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Week Seven NFL Preview: Detroit Lions @ Chicago Bears

20th October 2012 by under Game Preview     

The Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears will meet for the 165th time ever on Monday night.

The Bears lead the all-time series 94-65-5. Last season, they split the season series with Detroit winning the first game 24-13 in Week Five and Chicago winning the second game 37-13 in Week Ten.

The Bears are coming off a bye week and are currently on a three-game winning streak outscoring opponents 98-27 during that span.

The Lions are coming off a big 26-23 road win over the Eagles. At 2-3, Detroit sits at the bottom of the NFC North, but they seem to be getting things going right now.

This game should be intense considering the battle that has been brewing as of late between these two teams.

The Bears are 5-3 under Lovie Smith in games coming off a bye week. They’re 5-1 in their last six games against the Lions.

The next three weeks the Bears play games that arguably very winnable. After Monday night’s clash with the Lions they will host the Panthers and then they will travel to Tennessee to play the Titans.

The Bears have to make sure they stay focused because the Packers (3-3) and Vikings (4-2) are right in the thick of things in the NFC North.

The Lions are a very talented team who could easily turn their season around on Monday night.

The Bears have allowed the least amount of points per game in the NFL (14.2) and have scored the second most points per game (29.8).

The Lions on the other hand are 24th in points allowed per game (27.4) and are 11th in points scored per game (25.2).

Injury Report:

Bears’ WR Alshon Jeffery has been ruled out with a fractured right hand. CB Sherrick McManis has been limited all week with a hip injury and is questionable for the game. Recently signed Zackary Bowman will take McManis’s spot on special team’s if he can’t go.

WR Devin Hester has been dealing with a quad injury, while LB Blake Costanzo has been battling a broken thumb. Both players are practicted fully this week and will play against Detroit.

The Lions have some key injuries in their secondary. Cornerback Jacob Lacey has been ruled out with a concussion and his backup Bill Bentley has been limited in practice this week with a shoulder injury. Bentley is considered doubtful.

Another key injury for the Lions’ defense is defensive tackle Corey Williams, who has been battling through a knee injury. He has two sacks on the season and his absence on the defensive line could really derail this unit.

The Bears will win if?

The Bears will win if they can take advantage of the cornerback opposite of Chris Houston. Rookie Jonte Green and veteran Alphonso Smith will likely split time against the Bears second receiver, either Devin Hester or Earl Bennett. Jay Cutler needs to turn Detroit’s lack of depth at cornerback into points for the Bears’ offense. Running the ball won’t be easy against this ferocious defensive line of the Lions.

The Bears will lose if?

The Bears will lose if they get out of character early. We saw in the first two games, offensive coordinator Mike Tice run play action on the first two plays of the game and those plays didn’t really pan out. The Bears need to stick with what they do well. They need to run to set up the pass. If they can’t do that successfully then they likely won’t win the time of possession battle which would likely lead to a loss.

Players Who Must Step Up:

1. Brian Urlacher- He is sixth on the defense with 20 tackles and is coming off almost two weeks of rest for his surgically repaired left knee. He hasn’t been the same player so far this season. He has played second fiddle to Lance Briggs and even Nick Roach at times.  But I think this is the week when Urlacher finally shines because of the rest he has gotten for his knee. He has 21 interceptions in his career. Look for him to reel in his 22nd on Monday night.

Prediction: Six tackles, one interception.

2. Earl Bennett- He’s coming back from an bruised hand. He will be called upon to have a big game considering rookie Alshon Jeffery’s absence. He has been the most dependable receiver for Cutler the last three seasons. He struggled in the Green Bay game in Week Two, but he has had plenty of time to get back into the swing of things as of late. Bennett should be steady in this one.

Prediction: Five catches, 67 yards.

3. Tim Jennings- After reeling in four interceptions over the first three games, Jennings has no interceptions in the last two games. He has 11 tackles and one pass deflection in those two games. He isn’t expected to make big plays every week, but I think he is due for a breakout game after being quiet as of late. Look for Jennings to be pumped up after a long break during the bye week.

Prediction: Eight tackles, one interception.

Key Matchup:

The key matchup on Monday night will be in the battle of the trenches. The Bears’ offensive line against the Lions’ defensive line.

The Bears’ offensive line has to protect Cutler or he could be in for a long night. The Lions’ defensive line has a trio of impressive linemen, Avril, Suh and Vanden Bosch. They can all make big plays on their own.

Winning the battle of the trenches will be the key for a Chicago Bears victory against NFC North rival Detroit.

Final score predictions

Jake Perper: Chicago Bears 27, Detroit Lions 17.

