Packers vs. Bears: 5 Bears Under Most Pressure Against Defending Champs

The Bears finished last week's contest with the Saints with a ton of new questions and just as much harsh criticism.  And they earned both.

The game plan was flawed, injuries affected the team, the offensive line was porous and the defense collapsed under the weight of one of the best offenses in the game.

Chicago's Week 3 divisional showdown with arch rival Green Bay will hopefully provide answers to some of the questions surrounding the Bears and alleviate some of the criticism.

But for that to happen, the team has to step up as a whole and perform against the defending Super Bowl champions.  That's a tall order to fill, even with injuries mounting again in Packer country.

But the Bears will be dealing with plenty of their own injuries, as starters Gabe Carimi and Major Wright both are out for Sunday and beyond, as well as receiver Earl Bennett.  Chicago is expected to get back Lance Louis, Chris Harris, Marion Barber and Roy Williams, but all are dinged up and it's unsure how that will affect them in the Packers game.

The Bears will need certain players to step forward and take control of the game at Soldier Field if the Bears are to topple the 2-0 Packers and set the team back on the path to repeating as division champions.

Roy Williams

Many questioned what Roy Williams had to offer the Bears when they signed the embattled Cowboy in the offseason.  After performing well in their season opener, catching all four of his targets and providing three first downs, the Bears found out how important Williams was during his absence against the Saints.

Williams provides a veteran presence that defenses must account for.  But maybe more importantly, he shifts coverage, creating opportunities for the other receivers on the field.  Hester no longer faces the best corner, but the No. 2 and Johnny Knox faces a safety or a nickel rather than the No. 2 corner.

Another thing that Williams provides that Cutler sorely missed last week was quick separation. That early opening provides Cutler with the opportunity to get the ball away before his protection breaks down.

If the Bears are to be successful against the Packers, they will need Roy Williams at his best.  Hopefully that groin injury doesn't plague him and the Bears.

Jay Cutler

After Week 1, Jay Cutler was on top of the world.  In his first game after exiting the NFC championship game with an injury, Cutler put up an impressive performance against one of the best defenses in the league.

Fast forward 11 days and things aren't quite so rosy.  After an embarrassing team performance against the Saints, renewed criticism of Cutler and the offense are back in full force.

For his part, Cutler let his frustration get the better of him against the Saints defense after being battered in the second half of the game.  He held the ball too long and at the same time hurried throws.  He left the pocket too soon and yet took too many hits.

The duality of his performance leans one way or the other depending on who is describing the event.

But what is crystal clear is that the Bears need Cutler to take over the game on Sunday if they are to upset the reigning champions.

It's not an impossible task.  The Packers passing defense currently ranks dead last in the league and now they will have to try to improve that aspect without lynchpin safety Nick Collins.  Adding to their troubles is a quad injury to stud linebacker Clay Matthews and star corner Charles Woodson is suffering a foot injury.  Both are at risk of not playing.

But the Packers have made overcoming injuries an art form, and the Bears won't go into this game thinking they have an advantage.  Cutler has to be at the top of his game for the Bears to topple the champs.

Henry Melton

Melton made his impact felt in the Atlanta game for the Bears, penetrating nearly at will and creating opportunities for the rest of the defensive line.  The result was a dominating defensive performance against one of the best offenses in football.

But Melton disappeared against the Saints, held in check by the team's interior line.  Without his presence, the rest of the line disappeared, as well.

Melton has to build consistency and it needs to start against the Packers.

The Bears defense relies heavily on the 3-tech defensive tackle.  It's the reason the mid 2000s teams were so good behind a dominant Tommie Harris. 

If Melton can step up and be the player he was against Atlanta with any consistency, the Bears can beat any team in the league.  Will it start with the Packers?

Offensive Line

For Jay Cutler to succeed, the Matadors of the Midway will have to give him enough time to drop back, read the defense, find a receiver, plant his feet and throw.

In the second half of the Saints game, Cutler didn't even have time to drop back.

The Bears look like they will get Lance Louis back at right guard, which will help.  But the loss of Gabe Carimi to a dislocated knee is going to be a struggle for Chicago.  Carimi will be replaced by Frank Omiyale, who led all tackles in sacks allowed last season.

Cutler suffered six sacks, 12 knockdowns and 16 hits against the Saints.  The line cannot allow that kind of pressure again.  If they do, the Bears will be headed to a 1-2 record.  It's that simple.

Mike Martz

The worst performance last week wasn't put up by a player.  It was the performance of offensive coordinator Mike Martz.  To his credit, the Bears OC admits he did a poor job.

If the Bears are to compete with the Packers, Martz will have to do better.  

The Saints game saw Martz abandon the run early and go to the well on the screen pass too often.  There was no running game to keep the Saints defense honest and it allowed them to tee off on the blitz.

Martz must strike more of a balance against the Packers defense or one of the league's best pass-rushing units is going to declare open season on Jay Cutler.

Running back Matt Forte had as many receptions in Sunday's loss as he had carries.  Something's wrong here.

Additionally, Mad Mike needs to compensate for the line.  Yes, the line is poor.  But Martz isn't helping them or Cutler when he calls plays that take so much time to develop.  Forcing the line to try and hold blocks that Martz knows they will struggle with will end the same way it did in New Orleans.  Cutler will throw away a lot of balls and the line will give up a lot of sacks.  Martz has to start calling plays in those situations that will allow Cutler to get the ball out quickly and take advantage of the blitz rather than suffer from it.

The team performed badly as a whole last week, but Martz was the catalyst for the collapse and he has to do better or the Bears might as well just pack it in.

And now it's your turn, ladies and gentlemen.  Step up to the soapbox below and let your opinion be heard!