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Five Players to Watch: Week 16

20th December 2012 by under Five Players To Watch     

After starting the season 7-1, the Chicago Bears have been in a free fall, winning just one game in their last six.

The offense has continued to sputter while, not as dominate as it was earlier in the season, the defense continues to put the team in a position to win. With just two games left, the Bears will likely need to win out and have some help along the way if they want to get in to the playoffs.

The Arizona Cardinals were once 4-0 but also started to free fall, losing nine straight games before defeating the Detroit Lions last Sunday. This will be the first matchup between these teams since 2009, where the Kurt Warner-led Cardinals beat the Bears, 41-21.

Here is my list of five players to watch this Sunday:

Matt Forte

Despite being one of the best pass defense teams in the league, the Arizona Cardinals have struggled against the run.  They currently sit 28th in the league in rushing yards allowed per game with 136.5.

The Bears have struggled to get the running game going this season, but through his 13 games played this season, Matt Forte has 903 yards rushing on 212 attempts (4.3 yards/attempt) and three touchdowns.

With backup Michael Bush placed on injured reserve and the re-signing of Kahlil Bell (h/t ESPN), much of the workload in these final two weeks will be placed on Forte’s shoulders.

Forte has struggled at getting to the outside, and some of that can be attributed to the poor play along the offensive line, but he will need to do better at that this Sunday if the Bears want a chance to win. The Cardinals front seven has loads of talent, but they have struggled to take control of the line of scrimmage in the running game.

Expect the Bears to feed Forte the ball early and often in order to set a tempo and to allow quarterback Jay Cutler to take chances with the ball downfield out of play action.

Corey Wootton

Once only known for being the guy whose sack virtually ended Brett Favre‘s career, Corey Wootton has shown he has the tools to be an effective starting defensive end.

In the previous two seasons, he had been hampered by injuries that only allowed him to play in 13 games, registering just that one sack.

He has been healthy this season, and through the team’s 14 games, he has registered seven sacks, including one and half of Aaron Rodgers last Sunday.

The Cardinals offensive line is beat up, and Wootton will likely face rookie Bobbie Massie, who has surrendered 13.5 sacks this season.  Their offensive line has allowed the most sacks this season, and it should be a field day for the Bears front seven.

Wootton still has a lot to work on but has improved in stopping the run. He will have to try to not to be overaggressive against Massie, as he has a tendency to rush too far up field, allowing plays to happen behind him.

Alshon Jeffery

This past Sunday, with the Green Bay Packers blanketing top receiver Brandon Marshall, rookie Alshon Jeffery got his opportunity to be a game changer.

He was targeted four times by quarterback Jay Cutler, had no catches and was called for three offensive pass interference calls.  Jeffery struggled to get separation from cornerback Sam Shields, and his physical play and shoves resulted in the penalties.

The Cardinals pass defense this year has been stout, allowing just under 200 yards per game, good enough for fourth best in the league. Pro Bowler Patrick Peterson will get the tough assignment against Brandon Marshall, leaving William Gay to match up against Jeffery.

Gay has had his share of ups and downs this season but has hauled in two interceptions as well as two pass deflections.  Jeffery’s biggest problem last week was his inability to create separation, and he will have to be more physical at the line of attack to help him create separation.  If he needs to create more separation when downfield, he will need to limit the length of his push off and to not overextend his arms.

The Cardinals will do their best to shut down Marshall, which should open up an opportunity for Jeffery to once again get single coverage, and with so much riding on this game, he will need to come up big.

Jonathan Scott/Gabe Carimi

The Bears offensive line has been like a game of musical chairs this season with various parts moving in and out of the lineup.  Gabe Carimi was once the starter at right tackle, benched for veteran Jonathan Scott and then moved to right guard following an injury to Lance Louis.

Sunday against the Packers, Carimi was replaced by Chris Spencer, then an injury to Scott forced Carimi back in at right tackle. 

Did you follow all of that?

It is no doubt that this offensive is the weakest group on this team, and it is still unclear who will be starting at right tackle this Sunday against the Cardinals.  Whoever does get that opportunity will be matched up against one of the best 3-4 defensive ends in the game, Calais Campbell.

Campbell has the perfect combination of size and speed, does a good job of getting pressure on the quarterback and is even better at setting the edge in the running game.

Scott or Carimi will have to do a good job of sealing the edge on him in the running game, and expect the Bears to help them with either a tight end or a chipping running back in the passing game.

Jay Cutler
Week after week, quarterback Jay Cutler continues to get beaten up by opposing defenses, but he generally shakes it off and makes his way back out onto the field.

He has proved he has the ability to make all of the toughest throws on the field but mental lapses and a lack of talent around him makes it hard to truly judge his abilities.  With two games left and still a chance to make it to the playoffs, these next two weeks will go a long way in proving what kind of quarterback Cutler really is.

The Cardinals will try and shut down Marshall and force Cutler and his other receivers to beat them.  If there was ever a time for him to step up, this Sunday will be it.

The Cardinals are tough against the pass, and he will likely still get his fair share of balls to Marshall but will need to rely more on getting the ball to Matt Forte out of the backfield and Alshon Jeffery on the outside.

Expect them to try to roll Cutler out more, which he appears to be more comfortable in doing, and to use short passes down the field to help open up big plays down the field.

Matt Eurich is a contributor to Bearsbacker.com. Follow Bears Backer on Facebook and Twitter for up to the minute news about the Bears. Also, check out Matt’s work on BleacherReport.com and follow him on Twitter @MattEurich.

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Five Players to Watch: Week 15

13th December 2012 by under Five Players To Watch     

After starting the season 7-1, the Chicago Bears have been on a slide, going just 1-4 in their last five games.

Their lead in the NFC North was lost to the Green Bay Packers, and with their matchup against them this Sunday, a loss would mean another NFC North championship for their hated rival.

The two teams met in Week 2 of this season, with the Bears falling 23-10. If the Bears want to keep the Packers from clinching the division on their home field and to also help improve their playoff chances, Sunday is a must-win.

Here is my list of five players to watch this Sunday:

Alshon Jeffery

Rookie Alshon Jeffery returned to the Bears lineup last week following a scope on his knee after their matchup against the San Francisco.

In his return, he hauled in three catches for 57 yards and one touchdown. His season has had its ups and downs and following an impressive first game against the Colts (3 catches, 80 yards, 1 touchdown) he has battled injuries for much of the season.

