Three Keys Against the Eagles: Offense

by Steven Schweickert on Nov 5, 2011 11:00 AM CDT in Notes

1) Delays and Draws against the Wide Nine

Contrary to what some articles would have you believe, the Eagles actually do have a really good front four in the pass-rush department. Jason Babin has nine sacks on the year, Trent Cole has four sacks in five games, and the rest of the linemen haven't been too shabby either. Part of the ends' high sack totals is a result of the Wide Nine look the Lions used against the Bears with great success.

This look relies on the linebackers to be able to make plays to stop the run game in the wider gaps between tackle and end, which is probably the weakest unit on the Eagles' defense. And with the Bears' run-blocking being far superior to their pass protection, there's potential for Matt Forte to have another big day.

2) Targeting the Mid-Yardage Receivers

Last year, Earl Bennett had two touchdowns against the Eagles' defense. Guess who's going to be on the field Monday night? No, I'm not going to go so stupidly far as to guarantee a touchdown for Bennett (Kellen Davis had one last year too), but I'll point out that while the secondary has been very good in coverage lately, the linebackers are rather suspect - targets underneath to Bennett, Dane Sanzenbacher and Kellen Davis could help drop down coverage and might open up deeper plays for Knox and Hester.

3) Speaking of the slot...

If Hester and Knox are going to be effective against a revamped Eagles secondary, I like their chances better when they're running straight down the field instead of actively working against Asomugha, Samuel or Rogers-Cromartie. Launching them from the slot might help get them open a little better for more big plays in a game that could be a shootout.

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Can I add a fourth Key?

4) Martz using some sanity in his playcalling and no 7 step drop 40 yard pass plays until the other options we’ve run on offense open that opportunity. (read, 120 yrds rushing and the short route passing you’ve identifed).

Pay Matt Forte! Now!

by TheotherDane on Nov 5, 2011 11:19 AM CDT reply actions

Dang it!

Guess that would make mine the 5th key…

Jay Cutler is our QB, and I for one am proud of that

by Erik Christopher Duerrwaechter on Nov 5, 2011 11:21 AM CDT up reply actions

And as always...

4) Protect the Quarterback

Carimi is unlikely to return to the line-up this Monday night against the Eagles after being the only player held out of practice yesterday. So, our current O-line will be the same line-up we’ve seen the last 2 games headed into the bye. Babin, Cole, and Jenkins will all test our O-line.

Jay Cutler is our QB, and I for one am proud of that

by Erik Christopher Duerrwaechter on Nov 5, 2011 11:20 AM CDT reply actions

counter and trap plays

Both figure, at least from a scheme perspective, to be wildly effective on this defensive alignment. I Would really like to see spencer, louis, and clutz running in space putting hats on dbs and these hapless iggle lbs.

by NathanF on Nov 5, 2011 11:22 AM CDT reply actions

running a 9 route with Hester/Knox may also benefit the WR beating the jam at the line. If they can accont for the disruption the timing can be made up with their speed.

I look for 3-5 big plays with this

Superman wears an Urlacher Jersey under his costume

by BearNecessities on Nov 5, 2011 11:23 AM CDT reply actions

Score more points then the other team

by No It All on Nov 5, 2011 11:50 AM CDT reply actions 2 recs

Don't suck

"I'm too drunk to taste this chicken" - Colonel Sanders

It's all about THE []_[] baby!!!

~"Smile when u being attacked,laugh when they talking boutcha,wave when they hating on u and Pray when they leave u alone Somethings wrong!"~ Deion Sanders

At least FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER before you judge me fool

by suckmyditka on Nov 5, 2011 12:21 PM CDT reply actions

I wanna see Carimi in as a tight end in some looks if he plays. hey said they wanted to work him back in slowly so this would also gt him some game action. And I would feel much better having carimi take on a de then kellen Davis.

by TheHesterEffect on Nov 5, 2011 12:22 PM CDT via mobile reply actions

Should be a good watermark test for our O line..

especially to see if that right side combo should be kept together for longer term..and to see if Webb can hold his own on the other side.

by Pretender85 on Nov 5, 2011 12:41 PM CDT reply actions

1. is great. The only thing you have to worry about is that the Eagles have started to move the line men in closer on obvious run downs. Mike Patterson in pparticular is reat at lugging up holes on the inside so calling a draw on an obvious run down may backfire.

by nyeaglesfan624 on Nov 5, 2011 1:38 PM CDT reply actions

heavy doses of end arounds and FB dives

I keed I keed

by dicksingletary on Nov 5, 2011 1:45 PM CDT reply actions

The Bears offense...

needs to go anti-Martz for this week. Heavily weighted in rushing and PA passes for short gains. NO 7 STEP DROPS AT ALL! Use Hester and Knox to run off the CBs and throw underneath to the slot WRs, TEs and RBs. Also, limit the screens and slow developing plays. Simple off-tackle runs and short passes over the middle to test the weakness of the Eagles D at LB. Play for ball control and time of possession and slow the game down to counter the speed of the DEs. If the Bears can run well and finish drives with TDs, they are well positioned for a playoff run.

FORTE: PAY THE MAN!

by LostInSTL on Nov 5, 2011 5:15 PM CDT reply actions