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rawaction Chicago Cubs

rawaction

Old-Timey Member
Posted
Posted

Nerves starting to set in. Feeling better about this week though than I did last week.

 

My keys to the game:

 

1. DL first step. I watched both regular season games vs. GB this weekend. And the thing that stood out to me, is the speed of the defensive lines. The Packers could not handle the Bears when they use their speed. Peppers speed rush outside and even Melton made some plays when stunting and getting 1-on-1s with Bulaga gave Rodgers trouble. If the Bears get off of the ball well, with a sloppy field, GBs OL will be playing catch-up all day to keep them from getting to Rodgers.

 

On the other side, of the 6 sacks the Bears gave up in Week 17, 2 were coverage sacks, 1 was OL just getting beat, but the others were due to the OLBs getting great jumps off the snap. Cutler has to change up the snap count to slow down Matthews and co.

 

2. Fumbles. I think the Bears can come up with a couple. Obviously, the James Jones fumble in the 1st game stands out, but the Bears were also able to get a Driver fumble in Week 17, and Jennings has fumbled a couple times this year. Also, James Starks, though he hasn't fumbled yet in his young career, I noticed he's not big on holding the ball with 2 hands. I think if he tries to fight for extra yards, the opportunity for a strip will be there.

 

3. Forte, Olsen, Bennett......then deep. Forte and Olsen combined for 20 catches in 2 games vs. the Packers. Bennett only caught 3 in the 1 game vs. GB, but Davis had 7 in his spot Week 17. That's 15 catches per game from TE, RB, slot. GB seems to be fine with this as Knox torched them in the 1st game, and when they shut him down, they won holding the Bears to 3 points. So, the underneath guys will likely be available early and often. Cutler has to be patient and be ok with moving the ball this way. Eventually, GB will try to take out the dumpoffs and then I think that's when they can be beaten down the field. It also forces Woodson in coverage, and I think he can be beaten on slow developing routes over 20 yards.

 

4. 5 on 4. The Bears success in the running game has come almost exclusively when they create mismatches by putting more blockers than defenders in the play. Running off tackle to the TE side, along with pulling an offensive lineman that way has led to big runs for Forte. Against a 3-4, I think this is key because you can take out the NT and the backside DE and/or LB. Meaning you have a TE, T, G, C and pulling G manned-up on an OLB, ILB, DE, and SS. Late in the games, AJ Hawk did start to cheat keying on the pulling G, but I think he's generally slow to react and I'll take Forte vs. Hawk everytime at the angle Hawk will be coming.

 

I'm not big on predicting games and scores, but I think this game is going to surprise people and be higher scoring than people think. I wouldn't be surprised to see 6-7 TDs between the offenses.

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JonJayCutler ACL Cubs

JonJayCutler

Verified Member
Posted
Posted
Nerves starting to set in. Feeling better about this week though than I did last week.

 

My keys to the game:

 

1. DL first step. I watched both regular season games vs. GB this weekend. And the thing that stood out to me, is the speed of the defensive lines. The Packers could not handle the Bears when they use their speed. Peppers speed rush outside and even Melton made some plays when stunting and getting 1-on-1s with Bulaga gave Rodgers trouble. If the Bears get off of the ball well, with a sloppy field, GBs OL will be playing catch-up all day to keep them from getting to Rodgers.

 

On the other side, of the 6 sacks the Bears gave up in Week 17, 2 were coverage sacks, 1 was OL just getting beat, but the others were due to the OLBs getting great jumps off the snap. Cutler has to change up the snap count to slow down Matthews and co.

 

2. Fumbles. I think the Bears can come up with a couple. Obviously, the James Jones fumble in the 1st game stands out, but the Bears were also able to get a Driver fumble in Week 17, and Jennings has fumbled a couple times this year. Also, James Starks, though he hasn't fumbled yet in his young career, I noticed he's not big on holding the ball with 2 hands. I think if he tries to fight for extra yards, the opportunity for a strip will be there.

 

3. Forte, Olsen, Bennett......then deep. Forte and Olsen combined for 20 catches in 2 games vs. the Packers. Bennett only caught 3 in the 1 game vs. GB, but Davis had 7 in his spot Week 17. That's 15 catches per game from TE, RB, slot. GB seems to be fine with this as Knox torched them in the 1st game, and when they shut him down, they won holding the Bears to 3 points. So, the underneath guys will likely be available early and often. Cutler has to be patient and be ok with moving the ball this way. Eventually, GB will try to take out the dumpoffs and then I think that's when they can be beaten down the field. It also forces Woodson in coverage, and I think he can be beaten on slow developing routes over 20 yards.

 

4. 5 on 4. The Bears success in the running game has come almost exclusively when they create mismatches by putting more blockers than defenders in the play. Running off tackle to the TE side, along with pulling an offensive lineman that way has led to big runs for Forte. Against a 3-4, I think this is key because you can take out the NT and the backside DE and/or LB. Meaning you have a TE, T, G, C and pulling G manned-up on an OLB, ILB, DE, and SS. Late in the games, AJ Hawk did start to cheat keying on the pulling G, but I think he's generally slow to react and I'll take Forte vs. Hawk everytime at the angle Hawk will be coming.