Sunday against the Vikings showed how valuable he is to their offense, forcing teams to not always be able to defend Brandon Marshall with two defenders, or if they do, Jeffery has the ability to productive opposite of him.

The Bears will need to get off to a fast start and quarterback Jay Cutler has had his struggles against the Packers secondary in the past.  Getting Jeffery involved early can force the Packers to play Marshall straight up, leaving him open for big play possibilities and if they continue to give Jeffery single coverage, he can use his big frame to his advantage over the Packers smaller cornerbacks.

Chris Conte

Second year safety Chris Conte has had his share of ups and downs this season but the defense has look vastly different when he has not been able to play.

His athleticism has been proven beneficial against the deep pass and despite a rough game against the Vikings this past Sunday, he has been a solid contributor against the run.

The Packers have proven a desire to move the football more on the ground this season and particularly in their last two games in which they’re average 146 yards rushing per game.

Their running game helps set up the deep play threat and Conte has done a good job this season of coming up in the box, showing blitz and/or run support before dropping back into coverage.  With Randall Cobb’s and James Jones’ deep ball potential, Conte will have to limit his risk taking in fear of what the Packers can do with play action.

With Rodgers ability to roll outside of the pocket and to extend plays, it will be imperative for Conte to not break on his assignment and to keep the Packers’ receivers from getting behind him.

Kellen Davis

In past five seasons in the NFL, no position has become more dynamic than the tight end.  Tony Gonzales has been doing it for years then Antonio Gates followed,and  in that time, guys like Jimmy Graham, Rob Gronkowski, and Aaron Hernandez have all proven that a tight end can be more than just an extra blocker.

In the preseason, head coach Lovie Smith claimed that Kellen Davis could do all the things that the best tight ends in the league can do, but we have yet to see him make much of an impact.

So far this season, Davis has just 17 catches on 41 targets (including eight drops) for 210 yards and two touchdowns.  The good news is, he is finding a way to get himself open, the bad news is he has struggled to hold onto the ball.

The Packers are aware of his deficiencies but he was able to haul in a score during their week two matchup.  If he can continue to get open, expect Cutler to keep throwing him the football.  Davis will need to worry solely on hauling in the grab instead of who is bearing down on him or what he is going to do with the football once he gets it.  If he can somehow haul in a couple of passes early, it will force the defense to play more honest against the receivers on the outside.

Julius Peppers

When signed by the Bears prior to the 2010 season it was believed that defensive end Julius Peppers would be able to provide the consistent double digit sack totals that their defensive line sorely needed.

In his first season in Chicago he came away with eight sacks followed by 11 last season. Despite low sacks totals in comparison to what he has done in the past, his presence on the field is still felt. He has seven sacks this season but has also struggled from plantar fasciitis that causes him to typically not practice as often as others.

With the Packers desire to run the football more, Peppers’ play becomes that more critical.  He often dictates a change in direction for most runners and despite conventional wisdom that says to attack a speed rusher in the running game, he is one of the few that excels in both stopping the pass and the run.

He’ll likely be matched up against Marshall Newhouse who has struggled at times this season, thus far allowing eight and half sacks. If there was ever a time for Peppers to prove his worth to this team, Sunday offers the perfect opportunity with their playoff hopes hanging in the balance.

Jay Cutler

The Bears have lost five straight meetings against the Packers and with so much on the line this Sunday, much of it will fall on quarterback Jay Cutler’s shoulders.

In seven games against the Packers, Cutler has thrown eight touchdowns to 15 interceptions, including four in their week two loss in Green Bay.

The Packers have been effective at getting after him when blitzing, forcing the often risk-taking Cutler to force his throws.  They did a nice job of slowing down Brandon Marshall in week two holding him to just two catches for 24 yards.

It appears that injured linebacker Clay Matthews is set to return to the lineup on Sunday after participating in practice on Wednesday (h/t SB Nation) but defensive back Charles Woodson appears to be out (h/t Pack Report).

To offset the pressure that Matthews will likely get off the edge, the Bears will need to move the pocket for Cutler to try and offer more time for his receivers to get open down field.

Cutler will need to understand that in some instances it is better to throw the ball away than to try and force a play and going against a defense known for getting after him and taking the ball away, risk taking should not ranked high on his to-do list.

Matt Eurich is a contributor to Bearsbacker.com. Follow Bears Backer on Facebook and Twitter for up to the minute news about the Bears. Also, check out Matt’s work on BleacherReport.com and follow him on Twitter @MattEurich.

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Five Players to Watch: Week 14

6th December 2012 by under Five Players To Watch     

Following their disappointing 23-17 overtime loss to the Seattle Seahawks, the Chicago Bears look to bounce back this Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings.

The Bears beat the Vikings 28-10 less than two weeks ago at Soldier Field but understand that the Metrodome in Minneapolis is a difficult place to play.

In order to stay notonly in the race for the NFC North, but also the Wild Card, the Bears will need to bounce back for a victory in Minnesota.

Here is my list of five players to watch this Sunday:

J’Marcus Webb

Week in and week out, the Bears offensive line has gotten its fair share of criticism, particularly left tackle J’Marcus Webb.  Amidst the injuries and changes amongst the offensive line in recent weeks, Webb has gone out and performed fairly well in the last few weeks, excluding the team’s overall terrible performance in San Francisco.

Sunday, he will once again match up against Jared Allen, who has given him fits in the past, but Webb was able to keep him at bay in Week 12.

Allen had 1.5 sacks last Sunday against the Packers and has 8.5 on the season.

The fast turf in the Metrodome will be of great benefit to Allen, and Webb will have to use good footwork and hand placement on him if he wants to keep quarterback Jay Cutler off the turf.

Nick Roach

With the news that came out on Tuesday that Brian Urlacher will likely miss at least the next three weeks (h/t FOX Sports) with a hamstring injury, veteran Nick Roach will take over the middle linebacker position in his absence.

Roach has experience with the position, having filled in for Urlacher in 2009 when he was out with a wrist injury, as well as taking most of the reps during training camp and the preseason while he was recovering from a knee injury.

Roach has been playing well this season, and his play has fallen under the radar with guys like Urlacher and Lance Briggs along side of him.  However, given Urlacher’s decline because of the knee injury this season, Roach may be an upgrade.

Stopping running back Adrian Peterson will be at the top of the Bears’ to-do list, and Roach will be an integral part of that.  He will have to be able to shed blockers to get to the ball carrier and will at times be forced to match up with Peterson in the passing game.