Matt Eurich: Chicago Bears 28, Detroit Lions 24.

Weather.com Weather Report:

Monday night, showers likely and a slight chance of thunderstorms. Lows in the lower 60′s. Chance of precipitation: 60 percent.

Don’t forget about the Bears Backer/Chitown Clothing Chicago Bears T-shirt Giveaway. There are three weeks left which means three more shirts will be given out.

 

Jake Perper is the owner and head writer for Bearsbacker.com. Follow him on Twitter, @Bearsbacker and on Facebook for up to the minute news about the Bears.

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Week Five NFL Preview: Chicago Bears At Jacksonville Jaguars

6th October 2012 by under Game Preview     

The Chicago Bears and Jacksonville Jaguars will meet for the sixth time ever on Sunday.

The Bears lead the all-time series 3-2.

The last time these two teams squared was in 2008, when the Bears beat the Jaguars 23-10 at Soldier Field.

The Bears (3-1) are coming off a big 34-18 win on Monday night against Dallas while the Jaguars (1-3) fell to the Bengals 27-10 at home on Sunday.

This game is big for both teams considering their current records. The Jaguars need to get back on track, while the Bears want to head into their bye week on a three game winning streak.

Good teams don’t lose winnable games, so we’ll see if these Bears have what it takes to be labeled a top ten team.

The Jaguars have the second worst passing offense averaging only 146.2 yards per game and the fourth worst run defense allowing an average of 150.2 yards per game to opposing runners.

The Bears average 101 rushing yards per game which ranks in the middle of the league. The Bears allow an average of 67.2 rushing yards per game which ranks third best.

This game could be similar to the Week Three 23-6 win against St. Louis where the Bears ran the ball and played stout defense.

Injury Report:

Chicago has one key injury in wide receiver Earl Bennett. He missed last week’s game with a hand injury and was limited in practice this week because of it. He says he is going to try to play in this one, but the Bears could opt to use Dane Sanzenbacher in his place again until he is 100%.

Running back Matt Forte (ankle) was limited during the first two days of practice, but practiced fully on Friday and is probable for Sunday. Defensive end Julius Peppers (ankle) was limited all week, but will suit up. FB Evan Rodriguez (knee) will miss his second straight game, tight end Matt Spaeth will line up in his place as the lead blocker.

Jaguars wide receiver Laurent Robinson (concussion) and linebacker Daryl Smith (groin) have been ruled out. Defensive end George Selvie is questionable with a bruised knee.

The Bears will win if?

The Bears will win if they play simple and don’t make any major mistakes on offense. They need to win the time of possession battle and just play smart offense. The defense has proven it can handle its own this season, so the offense must play steady in order for the Bears to win their fourth game of the season.

The Bears will lose if?

The Bears will lose if the offensive line doesn’t give quarterback Jay Cutler ample time in the pocket. Without enough time in the pocket Cutler makes mistakes and defenses tend to make him pay for it. If the Bears lose the battle of the trenches on offense it could be a long day for Jay Cutler in Florida.

Players Who Must Step Up:

1. Devin Hester- Hester is returning to his home state on Sunday and he could be in luck. He is bound to break a return off eventually. He has longs of 38 on a kick return and 23 on a punt return so far this season. He was a play-maker on offense on Monday night with his first touchdown reception of the season. He should see some opportunities on offense, but could really thrive in the return game in this one.

Prediction: Three catches, 42 yards and a punt return for a touchdown.

2. Corey Wootton- He has 1.5 sacks already this season. He is doing a good job in the defensive end rotation at getting pressure on quarterbacks and getting into the backfield to make stops. With Julius Peppers not at 100%, Wootton could see the field more increasing his chances for another sack or two.

Prediction: Three tackles, 1.0 sack.

3. Alshon Jeffery- He reeled in three passes for 32 yards on Monday night, but could be called upon for more production this week. Teammate Brandon Marshall will likely get double covered often in this one, opening up things for Jeffery on the opposite side. Look for the rookie to have his biggest game of the season on Sunday.

Prediction: Five catches, 65 yards, one touchdown.

Key Matchup:

The Bears’ rushing attack against the Jaguars porous run defense. The Jaguars are likely going to stack the box with an extra safety for a large portion of this game.

The offensive line for the Bears needs to open up running lanes for Forte and Bush in order to have success.

This game will likely turn into an old-fashioned Chicago Bears football game where you see solid running and great defense out of the Bears.

Final score predictions

Jake Perper: Chicago Bears 27, Jacksonville Jaguars 13.

Matt Eurich: Chicago Bears 34, Jacksonville Jaguars 10.

