CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — The Chicago Bears take on the Green Bay Packers on Sunday. Kickoff is set for 3:25 p.m. at Soldier Field, and the game can be heard on WBBM Newsradio 780. Here are Jeff Joniak's keys to the game.
Offense
• A hot offense squares off against a hot defense. Mitchell Trubisky continues to channel his competitive drive and with the benefits of a David Montgomery inspired run game, an efficient passing game, and the continuity of the new line, the Bears are averaging 35.0 points a game. Green Bay’s defense during a five game winning streak which included a win over the Bears, is allowing only 19.0 points a game.
• The Bears run game must move the sticks and present problems for the Packers. It is a huge key in this game. It helps own the clock and keep Rodgers off the field and it starts the Bears play-action, boot-action, game. Tampa ran for 158-yards on 35 attempts in a 28-point win over the Packers. The Vikings ran 34 times for 173 yards in a six-point win. Indianapolis ran it 37 times for 140 yards in the three-point overtime win in week 11. Carolina logged 115 yards on 27 carries in an 8 point loss. In six games decided by 8 points or less involving the Packers, opponents ran 156 times for 710 yards and an average of 4.55 yards-per-carry and six touchdowns. These are some of the same examples I wrote about prior to the week 12 meeting. They are still pertinent.
• Getting a lead and keeping that lead throughout the game will mute some of the Packers pressure. They’ve cranked it up of late led by Za’Darius Smith (12.5 sacks) and the steady play of nose tackle Kenny Clark. Green Bay was sacked three times, hurried 14 times, and knocked down five times by the Packers in week 12. The Bears also were nabbed for two holding calls and a false start. The new line has been a revelation and will expect a variety of front looks from defensive coordinator Mike Pettine, who also likes to employ a volume of dime packages.
Related
• In advance of the first meeting with the Packers, quarterbacks had a combined rating of 101.8 (#27), but only Philip Rivers has put together a 100+ rating against the Green Bay defense over the last nine weeks. They are playing better football at the right time.
Defense
• Aaron Rodgers and Davonte Adams are having MVP seasons. Period. End of story. Rodgers is doing everything right. Adams is his favorite target by a mile, with 143 targets and 109 receptions, and only one drop. His 17 touchdowns are ridiculous. He is a threat at the line of scrimmage, in the short area after the catch, intermediate crossing routes, deep posts, and sideline shots where he decisively wins 50-50 balls, and all the way to the endzone where pinpoint throws in tight windows is a Rodgers specialty. Those two alone can beat you. The Bears have to quiet that storm.
• In his last two visits to Soldier Field, Rodgers has been sacked 10 total times by the Bears. It is significant to get pressure on him. It doesn’t happen often, but when it does, it gives you a chance. Without three-time Pro Bowl left tackle David Bakhtiari(torn acl), there could be more chipping on the edge or a tight end next to the left tackle, and one fewer option out in patterns. The Bears have to find a way to get home and pressure Rodgers and hit him, which they did not do in week 12.
• All the stars must play to a star level for the Bears to win this game. Mack. Quinn. Hicks. Roquan. Trevathan. Fuller. Eddie Jackson. They have to be difference makers and playmakers. Period. Then the rest of the calvary must do their jobs and win some snaps and play a completely defensive game.
Related
• Rodgers will be hunting nickel defender Duke Shelley and rookie cornerback Kindle Vildor without question. How they stand up to the barrage, and how defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano helps them in the scheme could say a lot about the outcome. They both will be aided by an outstanding pass rush. Shelley and Vildor have held their own to this point. Rodgers has thrown 15 touchdowns and only one interception during the Packers five-game winning streak.
• Most importantly the Bears must curtail the Packers run game. They will run it and run it a lot. They gouged the Bears in week 12 for 182 yards and that was with Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams. Now they have a healthy A.J. Dillon, and the rookie is a beast with speed. He earned 90 yards after contact in the win over the Titans last week. The Bears have to tackle extremely well.
• One of the biggest keys to the game is playing smart. I say it every time against Rodgers. Missed assignments, mental errors, poor decisions at key moments, unnecessary penalties must be avoided. The reason is simple. Rodgers bites you if you do. Every time.
Special Teams
• A physical tone setting day by the Bears coverage units would be helpful. The Packers are struggling in the return game this season and in covering kicks and punts. Their averages are not good. They have given up a pair of punt touchdowns. They are vulnerable in this phase of the game. The Bears must take advantage.
• Field position is critical against the Packers, because once again Rodgers makes you pay for a short field. Long fields don’t bother him at all, especially for an offense that leads the NFL in time of possession. Both punters are critical in this matchup and having very good seasons. Patrick O’Donnell for the Bears and third year Packer punter J.K. Scott who has outstanding hang time on his kicks.
• Both veteran kickers remain as hot as they were in week 12. Cairo Santos of the Bears has made his last 24 kicks, while Mason Crosby has delivered on all 16 of his attempts and all but one of his 35 extra point attempts.. He is 13-of-20 at Soldier Field in his career, so that is something to keep an eye on.
Intangibles
• The talk is over. Both teams want the game, both teams need the win. It should be quite the battle.