5 Reasons Why The Chicago Bears Will Go To The Super Bowl
Throughout the course of the 2010 NFL season the Chicago Bears haven't gotten the credit they deserve. First off, most expert analysts predicted them to to place no higher than third place in the NFC North. Jay Cutler's inconsistency and habit of turning the ball over frequently last season didn't help out the teams' rep either. However, the Bears finished their season with a record of 11-5, the NFC North title and the number two seed in the NFC for the playoffs.
Still, there has been constant ridicule of them winning easy games or bad officiating in their favor or a loss to an inferior team; they weren't given any respect or recognition for being a profound NFL team.
Now it's come down to the final games before the Super Bowl and the Bears are still playing. Matched up against the Green Bay Packers for the third time this season the Bears have some contributing factors that will lead them to victory, and ultimately the Super Bowl come this Sunday (Jan. 23rd.)
5. Chicago's Receiving Corps.
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Small but speedy is the best way to describe the Bears' receivers. Johnny Knox and Devin Hester both stand under six feet tall but are able to get separation and make the catch. Earl Bennett is their tallest wide receiver at six foot one inch. He is a reliable receiver and one of Cutler's favorite targets as they both played together at Vanderbilt in their college days.
For their tight ends, that's where their height is to their advantage. Greg Olsen stands at six foot five and Kellen Davis is a towering six foot seven. They were a huge help against the Seahawks on Sunday, both of them pulled in a touchdown.
Olsen and Davis will both have to help out with blocking as well. The Packers have talented linebackers who will blitz the whole night.
4. Home Field Advantage
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Both Chicago and Green Bay have similar climates. Playing in the cold, frigid weather is a walk in the park for either side. Although Chicago went 5-3 at home this regular season, they went 5-1 in their division. Their only loss was from Green Bay, but it was at Lambeau.
If you watched and listened to the Seattle vs. Chicago game yesterday, you would have heard how relentless the crowd was the entire game. During the national anthem the stadium was still rocking; when (Devin) Hester failed to return a punt "ooh-ed" and "ahh-ed" in disappointment; for every touchdown that the Chicago Bears scored the crowd went crazy.
This game is more than just a NFC Championship game, it's a rivalry game. Chicago fans hate the Packers and they'll let them know it come Sunday afternoon.
3. Jay Cutler's Feet
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It is not a myth that the Bear's offensive line hasn't protected their quarterbacks properly. After all, he was the most sacked quarterback in the regular season going down 52 times.
Because of this, Cutler has learned to make plays happen on his feet. He showed it last game against Seattle, rushing for gain of 21 yards including 6 and 9 yard rushes for touchdowns.
Along with rushing for positive yards, Cutler can get separation and move outside the pocket to make the tough throw.
Green Bay has great linebackers in Clay Matthews and A.J. Hawk who love rushing the quarterback and getting the sack. Cutler has the ability to make them miss and gain a first down and sometimes even more.
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2. Julius Peppers and Israel Idonije
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The best off-season acquisition in the entire league, Peppers proved that he can deliver an outstanding performance in colder weather. On the other side of the defensive line, Bear veteran Idonije came out of the wood-work this season and earned himself a starting spot on the defensive line. Normally a special teams player, Idonije racked up eight sacks and a team best four forced fumbles. Peppers also had eight of his own sacks and three forced fumbles.
Julius Peppers might, and should, drop back into coverage from time to time. His height and ability to jump makes him a menace when he's assigned a zone.
The tricky part about these two is they can come at you from all angles. Peppers will move from left end to right end frequently during the game, trying to get the best match up he can so he can sack the quarterback. Sometimes Idonije will even line up as a defensive tackle.
1. Chicago's Rush Defense
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The Seattle Seahawks were held to a mere 34 rushing yards against the Bears yesterday. Surprising after their 150 yard performance against a tough New Orleans Saints defense the week before.
In their previous two encounters, no individual player for the Green Bay Packers rushed for more than 40 yards. Only one touchdown was scored by rushing (Aaron Rodgers.)
With a defense anchored by Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs, both Pro Bowlers, who together combined for over 25 tackles in the other two games, Green Bay's rush attack should be very quiet.
5 Reasons Why The Chicago Bears Will Go To The Super Bowl
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Facing the Green Bay Packers is not an easy task for any team. They are a highly talented team both offensively and defensively and know how to win games.
Cutler needs to be flawless and the defense needs to bring their A-game for them to gain a commanding victory. Mistakes can not be made and they cannot loose focus of the game.
Final score: Chicago 27-Green Bay 21
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