His football smarts and knowledge are not on the same level as Urlacher’s, but his physical traits and tools will be more than enough for him to be successful not only this Sunday, but hopefully in the weeks ahead.

Geno Hayes

Brought in as extra depth this offseason, veteran Geno Hayes looks to get his first start of the season this Sunday against the Vikings.  Hayes will likely take over the strongside linebacker position with Nick Roach’s move to middle linebacker in replacement of Brian Urlacher.

Hayes spent four seasons in Tampa Bay, starting 43 games, before his move to Chicago.  He played mostly the weakside linebacker position but does have experience on the strongside.

He struggled at times last season in Tampa playing on the strongside which ultimately led to his departure this past offseason.

He is known as a quick and athletic guy, with a good nose for the football, and a solid tackler.  He has struggled in the past in pass defense and will likely get tested by Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph a lot on Sunday afternoon.

The Bears will likely try and give him some safety help over the top early in the game against Rudolph until he can prove he can match up with him consistently.

Matt Forte

After signing the long-term deal that he had been clamoring for this offseason, Matt Forte has not had the same effect on the field as he has had in the past.

His decline in play can be based off an offensive line that is not run blocking as well as it did last season as well as the addition of a more than capable backup, Michael Bush, who has helped lighten the load for Forte.

The biggest decline in Forte’s game has been the lack of targets and receptions in the passing game. The past two seasons he has averaged 50 catches and nearly 500 yards per season, but this year he’s sitting on 30 with 214 yards.

Injuries have hampered the Bears wide receivers all season, with Earl Bennett, Devin Hester, and Alshon Jeffery’s statuses for Sunday still up in the air.

The Bears may try and use Forte more as a receiver out of the backfield, or even try and split him out wide to try, and take advantage of a mismatch against a linebacker.

Jay Cutler

After two solid performances following a concussion that caused him to miss the Week 11 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers, Jay Cutler will once again need to perform at a high level.

Two weeks ago in his return against the Vikings, he went 23-31 for 188 yards, one touchdown and one interception.  While not spectacular numbers, he played one of his more consistent games of the season.  He looked poised in the pocket, stepped up when sensing pressure and rolled out of the pocket to avoid sacks.  He even ran the ball to pick up extra yardage.

He kept the momentum going this past week with a 17-26, 233-yard and two-touchdown game against the tough pass defense of the Seattle Seahawks.

Sunday’s game is important in both the NFC North and NFC Wild Card playoff standings, and Cutler will have to be just as sharp then as he has been in the last two weeks.  He has relied heavily on Brandon Marshall for much of the season, and Sunday likely will not be any different.

Matt Eurich is a contributor to Bearsbacker.com. Follow Bears Backer on Facebook and Twitter for up to the minute news about the Bears. Also, check out Matt’s work on BleacherReport.com and follow him on Twitter @MattEurich.

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Five Players to Watch: Week 13

29th November 2012 by under Five Players To Watch     

After a 28-10 victory on this past Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings that snapped a two game losing streak, the Chicago Bears will try to keep their momentum going against the Seattle Seahawks.

The Seahawks are currently 6-5, but with only one win in the road this season.

The two last squared off last season, with the Seahawks defeating the Jay Cutler and Matt Forte-less Bears 38-14.

Both teams will have a lot at stake come Sunday, with the Bears trying to hold on to the top spot in the NFC North, while the Seahawks will be battling for a wild-card position.

Here is my list of five players to watch this Sunday:

Edwin Williams

After injuries to left guard Chris Spencer and right guard Lance Louis, Edwin Williams was forced into action on Sunday against the Vikings.

After tearing his ACL, Louis was placed on injured reserve on Monday and will not return this season.  The extent of Spencer’s injury is unclear, as an MRI revealed cartilage damage in his knee, and he will likely not be able to play on Sunday (h/t Chicago Tribune).

With former starter Chilo Rachal having left the team, and with their injuries, the Bears signed veteran Andre Gurode on Tuesday (h/t ESPN). However, he will likely not be ready to see any significant time on the field this Sunday, meaning the Bears will move forward with Williams as a starter.

He started seven games last season for the Bears while filling in at left guard, following an injury to Chris Williams.  Whether he starts at left guard, where he is more comfortable, or at right guard is unknown at this point, but he was solid in pass protection last year.  As a former center, he has good athleticism.

If he gets the start at left guard, he will be matched up against the difficult Brandon Mebane, who has great strength and is a tremendous pass rusher, meaning Williams will have to play at the top of his game to protect quarterback Jay Cutler.

Brandon Marshall

This past Sunday, Brandon Marshall became the first Bears’ wide receiver to amass over 1,000 yards receiving in a season since Marty Booker in 2002.

Through eleven games this season, Marshall has 81 catches for 1,017 yards and eight touchdowns, proving he was worth the two third-round draft picks that the Bears traded to Miami for him.

Marshall has imposed his will on most cornerbacks this season with his strength and size, but on Sunday he will likely face his toughest task.

Despite being given a four game suspension for violating the NFL‘s substance abuse policy, Richard Sherman and Brandon Browner are expected to play, while awaiting the appeals process (h/t Fox Sports).

If both cornerbacks are able to play, they both match up with the 6’4″, 240-pound Marshall.  Browner stands at 6’4″ and Sherman at 6’3″, and it will be the first time this season Marshall will face a cornerback who rivals him in size.

Both corners play physically, are solid tacklers and have the ability to take the football away.  Marshall will have to use the 20-pound-plus advantage he has against both cornerbacks and will need to rely more on his strength than size.

Henry Melton

Before his sack of Christian Ponder in the first quarter of Sunday’s game, defensive tackle Henry Melton had registered just one-half sack in his last five games after registering four-and-a-half in his first five.

The Seahawks want to run the football, but have been willing to put the ball in rookie quarterback Russell Wilson’s hands.  Melton will likely be matched up against James Carpenter, who has battled injuries, but is a strong and tough lineman.

Melton, who leads all NFC defensive tackles in Pro Bowl voting, will be called upon to not only try and get to the elusive Wilson, but in helping slow down All-Pro running back Marshawn Lynch.

Lynch has thrived throughout his career at running up the middle, and Melton will have to do a better job in the running game than he has in previous weeks, especially in key running situations.

His speed should allow him to get the first step on Carpenter, but he will have to rely on his technique to get past him or force Lynch to go another direction.

