http://www.acmepackingcompany.com/story/2007/12/20/22627/605
Preview: Green Bay at Chicago
QB Kyle Orton will get his 2nd start of the season. In sixteen career starts, Orton has had a passer rating above 89.2 in two of them, and has a career passer rating of 59.7. They have no chance to win with Orton as their starter. Chicago has kept the score within eight points in their last four losses, although they were blown out last week at Minnesota and only kept the final score within seven points because Minnesota's QB Tavaris Jackson was a turnover machine. Turnovers and special teams might keep this game close and I'll guess the Packers win 20-12.
Teams FO Ranking NFL Ranking
Packers Rushing Offense 11 28
Chicago Rushing Defense 4 25
It was no fluke that they held Minnesota's RB Adrian Peterson to under four yards a carry last week. The Packers run offense had an off week at St. Louis, but RB Ryan Grant ran for a career high in yardage the week before. The Packers run offense against Chicago's run defense should be a good matchup.
Teams FO Ranking NFL Ranking
Chicago Rushing Offense 32 32
Packers Rushing Defense 8 15
The Packers run defense was playing great until they struggled in the first half at St. Louis. Chicago and the other RB Adrian Peterson is barely averaging over 3 yards per carry and can't run against anyone. Chicago won't run the ball anywhere.
Teams FO Ranking NFL Ranking
Packers Passing Offense 5 2
Chicago Passing Defense 21 26
Statistically the Packers pass offense should roll on Sunday, but there are some signs that this might be a close battle. The pass offense has been slowed since QB Brett Favre's injury at Dallas, plus it will be cold, and possibly wet, in Chicago. Also, Chicago finally got starting CB Nathan Vasher back after he missed most of the season, and he had an interception against Minnesota last week. CB Charles Tillman had a monster game the last time they played and forced two fumbles. Favre will rack up yards and move the ball, but they could have trouble with turnovers.
Teams FO Ranking NFL Ranking
Chicago Passing Offense 26 14
Packers Passing Defense 15 14
Ignore Chicago's pass offense rankings with Orton at QB. He isn't mobile and isn't accurate. The Packers pass defense was better early in the season, but has been trending towards average in recent weeks. Also, DE Aaron Kampman has to be looking forward to abusing RT Fred Miller. That should be more than adequate to shut down Orton.
Teams FO Ranking
Packers Special Teams 5
Chicago Special Teams 1
The special teams have carried the Packers the last two weeks, but Oakland and St. Louis have awful special teams units. Chicago has the best special teams in the NFL. KR Devin Hester is dangerous and K Robbie Gould has probably never missed a field goal against the Packers. This should be another good battle.
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http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=262615
Packers Keys For Success
1. Establish the run. Ryan Grant has emerged as one of the most consistent backs in the league during the second half of this season. He is averaging 96.5 yards rushing in the past eight games. Green Bay's offense is at its best when Grant gets 20-plus carries and takes some of the burden off quarterback Brett Favre. A solid rushing attack also opens up the play-action game for Favre, who excels at throwing over the middle. Donald Lee, a solid tight end with good hands, is an effective target off play-action. The Packers need to maintain a balanced attack on offense as they rev up for the playoffs.
2. Force the Bears to throw. Chicago's offense has been inconsistent moving the ball. With starting back Cedric Benson (leg injury) out for the season, the Bears have had an even more difficult time getting their ground game going, because replacement Adrian Peterson has not been productive enough. That has put more pressure on Chicago's quarterbacks to win games, something they've failed to do. The Packers want to force Chicago into obvious passing situations so they can tee off on quarterback Orton. Orton will be under duress all game and will most likely turn over the ball a time or two. The pressure applied by Green Bay's defensive front four will give cornerbacks Al Harris and Charles Woodson a good chance to make an interception.
3. Do not kick to Devin Hester. The Bears have a better chance of moving the ball with a Hester return than with their regular offense. Hester is the best return man in the NFL, and he can change the tide of any game with a single play. Green Bay is the superior team on both offense and defense, and it can't afford to kick the ball to the electrifying Hester and allow him to give the Bears good field position -- or, worse, give Chicago momentum with a return for a touchdown. The Packers will win this game if they play smart and allow their talent to win out.
4. Improve coverage downfield. Green Bay's defense is strong on the outside with Woodson and Harris, but the Bears can't play passive against them. They have to dictate the tempo and challenge the Packers deep, where they have struggled some in coverage, allowing 42 pass plays of 20-plus yards.
