Week 3- Bears vs. Rams, Game Preview

No team should be more anxious to take the field in Week 3 than the Chicago Bears.  The world has been talking for 10 days about a sideline incident that has pretty much happened before in every game with every team, including Rodgers getting into James Jones face in the very same game.  But anyway, after talking to the media about this for 10 days, the Bears will be ready to take the field tomorrow to show the world they are better than the team that showed up in Green Bay last Thursday night.

Many Bears fans are concerned about this feisty Rams team.  And frankly, the Rams could easily be 2-0 right now had they not blown a lead to Detroit late.  But as I said Week 1, if the Bears don't handle this team, they don't deserve to be in the playoffs, the way they were projected before the season.  The Rams have been pretty solid offensively so far this year, especially in the run game.  But don't expect that to continue against the Bears D that has been pretty tough to run against for the last 10 years.  The Rams have done almost nothing on defense other than intercept the ball.  4 picks in 2 games, but 3 of them came early vs. Stafford in Week 1.  They've still allowed the 9th most passing yards in the league so far, despite seriously upgrading their defensive backs.  Speaking of DBs....lost in the drama of the last 10 days is the fact that Green Bay completely shut down the Bears WRs, mainly Brandon Marshall by playing 2-man coverage on him, with a CB jumping short routes knowing he had safety help over the top.  The Bears have to make sure that the same scheme is NOT successful again.  A couple reasons why I think that may not work:

     A) The Bears have had 10 days to practice against that type of coverage, and hopefully they have something in store (Cutler fitting the ball into the window between CB and FS) or getting the ball to Marshall on 3-step patterns before the safety help comes into the picture. 
     B) Cortland Finnegan is a cocky SOB.  He was paid a lot of money.  And he's going to want the challenge of taking Marshall 1-on-1 at times.  And if the Bears start gashing the Rams run D, Fisher isn't going to want to commit that extra player (FS) to Marshall when he has a probowl CB at his disposal. 

Cutler cannot be afraid of the 2-man coverage and find his openings to get the ball to Marshall.  But he also has to pick his spots to do so. 

The last few years the Bears have kind of had to be beaten in the head before they run a legitimate offensive attack.  I know this is a passing league, but the reason the pass is so successful is because offenses are designed to get the ball out of the QBs hands faster and make more efficient throws.  The Bears have called way too many 5-7 step drops so far thru 2 games.  Quick math shows about 75-80% of drop backs have been more than 3-steps.  That's not going to get it done with this OL.  The Bears have big WRs now that can win in the short passing game and not get bumped off their routes like in years past. 

After giving up 9 sacks in 1 half vs. the Giants in 2010, and 8 sacks vs. the Saints and Packers in Weeks 2-3 last year, the Bears were fortunate enough to play the Carolina Panthers in Week 4 of both seasons.  This year, it's the Rams, who frankly, are a similar team.  The Bears were able to run the ball at will both years vs. Carolina, taking all the pressure off of the QB (Todd Collins in 2010).  Carolina was very weak in the middle with suspect DTs.  With Brockers likely out for the Rams, they too will fit that bill.  With Michael Bush getting the bulk of the action this week, the Bears will be more willing to pound the ball up the middle, taking the weight off of Cutler's (and the OL's) shoulders.  I wouldn't expect Cutler to throw the ball more than 25 times in this game.  And when he does throw, the Bears have to remember that Bush CAN be a factor in the passing game.  Bush is a very good receiver out of the backfield.  Caught 37 passes in Oakland despite only 9 starts.  The checkdown should still be a viable option, unlike last week when the Bears almost refused to dump the ball after Forte went out last week. 

Week 1, I expected the Bears to put up 30+ and win by 2 TDs.  They did.  Week 2, I expected them to be competitive and possibly get a W in Green Bay.  They did not.  This week, I expect a very conservative attack, but I expect them to move the ball and hand it over to the defense to stop St. Louis.  Bears get back on track this Sunday!