(WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Jeff Joniak takes a look at Chicago's home opener against the New York Giants:
OFFENSE
--While the Bears seek consistency in their attack — down-to-down, series-to-series, and game-to-game — still winning in the stranglehold of inconsistency is paramount. Winning football for quarterback Mitchell Trubisky and the offense boils down to finding a way to light the match and in clutch moments get that fire burning. He did in Detroit and will face another defense in the Giants that likes to deploy packages of defensive backs, and man coverage in important moments.
--Winning on third down is the immediate hurdle, after a 2-for-11 conversion rate bogged down the progress created on first down, where Trubisky was outstanding. He completed 12 of 14 passes for 159 yards and two touchdowns. With a ground game averaging 5.3 yards per carry on first down, the Bears moved the chains and earned 26 first downs. It is a great place to start against the Giants.
--There will be opportunities to make plays on a Giants defense that gave up a lot of big plays and points a year ago, and allowed 141 rushing yards to Pittsburgh in week one.
--There will be opportunities to make plays on a Giants defense that gave up a lot of big plays and points a year ago and allowed 141 rushing yards to Pittsburgh in Week One.
--Under defensive coordinator Patrick Graham, the Giants employ what Bears head coach Matt Nagy called an "amoeba" front on specific down and distance situations that will require assignment assurance and the right protection calls. Trubisky must keep his eyes focused on his progressions and not on the rush.
DEFENSE
--Expect a ferocious response by the Bears' defense. The performance in Week One didn't sit well with coaches and players. Now that the rust is off, it is time to create some havoc. It is a big week for the linebacker and safeties.
--Last year, Bears defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano was preaching "No Edge, No Chance" on slowing down Giants running back Saquon Barkley. It remains pertinent. He is a dynamic and explosive talent who will hurt you by land and by air, if given the right crack or the right mismatch.
--The same can be said of tight end Evan Engram. The former first-round pick is explosive in his first five yards and runs a legit 4.42 on a 240-pound frame. He missed both the 2018 and 2019 games against the Bears, so this is a first look. He struggled against the Steelers, catching only two of his seven targets for nine yards, but linebackers struggle with him. He stresses defenses.
--Second-year quarterback Daniel Jones is developing, and he weathered a vicious pass rush that hurried him 17 times Monday night against the Steelers. He fumbled 18 times in 2019 and lost the ball 11 times, so if the Bears can hit him, there may be opportunities.
--There is a budding big-play threat in receiver Darius Slayton, who deserves the Bears' attention on the back end, because of his 4.39 speed and elite quickness in the deep ball game.
SPECIAL TEAMS
--There was a serious tone as Bears special teams coach Chris Tabor discussed the Giants' special teams unit. Giants head coach Joe Judge spent seven years in that phase with New England, so he is naturally going to tend to that unit. The Giants' average starting position was their 36 yard line after one week.
--Cordarrelle Patterson was second in the league after week one in kick return yardage (110) and is willing to take it out of the end zone, no matter how deep Graham Gano plans on booting it. Patterson averaged 36.7 yards his three returns, which is the equivalent of nearly four first downs.
--Giants safety Jabrill Peppers had a 40-yard punt return against the Bears last season and had a 20-yard return Monday night against the Steelers. The coverage must limit his impact. Rookie cornerback Darnay Holmes, Slayton, and -- if he's healthy -- Golden Tate are all return options for the Giants, all capable of big returns.
--This is only Graham Gano's third game at Soldier Field, where he's 2-of-3 in field goal attempts. Bears kicker Cairo Santos got off to a strong start last week but has never tried a field goal at Soldier Field, though he has converted two extra points.
Jeff Joniak is the play-by-play announcer for the Bears broadcasts on WBBM Newsradio 780 & 105.9 FM. Follow him on Twitter @JeffJoniak.