5. Beat press coverage. The Packers like to throw out of three-step drops, and Favre is one of the best in the game at throwing quick slants to his speedy wide receivers. Chicago needs cornerbacks Nathan Vasher and Charles Tillman to press receivers Greg Jennings and Donald Driver at the line of scrimmage. With Vasher and Tillman playing press coverage, the Bears want take away the quick slant and give their pass rushers more time to get to Favre.
6. Cover the TEs. Tight end Greg Olsen and Clark, in particular, could be big factors.
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http://chicagosports.chicagotribune...t,1,1624875.htmlstory?coll=cs-bears-headlines
First look: Green Bay Packers at Bears
This could be Brett Favre's last visit to Soldier Field, where he is 12-2. Soldier Field has been the most hospitable host to Favre, as he has no more than five victories at any other road stadium. And Favre could be playing better than ever. He is consistently getting the ball downfield with a 7.94-yard average per attempt, yet he has thrown only 13 interceptions. The Packers will challenge the Bears' defensive backfield depth with their four- and five-receiver sets, creating matchups against the likes of Ricky Manning Jr. and Corey Graham.
Since Week 8, Ryan Grant has 772 rushing yards, second in the NFL behind LaDainian Tomlinson's 784. Grant gets a lot of his yards against nickel and dime defenses and with the safeties back. But you still have to give the ex-Notre Dame back credit. Nobody ever would have believed it early in the season, but containing Grant has to be a major concern for the Bears. For the Bears to have a chance against the Pack, they'll need some Devin Hester magic. But the Packers are the only team in the league that has not allowed a touchdown on any type of return this season.
Key stat: The Packers through 14 games had 1,851 yards after the catch—most in the NFL. The Bears, meanwhile, might lead the league in missed tackles. That combination could result in a lot of big plays.
Key matchup: Packers cornerbacks Charles Woodson and Al Harris versus Bears receivers Muhsin Muhammad and Bernard Berrian. Woodson and Harris might be the best set of corners in the NFL this year, and if they can prevent Muhammad and Berrian from getting open, the results will be either passes forced into coverage, check-downs or sacks. We'll probably see a lot of all three. Early pick: Packers 24, Bears 12.
:USA: :yeah: :agree: :thumbsup: :USA:
Preview: Green Bay at Chicago
QB Kyle Orton will get his 2nd start of the season. In sixteen career starts, Orton has had a passer rating above 89.2 in two of them, and has a career passer rating of 59.7. They have no chance to win with Orton as their starter. Chicago has kept the score within eight points in their last four losses, although they were blown out last week at Minnesota and only kept the final score within seven points because Minnesota's QB Tavaris Jackson was a turnover machine. Turnovers and special teams might keep this game close and I'll guess the Packers win 20-12.
Teams FO Ranking NFL Ranking
Packers Rushing Offense 11 28
Chicago Rushing Defense 4 25
It was no fluke that they held Minnesota's RB Adrian Peterson to under four yards a carry last week. The Packers run offense had an off week at St. Louis, but RB Ryan Grant ran for a career high in yardage the week before. The Packers run offense against Chicago's run defense should be a good matchup.
Teams FO Ranking NFL Ranking
Chicago Rushing Offense 32 32
Packers Rushing Defense 8 15
The Packers run defense was playing great until they struggled in the first half at St. Louis. Chicago and the other RB Adrian Peterson is barely averaging over 3 yards per carry and can't run against anyone. Chicago won't run the ball anywhere.
Teams FO Ranking NFL Ranking
Packers Passing Offense 5 2
Chicago Passing Defense 21 26
Statistically the Packers pass offense should roll on Sunday, but there are some signs that this might be a close battle. The pass offense has been slowed since QB Brett Favre's injury at Dallas, plus it will be cold, and possibly wet, in Chicago. Also, Chicago finally got starting CB Nathan Vasher back after he missed most of the season, and he had an interception against Minnesota last week. CB Charles Tillman had a monster game the last time they played and forced two fumbles. Favre will rack up yards and move the ball, but they could have trouble with turnovers.
Teams FO Ranking NFL Ranking
Chicago Passing Offense 26 14
Packers Passing Defense 15 14
Ignore Chicago's pass offense rankings with Orton at QB. He isn't mobile and isn't accurate. The Packers pass defense was better early in the season, but has been trending towards average in recent weeks. Also, DE Aaron Kampman has to be looking forward to abusing RT Fred Miller. That should be more than adequate to shut down Orton.