Gabe Carimi

After being benched in favor of veteran Jonathan Scott at the right tackle position, Gabe Carimi was thrust into action on Sunday after injuries to guards Lance Louis and Chris Spencer.

Carimi found himself playing guard for the first time ever and was named as the starter at right guard for this Sunday against the Seahawks (h/t CBS Sports).

He struggled mightily in pass protection this year at tackle, and the move inside might work best to his strengths as run blocker.  Making the adjustment from playing the outside with nobody to the right of him to playing between two players will be a big adjustment. His strength and size should make the adjustment easier for him.

He may just be holding down the position until the newly signed Andre Gurode comes up to speed, but if he can string together some solid performances, he may have found himself a new position.

Jay Cutler

A week after missing a start against the 49ers due to a concussion suffered against the Houston Texans, Jay Cutler found his groove again against the Vikings, going 23-for-31 for 188 yards and one touchdown.

While his numbers do not jump off the page, he looked poised and confident in the pocket, moved around when needed, and continued to make pinpoint accurate throws, including a rocket to Matt Spaeth in the endzone for a touchdown.

With the Seahawks’ secondary still looking intact on Sunday, he will face a defense that not only can create turnovers, but has been terrific at getting to the quarterback.

He will need to show off his abilities to get outside of the pocket again on Sunday, and he is not afraid to tuck the ball and run.  The Seahawks have a terrific defensive line and secondary, but their linebackers can be a bit suspect in pass defense.  Expect Cutler and the Bears to try and exploit the middle of the field with the short and intermediate passing routes.

Matt Eurich is a contributor to Bearsbacker.com. Follow Bears Backer on Facebook and Twitter for up to the minute news about the Bears. Also, check out Matt’s work on BleacherReport.com and follow him on Twitter @MattEurich.

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Five Players to Watch: Week 12

23rd November 2012 by under Five Players To Watch     

Monday night in San Francisco, nothing went right for the Bears in their 32-7 loss against the 49ers.

Offensively the team struggled without starting quarterback Jay Cutler and the defense that has been so strong this season seemed to disappear against a team being led by an inexperienced quarterback.

The Bears will have a chance to redeem themselves this Sunday when the Minnesota Vikings travel to Chicago in an NFC North showdown.

Here is my list of five players to watch this Sunday:

J’Marcus Webb

After a string of somewhat solid performances from J’Marcus Webb, he reverted to his old ways Monday night against the 49ers.

Webb struggled mightily against Aldon Smith and the 49ers defense, struggling in run blocking and being beaten three times for sacks in the passing game.

He will not catch any breaks this Sunday as he will be lined up against All-Pro defensive end, Jared Allen. Allen destroyed Webb, last year in the last game of the season, sacking quarterback Josh McCown three and half times, falling just a half sack short of tying the NFL record set by Michael Strahan.

It is unknown whether or not Jay Cutler will be ready to return on Sunday, but regardless of who is back there, Webb will need to have one of his best games of the season for the Bears to have a shot at winning.

Jonathan Scott

The big news coming out of practice on Thursday morning was the demotion of right tackle Gabe Carimi.  Carimi had struggled mightily in the past few weeks, and Monday night’s debacle against the 49ers, in which he surrendered three sacks, may of just been the final straw.

Veteran Jonathan Scott, who was signed in early September, is expected to take Carimi’s place (h/t Chicago Sun-Times).

Scott is a six-year veteran and was the starting right tackle for the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XLV.

Injuries have derailed the majority of his career, but he has great size (6’6″, 318 pounds) and  above average athleticism.  He has played both tackle positions in his career but has been a much better run blocker than pass blocker.

Given how poorly Carimi has played despite his potential, the move to put Scott in the starting lineup may be for inspirational purposes, but given his success in the past, he has the ability to solidify himself as the starter moving forward.

Major Wright

The safety position has always been an area of concern for the Bears since Lovie Smith’s arrival in 2004.

Major Wright had been making strides this season playing well against both the run and the pass, but appeared to take step back on Monday night.

He struggled in coverage against the bigger and more physical Vernon Davis; he missed tackles, and got called for a defensive holding penalty.

Sunday afternoon, the Vikings will pose a big test with the physical and tough to-bring-down Adrian Peterson and, if he is able to play, the fast and elusive Percy Harvin.

Wright will have to eliminate the mistakes that cost the defense on Monday night if they want the chance to slow down the Vikings offense.

Kelvin Hayden

Veteran cornerback Kelvin Hayden has seen his snaps continue to increase as the team’s nickelback, seemingly taking that spot away from D.J. Moore.

Hayden did not play his best game on Monday night, most notably giving up a long pass play to Kyle Williams.

The Vikings do not implement a lot of three receiver sets, but Hayden should once again find himself on the field for a solid number of snaps. Veterans Michael Jenkins and Jerome Simpson along with rookie Jarius Wright haven’t had the most statistically impressive seasons, but can still make an impact if they can get the ball in their hands.

The Vikings will likely try and spread out the defense in order to open up running lanes and Hayden may be relied upon to help stop the run in certain situations.

Shea McClellin

According to the Chicago Tribune’s Brad Biggs, rookie Shea McClellin will play Sunday after missing Monday night’s game with a concussion.

Before his concussion, McClellin was beginning to see more and more time on the field, particularly in pass situations.  He has 2.5 sacks on the season but has proven his worth more with his ability to drop into coverage when needed.  With a quarterback who can be elusive at times like Christian Ponder, he may find himself with more snaps while spying the quarterback.

He will need to prove he can contribute to stopping the run and with Adrian Peterson’s ability to run the football the Vikings may try to exploit McClellin’s struggles in the running game. 

His spin move has been his best asset and if lined up at the left defensive end position, he should have an advantage over the slower moving Phil Loadholt.

Matt Eurich is a contributor to Bearsbacker.com. Follow Bears Backer on Facebook and Twitter for up to the minute news about the Bears. Also, check out Matt’s work on BleacherReport.com and follow him on Twitter @MattEurich.

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Five Players to Watch: Week 11

15th November 2012 by under Five Players To Watch     

On paper, the Chicago Bears and the San Francisco 49ers could not be more alike. Both teams play ferocious defense, run the ball well, and both teams’ quarterbacks had to leave their week 10 game because of a concussion.

The statuses of Jay Cutler and Alex Smith are both up in the air for Monday night, but the Bears will be out to prove that their 7-2 record is no joke while the 49ers are ready to put their tie against the St. Louis Rams in the past.

