WCG Key Match-Up: Bears DL vs Packers OL

by Dominique Blanton on Dec 30, 2010 8:43 PM CST in Game Preview

The question all this week is whether Lovie will play his starters for this Sunday match-up against rival Packers. The Bears still have a chance at home field advantage through out the playoffs with Falcons lost to the Panthers (unlikely) and a Saints lost to the Buccaneers (unlikely). There's a great chance the Falcons and Saints take care of business this Sunday, so the Bears will most likely go into a meaningless game against the Packers. I'm taking the Lawrence Holmes approach and that I'm ok with either. If Lovie wants to go all out and try to knock the Packers out the playoffs that will be fine with me. If he wants to pull his players just to be on the safe side that is also fine with me. The reason for this being because a part of me wants to see the Packers fail and see guys like Jason LaConfora eat crow. The other part of me wants the Bears to be completely healthy in the playoffs, and I don't want any part of that Giants defensive line.

Since I'm doing this week Key Match-up, I will go into this post thinking that Lovie will play his starters this Sunday. This means we will see the starting defensive line try foil the Packers playoff hopes by getting after Aaron Rodgers.

RE Julius Peppers vs. LT Chad Clifton

Julius didn't get a sack in the last meeting against the Packers, but he made his presence felt by forcing Clifton and then RT Mark Trauscher to many false start penalties. I can imagine they will game plan to give Clifton as much help as he can. Peppers is too quick and too powerful for the 34 year old Clifton to block one on one. I also expect Julius to flip over and test 1^st year player Bryan Bulaga.

DT Henry Melton vs. LG Daryn Colledge

On passing downs it won't be Adams, but Melton. Colledge might be bigger than Melton, but Melton is much quicker and athletic than Colledge. If Melton can prevent Colledge from getting a body on him with his athleticism it should be a favorable match-up for the line all game long.

DT Matt Toenia/Tommie Harris vs. RG Josh Sitton

Sitton is a very good starting offensive guard and will be important for the defensive tackles specifically the 3 technique to get pressure and make Peppers and Idonjie job easier coming off the edge. Harris seems to have arrived as usual late in the season (if only he was consistent throughout the season) and Toenia has been solid all season.

LE Israel Idonijie vs. RT Bryan Bulaga

I feel that the Bears defensive ends can have success against the Packers Tackles this Sunday. Idonije has pretty much made most of us fans forget about Alex Brown with his solid play this season. He's in a favorable match-up this Sunday against Bulaga who is a 1^st year tackle. Idonije for a really big guy is really athletic at the LE position, and that can pose problems for the inexperience Bulaga.

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Comments

As a Giants fan

I hope to god Lovie plays and goes all out, so my team can back into the playoffs.

So go Bears on Sunday.

Even if the Bears don’t win Sunday, I’ll pull for you guys in the playoffs.

by Landeta on Dec 30, 2010 8:56 PM CST reply actions

As will I.

Thanks.

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 30, 2010 9:38 PM CST up reply actions

I think

the Bears will go all out. It’s not a necessity, but to pro athletes it’s real important to stay in their in routine. And we’re playing the Pack ofcourse, both are things Lovie understands.

by DutchBear on Dec 30, 2010 9:50 PM CST up reply actions

This team needs to go out and try to get another win

Our offense needs the reps against a playoff caliber defense, the offense has been clicking for a couple of weeks now and we need to keep that momentum going as this cohesion is fragile and could fall apart fast. We hang 40 points on this Packers defense and this offense can sleep well through the Bye week, the Bears don’t show up on Sunday and this fragile cohesion the offense has found could vanish as fast as it appeared. With the bye week Lovie can play all starters for 4 quarters without any real worry, we need to thump this Packers team now before they build any momentum once the playoffs begin and that means taking care of business 3pm on Sunday.

White Sox fans need not apply.

by Bears-Cubs Bulls on Dec 30, 2010 10:36 PM CST reply actions

I agree with this

Our offense needs the reps against a playoff caliber defense

I don’t want these guys to get in the habit of easing back on the throttle. Don’t even let them know there is a throttle.

