Coming off the bye week, the Chicago Bears are hoping to “find themselves” in the second half of the season, according to Marc Trestman. After an embarrassing performance against the Patriots, a game in which everything that could possibly go wrong happened, the Bears are currently in the basement of the NFC North with eight games remaining. Things do not get any easier this week as the Bears travel to Lambeau Field for their second game against the Green Bay Packers.
These two teams faced each other back in Week 4 when the Packers routed the Bears 31-17. Let me take you back to that game. Coming into the game Chicago was 2-1 winning two straight games, while Green Bay was only 1-2 and Packer nation was at a panic. Aaron Rodgers picked apart the Chicago secondary (302 yards, 4 touchdowns), while Jay Cutler committed multiple turnovers on critical possessions.
Since that game both teams’ seasons has gone in opposite directions. The Bears have lost three out of their last four and the Packers have won three out of their last four. This could only be a coincidence, but I argue that the game was one of those “tone-setting” games for the season. Just look at how both teams have faired. In addition to the wins and losses, it’s obvious that Green Bay plays with much more confidence than Chicago and this should be evident on Sunday Night. The story should stay the same: Rodgers is now 10-2 against Chicago and Cutler is 1-9 against the Packers and is still winless in Green Bay. It’s hard to go against those numbers.
Chicago’s defense get’s Lance Briggs back this week and to be honest I am unsure if this is a good or a bad thing. I understand that he is the longest tenured Bear on the defensive side of the football, but I have serious doubts on whether his heart is in the game. This week Briggs admitted that this will more than likely be his last year in Chicago and there has been numerous reports on his displeasure with Marc Trestman. I haven’t seen him play with the same intensity I used to and I believe that he might cause more harm than good, especially considering the Bears defense lacks athleticism, speed, and intensity.
On the other hand, I am excited to see more of Willie Young. Young is starting in place of Lamarr Houston, who ruptured his ACL celebrating his first (and now only) sack of the season. While Houston has been a disappointment, Young has been one of the nice surprise pickups by the Bears and it will be interesting to see how he does playing more snaps. Young has seven sacks on the season and at least he understands how to celebrate without hurting himself. Young loves fishing, and after each sack he shows off his abilities by “air-casting” a fishing pole. Hopefully, Bears fans can see plenty of that celebration for the remainder of the season.
Looking at this week’s game, I hope for the best but do not see how Chicago can come out with a victory. Who knows? Maybe the Bears will find a way to win this game and carry the momentum as they march to claim a Wild Card spot? Or maybe they will be blown out again like they were against the Patriots and everyone will open their eyes and understand that the Bears aren’t who we thought they were (Insert Dennis Green rant here), that Chicago is just an average football team with a lot of work needed in order to become competitive against teams like the Patriots and Packers.
My Pick:
Packers 34 – Bears 21
Follow Will on Twitter @DeWittYourself
