(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — The Chicago Bears (3-2) face their arch rivals the Green Back Packers (4-1) at Soldier Field on Sunday. WBBM Newsradio’s pregame coverage begins at 9 a.m.
OFFENSE
-It really is mandatory for the Bears to get off to a quick start offensively. They have engineered three scoring drives on their opening possession and two more touchdown drives on their opening drive of the second half.
-Green Bay led the NFL in opening drive points in 2020, and while they have only one touchdown in each of their first possessions of each half this season, with Aaron Rodgers it’s always an ever-present danger.
-Playing on the lead makes a big difference for the Bears defense, which has 13 sacks and four interceptions in games where they are on top of their opponents.
-Without David Montgomery and Damien Williams, the Bears will give the ball to rookie Khalil Herbert. He is an outstanding outside zone runner who runs with patience and instincts and quickly gets north and south with the ball. He gets yards after contact as well, which helped the Bears earn six yards or more on 14 rushing attempts in Vegas.
-Keeping mistakes to a minimum while facing Rodgers is always critical, because the future Hall of Fame quarterback makes you pay for your errors. Frankly, it doesn’t matter how big or small the mistake, he just has a knack for taking advantage of the situation.
-The Packers are missing two star players in cornerback Jaire Alexander and edge rusher Za’Darius Smith, but that doesn’t mean QB Justin Fields can relax in the pocket. Joe Barry will likely dial up some blitzes and test the protection early and in obvious passing situations. -The Bears’ interior three up front have not allowed a pressure in two weeks and will need to keep Kenny Clark under wraps. He is capable of collapsing the pocket and creating havoc in the backfield and is their best pressure weapon.
-The Bears are running the ball at a rate that ranks third-highest in the league, and if that successfully continues against the Packers it should open up more opportunities in the deep passing game so that Fields can stretch the field horizontally and vertically.
-The Bears and Packers have not utilized their tight ends much so far in the passing game, but it is an area to keep an eye on for both teams as they try to get more weapons involved in their respective offenses.
DEFENSE
-Aaron Rodgers and Davonte Adams can do enough damage in a two-man game to spoil the Sunday for the Bears. It’s that simple.
-They have a stellar connection in virtually every area of the field and in every down and distance. Defending Adams in the passing game will take sticky coverage, patience and physicality.
-Adams leads the NFL in receptions and yards. He’s also the most targeted receiver in the league with 61 passes. The next Packer targeted on the list is running back Aaron Jones (19). That is a big disparity, but the Bears must be on alert for Rodgers working his other receivers in to the mix and challenge the coverage of corners Kindle Vildor and Duke Shelley.
-Pressuring Rodgers repeatedly can be the sword that brings him down. In a dozen games at Soldier Field, he’s been sacked 27 times, including 11 times in the last three years. The Bears lead the NFL in sacks and sack percentage, so they are capable of disrupting the flow and efficiency of the Packers offense.
-At the same time, Rogers has completed 26 passes of 25+yards in those 12 games. Look for the Bears to disguise coverage and deploy Khalil Mack, Robert Quinn, Roquan Smith, and Akiem Hicks—should he play—to be as destructive as they possibly can in a setting like this one.
-The Bears must curtail the Packers run game. They gouged the Bears in week 12 last season for 182 yards, and that was with Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams. Now, A.J. Dillon is the changeup back, and he is a beast with speed. The Bears have to tackle extremely well.
SPECIAL TEAMS
-Matt Nagy is making it clear he wants all three phases of the team to play with the same physical, nasty mindset. Special teams can help set the tone for the day by playing exactly that way.
-Field position is critical against the Packers because Rodgers makes you pay for a short field.
-The Bears must score points against the Packers, so the belief and trust in Cairo Santos is something they can count on. His streak of 34 consecutive field goals brings great comfort.
-Mason Crosby of the Packers had a rough game against the Bengals, and you wonder where the trust in his leg is right now. He is very familiar with Soldier Field, where he’s kicked in 14 career games, going 20-of-28 and making all 34 of his extra points.
-Cue Jakeem Grant. The new returner for the Bears adds some spice to the kick and punt returns, and given his skill and speed, he’s a threat to make a difference in this game.
INTANGIBLES
-Even though it’s only Week 6, there is a lot on the line with the division component, and a Bears win puts them in the NFC North lead.
-Given what they have already been through this season, it would bring some sizzle to the party if they jump to 4-2 headed to Tampa next week.
Jeff Joniak is the play-by-play announcer for the Bears broadcasts on WBBM Newsradio 780. Follow him on Twitter here: @JeffJoniak.
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