Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears: Complete Week 4 Preview for Chicago
Fresh off their victory over the New York Jets on Monday Night Football in Week 3, the Chicago Bears are heading back to Soldier Field in Week 4 to take on the Green Bay Packers.
Sunday will mark the 189th meeting between the Bears and Packers. The Bears hold the lead in the all-time series with a 93-89-6 record, but the Packers are 7-1 against Chicago since 2011.
The Bears currently sit tied atop the NFC North standings with the Detroit Lions with a record of 2-1, while the Packers sit in third place at 1-2.
Despite having a powerful offense, the Bears defense has stepped up the past two weeks, particularly in the red zone, via ChicagoFootball.com's Kevin Fishbain:
"The Bears have allowed the most red-zone opportunities in the league (15), but only 5 TDs gives them T-2nd best red-zone D % w/ Patriots.
— Kevin Fishbain (@kfishbain) September 24, 2014"
In order to beat the Packers, the defense is going to need to slow down Aaron Rodgers in the passing game and eliminate big gains from Eddie Lacy in the running game.
Rodgers has struggled a bit early in the season, averaging just 210 yards through the air. He has been sacked six times and hurried 18 times in just three games, via Pro Football Focus (subscription required).
The Packers offensive line has struggled this season, and it will be up to Chicago's defense to put pressure on Rodgers.
Sunday's contest will mark the only NFC North game the Bears will play during the team's first nine weeks before finishing out the season with five NFC North contests in the final eight weeks. If the Bears can come away with a victory against the Packers on Sunday, they have a chance to keep themselves in the driver's seat atop the division heading into their long stretch against non-division opponents.
Here is our Chicago Bears vs. Green Bay Packers preview for Week 4.
Chicago Bears Week 3 Recap
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At times it wasn't pretty, but the Chicago Bears were able to come away with a 27-19 victory over the New York Jets on Monday Night Football in Week 3 to improve to 2-1 on the season.
Jay Cutler threw for 225 yards through the air with two touchdowns and finished the night with a 94.7 quarterback rating.
Tight end Martellus Bennett caught both touchdown passes from Cutler and finished the night with five catches for 54 yards. Wide receiver Brandon Marshall was held to just one catch for six yards after reaggravating an ankle injury, and Alshon Jeffery finished with a game-high eight catches for 105 yards.
While Cutler and the passing game were clicking, Matt Forte and the running game continued to struggle. Forte gained just 33 yards on 13 carries, and the team finished with just 60 yards on 21 carries for the night.
On the other side of the football, the defense gave up 414 total yards but held the Jets to just one touchdown on the night.
The defense came up big, forcing two interceptions from New York's Geno Smith, and the special teams unit recovered a muffed punt by the Jets Jalen Saunders in the first quarter which helped set up the Bears' first offensive touchdown of the night.
The defense still has areas in which it needs to improve on, but they showed against the Jets on Monday night they have the ability to bend but not break.
News and Notes
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Jared Allen is not Concerned Over His Lack of Sacks
Despite not registering a sack in any of his first three games, defensive end Jared Allen knows from past experience it takes him time to heat up in the regular season.
"In Kansas City I used to come out hot. Maybe it was because I played the entire preseason," Allen said, via Dan Wiederer of the Chicago Tribune (subscription required). "Once I got to Minnesota, it seemed I picked up in Week 3 or 4 and on.”
Allen is fully aware his sack totals in September and October are not always indicative of what type of numbers he will finish with.
“I don’t tend to panic about it,” Allen said, via Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times. “I’ve had years where I had one [sack] after seven [games] and I ended up with 11.”
After playing sparingly in the preseason, going up against mobile quarterbacks like EJ Manuel, Colin Kaepernick and Geno Smith in the first three weeks hindered Allen's ability to get after the quarterback.
"It used to be nice in the old days, with seven-step drops, one-on-one blocks," Allen said, via Wiederer, in regards to NFL quarterbacks becoming more mobile. "The worst thing I had to deal with was a chipping running back. But the league’s changing and you adapt with it."
