The NFC North Division Champion Chicago Bears have wrapped up the division and a bye week in the playoffs. Now on to their second gift to the fans, taking the Packers out of the playoffs and perhaps securing the #1 seed. I don't blame Lovie for declaring all week that his starters will go. Kickoff for the Bears is at 3:15 on Sunday and with the early game featuring the Falcons at home against Carolina; 1st seed in the NFC can be at stake. I still find it hard to believe that the Bears really are going to play all out for the entire game. Lovie has in the past rested the starters such as in 2005. I still remember Urlacher just seething on the sideline in Minnesota as the Vikings racked up 34 points on the Bears vaunted defense. Next week of course the Bears lost to the Panthers and Steve Smith in the Wild Card round. Did the 'week off' hurt the Bears in the following game? Assuming Atlanta crushes the hapless Panthers and there isn't anything to play for, would Lovie risk injury? Or does Lovie think two weeks off would hurt even more now with the bye week in place? In a hard week to predict, the Bears travel to Lambeau Field to take on the Green Bay Packers.
Green Bay enters Sunday playing for their playoff lives. In the NFL no prediction is safe and the Packers were touted as one of the elite teams to challenge for the Super Bowl out of the NFC. Injuries have a way of humbling a franchise and Mike McCarthy's crew have fourteen guys on the IR compared to the Bears two. Give credit to the front office and coaching staff to have the depth to supplant those they have lost and still sustain a 9-6 record and a chance at the postseason. Aaron Rodgers remains the Most Valuable Packer and has bounced back well from his concussion a few weeks ago. Aaron and the offense is still just as lethal as posting 45 points up against the New York Giants last Sunday. The Packers are 8th the NFL in points per game and 2nd in the NFL in points allowed, this Packers team is too good to not be in the playoffs.
KEY MATCH-UPS
Situation vs. Preparation
While the fans at home would love nothing more to see than the Bears take the Packers out of the playoff race, I wonder if the players themselves will ultimately be looking forward to the 2nd weekend in January. Green Bay will be throwing everything at the Bears just to secure a spot but will Martz and Marinelli want to show everything they'd use in the playoffs right now? All can be put aside if Carolina can pull out a miracle and Chicago can play for the #1 seed. In 2006, the Bears beat the Saints with help from the elements. Lovie knows this.
Pro Bowler vs. Pro Bowler
Peppers vs. Clifton. These two will be featured at times on the blind side of Aaron Rodgers. Chad Clifton has had a strong season and rookie Bryan Bulaga did well in the first meeting between the two teams. How both Peppers and Idonije do against these two will help determine the fate of the defense. As was seen last week against the Jets, if there is not pressure from the defensive line the defense will fail.
Devin Hester vs. the coverage
Assuming Lovie is true to his word, the Bears will trot out Devin Hester for at least punt returns. Devin had his first return for a touchdown this year against the Packers in Week 3. Depending on how he starts or if the Packers even kick to him will aid in the battle for field position.
Offensive Line vs. Clay Matthews
The Bears can ill afford any injuries to the QB position and holding Clay Matthews at bay remains the top priority on Sunday. Cutler's success this season has been seen both in and out of the pocket but his health was an issue because of the inconsistency at the offensive line. With this lineup of Omiyale, Williams, Kreutz, Garza and Webb for the past few weeks, this line has improved week by week.
Do I know Football more than the person I’m related to by marriage and Madden 11?
Current Season Straight Up
Pants: 10-5
Skirts: 10-5
Pixels: 10-5
Current Season Against the Spread
Pants 13-2
Skirts: 9-6
Pixels: 7-8
Week 17 is Bears @ Packers; Vegas has the Packers favored by 10 points.
Her Reason: Because they are on a roll
In Lovie's introductory press conference back in 2004, he mentioned that beating the Packers was his #1 goal with winning the division and Super Bowl his #2 and #3 goals. Hard to believe that the now veteran NFL head coach would truly position his starters to play a full 60 minutes knowing he's playing health roulette with his players. The postseason looms large and I do not believe that the players or the coaching staff will be showing their full hands this week. Packers beat the Bears but do not cover 24-17.
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