Green Bay Packers Vs. Chicago Bears. 10 Key Matchups to Watch In The Title Game
The Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears play this Sunday afternoon for the chance to go to the Super Bowl. If that doesn’t send chills up your spine, then I’m not really sure what else I can do for you!
Packers vs. Bears could easily be considered one of the NFL’s biggest rivalries. These two teams simply just hate each other, and every time they get together it seems like records are thrown out the window. It’s always a battle.
In light of what is sure to be a great game, I present you with 10 match ups that I believe will be key in determining the outcome of the game.
Keep your eye on these match ups. Whoever comes out on the winning end of them will be playing in the Super Bowl!
10. B.J Raji Vs. Olin Kreutz
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The Packers defense has been one of the best in the league in these past few years. This year is no different, and we have seen how they can literally carry the Pack straight to the Super Bowl.
One of the weak points on the defense though is their ability to stop the run. They have not been incredible at it, but they haven’t been horrible. In the NFC Championship game mediocrity cannot be accepted though, so the Pack really needs to step up once again.
B.J Raji is emerging as a star at the nose tackle position, and he is going to have to play big once again. Olin Kreutz is a perennial All-Star at center, and it’s going to be his job to contain Raji from getting penetration in the backfield.
If Raji can disrupt the line of scrimmage it will allow room for play makers like Clay Matthews, and Charles Woodson to get in the backfield. If Kreutz can contain Raji, than the Chicago offense should have no problem developing a consistent rhythm.
9. Charles Woodson Vs. Matt Forte
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Sticking with the running game for a moment, I believe that this is going to be another key match up in the game. Charles Woodson is much more than just a corner, and he is much more than a good coverage player. Over the years Woodson has developed an incredible knack for sticking his nose in the backfield, and he has played a valuable role in stopping opponent’s running backs.
Matt Forte is an extremely solid running back who can beat you on the ground, as well as in the air. He has 1,069 yards and six touchdowns on the year, and is tied with Johnny Knox as the teams leading receiver.
This match up is going to prove to be incredibly important. If Woodson can continue blowing up the backfield and playing big at the line of scrimmage, I think that alone could effectively hinder Matt Forte. If Forte is able to get going though, the Packers could be in trouble.
8. Brian Urlacher Vs. James Starks
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Urlacher is without a doubt a Hall of Fame caliber linebacker. He has been the cornerstone of Chicago’s defenses for years, and he still has a huge impact on games.
James Starks has come on in the Playoffs as the Packers best running back, which has been incredibly needed for such an injury depleted team. Starks is not putting up astronomical numbers in any sense of the word, but what he does bring is forward momentum to the Packers running game. It seems that Starks is always getting positive yardage and at the very least falling forward.
If Urlacher can keep Starks in the backfield than the Bears could effectively turn the Packers offense one dimensional again, but if not putting a solid runner behind Aaron Rodgers will be deadly.
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7. Aaron Rodgers Vs. Bears Secondary
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A chink in the armor of the Chicago Bears defense is their ability to defend the pass. On the other hand the strong point of the Packers offense is their ability to air out the ball.
This match up could very well determine the game.
Aaron Rodgers has been putting on an offensive clinic in these playoffs, and his play alone has rendered opposing defenses helpless.
If Rodgers can continue up his dominant performance I don’t see any way that the Bears defense will be able to hang with the Packers offense.
6. Greg Olsen Vs. Nick Collins
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Greg Olsen has arguably become Jay Cutler’s favorite option down the field, and he has rewarded his quarterback for trusting in him.
Even though Olsen is a tight end, he could be considered the Bears best deep threat option, so it’s going to be up to Nick Collins to really hold down the middle of the field.
Collins pretty much negated Tony Gonzales last week in Atlanta, and if he does the same to Olsen I believe the results of the game will prove to be the same.
5. Clay Matthews Vs. Everybody
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Clay Matthews is arguably the best defensive player still left in the Playoffs, and with lineups boasting the likes of Troy Polamalu, James Harrison, and Darelle Revis, that is a very big statement.
Matthews already has three sacks in the Playoffs, but his impact goes far beyond his stat line. Every member of Chicago’s offense is going to have to know where Matthews is at all times, because he has the ability to take them out on any play.
Matthews is constantly in the backfield putting pressure on the quarterback, but don’t underestimate the impact that he can have down field as well.
If Clay Matthews can run wild, quite simply the Bears will be screwed.
4. Tramon Williams Vs. Devin Hester
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Tramon Williams has stepped up in tremendous ways. He iced the Eagles with a huge interception on the games final drive, and he made Matt Ryan look plain silly with an interception in the end zone, and a pick six with no time left in the first half.
When you can argue that Charles Woodson is the second best corner back on your team, than you are in a very good position, and people will be jealous of you.
On the other sideline is Devin Hester though, and the impact that he can have on a game is huge.
Offensively he can really spread a defense with his speed and play making ability, but to not talk about his returning game would be a mistake on my part.
Hester is easily the best kick returner in the past ten years, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him take one to the house on Sunday.
Don’t forget that Tramon Williams returns punts for the Pack though, and he has the ability to run one back as well!
This will be the most entertaining and explosive match up of the weekend.
3. Jay Cutler Vs. Jay Cutler
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Jay Cutler is not a bad quarterback in any way, and he is actually much better than I usually give him credit for. The problem I see with Jay Cutler is that he is a scary quarterback.
He can be scary good, or he can be scary bad.
Cutler has the ability to go out and throw four touchdowns any given game, but he also has the ability to throw four interceptions!
He has 23 touchdowns and 16 picks on the year. Cutler looked real good last week in his first ever playoff game, but keep in mind it was against the fraudulent Seahawks.
Cutler can win the game for the Bears, but he can just as easily lose it.
2. Julius Peppers Vs. Chad Clifton
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Peppers is one of the most dominant defensive ends that this league has ever seen. Unfortunately for Chad Clifton, I can’t say the same for him at his position.
Peppers has the ability to kill Aaron Rodgers and effectively stop the Packers offense, so it’s going to be up to Clifton to stop this tragedy.
I honestly feel this match up will determine who wins the game.
1. Dom Capers Vs. Mike Martz
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Sure, I wouldn’t consider Mike Martz to be running the greatest show on turf anymore, but he still is one crazy dude, and a very good offensive coordinator. You could argue that Martz’s control of the offense is the reason that the Bears have gotten this far.
On the other side of the ball is Dom Capers and his wildly successful 3-4 defense. Capers is the mastermind behind all of the Packers defensive success this year, and when you consider some of the offenses that he has been able to stop, it really is a testament to how good of a coordinator he is.
Granted a lot of people don’t see the chess match between two coordinators to be a key match up, but I believe in this game between these two teams it will prove to be the most important of them all.
Will the mad scientist be able to concoct up a winning game plan? Or will Capers prove that once again, he can stop anybody?
I guess we can only watch and find out!
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