Weather.com Weather Report:

A 10 percent chance of showers at game time. Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. Calm wind becoming northeast around 6 mph in the afternoon.

 

Jake Perper is the owner and head writer for Bearsbacker.com. Follow him on Twitter, @Bearsbacker and on Facebook for up to the minute news about the Bears.

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2012 Four MNF Preview: Chicago Bears @ Dallas Cowboys

1st October 2012 by under Game Preview     

The Chicago Bears and Dallas Cowboys will meet for the 23rd time ever on Monday night.

The Cowboys lead the all-time series 13-9.

The last time these two teams squared off was in 2010, the Bears won 27-20 at Cowboys Stadium.

The Cowboys and Bears are very similar teams. They both have shaky offensive lines. They both have a solid pass rush and they both have quarterbacks that can roll out of the pocket.

The Cowboys’ defense is ranked first in the league, while its pass defense is second in the league allowing just 158 yards per game to opposing offenses.

The Bears are coming off a great defensive performance in a 23-6 win over St. Louis in Week Three. The Cowboys got by in Week Three, when they beat the Bucs 16-10 in Dallas.

Injury Report:

Chicago has two key injuries in running back Matt Forte (ankle) and wide receiver Earl Bennett (hand). Benett is said to be game-time decision, while Forte is expected to active. If Bennett can’t play expect second-year receiver Dane Sanzenbacher to be active for the first time this season.

Dallas will be without three defensive starters against the Bears. Linebacker Anthony Spencer (shoulder), nose tackle Jay Ratliff (ankle), defensive tackle Kenyon Coleman (knee) have all been ruled out for tonight’s game.

The Bears will win if?

The Bears will win if Matt Forte is healthy and has 90+ rushing yards. His presence on the field is huge. He’s not only a great receiver out of the backfield, but he is a good blocker as well. If he can battle through pain and help the Bears win the time of possession battle that could lead to the Bears third win of the season.

The Bears will lose if?

The Bears will lose if the protection fails up front and the receivers don’t get separation forcing Jay Cutler to throw some bad passes. If Cutler throws three or more interceptions, the Bears could find themselves where they were in Week Two against Green Bay. They need to have a nice balance of run and pass on offense to control this game. The Cowboys secondary could prove to be good for the Bears.

Players Who Must Step Up:

1. Alshon Jeffery- The rookie has just six catches for 52 yards receiving over the past two games. He needs to step up. Brandon Marshall is going to be keyed in on by the Dallas secondary, so Jeffery could see some looks. Jeffery will have to match up against rookie Morris Claiborne, but he could make some big plays with a size advantage on the outside.

Prediction: Six catches, 68 yards.

2. Henry Melton-He’s second in the NFL in sacks among defensive tackles with three, but he was taken out of last week’s game against St. Louis. He has to make plays with Julius Peppers and Israel Idonije attacking on the edges with success this season.  Melton could be in for a big night against a weak Cowboys offensive line.

Prediction: Five tackles, one sack.

3. D.J. Moore- He had a huge game against the Cowboys in 2010, reeling in his first two interceptions of his career. He’s averaged four interceptions over the past two seasons. He has been steady through the first three games, but this could be a breakout game for him. He tends to come up big in primetime games. Look for Moore to play well tonight.

Prediction: Four tackles, one interception.

Key Matchup:

The Dallas cornerbacks, Brandon Carr and Morris Claiborne against the Bears receivers is certainly a key matchup on Monday night.

Another matchup that could be key is the Bears defensive ends against Tony Romo.

Obviously the Bears will need to pressure Tony Romo in order to be successful, but they also need to contain him on roll-outs out of the pocket. Rookie defensive end Shea McClellin has arguably the best speed out of any of the Bears defenders, so he could be called upon in situations where Romo scrambles.

Stats & Stuff:

Jay Cutler is 6-7 in prime-time games as the Bears quarterback, posting a 4-1 record on Monday Night Football.

Final score predictions

Jake Perper: Chicago Bears 27, Dallas Cowboys 23.

Matt Eurich: Dallas Cowboys 27, Chicago Bears 20.

Jake Perper is the owner and head writer for Bearsbacker.com. Follow him on Twitter, @Bearsbacker and on Facebook for up to the minute news about the Bears.

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Week Three NFL Preview: St. Louis Rams @ Chicago Bears

23rd September 2012 by under Game Preview     

The St. Louis Rams and Chicago Bears will meet for the 90th time ever on Sunday.

The Bears lead the all-time series 51-35-3.

The last time these two teams squared off was in 2009, when the Bears won 17-9 at Soldier Field.