The Bears and 49ers last faced off in November of 2009, with the 49ers winning 10-6 in a game in which Jay Cutler threw five interceptions.

Here is my list of five players to watch this Monday night:

Matt Forte

Ever since his arrival in Chicago in 2008, Matt Forte has been nothing but productive when he gets the football in his hands.

Despite playing only 12 games last season before an injury, he led the team with 997 yards rushing and had 52 catches for 490 yards. 

The Bears’ acquisition of Brandon Marshall has made them more pass happy, but through eight games (one missed due to injury), Forte has racked up 578 yards rushing.

The 49ers’ defense is tough against the run, allowing just 95.3 yards per game, good enough for seventh best in the league.  With the unknown return of Jay Cutler to the lineup, expect Forte’s touches to increase not only in the running game, but in the passing game as well.

The Bears will try to simplify their offense a bit for Jason Campbell, utilizing short passes and the screen game, something that Forte has excelled in throughout his career.  The 49ers like to get after the quarterback, and the Bears and Forte could take advantage of that by trying to run more delays and draws to fight off the 49ers’ heavy rush.

J’Marcus Webb

The Bears offensive line continues to be a work in progress but left tackle J’Marcus Webb has made strides in recent weeks.

Webb has done a better job in recent weeks in both the running and passing game and although there is still plenty of room for improvement, his improvement has been a pleasant surprise.

Monday night he will likely be matched up against a couple different defenders.  Justin Smith lines up at right defensive end, and although not much of a pass rusher this season (0 sacks) he is stout against the run.  Smith is simply a bull-rusher with a high motor but tends to lineup more to the outside shoulder of the left guard when outside linebacker Aldon Smith is asked to pass rush.

Aldon Smith had a terrific rookie season in which he sacked the quarterback 14 times and forced two fumbles. His primary responsibility last season was to get after the quarterback and he was not asked to do much in pass coverage.  This season his role has increased but through nine games this season he has gotten to the quarterback nine and half times.

His speed and quickness will be tough for Webb to overcome but he will have to be creative in trying to slow him down by forcing him outside of his gap and allowing him to rush deep and creating a lane for the quarterback to step up.

Lance Briggs

Overshadowed throughout his career by Brian Urlacher and by cornerback Charles Tillman this year, Lance Briggs once again is proving he is one of the best 4-3 outside linebackers in the game.

Briggs leads the Bears in tackles with 52, has two forced fumbles, and has two interceptions that he has returned for touchdowns.  He has been the most consistent tackler and is seemingly in on every play.

The 49ers are going to do their best to try and run the football against a Bears defense that is only allowing 92.3 yards rushing a game but has given up back to back 100-yard rushers (Chris Johnson and Arian Foster).

Frank Gore has great vision and the ability to hit the hole better than most backs in the league, he is tough to bring down and Briggs will have to be at the forefront of trying to slow him down.

Briggs has improved in coverage this season and will have to watch for the 49ers to throw short passes to Gore or screens to one of their quick wide receivers, with Alex Smith’s health in question, backup Colin Kaepernick’s strengths are with his feet and in the short passing game, and in order to slow down the 49ers offense, he will need to be at the top of his game.

Corey Wootton

For the first time in his young career, defensive end Corey Wootton is finally finding consistent playing time on the field.  His first two seasons were hampered by injury and inconsistent play but this season he has proven he is more than just the guy who “ended” Brett Favre‘s career.

Through their first nine games, Wootton has four sacks and two forced fumbles after having just one sack in his career and no forced fumbles.

He has done a great job not only rushing the passer but slowing down the running game.  He has a good burst and great size and although he is still a work in progress, his potential finally seems to have been unlocked.

A concussion suffered by Shea McClellin in Sunday night’s game against Houston will open up more opportunities for Wootton to get snaps, particularly on third downs.  He will face a tough challenge no matter what side he is line up against going head to head with either Joe Staley or Anthony Davis.

He will be relied upon to keep the quarterback from getting outside of the pocket and trying to funnel the 49ers effective running backs back inside.

Jason Campbell

The closer it gets to Monday night, the more it appears that quarterback Jay Cutler will not be able to play because of his concussion, leaving the Bears to go with veteran backup Jason Campbell.

In relief of Cutler on Sunday night, Campbell went 11 of 19 for 94 yards with nearly half of those yards coming on a 45-yard completion to Brandon Marshall. Campbell was signed in the offseason for insurance for a team that saw their playoff hopes dashed when Cutler went down last season and the team had to rely on the unproven Caleb Hanie.

Campbell’s career numbers are good with over 14,000 yards passing and over 70 touchdowns.  He rarely turns the ball over but has a tendency to not push the ball down the field and settles for short passes.  He has a good deep ball and could benefit from a possible return to the lineup by Alshon Jeffery.

If the Bears want to win Monday night, they’ll need their offense to score them some points and Campbell’s track record proves he can do just that.

 

Matt Eurich is a contributor to Bearsbacker.com. Follow Bears Backer on Facebook and Twitter for up to the minute news about the Bears. Also, check out Matt’s work on BleacherReport.com and follow him on Twitter @MattEurich.

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Five Players to Watch: Week 10

8th November 2012 by under Five Players To Watch     

CHICAGO, IL – OCTOBER 22: Julius Peppers #90 of the Chicago Bears encourages the crowd against the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field on October 22, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Lions 13-7. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Sunday night in Chicago two of the leagues best teams will face off when the Houston Texans (7-1) take on the Bears (7-1).

The two teams have had success this year with their ability to run the football and to play dominating defense. Both offenses have the ability to put up big points and will be tested to by these vaunted defenses.

The Bears last faced the Texans back in 2008, losing 31-24 in Houston.

Here is my list of five players to watch this Sunday:

Stephen Paea

Much like an offensive lineman, a team’s nose tackle largely goes unnoticed.

Bears’ nose tackle Stephen Paea has quietly had himself a very productive 2012 season. In eight games this season, he has 13 tackles and one and half sacks.  On the surface those numbers do not seem extremely impressive, but Paea’s role is to take on double teams to try and force a running back into a certain gap, where one of the linebackers can do the dirty work.

Texan’s center Chris Myers has done a great job this season opening up holes for running back Arian Foster and coupled with left guard Wade Smith, they will pose a difficult task for Paea.  Smith can struggle at times in pass protection, primarily against the bull-rush, which is a strength of Paea’s.  Expect the two to double team him extensively in the run game and Paea will need to disrupt their gap to try and open up opportunities for Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs.

