NFC Championship game preview: Packers @ Bears
Green Bay Packers (12-6) @ Chicago Bears (12-5) - Line: Packers (-3 1/2)
No team has been hotter of late than the Green Bay Packers. Their run really started in Foxboro Massachusetts in December, a game that Aaron Rodgers didn't play in because of a concussion. In that contest against the Patriots, the Packers beat up the Pats for most of the evening, even holding a couple of leads in the game. Trailing 31-27 late in the fourth, back-up Matt Flynn engineered a drive deep into the Pats territo
ry, before New England turned around the Packers in the waning seconds at the 10 yard line.
Even though it was a lose it was impressive.
Since that time the Pack has been rolling. Aaron Rodgers returned the next week and toruched the Giants for four touchdowns in a 45-17 victory. Then he threw a touchdown in a 10-3 victory over the Bears just to get to the postseason. More on that game in a minute.
A victory over a beaten up Michael Vick and the Eagles, and a dominating 48-21 victory over the Falcons and Packers are rolling into the Windy City. The Packers are a clear favorite to win this game, if not the Super Bowl.
As for the Bears, they played their hearts out in that regular season finale against Green Bay. They didn't want the Packers in the playoffs, with the thought they could see them in the playoffs.
Well now those divisional rivals will reunite in Chicago, tomorrow.
The Bears know Rodgers and the Packers well. The Bears held Rodgers to 229 yards passing, a touchdown and interception, and even sacked hi
m twice in that Green Bay 10-3 win.
Expect Chicago to use a lot of blitzes on Rodgers, led mostly by Julius Peppers and Isreal Idonije to pressure Rodgers into mistakes. It won't be easy because he has been on fire for so long.
Then there is the Bears offense. Jay Cutler for as good as he is, is always prone to a big interception, and no defensive player has been on fire as much as Packers corner Tarmon Williams who has three interceptions in the last two weeks. If the Packers get enough pressure on Cutler, he will likely make a huge mistake, and Williams is likely to be there to accomidate.
Thus, the Bears offensive line, which has been much maligned at times, has to have the game of their life to protect Cutler and help the Bears move on.
One match-up to watch is Cutler to tight end Greg Olsen. Olsen has been Cutler's favorite target of late, and they will try to get Olsen the football when it allows Sunday.
Prediction: It is hard to go against the Bears considering they are home, and I am sure they will play with a chip on their shoulder since they are underdogs in their own building. A Bears victory would not be surprising, but right now considering how hot the Packers have been, even a field goal kind of game could go their way. PACKERS 23, BEARS 17.
No team has been hotter of late than the Green Bay Packers. Their run really started in Foxboro Massachusetts in December, a game that Aaron Rodgers didn't play in because of a concussion. In that contest against the Patriots, the Packers beat up the Pats for most of the evening, even holding a couple of leads in the game. Trailing 31-27 late in the fourth, back-up Matt Flynn engineered a drive deep into the Pats territo
ry, before New England turned around the Packers in the waning seconds at the 10 yard line.Even though it was a lose it was impressive.
Since that time the Pack has been rolling. Aaron Rodgers returned the next week and toruched the Giants for four touchdowns in a 45-17 victory. Then he threw a touchdown in a 10-3 victory over the Bears just to get to the postseason. More on that game in a minute.
A victory over a beaten up Michael Vick and the Eagles, and a dominating 48-21 victory over the Falcons and Packers are rolling into the Windy City. The Packers are a clear favorite to win this game, if not the Super Bowl.
As for the Bears, they played their hearts out in that regular season finale against Green Bay. They didn't want the Packers in the playoffs, with the thought they could see them in the playoffs.
Well now those divisional rivals will reunite in Chicago, tomorrow.
The Bears know Rodgers and the Packers well. The Bears held Rodgers to 229 yards passing, a touchdown and interception, and even sacked hi
m twice in that Green Bay 10-3 win.Expect Chicago to use a lot of blitzes on Rodgers, led mostly by Julius Peppers and Isreal Idonije to pressure Rodgers into mistakes. It won't be easy because he has been on fire for so long.
Then there is the Bears offense. Jay Cutler for as good as he is, is always prone to a big interception, and no defensive player has been on fire as much as Packers corner Tarmon Williams who has three interceptions in the last two weeks. If the Packers get enough pressure on Cutler, he will likely make a huge mistake, and Williams is likely to be there to accomidate.
Thus, the Bears offensive line, which has been much maligned at times, has to have the game of their life to protect Cutler and help the Bears move on.
One match-up to watch is Cutler to tight end Greg Olsen. Olsen has been Cutler's favorite target of late, and they will try to get Olsen the football when it allows Sunday.
Prediction: It is hard to go against the Bears considering they are home, and I am sure they will play with a chip on their shoulder since they are underdogs in their own building. A Bears victory would not be surprising, but right now considering how hot the Packers have been, even a field goal kind of game could go their way. PACKERS 23, BEARS 17.
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