The Bears have bounced back from big losses pretty well as of late. They’ve won 14 of 18 games following a loss by 10 or more points since 2006.

Unfortunately will be without starting running back Matt Forte (ankle), who was injured in the second half of the Week Two loss against Green Bay.

At 1-1, the Bears are one of 20 teams to start the 2012 NFL season with that record, which is a first in league history.

With Matt Forte out, the next man has to step up. Luckily, the Bears added a solid backup in Michael Bush this off-season. He will get the start while Khalil Bell and Armando Allen will see limited time behind him.

Expect to see a lot of run plays drawn up this week after the Bears allowed seven sacks a week ago in Green Bay.

Jay Cutler had time in the pocket in a number of those sacks, but didn’t have any open receivers and just wound up getting sacked. He needs to not be afraid to use his legs and scramble. Offensive coordinator likely informed Cutler that exact thing during practice this week.

If Brandon Marshall can have a bounce back game it would likely propel the Bears to victory against St. Louis.

It won’t be easy.

St. Louis (1-1) has looked pretty solid through two games. They have Chris Long, Robert Quinn and James Laurinatis who are all up and coming stars on their defense.

The Rams aren’t afraid to blitz and they likely will dial up some after watching how shaky the Bears’ offensive line was in Week Two.

Cortland Finnegan and Janoris Jenkins could be the best cornerback duo in the league right now, so the Bears have to be aware of them.

On the offensive side for St. Louis, they have a talented running back in Steven Jackson and a solid receiver in Danny Amendola. The Bears must get pressure on Bradford forcing him to make mistakes. Amendola has been his favorite target this season and the Bears are going to try their best to contain him today.

The Bears need to run to set up the pass rather than the opposite. Bush and Bell will get plenty of carries and if they can be successful it opens things up for the receivers.

Don’t be surprised to see Devin Hester and Earl Bennett targeted often throughout this game.

Hester has had success in the past against St. Louis not just on offense, but on special teams as well. In 2006, a then rookie Hester returned to kickoffs for touchdowns.

It would be nice to see Hester break one off against St. Louis once again.

Players Who Must Step Up:

1. Earl Bennett- He had a dreadful game against Green Bay. Three of Jay Cutler’s interceptions were passes intended for Bennett and two of them were completely his fault. He is the most reliable target on this offense, but he needs to make sure he is in the right spot at all times or it could cost them once again. Look for him to be focused and ready to redeem himself in this game.

Prediction: Four catches, 54 yards.

2. Brian Urlacher- This is certainly a guy who hasn’t played up to his caliber just yet. He hasn’t looked to be 100%. He has made some plays, but its time for Urlacher to step up and really dominate a game. This could be that game for him up against a young quarterback in Sam Bradford. Look for this to be Urlacher’s  breakout game of this season.

Prediction: 11 tackles, one interception.

3. Amobi Okoye- He has certainly been impressive so far this season. Despite knee problems he has shown why he is a perfect fit for this defense. He will have another solid day today stopping the run. Don’t be shocked to see him record a sack or two in this one.

Prediction: Five tackles, 1.0 sack.

Final score predictions

Jake Perper: Bears 30, Rams 17.

Matt Eurich:  Bears 27, Rams 13

Weather.com weather forecast:

Today, mostly sunny. Highs in the upper 50s. Northwest winds 10 to 15 mph.

 

Jake Perper is the owner and head writer for Bearsbacker.com. Follow him on Twitter, @Bearsbacker and on Facebook for up to the minute news about the Bears.

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Week Two NFL Preview: Chicago Bears @ Green Bay Packers

13th September 2012 by under Game Preview     

The Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers will meet for the 185th time ever on Thursday night.

The Bears lead the all-time series 92-86-6.

This is arguably the most historic rivalry in pro sports. It compares to MLB with the New York Yankees-Boston Red Sox and NBA with the Los Angeles Lakers-Boston Celtics.

The Packers won both games in 2011, 27-17 in Week Three and 35-21 in Week 16.

The Bears haven’t won a game at Lambeau Field since 2007. Brett Favre was under center for Green Bay and Brian Griese was under center for Chicago the last time the Bears came away with victory in Green Bay.

Jay Cutler is coming off a 41 point performance in Week One against Indy, while the Packers and Aaron Rodgers lost to San Francisco after only scoring 22 points.

Cutler is 1-5 all time against the Packers in his career, throwing 11 interceptions in that time. Those 11 interceptions are the most Cutler has thrown against any NFL team.

Cutler will find ways to exploit the Packers defense, who has seven players in different positions this season.