 

I'm not big on predicting games and scores, but I think this game is going to surprise people and be higher scoring than people think. I wouldn't be surprised to see 6-7 TDs between the offenses.

 

How can protection for Cutler not be one of the keys to this game? Maybe it was implied, but that's easily the biggest key IMO.

Guest

Guest

Guests
Posted
Posted
Nerves starting to set in. Feeling better about this week though than I did last week.

 

My keys to the game:

 

1. DL first step. I watched both regular season games vs. GB this weekend. And the thing that stood out to me, is the speed of the defensive lines. The Packers could not handle the Bears when they use their speed. Peppers speed rush outside and even Melton made some plays when stunting and getting 1-on-1s with Bulaga gave Rodgers trouble. If the Bears get off of the ball well, with a sloppy field, GBs OL will be playing catch-up all day to keep them from getting to Rodgers.

 

On the other side, of the 6 sacks the Bears gave up in Week 17, 2 were coverage sacks, 1 was OL just getting beat, but the others were due to the OLBs getting great jumps off the snap. Cutler has to change up the snap count to slow down Matthews and co.

 

2. Fumbles. I think the Bears can come up with a couple. Obviously, the James Jones fumble in the 1st game stands out, but the Bears were also able to get a Driver fumble in Week 17, and Jennings has fumbled a couple times this year. Also, James Starks, though he hasn't fumbled yet in his young career, I noticed he's not big on holding the ball with 2 hands. I think if he tries to fight for extra yards, the opportunity for a strip will be there.

 

3. Forte, Olsen, Bennett......then deep. Forte and Olsen combined for 20 catches in 2 games vs. the Packers. Bennett only caught 3 in the 1 game vs. GB, but Davis had 7 in his spot Week 17. That's 15 catches per game from TE, RB, slot. GB seems to be fine with this as Knox torched them in the 1st game, and when they shut him down, they won holding the Bears to 3 points. So, the underneath guys will likely be available early and often. Cutler has to be patient and be ok with moving the ball this way. Eventually, GB will try to take out the dumpoffs and then I think that's when they can be beaten down the field. It also forces Woodson in coverage, and I think he can be beaten on slow developing routes over 20 yards.

 

4. 5 on 4. The Bears success in the running game has come almost exclusively when they create mismatches by putting more blockers than defenders in the play. Running off tackle to the TE side, along with pulling an offensive lineman that way has led to big runs for Forte. Against a 3-4, I think this is key because you can take out the NT and the backside DE and/or LB. Meaning you have a TE, T, G, C and pulling G manned-up on an OLB, ILB, DE, and SS. Late in the games, AJ Hawk did start to cheat keying on the pulling G, but I think he's generally slow to react and I'll take Forte vs. Hawk everytime at the angle Hawk will be coming.

 

I'm not big on predicting games and scores, but I think this game is going to surprise people and be higher scoring than people think. I wouldn't be surprised to see 6-7 TDs between the offenses.

 

How can protection for Cutler not be one of the keys to this game? Maybe it was implied, but that's easily the biggest key IMO.

 

Read #1 in its entirety. The second half of #1 is about the OLine.

JonJayCutler ACL Cubs

JonJayCutler

Verified Member
Posted
Posted
Nerves starting to set in. Feeling better about this week though than I did last week.

 

My keys to the game:

 

1. DL first step. I watched both regular season games vs. GB this weekend. And the thing that stood out to me, is the speed of the defensive lines. The Packers could not handle the Bears when they use their speed. Peppers speed rush outside and even Melton made some plays when stunting and getting 1-on-1s with Bulaga gave Rodgers trouble. If the Bears get off of the ball well, with a sloppy field, GBs OL will be playing catch-up all day to keep them from getting to Rodgers.

 

On the other side, of the 6 sacks the Bears gave up in Week 17, 2 were coverage sacks, 1 was OL just getting beat, but the others were due to the OLBs getting great jumps off the snap. Cutler has to change up the snap count to slow down Matthews and co.

 

2. Fumbles. I think the Bears can come up with a couple. Obviously, the James Jones fumble in the 1st game stands out, but the Bears were also able to get a Driver fumble in Week 17, and Jennings has fumbled a couple times this year. Also, James Starks, though he hasn't fumbled yet in his young career, I noticed he's not big on holding the ball with 2 hands. I think if he tries to fight for extra yards, the opportunity for a strip will be there.

 

3. Forte, Olsen, Bennett......then deep. Forte and Olsen combined for 20 catches in 2 games vs. the Packers. Bennett only caught 3 in the 1 game vs. GB, but Davis had 7 in his spot Week 17. That's 15 catches per game from TE, RB, slot. GB seems to be fine with this as Knox torched them in the 1st game, and when they shut him down, they won holding the Bears to 3 points. So, the underneath guys will likely be available early and often. Cutler has to be patient and be ok with moving the ball this way. Eventually, GB will try to take out the dumpoffs and then I think that's when they can be beaten down the field. It also forces Woodson in coverage, and I think he can be beaten on slow developing routes over 20 yards.

