Game 2 Preview: Chicago Bears

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Dem Cowboys vs Da Bears. Both teams have shaky offensive lines, "starlet" dating QBs, and a passionate, unforgiving, rabid fan base. Should be lots of fun. The Bears are number 1 in offense and number 2 in total defense, and won; not too shabby. Dallas is number 5 in offense and number 7 in defense... but still lost last week vs the Redskins.



Quick Numbers:

372: Number of passing yards by Jay Cutler vs the Lions

161: Number of passing yards given up by Dallas' defense vs the Redskins

103: Number of yards rushing by the Cowboys last week

20: Number of rushing yards allowed by the Bears defense

Something has to give...



Key Injuries:

BEARS: Nick Roach (hamstring) is questionable. Briggs (ankle), Forte (knee), Aromashodu (knee) are all probable.

COWBOYS: LB DeMarcus Ware (head) is questionable, was limited in practice. LB Sean Lee (hamstring) is questionable and DNP in practice.



When the Cowboys Have the Ball:
expect the Cowboys to try and establish their run game to open up the play-action pass game. Lance Briggs and Brian Urlacher were just plain awesome last week. They both excelled in the run game and passing game. Our stellar linebacking core needs to have another outstanding game to limit the Cowboys' running game. Then, Julius Peppers and company will be able to pin the ears back and get after Romo.

Key Matchup: Julius Peppers vs Doug Free & Marc Columbo. Free is untested and Columbo is playing for the 1st time in a while because of injury. Peppers played both LE & RE last week and will do so again. Can they hope to contain Peppers?

X-Factor: The Cowboys special teams kick coverage was bad last week; they gave up returns of 34 and 42 yards. The Bears are very good on kick returns. The Cowboys David Buehler shanked a 34 yard field goal attempt. The Bears FG blocking unit is good with Israel Idonije and Julius Peppers as two of the best in the NFL at blocking kicks. The Cowboys punter Matt McBriar was pretty good; he had 6 punts and none of them were returned. 3 were downed inside the 20. One of his punts went for 57 yards.



When the Bears Have the Ball:

The Bears' offensive line is in the spotlight again. They allowed 4 sacks and 7 QB hits last week. Dallas has a formidable defensive line with DEs Marcus Spears and Igor Olshansky along with Pro-Bowl Nose Tackle Jay Ratliff. Add in 3-4 rushing outside linebackers Anthony Spencer and DeMarcus Ware and that means trouble for Chris Williams, Frank Omiyale and the rest.

Outside of Jay's 22 yards scrambling, the Bears offensive line only generated 79 yards rushing with a 3.0 yards per carry average. Dallas only allowed 89 yards rushing to the Redskins, so they can stop the run. The Bears offense will have their hands full, especially the offensive line.



Key Matchup: DeMarcus Ware vs. Chris Williams. CW got schooled by Kamerion Wimbley of Oakland in the preseason and again by Kyle Vanden Bosch of Detroit last week. Ware is an ELITE pass rusher. Williams has not shown the ability to win such a battle one-on-one. Look for the Bears to run at Ware and use the screen pass a lot to slow him down. On other plays, Chris Williams will need help from Garza, a TE, and/or a RB.



X-Factor: The Tight Ends. Of all the Redskins' on offense, Chris Cooley had the best day vs. the Cowboys last week (6 catches for 80 yards). Greg Olsen, Dez Clark, & the $22k poorer Manu could see some nice openings in the defense, especially if the Cowboys blitz Cutler a lot early, which we all expect them to do.

 

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Bears D-Line & CB's vs Cowboys O-Line & WR's


The Bears defense held in check an up-coming explosive offense in the Detroit Lions; can they do it against a potentially more explosive offense in Dallas? In my opinion I think they have a good chance to put up a similar performance against a surprise struggling offense in the Dallas Cowboys. Last Sunday we saw the line shut down the Lions rushing attack, we saw Peppers, Adams, and Harris get pressure on Detroit QB's, and though Bowman had help over the top, he kept Johnson quiet for most of the day.