The key matchup will come on defense with the Bears secondary controlling Aaron Rodgers and not allowing any deep throws over the top. If the Bears can contain the deep throws they could avoid a possible shootout and come away with a big second victory against their hated rival.

Players Who Must Step Up:

1. Earl Bennett- He was Jay Cutler’s second favorite target besides Brandon Marshall this past Sunday. He will be looked upon to pick him big third downs as usual and come up with catches. The Packers defense will give him some looks while trying to limit Marshall’s production. Look out for a solid game from Earl.

Projections: Six catches, 63 yards.

2. D.J. Moore- The nickelback had a solid first game, but wasn’t around the ball enough. He will step his game up in this one and force a turnover. Moore wants to prove everyone he belongs on this defense on Thursday Night Football.

Projections: Five tackles, one INT.

3. Shea McClellin- He made a couple nice plays in his NFL debut, but the Bears want to see more from the rookie pass rush specialist. Going up against a mediocre defensive line in GB could help McClellin get that much closer to his first NFL sack. I see it coming here on Thursday night in Green Bay.

Projections: Three tackles, 1.0 sack.

Final score predictions.

Jake Perper: Bears 30, Packers 27.

Matt Eurich:  Packers 34, Bears 30.

Weather.com weather forecast:

Isolated sprinkles in the evening at Lambeau Field…Then becoming partly cloudy. Lows 41 to 46. Light and variable wind.

 

Jake Perper is the owner and head writer for Bearsbacker.com. Follow him on Twitter, @Bearsbacker and on Facebook for up to the minute news about the Bears.

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Week One NFL Preview: Indianapolis Colts @ Chicago Bears

8th September 2012 by under Game Preview     

The Indianapolis Colts and Chicago Bears will meet for the 42nd time ever on Sunday. The Colts lead the all-time series 23-18.

The Bears are 6-1 in their last seven home openers. The Colts have lost their last two road openers.

The Bears defeated the Colts the last time the two teams played in 2008, 29-13. In that game, a then rookie Matt Forte ran 23 times for 123 yards, which included a 50-yard touchdown run.

The Bears are coming off a disappointing 8-8 season. They finished third in the NFC North despite posting a 7-3 record after 11 weeks of play. Jay Cutler suffering a season-ending thumb injury plagued the season for Chicago and Matt Forte going down soon thereafter basically ended it right there.

The Colts finished 2-14 with a mixture of Curtis Painter, Kerry Collins and Dan Orlovsky under center.

The Colts are a much different team. They are relying on a rookie QB in Andrew Luck and an up-and-down running back Donald Brown on the ground.

The Bears know they need to pressure the young Luck in order to come away with a good result.

On the opposite end, the Colts defense doesn’t really scare its opponents. With Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis returning as the stars of this defense they will be looked upon to be just that.

The Bears won’t have a tough time moving the ball down the field on this unit. New Bears WR Brandon Marshall reeled in a record 21 catches against the Colts, while playing with the Broncos in 2009, so he knows a thing or two about being successful against Indy.

Brian Urlacher (knee), Adam Podlesh (hip) and Chris Conte (shoulder) all participated fully in practice on Friday and are probable for the game. RB Lorenzo Booker is questionable (head) after missing practice all week.

It will be interesting to see if Podlesh plays or the Bears decide to go with rookie Ryan Quigley. Chris Conte could be tested by the Colts offense at times, so its crucial for him to be comfortable back there or you’ll see a good dose of Craig Steltz sooner rather than later.

I’m glad to see football is back and I’m sure you guys are as well. The first Sunday of football is upon us, that means you should be asking yourself who are we looking for to have big games for the Bears.

Players Who Must Step Up.

1. Israel Idonije- The expectations are high right now for rookie defensive end Shea McClellin, but you can’t expect too much from him in his first NFL game. Israel Idonije has been there plenty of times and knows in order to keep his job he needs to take pressure off of Julius Peppers. Expect Idonije to have a big game whether its from the outside or inside of that defensive line.

Projections: Five tackles, 1.0 sack, fumble recovery.

2. Lance Briggs- The veteran linebacker got the money he wanted in the off-season and is very focused on the goal ahead this season. With Brian Urlacher not at 100%, its up to Briggs to stop the run and control his area of the field just in case something does go wrong. Look for Briggs to play lights out because honestly the Bears are looking for him to step up.

Projections: 10 tackles.

3. Kellen Davis- Davis isn’t the fastest of the Bears 2012 tight ends, but he should see some open looks towards the middle of the field with Brandon Marshall getting most of the attention. Don’t be shocked to see him have a pretty good day as well as rookie Evan Rodriguez who should be in as an H-back for parts of the game.

