is a better player now then 6 weeks ago?

There's no substitute for guts.
-Paul Bear Bryant

by I love football! on Dec 3, 2010 12:36 AM CST up reply actions

Hyperbole much?

Webb got beaten up pretty badly by Cameron Wake during the win in Miami, but that is to be expected. Wake has been terrorizing everyone this season. As for his development, Webb is a much better lineman now than he was only five games ago. It takes live game reps… lots and lots of reps… for these new guys to get settled in. Webb is improving, as is the entire OL. Can you not see that?

Oh, and by the way: He’s the most penalized lineman in the NFL? Care to provide some stats to back that up?

by Dane Noble on Dec 3, 2010 5:27 AM CST up reply actions

During the last game

or maybe against Miami, the announcers mentioned something about Webb leading the league in one of the categories of penalties, I believe.

But I agree with Dane that Webb has come a long way, he was a long shot at a 7th round pick, and seems like with this season and some off season work, could actually turn into a solid RT

Superman wears an Urlacher Jersey under his costume

by BearNecessities on Dec 3, 2010 8:01 AM CST up reply actions

I've got some stats, but will wait on Wally&Mac to see if he's got anything.

by Dane Noble on Dec 3, 2010 8:23 AM CST up reply actions

I've got some stats as well....

A ‘jiffy’ is an actual unit of time for 1/100th of a second.

If you yelled for over 8 and a half years, you would have produced enough sound energy to heat one cup of coffee.

If you pet a cat 70 million times, you will have developed enough static electricity to light a 60-watt light bulb for one minute.

I could go on…..

If you can't laugh at yourself you must not be very funny.
I remain a pessimistically hopeful Bears fan.

by Just Dave on Dec 3, 2010 8:59 AM CST up reply actions

Anyone?? Buelhler??

Dane, I hear crickets…..

If you don't ask, you don't get. So get on with it already.

by Suffering from Chicago Sports on Dec 3, 2010 9:13 AM CST up reply actions

Okay, so this is from a column by Mike Sando:

(# of penalties- yards):

Alex Barron OL Rams 10-50
Demetrius Bell OL Bills 10-32
Flozell Adams OL Cowboys 9-66
Levi Brown OL Cardinals 9-61
Vernon Davis TE 49ers 9-54
Mike Gandy OL Cardinals 8-70
Brandon Pettigrew TE Lions 8-55
Andrew Whitworth OL Bengals 8-51
Pierre Garcon WR Colts 8-50
Phil Loadholt OL Vikings 8-20

This was through Week 11 of this season. Webb didn’t have any penalties in Week 12, so he didn’t suddenly jump into the top-10, much less to the top of the entire league.

Yes, it is frustrating to see our players get flagged for stupid penalties, but we also have to realize that improvement has been made. Just because your perpsective is “they all suck” doesn’t justify making things up. Not trying to pick on you… just try to remain somewhat realistic if possible.

by Dane Noble on Dec 3, 2010 1:41 PM CST up reply actions

Wally&Mac

You can’t just focus on the negatives and forget about the positives. The good thing is his negatives seems more mental than physical as he is inconsistent in picking up his assignments. Physically I think he has the skill to be a very good starting RT and his mental mistakes is easily correctable over another off-season.

by Dominique Blanton on Dec 3, 2010 11:09 AM CST up reply actions

As Long As The Bears

do a 50-50 ratio of pass and run they will be okay.

by Gaak on Dec 3, 2010 3:27 AM CST reply actions

The Bears still get no respect.

By 3 1/2, really? 3rd string QB, no kicker, and injuries up the wazoo in Detroit…… 3.5?

Where do I place my wager?

If you don't ask, you don't get. So get on with it already.

by Suffering from Chicago Sports on Dec 3, 2010 9:16 AM CST reply actions

I think I saw it's up to 5.0 now.

by Dane Noble on Dec 3, 2010 9:29 AM CST up reply actions

Nice write up...

but I am not sold that this is a “key” match-up for the Bears this week. The Lions offense will struggle to score much at all against a far superior Bears D, especially using a 3rd string QB. Therefore, I do not see the Bears needing much pass protection to win this game. Another “unMartzlike” runfest will suffice to keep the Lions D line at bay and 10+ points (probably) will win this game. I get that the Lions D-line is their one true strength, but that’s really it (except for Megatron). Maybe the Lions will make a game of it, but I don’t see the Bears having much trouble beating the Lions.

I'd prefer not to have Lovie return...Unless we win the SB baby!!!!

"There's a fine line between stupid, and clever!"

"I am serious... and don't call me Shirley." Leslie Nielson 1926-2010

by LostInSTL on Dec 3, 2010 11:44 AM CST reply actions

IF the Bears lose this game,

Lovie Smith should be fired. This is as sure a win as any game you will ever get on any schedule, ever.

This Lions squad is so beat and depleted it’s not even funny. A terrible 3rd string QB, no kicker, no Vandenbosch… not only should the Bears win, but it ought to be a 20 point blow-out.

A lose means to the Lions would just about kill our playoff chances. We’ll have far too many losses against NFC opponents and we’ll lose tiebreakers against other NFC teams with similar records. A loss to the Lions would be devastating. They HAVE to win this game. If the do Bears happen to lose this game Lovie Smith and the entire coaching staff should be fired immediately. Like, before they leave the locker room, preferably as they’re walking off the field. For real.

by Skags on Dec 3, 2010 1:56 PM CST reply actions