It didn’t take long to remember it was Bear week today. Not when the first thing out of the mouth of my neighboring Bear fan at work is “Packers’ defense is not looking very good.” No mention, of course, of the fact that the Bears just got their ass whipped by the very same defense the Packers shredded in week one.
The Saints had little trouble dispatching the Bears and if the Packers can avoid the 18-penalty game they had early last year in Chicago they should have little trouble either. The Packers’ defense might resemble it’s old self this week as the Packers will not be facing a top five offense like they did the first two games. The Bears are 24th, averaging a measly 311 yards a game. That is Aaron Rodgers’ average passing yards.
The Bears’ defense is only slightly better at No. 22, giving up 384 yards a game. Of course the Packers are 30th, giving up 476 yards a game. Only New England and Miami are worse. But nobody is worried about the Patriots’ defense it seems, why all the attention on the Packers’ D?
The Packers are far and away the better team, but they still have to play the game. The Bears will have the two beat-downs the Packers laid on them in January firmly in mind when they take the field Sunday afternoon. And the Packers could without half of their starting secondary, we already know Nick Collins is done for the year, let’s hope Tramon Williams can return.
I think the Packers will really try to run the ball this week. Keep Rodgers out of cheap shot artist Julius Peppers way and keep Jay Cutler off the field. When Cutler is out there expect the Packers to blitz early and often. They may get burned at first but the hits after the throw will take their toll on Cutler and he’ll throw a few up for grabs.
It’s NFC North Sunday. Go Packers and hope for a tie in Minneapolis.