Projections: Five catches, 48 yards.

Final score predictions

Jake Perper: Bears 27, Colts 13.

Matt Eurich: Bears 24, Colts 13.

Weather.com weather forecast:

The lakefront should see partly cloudy skies for most of the day with a high of 70 degrees and a low of 58. The weather shouldn’t be a big factor in this one.

 

Jake Perper is the owner and head writer for Bearsbacker.com. Follow him on Twitter, @Bearsbacker and on Facebook for up to the minute news about the Bears.

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Week Four Preseason Preview: Chicago Bears @ Cleveland Browns

30th August 2012 by under Game Preview     

The Chicago Bears head to Cleveland Thursday night to battle the Browns in their final preseason game of 2012.

The starters will likely only play one or two drives in this game. This game is about the players on the roster bubble and the key backups.

The Bears roster is currently at 74 players, they need to be down to 53 players by Friday evening.

Here are five players you should watch closely in preseason game number four.

RB Armando Allen, WR Brittan Golden, DE Chauncey Davis, CB Jonathan Wilhite and QB Josh McCown.

Like mentioned above the players on the bubble will be looked at very closely. Especially the players trying to earn their way onto the team through special teams.

Here are some positions to pay attention to in this one.

Cornerback:

The starters are set in stone, Charles Tillman, Tim Jennings and D.J. Moore. Kelvin Hayden is locked in as the fourth cornerback on the roster, but after that the position is up in the air. Veteran Jonathan Wilhite could stick because of his experience, but rookies Isaiah Frey and Greg McCoy have showed some promise this preseason. Also, second-year corner Cornelius Brown continues to battle for a roster spot. Tonight we should get a serious look at the bottom four corners. The Bears will likely keep two of the four, but don’t be shocked if it’s both rookies, Frey and McCoy because of their athleticism.

Running back:

With veteran Kahlil Bell out of the picture, Armando Allen or Lorenzo Booker have a chance at earning the third running back spot. Both players have shown their value on special teams. Booker is a very good kick returner, while Allen is a speedy runner similar to Garrett Wolfe a couple of seasons ago. It will come down to special teams play. The player who performs better tonight will likely get a chance to stick this season. Armando Allen might have the upper-hand.

Defensive line:

Defensive ends Israel Idonije and Julius Peppers can play defensive tackle as well, so that could mean the Bears opt to keep more ends than tackles this season. Besides backups Shea McClellin and Corey Wootton the defensive end position is a mystery to anyone. Ends Chauncey Davis, Cheta Ozougwu and Aston Whiteside are likely battling for one spot. Backup defensive tackles Brian Price, Nate Collins and Jordan Miller are likely battling for one spot as well. All six of the backup defensive linemen will get an extensive look tonight. Expect Price to earn a spot on the roster at tackle, while Davis and Ozougwu will battle it out for a spot in the end rotation.

Quarterback:

Jason Campbell will get a chance to play a lot in this game, while third-stringer Josh McCown will likely play the entire second half. McCown is playing for a roster spot. The Bears might opt to go with only two quarterbacks or they could keep the veteran McCown, who would earn $700,000 on the season. I think it would be a mistake to let McCown go considering how he played at the end of last season, but the Bears could see other positions as areas that need more depth. McCown has to play well tonight to stay with the 2012 Bears. Rookie QB Matt Blanchard was let go by the Bears, but he could be brought back to the team on Saturday when the practice squad is allowed to be formed.

Final Thoughts:

This game doesn’t mean anything for the 2012 season, but it means a lot in terms of depth on this team. The Bears have to cut 21 players by Friday night, so figuring out who deserves a spot on the roster is important.

The secondary is a position that could use another veteran with rookie Brandon Hardin out for the season and Chris Conte banged up.

The injury to punter Adam Podlesh, gives rookie Ryan Quigley a shot at sticking on the roster, which would force the Bears to keep two punters for the first time in years.

Tonight is just the beginning for the 2012 Chicago Bears, who are looking to make a deep run into the NFL postseason.

Weather.com weather forecast:

Expect it to be a clear night in Cleveland with a temperature in the lower 60′s for most of the game.

 

Jake Perper is the owner and head writer for Bearsbacker.com. Follow him on Twitter, @Bearsbacker and on Facebook for up to the minute news about the Bears.

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Week Two Preseason Preview: Washington Redskins at Chicago Bears

17th August 2012 by under Game Preview     

The Washington Redskins and rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III come to Solider Field this Saturday to battle the Chicago Bears.

