2011 NFC Championship Game: Comparing the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers

The NFC Championship game will be one for the ages. Both teams play great defense and are balanced on offense.

The Chicago Bears are especially led by a strong defense, including elite players like Brian Urlacher, Julius Peppers and Lance Briggs. One thing about these Bears is that it is key that they jump out to a lead because their defense can maintain that lead.

The Green Bay Packers have an underrated defense no one talks about, but it is still elite. And they have a decent quarterback. You know, that guy Aaron Rodgers. I'm obviously kidding about the decent part. Rodgers is a top four QB in the game and is second only to Micheal Vick in hardest to gameplan against.

So, let's get started, this is a complete comparison of the two teams.

Quarterbacks

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ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 15: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers reacts in the second quarter against the Atlanta Falcons during their 2011 NFC divisional playoff game at Georgia Dome on January 15, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Packers won 48-21. (

Bears

The 27-year-old Jay Cutler leads the Bears on offense. Cutler has a rocket arm and has really improved with his decision making. In last week's game vs. the Seattle Seahawks, Cutler had overall a good stat line, but he made some poor decisions, throwing a couple balls right at the Seahawks' defenders, only for it to be dropped.

Against the Packers, he will certainly not get away with these bad decisions, especially against Charles Woodson and Tramon Williams.

Packers

The 27-year-old Rodgers is one of the best quarterbacks in all of football. He will go down as one of the very best to play the position. Combined with great arm and accuracy, Rodgers does not turn the football over and is deceptively athletic. Here's a couple stats about Rodgers: Rodgers is the NFL all-time career leader in passer rating during the regular season (98.4), and lowest career pass interception percent (1.99%).

Advantage: Packers

Running Backs

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CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 16: Running back Matt Forte #22 of the Chicago Bears throws a pass over the arm of Kentwan Balmer #95 of the Seattle Seahawks as the pass is intercepted by Aaron Curry #59 in the second half of the 2011 NFC divisional playoff game a

Bears

I'm sure we are not going to see Matt Forte throw the ball anymore! Anyways, Forte is one of the most consistent backs in the game. He is solid running and is a factor catching the ball from Cutler. The Bears need to establish the run for the offense to be kick-started into gear. Backup Chester Taylor is capable and is solid in goal line carries.

Packers

Rookie back James Starks leads the attack. He is a big guy at 220 pounds, but is deceptively quick and can find holes and hit them. Starks has been a pleasant surprise this postseason, finally giving the Packers' offense balance to go along with Rodgers. Brandon Jackson, the former starter, is solid as well as fan favorite John Kuhn, who excels in short yardage.

Advantage: Bears

Wide Receivers and Tight Ends

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ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 15: (L-R) Greg Jennings #85, James Jones #89 and Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers celebrate after Jones caucht a 20-yard touchdown pass from Rodgers in the second quarter against the Atlanta Falcons during their 2011 NFC d

Bears

Cutler has speedsters to throw to on the outside. Johnny Knox is one of the fastest wide receivers in the game and adds another dimension to the offense. Earl Bennett is one of Cutler's favorite targets, as he usually works the middle of the defense. Other than last week, athletic tight end Greg Olsen was not much of a factor throughout the season, mainly because Mike Martz's offensive schemes call for the tight end to help block.

Packers

The Packers have four legitimate starting wide receivers in Greg Jennings, James Jones, Donald Driver and Jordy Nelson. Rodgers spreads the ball around to each of his receivers, but it is clear Jennings is the No. 1 target, even though he has the tendency to drop the ball. The Packers have the best wide receiving core in all of football, greatly helping Rodgers find the open guy. Tight end is not much of a factor after Jermichael Finley's injury.

Advantage: Packers

Offensive Line

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GREEN BAY, WI - NOVEMBER 16: Guard Jason Spitz #72 and the Green Bay Packers offensive line await action on the bench against the Chicago Bears during NFL action at Lambeau Field on November 16, 2008 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated the Bear

Bears

The Bears' offensive line, to put it in a nice way, sucked in the first half of the year, but they have really turned it around. Cutler finally has time to throw the ball and the offense is more balanced because of the play of the O-line.

Packers

The Packers' offensive line is nothing special, but it is solid. They pass-protect very well, giving Rodgers time to get rid of the ball to his elite targets.

