PREVIEW & INJURY STATUS REPORT
http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/NFL+Zone/Games/2007/2.16+-+Green+Bay+at+Chicago.htm?tab=preview
Overview: The Packers clinched a first-round bye in the playoffs with their 33-14 road victory over the Rams. The Bears are coming off a short workweek after losing 20-13 to Minnesota on Monday night and being mathematically eliminated from the playoffs. The Bears are responsible for one of the Packers’ two losses. In Week Five, the Bears took advantage of five Green Bay turnovers in a come-from-behind 27-20 victory.
When the Packers have the ball: Look for QB Brett Favre to nickel-and-dime the Bears’ defense with short slants and crossing routes to a multitude of weapons before turning the second-half show over to RB Ryan Grant, who could have success wearing down a Chicago D-line that is really hurting inside. Against the Rams, Favre completed his first nine passes to eight different receivers.
When the Bears have the ball: QB Kyle Orton’s specialty is short, quick throws, and the Packers can expect to see plenty of them, particularly to RB Adrian Peterson and Devin Hester, whose development as a receiver is expected to be greatly accelerated. Rookie Garrett Wolfe will also see increased playing time in the Bears’ backfield. Orton figures to test physical Packers CBs Rod Woodson and Al Harris with a few well-timed shots downfield to Hester and Bernard Berrian.
Matchup to watch: Green Bay’s pass defense, which has had problems covering opposing tight ends this season, could be looking at double trouble from Bears TEs Greg Olsen and Desmond Clark, who each scored a TD in the Week Five matchup.
By the numbers: Favre needs four TD passes in the last two games to add to his own league record by throwing 30 or more in nine seasons. … The Bears’ defense has given up an average of 359.7 yards in its last three games vs. the Packers.
http://www.acmepackingcompany.com/story/2007/12/22/15513/506
A lot of names, but few players are out. Starters DT Ryan Pickett and CB Charles Woodson will play. It looks like CB Jarrett Bush will return as the nickel back. TE Bubba Franks might even make it back.
Still the Packers situation is much better than it is in Chicago. Defensive starters LB Lance Briggs and DE Mark Anderson appear out while starting DT Tommie Harris, DT Darwin Walker, and CB Nathan Vasher might not play. That's five starters to go along with their other starters (LG Ruben Brown, RB Cedric Benson, FS Mike Brown) that have already been lost for the season.
http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/NFL+Zone/Games/2007/2.16+-+Green+Bay+at+Chicago.htm?tab=preview
Overview: The Packers clinched a first-round bye in the playoffs with their 33-14 road victory over the Rams. The Bears are coming off a short workweek after losing 20-13 to Minnesota on Monday night and being mathematically eliminated from the playoffs. The Bears are responsible for one of the Packers’ two losses. In Week Five, the Bears took advantage of five Green Bay turnovers in a come-from-behind 27-20 victory.
When the Packers have the ball: Look for QB Brett Favre to nickel-and-dime the Bears’ defense with short slants and crossing routes to a multitude of weapons before turning the second-half show over to RB Ryan Grant, who could have success wearing down a Chicago D-line that is really hurting inside. Against the Rams, Favre completed his first nine passes to eight different receivers.
When the Bears have the ball: QB Kyle Orton’s specialty is short, quick throws, and the Packers can expect to see plenty of them, particularly to RB Adrian Peterson and Devin Hester, whose development as a receiver is expected to be greatly accelerated. Rookie Garrett Wolfe will also see increased playing time in the Bears’ backfield. Orton figures to test physical Packers CBs Rod Woodson and Al Harris with a few well-timed shots downfield to Hester and Bernard Berrian.
Matchup to watch: Green Bay’s pass defense, which has had problems covering opposing tight ends this season, could be looking at double trouble from Bears TEs Greg Olsen and Desmond Clark, who each scored a TD in the Week Five matchup.
By the numbers: Favre needs four TD passes in the last two games to add to his own league record by throwing 30 or more in nine seasons. … The Bears’ defense has given up an average of 359.7 yards in its last three games vs. the Packers.
http://www.acmepackingcompany.com/story/2007/12/22/15513/506
A lot of names, but few players are out. Starters DT Ryan Pickett and CB Charles Woodson will play. It looks like CB Jarrett Bush will return as the nickel back. TE Bubba Franks might even make it back.
Still the Packers situation is much better than it is in Chicago. Defensive starters LB Lance Briggs and DE Mark Anderson appear out while starting DT Tommie Harris, DT Darwin Walker, and CB Nathan Vasher might not play. That's five starters to go along with their other starters (LG Ruben Brown, RB Cedric Benson, FS Mike Brown) that have already been lost for the season.