Mike Shanahan returns to his hometown where he’ll see three familiar faces opposing him for the first time since they worked together in Denver (06-08).

The starters should play for most of the first quarter for both teams. Nick Roach will get another start at middle linebacker with Brian Urlacher out (knee) and Geno Hayes will start at strongside linebacker.

This game should be a good time for the Bears coaches to see rookie DE Shea McClellin and third-year defensive end Corey Wootton matchup against rookie QB Robert Griffin III.

Don’t expect this game to be as big of a bore as the first preseason game against Denver mainly because all the stars will start in this one.

Here are five players you should watch in preseason game number two.

TE Kyle Adams, DE Israel Idonije, LG Chris Spencer, LT Chris Williams, LB Geno Hayes.

The fans should be packed in at Soldier Field on Saturday. Especially since this is the last time they’ll see its team until September 9 when the Bears host the Colts in regular season opener.

When they see its team the next time it should look pretty different. The Bears have to cut down to a 53-man roster by September 2.

Positions to pay attention to for the Bears in this one.

Tight end:

Kellen Davis has certainly been the biggest target in the redzone over the past couple of seasons in Chicago, but now he could be the second or third option in that area. Davis should get some open looks throughout the season due to the talent and size of the receiving core. Matt Spaeth has shown he is back to be the main blocking tight end, while Kyle Adams and Evan Rodriguez have the chance to add to the passing game. Adams has been impressive in practice as of late, while Rodriguez has been relatively quiet. This game should show us how much the Bears plan to use the tight end this season.

Left side of the offensive line:

Left tackle J’Marcus Webb and left guard Chris Spencer both struggled last week in the first preseason game. The left tackle competition is back on for the Bears as offensive coordinator Mike Tice plans to split first-team reps between J’Marcus Webb and Chris Williams. The offensive line knows it needs to improve and this test against the Redskins defensive ends Brian Orakpo and Ryan Kerrigan should be something to pay attention to. No other position will be watched with a closer eye heading into the season.

Linebackers:

Lance Briggs, Nick Roach and Geno Hayes are your starters, while J.T. Thomas and Patrick Trahan will see some extensive time with the second-team. Nick Roach continues to take over for what the Bears are hoping to be the short-term at middle linebacker. Geno Hayes will get valuable time in this one, he is a crafty veteran who provides the Bears with a nice option off the bench. Second-year player J.T. Thomas looks to build off a solid first outing against Denver in preseason game one.

Special teams:

This is the area where most of the rookies will earn their stripes. Cornerbacks Isaiah Frey and Greg McCoy will see plenty of time on special teams. WR Rashied Davis, who was recently brought back will get his first crack at showing what he has left on special teams. It’s not a fun area to watch, but the Bears pride themselves on the success of the third team. Blocking well for returners Devin Hester, Eric Weems and Earl Bennett is crucial for the success of the team.

Final thoughts:

It will be nice to see stars Jay Cutler, Matt Forte and Julius Peppers back on the field. Those players should offer some excitement in this one, but since the Bears aren’t going to expose too much maybe I’m wrong.

Either way rookie QB Robert Griffin III should give the Bears plenty to work with.

Weather.com weather forecast:

Expect the weather to be in the lower 60′s with a 10% chance of rain for most of the night at the lakefront.

 

Jake Perper is the owner and head writer for Bearsbacker.com. Follow him on Twitter, @Bearsbacker and on Facebook for up to the minute news about the Bears.

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Week One Preseason Preview: Denver Broncos @ Chicago Bears

9th August 2012 by under Game Preview     

The Chicago Bears host the new look Denver Broncos in their first preseason game number tonight at Soldier Field.

QB Peyton Manning is under center for the Broncos, while it remains to be seen if the newest dad in town Jay Cutler will be in uniform tonight.

Either way this game won’t be about those players. It will be about getting back to the basics and showcasing what these two teams have.

Rookies will get plenty of playing time in this one. Don’t expect the starters for either team to play past the first quarter.

With LB Brian Urlacher out (knee), Nick Roach will man the middle, while veteran Geno Hayes will take over at the strongside position.

Here are five players you should watch in this one.

DE Shea McClellin, WR Dane Sanzenbacher, RB Kahlil Bell, CB Greg McCoy and LB Nick Roach.

The first game doesn’t show fans and analysts much, but it gets everyone excited for the NFL season to begin.

Positions to pay attention to tonight for the Bears.

Defensive line:

Julius Peppers and Henry Melton are the most dominant defensive linemen on the Bears’ current roster. Israel Idonije, Shea McClellin and Matt Toeaina should see the field plenty tonight. Players like Corey Wootton, Stephen Paea, Brian Price, Chauncey Davis and Thaddeus Gibson will get to showcase what they have.