Teams FO Ranking
Packers Special Teams 5
Chicago Special Teams 1
The special teams have carried the Packers the last two weeks, but Oakland and St. Louis have awful special teams units. Chicago has the best special teams in the NFL. KR Devin Hester is dangerous and K Robbie Gould has probably never missed a field goal against the Packers. This should be another good battle.
__________________________________________________________________________________
http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=262615
Packers Keys For Success
1. Establish the run. Ryan Grant has emerged as one of the most consistent backs in the league during the second half of this season. He is averaging 96.5 yards rushing in the past eight games. Green Bay's offense is at its best when Grant gets 20-plus carries and takes some of the burden off quarterback Brett Favre. A solid rushing attack also opens up the play-action game for Favre, who excels at throwing over the middle. Donald Lee, a solid tight end with good hands, is an effective target off play-action. The Packers need to maintain a balanced attack on offense as they rev up for the playoffs.
2. Force the Bears to throw. Chicago's offense has been inconsistent moving the ball. With starting back Cedric Benson (leg injury) out for the season, the Bears have had an even more difficult time getting their ground game going, because replacement Adrian Peterson has not been productive enough. That has put more pressure on Chicago's quarterbacks to win games, something they've failed to do. The Packers want to force Chicago into obvious passing situations so they can tee off on quarterback Orton. Orton will be under duress all game and will most likely turn over the ball a time or two. The pressure applied by Green Bay's defensive front four will give cornerbacks Al Harris and Charles Woodson a good chance to make an interception.
3. Do not kick to Devin Hester. The Bears have a better chance of moving the ball with a Hester return than with their regular offense. Hester is the best return man in the NFL, and he can change the tide of any game with a single play. Green Bay is the superior team on both offense and defense, and it can't afford to kick the ball to the electrifying Hester and allow him to give the Bears good field position -- or, worse, give Chicago momentum with a return for a touchdown. The Packers will win this game if they play smart and allow their talent to win out.
4. Improve coverage downfield. Green Bay's defense is strong on the outside with Woodson and Harris, but the Bears can't play passive against them. They have to dictate the tempo and challenge the Packers deep, where they have struggled some in coverage, allowing 42 pass plays of 20-plus yards.
5. Beat press coverage. The Packers like to throw out of three-step drops, and Favre is one of the best in the game at throwing quick slants to his speedy wide receivers. Chicago needs cornerbacks Nathan Vasher and Charles Tillman to press receivers Greg Jennings and Donald Driver at the line of scrimmage. With Vasher and Tillman playing press coverage, the Bears want take away the quick slant and give their pass rushers more time to get to Favre.
6. Cover the TEs. Tight end Greg Olsen and Clark, in particular, could be big factors.
_________________________________________________________________________
http://chicagosports.chicagotribune...t,1,1624875.htmlstory?coll=cs-bears-headlines
First look: Green Bay Packers at Bears
This could be Brett Favre's last visit to Soldier Field, where he is 12-2. Soldier Field has been the most hospitable host to Favre, as he has no more than five victories at any other road stadium. And Favre could be playing better than ever. He is consistently getting the ball downfield with a 7.94-yard average per attempt, yet he has thrown only 13 interceptions. The Packers will challenge the Bears' defensive backfield depth with their four- and five-receiver sets, creating matchups against the likes of Ricky Manning Jr. and Corey Graham.
Since Week 8, Ryan Grant has 772 rushing yards, second in the NFL behind LaDainian Tomlinson's 784. Grant gets a lot of his yards against nickel and dime defenses and with the safeties back. But you still have to give the ex-Notre Dame back credit. Nobody ever would have believed it early in the season, but containing Grant has to be a major concern for the Bears. For the Bears to have a chance against the Pack, they'll need some Devin Hester magic. But the Packers are the only team in the league that has not allowed a touchdown on any type of return this season.
Key stat: The Packers through 14 games had 1,851 yards after the catch—most in the NFL. The Bears, meanwhile, might lead the league in missed tackles. That combination could result in a lot of big plays.
Key matchup: Packers cornerbacks Charles Woodson and Al Harris versus Bears receivers Muhsin Muhammad and Bernard Berrian. Woodson and Harris might be the best set of corners in the NFL this year, and if they can prevent Muhammad and Berrian from getting open, the results will be either passes forced into coverage, check-downs or sacks. We'll probably see a lot of all three. Early pick: Packers 24, Bears 12.
:USA: :yeah: :agree: :thumbsup: :USA:
