Joe Soriano
O.J. LewisThe Breakdown: 2011 NFC Championship Packers and Bears
January 17th 2011 07:34
This is the matchup we have been waiting for. It's one of the most treasured and historic rivalries in American sports. There is no better way to justify this matchup than having a championship game in Soldier Field that pits both of these NFC North stalwarts together. Aaron Rodgers carried the Packers on his shoulders to rip the Giants, eke past the Bears, stun Vick, and obliterate Atlanta.
This game is tough to judge on whether it will be a high scoring game or a rugged defensive game. The two teams split their games against eachother this season, and both games were defensive minded. Cutler's offensive line won't fair too well against Clay Matthews who has eaten up far better tackles than J'Marcus Webb and Frank Omiyale.
Omiyale will hinder Matthews, but Webb will be powerless to stop the Packers' pass rush. Matt Forte is the Bears' best hope on offense. The Packers' have the best pass defense of every team left in the playoffs, but their run defense is the worst of any team in the playoffs. Pass rushes confuse Cutler, and they make him throw his classicly terrible downfield hurls under pressure.
Cutler needs to keep his cool and hit his RBs with screens and target Greg Olsen like he did against Seattle. However, I see Tramon Williams; Nick Collins; and Charles Woodson making some big plays. The Packers' offensive line is slightly worse than Chicago's. Julius Peppers and Israel Idonije will absolutely abuse Bryan Bulaga and Chad Clifton.
The running game is not an option against Lance Briggs and the rugged Bears. This is especially true when James Starks and Brandon Jackson are the best bets. Although the pass rush will be on Rodgers, the effect isn't as grand on Rodgers as it is on Cutler because Rodgers doesn't lose his head in those situations.
Greg Jennings and the receiving corpse should be able to get their catches against Tim Jennings. If Zachary Bowman comes in as the 3rd corner, then the guy he's covering should have a lot of fun. Rodgers will get the ball to his receivers. There is no question about that. I think the Packers are the better overall team, and Rodgers will be the offense to take them out of a defensive minded game.
Prediction: 17 Packers 14 Bears MVP: Aaron Rodgers
This game is tough to judge on whether it will be a high scoring game or a rugged defensive game. The two teams split their games against eachother this season, and both games were defensive minded. Cutler's offensive line won't fair too well against Clay Matthews who has eaten up far better tackles than J'Marcus Webb and Frank Omiyale.
Omiyale will hinder Matthews, but Webb will be powerless to stop the Packers' pass rush. Matt Forte is the Bears' best hope on offense. The Packers' have the best pass defense of every team left in the playoffs, but their run defense is the worst of any team in the playoffs. Pass rushes confuse Cutler, and they make him throw his classicly terrible downfield hurls under pressure.
Cutler needs to keep his cool and hit his RBs with screens and target Greg Olsen like he did against Seattle. However, I see Tramon Williams; Nick Collins; and Charles Woodson making some big plays. The Packers' offensive line is slightly worse than Chicago's. Julius Peppers and Israel Idonije will absolutely abuse Bryan Bulaga and Chad Clifton.
The running game is not an option against Lance Briggs and the rugged Bears. This is especially true when James Starks and Brandon Jackson are the best bets. Although the pass rush will be on Rodgers, the effect isn't as grand on Rodgers as it is on Cutler because Rodgers doesn't lose his head in those situations.
Greg Jennings and the receiving corpse should be able to get their catches against Tim Jennings. If Zachary Bowman comes in as the 3rd corner, then the guy he's covering should have a lot of fun. Rodgers will get the ball to his receivers. There is no question about that. I think the Packers are the better overall team, and Rodgers will be the offense to take them out of a defensive minded game.
Prediction: 17 Packers 14 Bears MVP: Aaron Rodgers
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