Secondary:

Major Wright and Chris Conte need to prove their durability throughout the preseason. Rookies Brandon Hardin and Trevor Coston will get on the field plenty tonight, while strong safety Craig Steltz will get an opportunity as well. Cornerbacks Kelvin Hayden, Jonathan Wilhite, Isiah Frey and Greg McCoy are all battling for a roster spot. Look for one of them to try to make a push for a roster spot tonight.

Offensive tackle:

J’Marcus Webb will get the start at left tackle, while Chris Williams will likely come in for Gabe Carimi early on the right side. Undrafted free agent James Brown will get a look at left tackle. He has potential just needs to prove he isn’t too raw. Offensive tackle will be a position to look at all through the preseason.

Running back:

Matt Forte is under contract and ready to go. Michael Bush is ready to take on whatever role the Bears are asking him to do. Kahlil Bell and Armando Allen are battling for a roster spot. They have to prove their worth on offense as well as special teams. Veteran Lorenzo Booker and former supplemental draft pick Harvey Unga will also get looks in this one.

Final thoughts:

This should be a fun one to watch. The first game isn’t the most exciting, but the rookies get to showcase their skills and fans take notice.

The NFL season is about a month away ladies and gentlemen and tonight is just the beginning of all the hard work that goes into the regular season.

Weather.com weather forecast:

Expect a few showers with overcast throughout the night at the lakefront. 15-25 mph winds with a 60% chance of rain.

 

Jake Perper is the owner and head writer for Bearsbacker.com. Follow him on Twitter, @Bearsbacker and on Facebook for up to the minute news about the Bears.

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Week 15 NFL Game Preview: Seattle Seahawks @ Chicago Bears

18th December 2011 by under Game Preview     

The Seattle Seahawks (6-7) and Chicago Bears (7-6) will battle it out today at 1 p.m. ET at Soldier Field.

The Bears trail the all-time series 6-8. They played the Seahawks twice last season, both games were in the windy city.

The Seahawks defeated the Bears in the regular season matchup 23-20, but the Bears redeemed themselves by winning the NFC Divisional game over them 35-24.

Seattle comes to town being winners of their last two games and four of their last five.

The Bears on the other hand are watching their season quickly fall apart. They’ve dropped three straight games, all coming against AFC West opponents.

What do the Bears have to do to get out of their funk?

They need to keep drives going and score points early in the game.

The defense will have their hands full with Marshawn Lynch, who has been spectacular as of late.

The Seahawks have rushed for 100 yards or more as a team in six consecutive games, the first time since the 2002 season.

The Bears defense has been stellar allowing only a touchdown a game the past three weeks.

Caleb Hanie was average at best during the game, but he led the Bears right down the field in the overtime drive.

Since Hanie’s taken over the Bears offense has averaged only 11 points per game.

Hanie knows he needs to make better decisions. One of those decisions is completing passes to his best wide receiver Earl Bennett, whose been invisible since Hanie took over.

Wide receiver/kick returner Devin Hester is questionable with a sprained ankle, while defensive tackle Henry Melton is also questionable with a shin injury.

Expect Hester to suit up, but Melton doesn’t seem healthy enough to give it a go.

Key Questions:

Will Earl Bennett get involved in the offense?

Will the Bears be able to create turnovers off of Seahawks QB Tavaris Jackson?

Will Hanie be able to sustain drives for the Bears offense?

Which running back will get more carries, Marion Barber or Kahlil Bell?

Players Who Must Step Up:

1) Earl Bennett- He has two catches for 10 yards the past three games. He needs to get back into the offense. Hanie needs to get him the ball because he only does good things when he gets receptions.

Prediction: Four catches, 35 yards, one touchdown.

2) Brian Urlacher- He is 17 tackles away from an 100 tackle season. He has three interceptions on the season. He made 11 tackles last week in an impressive performance. He knows the importance of this game, so look for him to get this defense ready to go.

Prediction: Nine tackles, 1.0 sack.

3) Stephen Paea- He will likely be seeing more playing time, with Henry Melton on the sideline. The rookie second-round pick has two sacks in eight games. Look for him to make the most of his opportunities today.

Prediction: Four tackles.

Final Score:

Bears 20, Seahawks 13

Jake Perper is the owner and head writer for Bearsbacker.com. He is also the Chicago Bears writer for NFLTouchdown.com. Follow him on Twitter, @Bearsbacker and on Facebook for up to the minute news about the Bears.

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