Although Dallas' Offense has been struggling, there is that fear that they can put it all together this Sunday, especially with Colombo and Kosier expected to be back. Austin is a beast, and is a handful for any NFL defensive back. Roy Williams, while a disappointment so far, is still a NFL Veteran, and will have the chance to have a big game with the extra attention that will be on Austin. Dez Bryant is still learning the ropes, but it's only a matter of time before Bryant has a break out game. All of that, and I haven't yet mentioned Jason Witten and the triple threat in the backfield with Barber/Jones/Choice. Yes there's a good chance the Bears D can put on a good performance against the Cowboys, but at the same time I'm fearful that this might be the game where Romo and the boys break out of its offensive slump.

Star-divide

LE Mark Anderson vs. RT Marc Colombo

Either Anderson or Idonjie have to raise their games up this Sunday and take the pressure off Julius Peppers. The guy can?t do it all himself, and that?s where Anderson comes in. Anderson played well defending the run, but was quiet against Gosder Cherilus last Sunday. The Bears need his outside pressure this Sunday to force Romo into some turnovers. He will be going up against a solid RT in former Bear Marc Colombo, but with Colombo coming off a recent off-season knee surgery, the door is open for Anderson to take advantage of a veteran who might be rusty.

DT Anthony Adams vs. RG Leonard Davis

The defensive tackles will have to play a huge role in both run support and pass rush. Adams will have to carry on his good performance Sunday against one of the better Right Guards in the league in Leonard Davis. With Adams, he has to try to beat Davis with quick first steps to quickly disrupt the running game and pressure Romo out of the pocket into either Anderson or Peppers. Toenia will also be counted on to collapse the pocket and keep Romo off balance.

DT Tommie Harris vs. LG Kyle Kosier

Kosier is one of the most underrated left guards in the league. Having said that, when Tommie Harris is at his best he can dominate just about anybody he?s lined up against. Kosier won?t beat you with power and quickness, but with proper footwork and hand technique. Tommie needs to be disruptive off the line of scrimmage and prevent Romo to not step into the pocket and deliver the throw. This is one of those games where Tommie needs to dominate in order for the Bears defensive line to put their mark on this game.

RE Julius Peppers vs. Doug Free

Doug Free was having his share of troubles against Andre Carter last Sunday night. He?s going to run into a world of trouble against Julius Peppers this Sunday. The presence of Peppers might be enough to neutralize the weapons out in the backfield and TE Jason Witten. I expect Lovie to flip Peppers at the LE spot against the rusty Marc Colombo also.

CB Zackary Bowman vs. WR Miles Austin/Dez Bryant

Bowman won round 1 against Calvin Johnson, now in the middle of the ring for Round 2 is Miles Austin. If you were looking for a week where Bowman will have many opportunities to make plays on the ball it would be this Sunday. Romo is going to be looking to Austin way more often as he?s their most establish receiver. It?s important for Bowman to keep Miles in front of him and not let him get behind him. Miles is a big play receiver that can hurt you all over the field, but I will take my chances with the shorter routes than the deeper routes. Bowman will also get his dose of Dez Bryant when the Cowboys go to 3 WR sets. With Bryant, Bowman will need to capitalize on some rookie mistakes Bryant will make throughout the course of the game.

CB Charles Tillman vs. WR Roy Williams

Tillman has had plenty of success against Williams in the past going back to the days when Williams was a Lion. Both players know each other's strengths and weaknesses, but I am riding with our guy in this match-up. Make no mistake it?s possible Williams can have a good game against Tillman in the secondary because of his familiarity against Tillman and the scheme.

CB D.J. Moore vs. WR Miles Austin

We will see plenty of Miles Austin in the slot this Sunday when they go to 3 Receiver sets. I really don?t like this match-up at all for D.J. Moore, as Austin has the size advantage, speed, and athleticism in his corner against Moore. Moore will need to count on the pass rush to pressure Romo into making some ill advised throws as Moore's strength is making plays on the ball.