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WCG Key Match-Up: Bears Defensive Line vs. Patriots Offensive Line

The Bears stopped one of the most dynamic QB's in the league Michael Vick a couple weeks back. They face a totally different monster in Tom Brady this Sunday. There's no secret to how you stop Brady, which is simply putting pressure on him (see last year playoff game versus Ravens). Yes it's not such a complex task, but the five guys in front of Brady do a great job keeping him up right. This will most likely be the best offensive line the Bears defensive line will face for the rest of the season. The Patriots have weapons across the line on offense. Deion Branch is in super bowl MVP mode, Wes Welker is...well Wes Welker, Brandon Tate gives them a threat downfield, and Danny Woodhead is such a multi dimensional weapon in the backfield. The defensive line is going have to create plenty of pressure in order to contain the best offense in the league.

Star-divide

LE Israel Idonije vs. RT Sebastian Vollmer

Sebastian Vollmer is quite the physical specimen just like Idonjie, and that's why I feel this will be a fun and maybe most important match-up on the line. I can imagine them helping out Matt Light on the other side against Peppers, so it will be important for Idonjie to make his presence felt against Vollmer. It will be a tough match-up for Idonjie, because Vollmer is quick on his feet and once he gets his hands on you it's a wrap. Expect Rod Marinelli to flip the ends at times in the game as Peppers mix blend of speed and power will give Vollmer problems.

Bears Defensive Tackles vs. Patriots Interior Line

Dan Connolly replaced injured reserved guard Stephen Neal on Monday night and the line looked as if it didn't have a drop off. The Bears Defensive tackles is key in this game as they need to not make it comfortable for Brady in the pocket. This is a game where this defense will need Tommie Harris and Matt Toenia to turn it up a notch. 

Key Match-Up to Watch: DT Henry Melton vs. LG Logan Mankins

Mankins is the best guard in the NFL and it's no coincidence this offense took off as soon as he came back from his hold out. Melton is an absolute beast, who possesses power and speed that makes him such a versatile Defensive lineman. This individual match-up interest me the most of all because you have the best in the business in Mankins, and a hungry, high motor, and athletic lineman in Melton.

RE Julius Peppers vs. LT Matt Light 

Peppers will have the choice of where to line up depending on match-up, but assume he will do most of his work against Light. Light is still a solid tackled, but he's declining. Peppers speed might make life difficult on Light unless they take one of their tight ends and double Peppers. The Pats can afford to do that because both Tight Ends are outstanding receiving threats. Lets hope Brady and Belichick is cocky enough to leave Peppers one on one with anyone of his tackles.

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Comments

Display:

If Tommie Harris

shakes the Albert Haynesworth syndrome and show a little of the 06 Harris, we’re in good shape.

by Big Ike on Dec 9, 2010 7:43 PM CST reply actions  

Hahahahahahaaha

Please, oh, please, stop with the jokes.

by Hawkeyes on Dec 10, 2010 10:23 AM CST up reply actions  

indeed

no mistaking that inimitable writing style.
concise and to the point!

Melton and Mankins battle will be fun to watch, and that will be a big key. i think that the Pats will game plan to neutralize Peppers so that leaves it up to the rest of the D line to come through in the clutch.

"I am a sinner who does not expect forgiveness. But I am not a government official." - Francis Wolcott

by Maelvampyre on Dec 9, 2010 9:19 PM CST up reply actions  

Belicheck won't let Peppers beat him

I think you can count on that. They’ll probably double team Peppers for most of the game. We’ll have to hope that the rest of the line can step up because if we don’t get pressure on Brady, we probably don’t stand much of a chance to win this game.

by JimmyMack on Dec 11, 2010 9:29 PM CST up reply actions  

I'm expecting the Patriots to run a lot of the 2 TE sets...

…with Crumpler helping Light and Gronkowski on the other side to chip away at Idonije and then break into the flat as an outlet.

by Richard Hill on Dec 9, 2010 8:23 PM CST reply actions  

I agree.

If Crumpler catches a pass all night I’ll be shocked because he’s much more valuable doubling Peppers.

by TheotherDane on Dec 9, 2010 9:16 PM CST up reply actions  

Which might be why he gets thrown to...

If you’d be shocked, so would the guy who would otherwise be covering Crumpler when he catches something downfield? Hah.

You’re probably right – he’ll be taking Peppers out of play all game, and if he catches anything, it’s probably after he’s chipped Peppers into the OT and submission.

Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.

by Comedic.Sans on Dec 9, 2010 10:46 PM CST up reply actions  

I'm expecting

…the earth to tremble, then open up at the line of scrimmage and pull Brady and the O-Line into its depths, thus forcing a Patriots adjustment at the half.

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 10, 2010 12:50 AM CST up reply actions  

The last Patriots backup QB is on a 23 TD, 4 Int season at the Chiefs...

Although I’d prefer to only see Hoyer in the victory formation, thank you very much. Haha.

Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.

by Comedic.Sans on Dec 10, 2010 5:47 AM CST up reply actions  

lol
submission

If you go in the bathroom, turn off the lights, and say "Da Coach" 5 times while facing the mirror... Ditka will appear and slap the wussy right out of you.

by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Dec 10, 2010 11:47 AM CST up reply actions  

Yep...

…and Crumpler was left on an island against the Colts Dwight Freeney for 10 or so snaps and didn’t allow a pressure. Matt Light was on Freeney on an island for the rest of the game and let up one sack, but was solid the rest of the night. Put them together and I wouldn’t be surprised if Peppers was shut out.

The quick passing game of the Patriots is the best counter to a speedy defensive end.

by Richard Hill on Dec 10, 2010 12:33 PM CST up reply actions  

There’s no secret to how you stop Brady, which is simply putting pressure on him (see last year playoff game versus Ravens).

Yes and no. Welker was on IR when they played the Ravens, and the Ravens blitzed the life out of Brady knowing Brady’s best check-down option was on the sideline with a blown out ACL and MCL.

Probably the best way to attack Brady is stacking passing lanes with LBs but still getting a good 4-man pass-rush on him. That’s the blueprint of the 2007 Giants in the Super Bowl.

Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.

by Comedic.Sans on Dec 9, 2010 10:43 PM CST reply actions  

or...

you could keep him on the sideline with some clock killing drives (See Eagles-Bears 3rd Q)
He cant hurt you if hes not on the field…

by BOBdaBEAR on Dec 9, 2010 10:46 PM CST up reply actions  

That too, but that works equally well against any good QB.

Grinding it out and keeping the big Patriots 3-4 D-linemen on the field is probably the way to go, and could be why the Pats signed a bit of DE front-7 depth this week in their weekly roster re-jiggle at the expense of a pure OLB.

Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.

by Comedic.Sans on Dec 9, 2010 10:48 PM CST up reply actions  

Well i didn't mean blitzing Brady, though a small percentage would be alright.

I agree entirely that the Bears need to depend on pressure with their front four and rely on the back 7 to make sure tackles.

by Dominique Blanton on Dec 9, 2010 11:39 PM CST via mobile up reply actions  

Yeah

Getting hits on him is the best way to rattle him, but only if you don’t have to sacrifice pass-coverage to do it.

Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.

by Comedic.Sans on Dec 10, 2010 5:48 AM CST up reply actions  

Yep, this matchup will decide the game

If Peppers and co. can get to Brady we will win, if not, we lose. Simple as that.

by Gaak on Dec 10, 2010 6:34 AM CST reply actions  

Peppers and Idonije need to get some pressure...

but they also have to get a good knock on the TEs and RBs that chip out of the backfield. It’s counter intuitive, I know, but if they can disrupt the TE and RB routes when they are supposed to chip and peel off to catch the underneath ball, it will force Brady to sit in the pocket longer waiting for deep/long routes to develop or force throws to the TE/RB who is off stride. The guys who need to get more pressure are the DTs to force Brady out of the pocket or to throw out routes or even get a few tipped balls over the middle.

I expect the Bears to not blitz very much, but a few well timed nickel blitzes and SS run blitzes should hold the Pats in check as much as possible. Hopefully the weather is such that the Bears can play to stop the run first and not get too anxious to drop into nickel coverage too soon. The Pats are a surprisingly good rushing team, so I expect them to run to open the pass against the Bears. If the Bears D can be good on first down, they should be able to keep this game close and allow the offense so leeway to make enough plays to win. It’s a tall order for the Bears D-line because the Pats have the best O-line in football; that, as much as having Brady, is why they are consistent winners. BEAR DOWN!

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 10, 2010 8:06 AM CST reply actions  

I agree that we will not see much blitzing in this game.

I think we will see some nickel back blitzes and Safety blitzes, as the linebackers will be counted on to just come up and make tackles.

by Dominique Blanton on Dec 10, 2010 6:59 PM CST up reply actions  

Wait just a doggone second...

since when do you have a real name!?!?! Man, I’ve been away from WCG for a few days and this is what happens? Damn, I gotta pay more attention!

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 11, 2010 3:53 PM CST up reply actions  

Stopping Brady is simple.

Just have Gisele ask him to throw INTs.

by celerysalt on Dec 10, 2010 9:01 AM CST reply actions  

No. As his offensive coordinator

Gisele would only ask Tom to throw incompletions. If he throws a pick and has to chase after a defender, he might mess up his heavenly coif, and we can’t have that.

by NorthSideBearsFan on Dec 10, 2010 11:29 AM CST up reply actions  

Defense

Will need at least two sacks and a turnover to rattle the offense. A pick will help, but if it’s a forced fumble, just as well.

by LRT on Dec 10, 2010 9:29 AM CST reply actions  

He's included in this group
Bears Defensive Tackles vs. Patriots Interior Line

If you go in the bathroom, turn off the lights, and say "Da Coach" 5 times while facing the mirror... Ditka will appear and slap the wussy right out of you.

by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Dec 10, 2010 11:49 AM CST up reply actions  

David Coperfiled could not make Anthony Adams diasappear.

When the world slips you a Jeffrey, stroke a furry wall.
- Aldous Snow

by Ditkavsworld on Dec 10, 2010 1:38 PM CST up reply actions  

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