Game Preview Part II: Bears (9-1) at Patriots (7-3) Offense
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What an important game this Sunday! I hope to see the Patriots play their best while the Bears lose morale, make mistakes, become frustrated and give us victory. Like so much of football, the outcome will have been greatly influenced by what the coaches have gameplanned. Let’s take a look at how our offense should get it done.
Patriots Offsensive Coordinator Josh McDaniels will be looking to put up points against the only defense in the National Football League that has allowed fewer points than his own team. A defense that swarms to the ball with blazing speed, stripping and intercepting the ball for an alarming +9 turnover ratio. Their defense has shut out two opponents: the New York Jets and the unfortunate Green Bay Packers. Their only loss came against the Miami Dolphins, who scored 31 points at Soldiers Field in Chicago.
In that game on November 5 the Dolphins surrendered no fumbles, but Quarterback Joey Harrington threw two interceptions and threw for only 137 passing yards. I believe the key to the Dolphins win was stud running back Ronnie Brown’s 157 rushing yards on 29 carries with no fumbles. The Patriots have two good running backs in Corey Dillon and Lawrence Maroney who we need to have a good ball protecting game from.
This will be the toughest defense the Patriots will face all year, coached by Defensive Coordinator Ron Rivera who is gaining Belichick-like respect around the league for his defensive intellect. But the individuals on the field also play a huge part. Patriots center Dan Koppen will certainly earn his paycheck against Nose Tackle Tank Johnson and Defensive Tackle Tommie Harris. Harris already has 5 sacks this year, and last year the two combined for 8 sacks. Adelawe Ogunleye has a weird name, but he also is considered to be one the premier pass rushers in the league and his 3.5 sacks this year, together with DE Alex Brown’s 5 sacks and 2 interceptions would intimidate any offensive coordinator.
The linebackers are nasty too. Brian Urlacher is a perennial pro bowler, quality weakside linebacker in Lance Briggs, and the under-the-radar Hunter Hillenmeyer completes this strong linebacking corps. In order for our running game to get humming, Koppen, LG Logan Mankins, RG Stephen Neal and the Tight Ends need to block well and carry out our schemes effectively.
Reader Comments
> I believe the key to the Dolphins win was stud running back Ronnie Brown’s 157 rushing yards on 29 carries with no fumbles.
As important as the Bears’ sudden impotence against the run was in the loss to Miami (after losing Pro Bowl safety and unquestioned team leader Mike Brown for the season), truly the biggest factor was giving up 6 turnovers, several forced a couple not. You just can’t give your opponent’s offense 10, 20 and 30 yard fields and expect to win.
Unless of course they’re the Arizona Cardinals (but we all know who they are).
As everyone has been saying since that Monday Night in Glendale, “the book is out on Rex Grossman”: blitz early and blitz often. If your 3-4 front can overwhelm our O-line (plugging up the run while they’re at it), you have a decent chance of forcing Rex into making stupid mistakes under pressure, especially if your offense can manage to take an early lead.
On offense, our secondary is a (relatively) weak point. Our CBs (a weak point last season) are healthy and have performed admirably this year. As mentioned above, though, we’ve lost our veteran strong safety (and “quarterback” of the secondary) Mike Brown to a season-ending foot injury. With 4 games under his belt, his replacement, Todd Johnson, is finally getting his legs and not missing quite as many tackles, but Brown is still dearly missed.
Add to that Ricky Manning, Jr.’s one-game suspension (finally handed down last week), and the Bears are fielding a fairly young defensive backfield: a couple fourth-year players in Johnson and Peanut Tillman, a third-year stud in Vasher, second-year safety Chris Harris and rookie CB Danieal Manning.
As a 5th DB, Ricky Manning normally rotates in at corner and sees a lot of play in nickle and dime packages, which I’d imagine we’ll see if the Pats take it to the air. Expect Danieal Manning and fifth-year corner Dante Wesley in his stead.
Best of luck.
My prediction… 46–10 Bears
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> On offense, our secondary is a (relatively) weak point.
Err… “On defense…”
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