If the Bears are to move a step closer to wrapping up the NFC North, slowing the run is mission critical. With the NFL's No. 1-ranked running team coming to town, coach Lovie Smith said, "it's good we're playing [the Falcons] now . . . so we can redeem ourselves. They're going to run and run."
And the Bears will try to slow them with four-time Pro Bowl middle linebacker Brian Urlacher and fast-rising cornerback Nathan Vasher (seven interceptions).
"That defense ain't No. 1 for nothing," Vick said.
Chicago, though, is likely to be without injured starting safeties Mike Brown (calf strain) and rookie Chris Harris (sprained knee) for the second straight game. They're doubtful on the injury report, where strong-side linebacker Hunter Hillenmeyer is questionable with a thumb injury, all of which prompted Smith to say, "we're going to have our hands full with [tight end Alge Crumpler]."
The Bears have allowed just 14 touchdowns, a microscopic five on 106 possessions during the winning streak.
Sure, Chicago musters a mere 256.3 yards of offense per game, fifth-worst in the NFL, but they surrender a league-low 11.38 points per game, and they're by far No. 1 in red-zone defense even after Pittsburgh scored three red-zone touchdowns.
Foremost, they're fast and extremely accountable.
"It's mostly about knowing your role, not trying to do too much," said Vasher, who returned two of his seven interceptions for touchdowns. "A lot happened last season as we made the progression from being a young team.
"Then, in training camp everybody's talents and personalities came together and we started eliminating mistakes."
Defensive coordinator Ron Rivera calls some blitzes, but relies more on speed and a shortage of busted assignments.
Urlacher said, "We're not that big a team. . . . I think everybody knows that, but we run really well. The number one thing is we play hard, and when people do get out of their gaps we make up for it by running hard."
Rivera won't re-design his defense for Vick.
"Um, no, we've had a couple meetings already but we're not going to go crazy on ['spying' Vick]," Ogunleye said. "We think with the weather, and the way we play defense . . . we have a scheme that kind of helps. We match up pretty well."
Chiefly, the Bears want to zero in on running back Warrick Dunn, particularly on first and second downs.
"If it's 3rd-and-5, [Vick] can run the boot[leg] for a first down. We want them to be in 3rd-and-long so he has to drop back to pass," Ogunleye said.
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If the Bears can force Vick to pass they will sack him alot. They are right on about stopping Dunn on first and second down, because he is definately going to get the ball.