Despite not registering a sack in the team's first three games, Allen, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), is tied for the team lead in quarterback hits with four and has the third-most quarterback hurries on the team with six.
With an abundance of matchups against more traditional pocket passers like Aaron Rodgers, Matt Ryan and Tom Brady in the upcoming weeks, Allen should have more opportunities to add to his sack totals.
Rookie Class is Making an Impact
After making a splash against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 2 with two interceptions, rookie cornerback Kyle Fuller once again made his presence known when he recorded one interception and forced two fumbles on Monday Night Football against the New York Jets in Week 3.
While Fuller has garnered most of the attention, second- and third-round picks Ego Ferguson and Will Sutton both have had solid starts to their NFL careers.
Ferguson recorded his first career sack against the Jets on Monday night, while Sutton has been showing off his ability to penetrate gaps and has seven tackles on the season.
Fourth-round pick Brock Vereen was thrust into a more prominent role against the San Francisco 49ers when starting cornerback Charles Tillman went down with an injury. According to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), Vereen played 18 snaps against San Francisco, all at the nickelback position. When injuries forced Chris Conte and Ryan Mundy out of Monday's contest against the Jets, Vereen came in at free safety and played 34 snaps.
Vereen spent all of the offseason and training camp at the free safety position, making his 18 snaps at nickelback against the 49ers that much more impressive. He did not appear overwhelmed by the situation and proved on Monday night he is a more than competent backup to Conte at free safety.
Despite not being a draft pick of the Chicago Bears, rookie safety Ahmad Dixon made his presence felt against the Jets in Week 3.
A seventh-round pick of the Cowboys back in May, Dixon was waived by Dallas, signed to Minnesota's practice squad and then was signed by Chicago to the team's 53-man roster after Week 1.
Dixon made his debut against the 49ers in Week 2 and came up big with a fumble recovery against the Jets early in the first quarter.
Even more impressive than his impact on special teams, Dixon was forced into the lineup after injuries forced Conte, Mundy and Danny McCray to the sidelines, leaving him to pair up with Vereen for the Jets' final drive.
"Hats off to Ahmad Dixon and Brock Vereen, the two Bears rookie safeties on the field for final drive. Obviously held their own in tough spot
— Chris Trapasso (@ChrisTrapasso) September 23, 2014"
For years the Bears have struggled to find rookies who can contribute immediately, but if the 2014 draft class continues to make an impact like it has in the first three weeks, then the future looks bright for Chicago.
Injury Report
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| Player | Position | Injury Status |
| Matt Slauson | OL | Did Not Practice (DNP) |
| Roberto Garza | OL | DNP |
| Jeremiah Ratliff | DT | DNP |
| Chris Conte | S | Limited |
| Sherrick McManis | CB | DNP |
| Shea McClellin | LB | DNP |
| Jared Allen | DE | DNP |
| Brandon Marshall | WR | DNP |
All injury statuses from Dan Durkin of 670TheScore.com and reflect Thursday's practice.
It appears that guard Matt Slauson and center Roberto Garza will once again be out of the lineup this Sunday with ankle injuries.
Both were injured against the Buffalo Bills and have not played the last two weeks. Michael Ola and Brian de la Puente will once again take their spots along the offensive line.
Defensive tackle Jeremiah Ratliff missed practice again this week due to a concussion he suffered against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 2. If he is unable to go, rookies Ego Ferguson and Will Sutton will take his place.
Following an injury against the New York Jets on Monday Night Football, Chris Conte was limited in practice on Thursday, which could possibly mean he will be back on the field Sunday afternoon.
Jared Allen missed practice this week due to illness, but the hope is he will be back on Friday, via John Mullin of CSNChicago.com:
"#Bears HC Trestman - DE Jared Allen out of the bldg, illness - hopes to have back tomorrow
— John Mullin (@CSNMoonMullin) September 25, 2014"
Brandon Marshall re-injured his ankle Monday night and is listed as day-to-day according to head coach Marc Trestman, via Michael C. Wright of ESPNChicago.com:
"Trestman is still calling @BMarshall day to day.
— Michael C. Wright (@mikecwright) September 25, 2014"
Marshall continued to play Monday night following the injury, and it would not come as a surprise if he was on the field Sunday to take on the Packers.
Shea McClellin was ruled out for Sunday's game earlier in the week, while cornerback Sherrick McManis was once again held out of practice with a quad injury.
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X-Factors and Matchups to Watch
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Jay Cutler vs. Green Bay's Secondary
Since he arrived in Chicago back in 2009, quarterback Jay Cutler has struggled to figure out the Green Bay Packers.
In nine career games against the Packers, Cutler has thrown for 1,928 yards with 11 touchdowns and 17 interceptions.
He missed the first meeting between the two teams last season, a victory by the Bears at Lambeau Field, and threw for 226 yards with two touchdowns and an interception in the season finale loss to the Packers at Soldier Field in late December.
In five of his nine career starts against the Packers, he has thrown two or more interceptions, including throwing four interceptions twice.
After throwing four against the Packers in 2012, then-Packers free safety Charles Woodson said he knew what was coming from Cutler.
"It's the same-old Jay," Woodson told ESPN after the game. "We don't need luck; Jay will throw us the ball."
The good news for Cutler is Woodson is no longer in Green Bay, but the current Packers secondary has allowed just 198.3 passing yards a game, sixth best in the league.
While he has had his share of ups and downs this season, safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix has the ability to be a playmaker. Tramon Williams and Sam Shields will have their hands full trying to cover Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery, and as long as Cutler can continue to play relatively mistake-free football like he has done the past two weeks, he has a chance to notch just his second career victory against the Packers.
Jermon Bushrod vs. Julius Peppers
After accumulating 37.5 sacks in four seasons in Chicago, the Bears opted to release defensive end Julius Peppers this offseason before he was set to make $13.9 million in 2014.
Peppers signed a three-year deal this past March with the Green Bay Packers, and his role has shifted from a 4-3 defensive end to a 3-4 outside linebacker.
Despite the transition to the outside, he should still see plenty of action against Chicago's Jermon Bushrod on Sunday afternoon.
Peppers has 10 tackles, one forced fumble and one sack in three games for the Packers, but he is still adjusting to his new role.
“I’m still getting a little adjusted to the season,” Peppers told Adam L. Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times. “Just playing on my feet, from a different leverage standpoint.”
Sunday's contest won't be the first time Bushrod and Peppers have squared off, but it will be the first time with Peppers standing up instead of with a hand in the ground.
“[Three]-4 guys are always really good with their hands,” Bushrod told Jahns. “[Peppers] was really good with his hands when he was in a 4-3. Now, he has an opportunity to be up in a two-point [stance] and move around, be strong with his hands with good leverage.”
Bushrod has been solid in pass protection this season, garnering a plus-1.5 grade from Pro Football Focus (subscription required) in the team's first three games, but he has respect for Peppers as a pass-rusher.
"The challenge is that [Peppers] is just an all-around good player. A great player, one that will be in the Hall of Fame someday," Bushrod said, via Eli Kaberon of ChicagoBears.com. "He plays with great effort, great technique. He just plays strong. He's had a lot of success over the years. It's going to be a challenge for us up front, wherever he lines up to fight and get our job done."
In order to slow down Peppers on Sunday, Bushrod is going to need to rely on his own athleticism and strength, as well as try and use Peppers' over aggressiveness against him by forcing him up the field, away from Jay Cutler.
Jon Bostic vs. Aaron Rodgers
Following an injury to Shea McClellin last week in practice, Jon Bostic was thrust into a starting role at strong-side linebacker in McClellin's absence.
Prior to Monday night's contest with the New York Jets, Bostic was relegated to linebacker duties only when the team was in their nickel package.