Brandon Marshall

Strange to think that a guy who leads the team and is second in the league in receiving yards with 797 would be on a list of players to watch, but Sunday night, Brandon Marshall may face his toughest challenge of the season.

Marshall has been spectacular for the Bears and quarterback Jay Cutler with his great production week in and week out, despite typically being double-teamed.

Sunday night he will face one of the league’s best cornerbacks, Jonathan Joseph. Joseph has great hands and tremendous speed and despite his size (5’11″, 189 lbs.) he plays physical with bigger receivers.

Marshall has been great at going up the catch the ball, even when double covered.  Expect the Texans to bring former Bears safety Daniel Manning into the mix, offering coverage over the top.  If he is being blanketed by two defenders, Cutler will need to rely more on the short game to try and open it up downfield.

Gabe Carimi

Few players in the league strike as much fear as Texans’ defensive end, J.J. Watt and the Bears right tackle Gabe Carimi, knows that better than anyone.

Watt and Carimi played together at the university of Wisconsin, and they had an opportunity practice against each other nearly everyday and watch each other perform every college football Saturday.

Carimi has struggled at times this season, whether he is still feeling the effects of a knee injury that ended his rookie season, or he is yet to find himself comfortable going up against top level NFL talent.

Watt has the flexibility in the Texans’ defense to move around, splitting time at both left and right end and occasionally spending time on the inside.  Carimi will likely see the bulk of him and has to be prepared for a guy with the ability to bull-rush, a great spin move, and has the ability to back off and bat down passes.  The best way to slow him down will be to cut-block him to try and get him out of the play. 

Expect the Bears to help him with a tight end lined up on his side in max protection or using a running back to chip him.

Major Wright

Questions lingered in the offseason about the Bears defense, particularly with their young safeties.  Many were not sure how they would perform, but both Chris Conte and Major Wright have made big strides this season.

Wright has been opportunistic in the passing game, sitting with three interceptions this season but his forte has always been his ability to stop the run.  The strong safety is expected to come up in the box and make stops on key running situations, and this season he has done just that.

The Texans’ offense revolves around its ability to run the football with Arian Foster, and with his ability to break off the big run, Wright’s tackling abilities will be put to the test. He has 32 tackles on the season and will likely find his way into the box a lot on Sunday night.

With a bruising runner like Foster who has a knack for keeping runs alive, Wright will need to get low and go after his legs, because he breaks free, he has a chance to take it to the house.

Julius Peppers

As great as cornerback Charles Tillman has played this season, many could argue that Julius Peppers could be in the running for the Bears defensive MVP.  Suffering from a foot injury all season, he has come out each Sunday and forced offenses to change the way they want to attack his side of the field.

Through eight games, Peppers has 14 tackles and five sacks, and although his number of tackles is not very high, his ability in the run game has been rather impressive.  Much like Stephen Paea’s ability draw double teams to open up lanes for the linebackers to make plays, so does Peppers.  His ability to draw double teams as well as his ability to force the runner back inside makes him one of the best in the game.

With the Texans ability to run and throw the football, Peppers because that much more important.  He’ll need to slow down Arian Foster as well as use his amazing size and speed to try and disrupt quarterback Matt Schaub.  He’ll be matched up against Duane Brown who has yet to surrender a sack this season.

Matt Eurich is a contributor to Bearsbacker.com. Follow Bears Backer on Facebook and Twitter for up to the minute news about the Bears. Also, check out Matt’s work on BleacherReport.com and follow him on Twitter @MattEurich.

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Five Players to Watch: Week Nine

1st November 2012 by under Five Players To Watch     

Coming into this Sunday’s matchup against the 3-5 Tennessee Titans, the Chicago Bears look to improve their record to 7-1.

With a tough stretch of games approaching following this week (Texans, 49ers, Vikings) the Bears cannot look past the up and down Titans.

The two teams last meet up in the regular season back in 2008 at Soldier Field with the Titans claiming the 21-14 victory.

Here is my list of five players to watch this Sunday:

Chris Conte

The safety combination of Chris Conte and Major Wright has been a welcomed sight in Chicago after years of struggling to find a perfect combination.

The tandem has played well for much of the season, with only a few minor lapses here and there.

Conte struggled a bit at times against the Lions two weeks ago on Monday Night Football and was flagged for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Panthers wide receiver Brandon LaFell on Sunday.  Despite the hit looking like something out of his control (LaFell’s head was lowering as Conte made contact), he will likely be fined by the league.

The Titans receivers boast big play potential with Kenny Britt, Nate Washington and Kendall Wright all having the ability to stretch the field, meaning Conte will have his hands full this Sunday.

The Bears have relied on both safeties playing roughly 12-15 yards off the line of scrimmage to prevent big plays from happening down the field.  Expect them to implement the techniques this weekend with their receivers as well as with tight end Jared Cook.

It will be interesting to see if the personal foul penalty he received on the hit last week will prevent him from going for the knockout hits against the Titans.

Brian Urlacher

Expectations for Brian Urlacher coming into this season following a knee injury at the end of last season were mixed.

Many were not sure if he could ever go back to being the player that could cover all areas of the field, run stride for stride with tight ends or punish running backs.  The first couple weeks of the season had many believing that he couldn’t return to that form, but in recent weeks, the Urlacher of old has started to return.

He will face the tough task of trying to slow down former Pro Bowl running back Chris Johnson.  Johnson struggled out of the gate, amassing only 210 yards in the first four games with the majority coming from a 141-yard performance in week four.  In his last three games though, he has 385 yards, including a 195 yard performance against the Buffalo Bills.

His combination of speed and elusiveness makes him very difficult to tackle.  Urlacher will have to rely on his lateral quickness to bring down a guy whose trademark has been getting to the outside and burning defenders.

Sunday will be the biggest test of Urlacher’s knee this season and expect the Titans to attack him early.

Jay Cutler

It again took until the fourth quarter for Jay Cutler to start to click offensively Sunday, but with a little more than two minutes on the clock, he willed his team downfield, going 6-of-7 and setting up Robbie Gould for a game-winning 41-yard field goal.

He has been stellar in the fourth quarter all season, going 34-of-46 for 517 yards, six touchdowns and two interceptions.