 

4. 5 on 4. The Bears success in the running game has come almost exclusively when they create mismatches by putting more blockers than defenders in the play. Running off tackle to the TE side, along with pulling an offensive lineman that way has led to big runs for Forte. Against a 3-4, I think this is key because you can take out the NT and the backside DE and/or LB. Meaning you have a TE, T, G, C and pulling G manned-up on an OLB, ILB, DE, and SS. Late in the games, AJ Hawk did start to cheat keying on the pulling G, but I think he's generally slow to react and I'll take Forte vs. Hawk everytime at the angle Hawk will be coming.

 

I'm not big on predicting games and scores, but I think this game is going to surprise people and be higher scoring than people think. I wouldn't be surprised to see 6-7 TDs between the offenses.

 

How can protection for Cutler not be one of the keys to this game? Maybe it was implied, but that's easily the biggest key IMO.

 

Read #1 in its entirety. The second half of #1 is about the OLine.

 

I did. I guess I just would have put a little more emphasis on it.

Guest

Guest

Guests
Posted
Posted
I did. I guess I just would have put a little more emphasis on it.

 

I hear ya. I'm interested to see if the protection against Seattle was more from the weakness of Seattle's pass rush or the OLine's improvement. Regardless, Webb is going to need help on Matthews.

 

Matt Ryan and the Falcons OC did a good job of negating Matthews pass rushing skills in the first quarter of their game by letting him come through untouched with dump passes over his head. Unfortunately for the Falcons, the Packers DC picked up on that exposure and adjusted the defense accordingly. That play might be available for us once today, also. I'd watch for a gaping hole to that side of the field to see if it can be taken advantage of at some point.

Jon Chicago Cubs

Jon

Old-Timey Member
Posted
Posted

It hasn't sunk in at all that I'm going to head down to Soldier Field soon to see the Bears host the Packers for the NFC Championship. Crazy.

 

It's both good and bad that I'll be listening to the Northwestern vs. Wisconsin game up until 30 minutes prior to kickoff. That'll keep me distracted.

erik316wttn Chicago Cubs

erik316wttn

Old-Timey Member
Posted
Posted
It hasn't sunk in at all that I'm going to head down to Soldier Field soon to see the Bears host the Packers for the NFC Championship. Crazy.

 

It's both good and bad that I'll be listening to the Northwestern vs. Wisconsin game up until 30 minutes prior to kickoff. That'll keep me distracted.

 

I wouldn't be able to concentrate on any other sporting event today. This game is completely dominating my entire morning.

Guest

Guest

Guests
Posted
Posted
It hasn't sunk in at all that I'm going to head down to Soldier Field soon to see the Bears host the Packers for the NFC Championship. Crazy.

 

It's both good and bad that I'll be listening to the Northwestern vs. Wisconsin game up until 30 minutes prior to kickoff. That'll keep me distracted.

 

Jealous. I'll be watching at my favorite watering hole today. I'll be there when they open to snag my seat underneath my big Bear flag, which is strategically placed in the best spot in the bar. Sounds like I'll have some decent support from other Bear fans in the area. At least 3 packer fans will be there, one in which I have a $30.00 bet with.

 

I'd like nothing more than to sit back and watch the Jets/Steeler game with a smile on my face because the Bears will be playing one or the other in two weeks in the greatest game on earth.

erik316wttn Chicago Cubs

erik316wttn

Old-Timey Member
Posted
Posted
So should we have a separate thread for Packers fans or can we all get along today?

 

As long as there's nothing directed at me, I won't direct anything at anyone else.

Magnetic Curses College Ball

Magnetic Curses

Old-Timey Member
Posted
Posted

 

erik, save some for the rest of wisconsin

 

I'll try, but only if you promise me that you'll keep your glass jaw out of danger today. Don't get punched out by any women today, ok?

 

Remember? Because you got punched that one time and broke your jaw?

 

It's no different than what he's doing to me. Turnabout is fair play.

 

are you honestly comparing what you do to what he does? he is mozart and you're ralph wiggum with a flute up his nose.

UMFan83 GOAT

UMFan83

Old-Timey Member
Posted
Posted

 

erik, save some for the rest of wisconsin

 

I'll try, but only if you promise me that you'll keep your glass jaw out of danger today. Don't get punched out by any women today, ok?

 

Remember? Because you got punched that one time and broke your jaw?

 

It's no different than what he's doing to me. Turnabout is fair play.

 

Sure but the only reason people keep bringing it up is because you are so obviously bothered by it. Your comeback is to randomly bring up the only thing you know abou his personal life which isn't really a knock against him. I think it makes him look badass. It would be like if a white sox fan was making 1908 remarks at you and you responded with "yeah well it took you 4 whole games to win the world series!! Burn!!"

Banedon GOAT

Banedon

Community Moderator
Posted
Posted

Mike Freeman from CBSsports keeps tweeting about how awful Soldier Field looks, how it's just dirt, and there's things that look like tire tracks on it, and that it looks like a "bad weave".

 

And then everyone else says it's fine. Rachel Nichols and some dude from the WSJ both say the field looks fine.

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