All that being said, Lovie is our coach, and I promise to be serene with his decision. (deep breath)

Well, I'm sure I'd feel much worse if I weren't under such heavy sedation. - David St. Hubbins, Spinal Tap

by juperee on Dec 31, 2010 7:01 AM CST up reply actions

FORTE

i would like to think that not only sweeping the division is on the list, but getting Matte Forte 1000yds rushing and 500yds receiving would be motivational. our o-line would be ecstatic and proud to help.

by stepeo on Dec 31, 2010 12:07 AM CST reply actions

and a 1000 yards for knox as well

Easier to get the fan out of Chicago, then to get the Bears out of the fan. Once a Bears fan, always a Bear fan.

by BearDownIsrael on Dec 31, 2010 7:16 AM CST up reply actions

It's not just about his stats

Forte will be the key to the offense dominating the defense. The Packers D is susceptible to the run.

by NorthSideBearsFan on Dec 31, 2010 11:42 AM CST up reply actions

yes they are i beleive theyre 25-32 against the run

by chiguy8506 on Dec 31, 2010 11:44 AM CST up reply actions

It also would be good to use him in the screen game, get that back on a roll before the playoffs

by Erik Christopher Duerrwaechter on Dec 31, 2010 11:32 PM CST up reply actions

*LOSS

You must have me confused with someone else, I have never been to Chicago.
[whispers] I sexually assaulted Scottie Pippen in 1997.

by DocPepper on Dec 31, 2010 4:34 AM CST reply actions

Just another reason for playing starters

This year Bears are drafting an offensive lineman in the first round no matter what. Question is which position? Guard or tackle? This last game can make a big difference.

In fact, despite Briggs saying,

While he has been considered a guard for most of his career, the Bears plan to work him at right tackle. That’s where seventh-round draft pick J’Marcus Webb has been starting

i still believe Johnson was hired as a guard as Tice is still unhappy with the guard position as it is at the moment.

Would anyone have any info how Levi Horn is doing on the practice squad?

Easier to get the fan out of Chicago, then to get the Bears out of the fan. Once a Bears fan, always a Bear fan.

by BearDownIsrael on Dec 31, 2010 7:22 AM CST reply actions

I think it has to be inside...

Kreutz is going to be a super old FA, and Garza is getting closer and closer to the glue factory.

Meanwhile we have three “young guys” for the tackle position. Webb looks like he belongs there finally, and between Omiyale and Webb there should be at least a half decent option for LG.

Associate Writer - WindyCityGridiron.com - Artist formerly known as Sklz711

by Jacob Hayes on Dec 31, 2010 8:28 AM CST up reply actions

Agreed

I think CWiiliams remains, but Kreutz and Graza have to be replaced, Kreutz especially. No reason to re-up him at all. That would be waste of cap space.

I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren

by lookingdeadred on Dec 31, 2010 10:13 AM CST up reply actions

maybe not replaced

but at least have a viable back up plan
drafting a young center and young guard would be great and they may get a whole year of teaching from those two veterans.

I respect your OPINION but i also value the FACTS, To save time, lets just ASSume IM NEVER WRONG

by Tommy Ohyeah Mcduffie on Dec 31, 2010 10:48 AM CST up reply actions

POUNCEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

IF anyone watched the TExas Bowl how about the Illionis Line

by chiguy8506 on Dec 31, 2010 11:46 AM CST up reply actions

The center from FSU is a beast and avaliable

I would like to see Chris Williams bumped over to RG and to see what Herman Johnson has at LG.

by Erik Christopher Duerrwaechter on Dec 31, 2010 11:33 PM CST up reply actions

Can anyone Tell me how a Packer Oline guy made it to the pro bowl?!!!!

by chiguy8506 on Dec 31, 2010 11:47 AM CST reply actions

Havent You Heard

everybody loves the Packers even though they havent won the division since Brett Favre was at QB.

by Gaak on Dec 31, 2010 11:53 AM CST up reply actions

And how does Chris Harris get snubbed?!

by Erik Christopher Duerrwaechter on Dec 31, 2010 11:34 PM CST up reply actions

Everybody is still raving about the Packers...

…so I want the Bears to treat this as a playoff game, and knock the Packers out for good.
I respect them as a team and realize that they are talented, but they have been getting too much praise for too long.
Even back in the off-season everybody was expecting them to make it at least to the NFC Championship game.

NB: don’t worry if Giants make it, they are toothless now that Bears have a decent OL and a running game.

by PatientBear on Dec 31, 2010 2:01 PM CST reply actions