Going against a defense in Tennessee that has given up the most yards on defense this season, the Bears and Cutler should have no problem moving the ball.  Sunday he struggled with getting rid of the football quickly, and by starting the game with short to intermediate passes, should help him find a rhythm that will ultimately allow him to work the ball down field later in the game.

The Titans secondary is giving up 282 yards per game, fourth-worst in the NFL, as well as giving up 17 passing touchdowns, tied for second-worst in the league.

Cutler and the Bears should be able to expose their weaknesses in the secondary by not only targeting Brandon Marshall but by trying to get the ball more into Earl Bennett’s hands. Cutler and Bennett, who both have ties with Nashville because of their collegiate careers at Vanderbilt, will look to both have a solid outing come Sunday.

Nate Collins

After struggling the last few weeks, the Bears decided to not dress Amobi Okoye in favor of Nate Collins.  Collins made the team after a strong training camp, but was suspended the first game of the year due violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy last year and the Bears simply had no room for him in their rotation.

He played well against the Panthers in limited snaps, registering three tackles in 35 snaps, likely opening up an opportunity to dress again on Sunday.

The Bears have been blessed with a solid rotation at defensive tackle, and with the Titans expected to want to run the ball with Chris Johnson, Collins has the opportunity to show off his talents.

He is mostly a run-stopper but has the ability to get after the quarterback, which was evident Sunday when he got a few quarterback pressures on the elusive Cam Newton.  The Bears will continue to rotate along the defensive line and do not be surprised to see Collins snaps increase from the 35 he saw last week.

Evan Rodriguez

After missing some time from a knee injury, fullback Evan Rodriguez has been active for the Bears last two games, but has not played.

The Bears have relied heavily on Kyle Adams as their fullback in Rodriguez’s absence and simply haven’t found a spot for him since he’s been healthy.

His size and speed are what drew the Bears to draft him in the fourth round and it was expected that he would slowly find his way into the offense.  It has been surprising that they have not tried more to get him matched up on the outside against a slower linebacker or smaller defensive back to truly extenuate his skill set.

He will likely see time in short-yardage situations, but it would be nice to see him become more of a threat in the passing game, whether out of the back field in the flat or lining him up in the slot against lesser talent.

With the way the Titans have struggled defensively, this week may be the best opportunity to get him more involved before facing stiffer defenses against Houston and San Francisco in the coming weeks.

Matt Eurich is a contributor to Bearsbacker.com. Follow Bears Backer on Facebook and Twitter for up to the minute news about the Bears. Also, check out Matt’s work on BleacherReport.com and follow him on Twitter @MattEurich.

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Five Players to Watch: Week Eight

25th October 2012 by under Five Players To Watch     

Monday night, the Bears improved their record to 5-1 with a 13-7 victory over the Detroit Lions.  Once again their defense put on a performance and slowed down the Lions’ explosive offense.

This Sunday at Soldier Field, the Bears will take on the struggling Carolina Panthers who sit with a record of 1-5, losers of four straight.

The Bears defeated the Panthers last October, 34-29 and hope to keep the Panthers’ losing streak intact.

Here is my list of five players to watch this Sunday:

Gabe Carimi

After being selected in the first round of the 2011 draft, right tackle Gabe Carimi was expected to start immediately at the position and stay there for years to come.  An injury ended his season in the second game last year and he reported to camp this summer slimmer and in better shape.

Carimi’s abilities as a run blocker have never been questioned, and so far this season, he has graded out very well in the run game.

In pass protection, Carimi has struggled, giving up 3 1/2 sacks in six games as well as three false start penalties.

His combination of size and athleticism led some to believe he was a good fit at left tackle, but offensive coordinator Mike Tice was steadfast in his belief that Carimi’s best fit was on the right side.

Sunday against the Panthers, he will be matched up against defensive end Greg Hardy.  In six games this season he has amassed 20 tackles along with two sacks.  Hardy’s strength is in the running game but he does have solid speed off the edge.

If Carimi is able to put together a solid performance both run-blocking and pass-blocking, he can build off of good games against lesser talent with dreadful matchups with the Houston Texans and San Francisco 49ers looming in the coming weeks.

Earl Bennett

On Monday night, the Bears went up against a Lions’ secondary that was decimated by injury.  But, other than Brandon Marshall‘s performance (six catches, 81 yards, one touchdown), the passing game never got going.

Jay Cutler‘s injury in the second quarter effected the team’s gameplan as the Bears relied more heavily on their running game in the second half.

On Sunday, the Carolina Panthers will be without their top cornerback Chris Gamble who was placed on injured reserve on Monday after missing their previous two games.

Veteran Captain Munnerlyn will likely have the task of matching up against Brandon Marshall, and with Alshon Jeffery still out with an injury, Earl Bennett should be given a shot at more opportunities.

In five games this season, Bennett only has nine catches for 109 yards and no touchdowns.  After a hand injury forced him to miss their matchup against the Jaguars, he took the field Monday night and had three catches for just 27 yards.

Because of the injury to Gamble, the Panthers have been using rookie Josh Norman opposite of Munnerlyn, and he has struggled at times, particularly last week when he gave up a touchdown to Miles Austin.

The Panthers use of zone coverage will be an advantage for a guy like Bennett who has done a nice job in his career at finding the weak spots in the zone.

Jay Cutler

When Jay Cutler was slammed to the ground in the second quarter of Monday night’s game against the Lions’, Bears’ fans had flashbacks to the end of last season when they finished this season with Caleb Hanie at the helm, mustering only one win in Cutler’s absence.

Cutler only missed one play after the hit and left the field just before the end of the first half, but returned in the second half, clearly feeling the effects of his bruised ribs.

The toughness question about Cutler has been asked time and time again, and Monday night went a long way in proving the doubters wrong. 

Sunday afternoon the Bears will have the benefit of facing a defense that has struggled at times this year, but they have still gotten to the quarterback 14 times.

Expect the Bears to dial down the passing game at first with short to intermediate throws to get him acclimated to the game’s speed before trying to open it up downfield.

With an ailing secondary and Brandon Marshall’s hot streak, do not be surprised to see Cutler once again connecting with his top target.

Charles Tillman

Fresh off a dominating performance on Monday night against Calvin Johnson, arguably the league’s best receiver, which earned him NFC Defensive Player of the week honors, Charles Tillman will once again be faced with a difficult challenge this week going up against Steve Smith.

Smith is much different than the bigger, stronger, more physical receiver Johnson as he relies on his speed to beat his defender.