Bostic finished the Jets game with 13 tackles and received praise from Lance Briggs for being a playmaker:
"Briggs: "Jon (Bostic) is smart. He's a student of the game. He wants to be a playmaker and he is."
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) September 24, 2014"
Despite McClellin having already been ruled out of Sunday's contest against the Packers, Bostic will continue to see the majority of his playing time while the team is in their nickel package because of how often the Packers run three- and four-wide receiver sets.
In his latest breakdown for Bleacher Report, Matt Bowen pointed out how important Bostic is going to be in pass coverage. The Packers are going to try and create a mismatch in the red zone, particularly with Jordy Nelson against Bostic in the middle of the field. In order for Bostic to slow down Rodgers and Nelson, he is going to need to read Rodgers and react quickly to the football.
Bostic has struggled throughout his career with reading and reacting, but he showed improvements against San Francisco and New York in recent weeks and will face his most difficult challenge this Sunday against Rodgers.
Bears' X-Factor of the Week: Kyle Fuller
Few rookies have made quite the same impact as Kyle Fuller has through the first three weeks of the season.
He currently leads the NFL in interceptions with three and is tied for the most forced fumbles with two.
Fuller has received nothing but praise from his teammates since he was drafted this past May.
"You’d think [Fuller] has been in the league five or six years from the way he carries himself,” Jay Cutler said after Fuller's stellar performance against the San Francisco 49ers in which he picked off quarterback Colin Kaepernick twice, via Michael C. Wright of ESPNChicago.com.
Fuller is going to need to continue to carry himself like a veteran this week with Aaron Rodgers coming to town.
While the Packers have struggled to move the football through the air this season, Rodgers is still one of the best quarterbacks in the league. He has started 13 games against Chicago in his career, throwing for 3,075 yards and 21 touchdowns during that time, via Dan Wiederer of the Chicago Tribune.
Wide receiver Jordy Nelson has been on the receiving end of many of those passes against Chicago in his career, and he is aware of how well Fuller has played this season.
“He’s doing a great job,” Nelson said, via Arthur Arkush of ChicagoFootball.com (subscription required). “He’s attacking and that’s what Chicago has always done. You can tell they teach it and preach it there…He has a knack for getting the ball out, making interceptions, making plays.”
If Fuller can force a turnover or two against the Packers on Sunday afternoon, the praise for his game will continue to grow on a national level.
Prediction
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After losing to the Green Bay Packers in Week 17 last season and missing out on the playoffs, the Chicago Bears will be looking for revenge at Soldier Field this Sunday afternoon.
Earlier in the week, linebacker Lance Briggs made it known he does not like the Packers, via Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times:
"Briggs: "You guys know we don’t like them. I think everbody in the city has some sort of connection to Green Bay."
— Patrick Finley (@patrickfinley) September 24, 2014"
Briggs knows each game is important and that a win against their rival is what they need, via the team's official Twitter account:
"Briggs: "Every game is a measuring stick. The statement we need to make this week is we need to beat our rival."
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) September 24, 2014"
Through three games this season, Green Bay's offense has struggled to get much going, scoring just seven points last week in a loss to the Detroit Lions. If the Bears can get after Aaron Rodgers on Sunday, it could be a long afternoon for the Packers along the lakefront.
The Bears have been extremely productive through the air in the early part of the season but have struggled to get much of a running game going the past two weeks. They currently sit last in the league in yards per game with 64, and Matt Forte is averaging just 3.2 yards per carry.
As long as Jay Cutler can continue to play like he has in recent weeks and Forte can find something positive on the ground, Chicago's defense has proven this season they can do enough to help win football games.
The Bears have not won a game against the Green Bay Packers at home since 2010, but considering how the Packers have struggled early in the season on offense, they may be able to break that streak this Sunday.
Prediction: Bears 34, Packers 28
Record/statistical information provided via email from the Chicago Bears or NFL.com.
Matt Eurich is an NFL/Chicago Bears Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report and a member of the Pro Football Writers of America.
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