Advantage: Very close, but edge to Packers.

Defensive Line

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GREEN BAY, WI - NOVEMBER 07: Felix Jones #28 of the Dallas Cowboys runs after picking up a fumble as Cullen Jenkins #77 of the Green Bay Packers moves in for the tackle at Lambeau Field on November 7, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated the

Bears

Led by defensive end Peppers, the Bears' defensive line is great. Tommie Harris seems finally healthy, especially after his performance against the Seattle Seahawks with two sacks last week. The Bears' defense is predicated on getting a pass rush with four guys, and they certainly are able to do that.

Packers

The Packers run a 3-4, so the defensive line may not have the same glamorous stats at the Bears, but they are just as effective in what they have to do. Cullen Jenkins is a beast and I compare him to Richard Seymour, when he was on the Patriots. He is that important. B.J. Raji is a top five nose tackle in all of football, but does not get the recognition. He can dominate the opposing offensive line and can take on double and triple teams.

Advantage: Packers (very slim margin)

Linebackers

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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 12: Brian Urlacher #54 of the Chicago Bears calls a defensive play as teammate Lance Briggs #55 moves into position against the New England Patriots at Soldier Field on December 12, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Patriots defeated t

Bears

The Bears boast two of the best linebackers in all of football with Urlacher and Lance Briggs. Both guys are three-down players and fly over the field. Urlacher is finally healthy and can do it all. He can cover, defend the run and blitz.

Packers

For the amount of injuries the Packers had to overcome, especially at the linebacker position, I applaud them for the great play of the linebackers. Led by the best pass rusher in all of football in Clay Matthews, the linebackers are key to the defense's success.

Advantage: Bears

Cornerbacks

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ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 15: Tramon Williams #38 of the Green Bay Packers intercepts a pass in the endzone against Michael Jenkins #12 of the Atlanta Falcons during their 2011 NFC divisional playoff game at Georgia Dome on January 15, 2011 in Atlanta, Georg

Bears

While Charles Tillman is one of the best cover corners in the game, the Bears are still susceptible to the pass. Rodgers can really toy with these corners.

Packers

The Packers have arguably the best cornerback tandem in football led by Tramon Williams and Charles Woodson. Williams is quickly becoming a top five CB in the game and Woodson is the most difficult player to gameplan for on the Packers defense. He plays safety, cornerback and even linebacker, and can blitz effectively.

Advantage: Packers

Safeties

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GREEN BAY, WI - NOVEMBER 07: Nick Collins #36 of the Green Bay Packers tackles Dez Bryant #88 of the Dallas Cowboys at Lambeau Field on November 7, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated the Cowboys 45-7. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

Bears

The Bears best safety is Chris Harris, and he is hurting right now with a hip injury. Nevertheless, the Bears do not have great safety play anyway.

Packers

The Packers have a pro bowl safety in Nick Collins, but he is overrated. He continuously gets beat on deep balls, but is solid against the run. Both teams do not have great safety play

Advantage: Packers

Special Teams

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CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 16: Kick returner Devin Hester #23 of the Chicago Bears returns a punt in the first half against the Seattle Seahawks in the 2011 NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field on January 16, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jona

Bears

The Bears have the best kick returner in NFL history in Devin Hester. Even though outmatched on offense, the Bears have a huge advantage in kickoff returns and punt returns. Hester is a threat every time he touches the ball, and the Packers would be wise to kick it away from him. Kicker Robbie Gould is a consistent kicker.

Packers

The Packers have very poor special teams coverage. They gave up the longest return in playoff history last week to Eric Weems. They will have their hands full with Hester.

Advantage: Bears

Coaching

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GREEN BAY, WI - JANUARY 02: Head coach Mike McCarthy of the Green Bay Packers on the sidelines against the Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field on January 2, 2011 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

Bears

Lovie Smith is a solid coach and made a super bowl appearance, so the big stage will not scare him. In his seventh season with the Bears, he can make it two super bowl appearances with a win against the Packers.

Packers

With all the injuries the Packers had to face, Mike McCarthy did a phenomenal job. Even with all the major injuries, the Packers still managed a 10-6 record, and are favorites to win the Super Bowl. 

Advantage: Packers