Can the Packers Stop the Bears Offense?
By Dan Dahlke
Chicago Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery (17) makes a 67 yard pass reception with Green Bay Packers cornerback Sam Shields (37) defending during the second half at Soldier Field. Green Bay won 33-28. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
This week the Green Bay Packers go down to Chicago to play the Bears in another big road game that could really shape their standing in the division.
The Packers have started the year in disappointing fashion with a 1-2 record for the third season in a row. However, over the past few seasons it has been right around Week 4 the Packers start figuring things out and begin firing on all cylinders.
Hopefully, Green Bay repeats history and gets the ball rolling this week against the Bears.
Chicago will definitely present their fair share of challenges, especially with the talent they have on offense.
Wide receivers Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery are towering, imposing targets downfield for quarterback Jay Cutler. Pro Bowler Matt Forte is one of the most well-balanced running backs in the league, and tight end Martellus Bennett is off to a monster year, leading the team in receptions with 20.
Yes, the Bears offense will be tough to stop, especially for a Packers defense that still hasn’t put together a full game at this point.
Green Bay was completely outmatched in Week 1 by Russell Wilson and Seattle’s ground game. They got off to a rough start against the New York Jets before finally putting together a good second half of football. Last week, the Packers had their best game of the year on the defensive side of the ball. That is, until the fourth quarter when they finally wore down and gave up long drives to Detroit’s offense.
Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Clay Matthews (52) sacks Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6). Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
The Packers defense needs to make a statement this week. They need to stop Cutler and the Bears offense.
Even though Chicago has plenty of talent on the offensive side of the ball, this task is not impossible by any means.
Over the first three weeks of the season, the Bears only rank 27th in the NFL in total offense, averaging 300 yards of offense per game.
Chicago’s passing game is off to a strong and currently 14th in the league in yards (236 ypg). Cutler has already thrown for 750 yards, 8 touchdowns, and a respectable 98.3 passer rating.
However, all eight of Cutler’s touchdowns have only gone to two players—Bennett and Marshall, who each have four receiving touchdowns. And even though Cutler has only thrown two interceptions this year, his turnover history against Green Bay hans’t been good.
Cutler has thrown at least one interception in each meeting against the Packers since becoming a Bear in 2009. Cutler has also thrown eight interceptions in the last four games against the Packers.
Hopefully, he continues this trend this Sunday against a hungry Green Bay secondary.
Cutler’s game has also had other inefficiencies this year. He’s been sacked seven times already and has only completed three passes over 20 yards in the first three weeks.
The big play just hasn’t been there for the Bears offense this season. A big part of this has been the poor pass protection, but perhaps an even bigger part has been their complete lack of a running game. A problem the Packers can relate to.
Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte (22). Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Currently, the Bears are last in the league in rushing with a 64 yards per game average. Forte has only averaged 3.2 yards per carry on the ground, his best day coming in the Week 1 loss against the Buffalo Bills where he ran for 82 yards.
Since then, Forte has only rushed for 21 yards against the 49ers and 33 yards against the Jets.
However, the Bears’ problems in their ground don’t only extend to their backfield but also fall on the shoulders of their offensive line.
You’re line is only as good as its weakest link. Another sentiment Green Bay can relate to these first three weeks of the season.
Bears’ starters Kyle Long (RG) and Jermon Bushrod (LT) have had solid seasons so far and have only surrendered a sack and five quarterback hurries between the two of them. They’ve also been great at winning at the line of scrimmage in the run game.
Backup center Brian De La Puente has been excellent in place of injured starter Robert Garza. On the other hand, backup Michael Ola has struggled at left guard for injured starter Matt Slauson.
Ola will have his hands full squaring off against Green Bay defensive tackle Mike Daniels, who thrashed Jets reserve guard Brian Winters only two weeks ago.
Despite Ola’s early struggles, the biggest disappointment on the Bears’ line has been starting right tackle Jordan Mills. Mills has just been terrible in the running game, failing to seal the edge and create running lanes.
He’s also already surrendered three sacks and four quarterback hurries this season. He will definitely struggle against former teammate Julius Peppers on Sunday.
Green Bay Packers cornerback Davon House (31). Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
However, the strength of this Bears’ offense is their deep and talented receiving corps. Packers defensive backs Sam Shields and Tramon Williams will have to have big days for Green Bay to keep the Bears from driving the ball downfield.
I wouldn’t be surprised if dime corner Davon House gets more looks against Marshall or Jeffery, considering House is the Packers tallest cornerback on the roster and has been great in coverage over the first three weeks of the season.
The Packers may also play a lot of nickel to get an extra defensive back on the field to defend Bennett. The athletic tight end has been the key to the Bears offense this season and presents a major mismatch against linebackers in the middle of the field.
Slot receiver Santonio Holmes will also be a player the Packers will need to keep an eye on, but the former Jet isn’t nearly the explosive player he was earlier in his career.
To win on Sunday, Green Bay’s defensive backs will need to be physical with the big Chicago receivers and the Packers front seven will need to generate pressure and get Cutler off his game.
Look for Dom Capers to move Clay Matthews around and match him up against Bears reserve guard Ola and struggling right tackle Jordan Mills.