Bears Blitz

Published by Rob Belote on January 21, 2011
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears

It’s rare that a conference championship game will feature two teams from a given division, but this weekend that’s exactly what we get. It’s even more rare given the fact that the Bears and Packers don’t exactly have a history of meeting in the playoffs.

Twice this year these two teams have battled, and what great games they were! Both were outcomes which came down to the final possession, and in neither game did either team play their best football.

The first game was mired in controversy, with many people thinking the Packers had outplayed the Bears at Soldier Field. The second game, just a few short weeks ago, ended in a low-scoring contest which could have resulted in the Packers not even making the playoffs had Chicago won the game.

Could there be a bigger rivalry game? Could there be two defenses better prepared to fight the cold weather in Chicago this weekend in hopes of driving their team to the Super Bowl? Even as a Redskins fan who knows what it’s like to have a huge rivalry and a strong defense, I’m wide eyed about the possibilities when these two teams lock up this weekend.

Many articles will give you a look at the game and why get just one perspective on a game when you can hear the various points of view from a roundtable of folks who might have different outlooks on how a sporting contest will be decided? The shows on television have multiple analysts, so why not have the same type of display in an article?

That’s the line of thinking which brought about the Dueling Predictions articles on my site, GuysNation.com. Just as we did for the majority of the season, this week we took a look at the various games on the NFL slate, and the result is an interesting read which shares the various perspectives of the authors involved. 

The backbone of the article is written by a Philadelphia Eagles fan, so you know he’s got his opinion. Another is a Steelers fan. The third guy is a Saints fan, the fourth likes the Packers and as for me, I like the Washington Redskins.

No. 6 Green Bay (10-6, wild card) at No. 2 Chicago (11-5, NFC North Champions)

Two teams that are very very VERY familiar with one another. One of the best rivalries in sports. These team’s fan bases detest one another. These teams go at it when they play.

The Bears played their starters Week 17, partially to keep players sharp but also because they had a chance to keep the Packers out of the playoffs. The Packers have been fighting and clawing for the last month plus, first to get in the playoffs and now to keep moving on.

They split their regular season series, each team winning at home. Vegas like Green Bay and has made them a road favorite. Everyone is on Green Bay.

How Green Bay Wins: Rattle Jay Cutler. Get to him, make him make mistakes. He’s good for a few absolutely mind boggling throws a game. Make him pay for those. If they can shut down Forte and the running game, and make Martz’s offense one dimensional? They’ll win this game. PS – Avoid kicking to Devin Hester!

How Chicago Wins: Ball control. Run effectively, sure, but most importantly sustain drives. Keeping Aaron Rodgers off the field will go a long way to getting to the Super Bowl. The Bears’ offense is their best defense.

Better Offense: Green Bay. It’s firing on all cylinders. Aaron Rodgers has been amazing. That receiving corps is excellent, and they’ve found just enough of a run game to keep people honest.

Better Defense: Chicago, but just barely. A lot of this defense was around for the Bears last Super Bowl run, so they have experience, and they are playing at home.

Better Special Teams: Chicago. Two words: Devin Hester. Plus a slight nod to Gould over Mason in the kicking game. Gould has better numbers kicking in arguably the hardest stadium to kick in.

X-Factor: The Field. The turf at Soldier Field is NOTORIOUSLY bad. Will a slip or stumble lead to a costly interception? Will the defensive lines be able to generate a pass rush?

My Pick: Chicago. So many people are on Green Bay, I feel Chicago comes out feeling slighted and goes back to the Super Bowl. Also from a strategy standpoint, I feel I can make up a game on people being the only one picking the Bears!

Rob’s Pick: The Packers.  While I believe in the Bears defense, I don’t believe in their offense…more specifically, Jay Cutler. If there’s anyone I trust almost as much as Aaron Rodgers, it’s the Green Bay Packers.

That’s only two of the guys making predictions. 

Want to hear how the other three guys picked? 

Want to share your opinion either through a comment, voting, or both? 

Care to check how the other games were analyzed, possibly to share your opinion on that?

Check out the full article over at GuysNation.com!

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