Tillman knows Smith all too well and in four career games, including the playoffs in 2005, against the Bears, he has averaged nearly 10 catches and 166 yards per game.

Tillman has proved he has what it takes when matched up against bigger receivers, but will Smith once again get the best of him?

Look for the Bears to keep safety help over top to prevent the deep pass, something they did not do much of Monday night, leaving Tillman alone on an island against Johnson.

As long as he is able to keep Smith in front of him and wrap him up when he catches the ball, Tillman should be able to have yet another solid performance against one of the NFL‘s best.

Matt Forte

The last time Matt Forte suited up against the Panthers, he ran for a career high 205 yards and one touchdown in a Week 4 victory last October.

In that matchup, the Bears dominated the Panthers’ front seven with Forte seemingly running anywhere he wanted.  With Jay Cutler’s bruised ribs and an offensive line that is still struggling to protect its quarterback, Forte should get plenty of opportunities on Sunday.

The Panthers’ run-defense has struggled this season, allowing 120 yards rushing per game, and the Bears have done a good job as of late of trying to emphasis the running game more.

If Forte can get off to a hot start like he did last year against the Panthers, he has the opportunity to once again put up solid numbers.

Matt Eurich is a contributor to Bearsbacker.com. Follow Bears Backer on Facebook and Twitter for up to the minute news about the Bears. Also, check out Matt’s work on BleacherReport.com and follow him on Twitter @MattEurich.

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Five Players to Watch: Week Seven

18th October 2012 by under Five Players To Watch     

Fresh off a bye week and sitting on top of the NFC North division with a 4-1 record, the Bears go into Monday night’s matchup against the Detroit Lions with momentum on their side.  The Bears defense has been dominating offenses all season but will be tested by the Lions explosive offense.

Despite a record of 2-3, the Lions have the ability to give teams fits offensively and have one of the best weapons in the NFL with Calvin Johnson.  Monday night will give the Bears a chance to open up their lead in the division and keep the Lions in the NFC North’s cellar.

Here is my list of five players to watch this Monday night:

Roberto Garza

Despite the struggles that the Bears offensive line has had in the last two years, Roberto Garza has been a solid contributor since his move from guard to center before last season.

Garza will likely be matched up against the Lions defensive tackle, Ndamukong Suh.  Suh burst onto the scene his rookie season in 2010, registering 10 sacks and 66 tackles.  His sophomore season was a bit of a disappointment given his lofty expectations as he finished with just four sacks and 36 tackles in 14 games.

Suh’s numbers this year have improved as he has 2.5 sacks through five games as well as ten tackles.  He is most dominate when he is rushing the passer, but also does a good job in slowing down the running game.

Garza’s responsibilities will likely include helping to double team Suh along with his guards, and he will at times have to match up one on one.  Suh’s strength and speed are his greatest attributes and Garza will need to rely on his technique and quick feet to slow him down.

Brandon Marshall

Brandon Marshall has been everything as advertised this season for the Bears.  In five games this season, Marshall has 35 catches for 496 yards and three touchdowns.

There is no doubt that quarterback Jay Cutler has leaned on Marshall since his arrival and he has been completely dominant in the Bears last two games.  In a Monday night contest against the Dallas Cowboys in early October, Marshall finished the game with seven catches for 138 yards and a touchdown, and a week later against the Jacksonville Jaguars, he snagged 12 catches for 144 yards and touchdown.

Marshall creates mismatches against opposing team’s defensive backs because of his great size (6’4″ 240 lbs.) and his ability to jump up and catch the football.  The Lions Chris Houston will likely get the task of going up against Marshall and will have to rely on his physicality to compete with him.  The Lions secondary has given up on average 227 yards per game through the air and if they cannot get pressure on Cutler, Marshall is destined to have yet another big day.

Kellen Davis

The Bears have been clicking on many phases offensively.  Their running game has picked up, they have been protecting the quarterback and the wide receivers have been getting open and making plays, but one area has continued to struggle throughout the season:  tight end.

Kellen Davis has all the tools to be one of the leagues top tight ends, great size (6’7″ 267 lbs), speed (he ran a 4.59 40-yard dash at his combine) and soft hands, but he has never been able to put all of his skills together.  We have seen him struggle this season with catching the ball, seemingly falling every time the ball comes his way.

On the season, Davis has just eight catches for 129 yards and one touchdown and has struggled at times as a blocker.  The Bears need to utilize Davis’ large frame and deceptive speed in the middle of the field and allow Jay Cutler to find a rhythm with him.  He needs to get more physical, and in a game on Monday where he will likely be matched up against smaller linebackers Justin Durant and Stephen Tulloch, his size will be his greatest advantage.

Charles Tillman

Few cornerbacks in the NFL can say they are playing much better than Charles Tillman right now (except Tillman’s teammate, Tim Jennings).  Two weeks in a row, Tillman returned interceptions for a touchdown and increased his career interception totals up to 32.

Tillman thrives in the Bears Cover-2 defense and is one of the best cornerbacks in zone coverage.  Tillman will likely get the tough task of facing off against Calvin Johnson on Monday night.  The Bears have always struggled to shutdown Johnson, but with a defensive line that has been able to get to the quarterback consistently this season, Tillman’s job becomes easier.

No one can truly shut Johnson out, but with the Bears bend but don’t break defense, Tillman’s task will ultimately be to keep Johnson out of the endzone.

Jay Cutler

A few weeks back during a Monday night contest against the Dallas Cowboys, Jay Cutler proved he can get a win under the prime time lights.  His 18 of 24 for 275 yards and two touchdown performance may of been one the best of his Bears’ career and he followed it up with another solid performance against the Jaguars, going 23 for 39 with 292 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.

Much was made of Cutler’s meltdown against the Packers in week two but the much maligned quarterback appears to have turned the page and taken a step forward.  The Lions secondary has struggled this season and the Bears have proven that as long as they can product Cutler, they have the ability to move the ball around the field.

The Cutler/Marshall connection is undeniable but if teams try and focus on shutting him down, then Cutler will need to rely heavily on the returning Earl Bennett and Devin Hester with the injury to rookie Alshon Jeffery.  As long as Cutler can get himself into a groove like he was in against Dallas, the Lions’ secondary may be in for a long day.

 

Matt Eurich is a contributor to Bearsbacker.com. Follow Bears Backer on Facebook and Twitter for up to the minute news about the Bears. Also, check out Matt’s work on BleacherReport.com and follow him on Twitter @MattEurich.

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