Charles Tillman Vs. Greg Jennings and 5 Other Key Matchups In The NFC Title Game

When two of the oldest rivals in sports meet for the third time in a season, they aren't going to have a lot of surprises for each other.  The Bears and Packers know what they're up against when they face each other for the NFC championship.  With all that familiarity, the big question becomes execution.  Which side is going to be able to play its game better than the opposition?  Here are six individual matchups that will win or lose the game for each team on Sunday.

6. Bears CB Charles Tillman Vs. Packers WR Greg Jennings

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CHICAGO - DECEMBER 13: Greg Jennings #85 of the Green Bay Packers drops the ball in the end zone under pressure from Charles Tillman #33 of the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on December 13, 2009 in Chicago, Illinois. The Packers defeated the Bears 21-14.

The Packers offense has demonstrated pretty clearly in these playoffs that they can win games by themselves, given the chance. If Chicago’s defense is going to slow down Aaron Rodgers’ juggernaut, they’re going to need a great game from the secondary, and that starts with Peanut Tillman. He shut down Mike Williams until the game was pretty well out of reach last week, but can he keep Greg Jennings out of the picture? 

If the Bears want to have a chance to win this game, he’d better.

5. Bears RB Matt Forte Vs. Packers LB A.J. Hawk

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GREEN BAY, WI - SEPTEMBER 13: Matt Forte #22 of the Chicago Bears tries to gain yardage as A.J. Hawk #50 of the Green Bay Packers chases him on September 13, 2009 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated the Bears 21-15. (Photo by J

As much as the Bears have depended on their passing game this season, we’re talking about Soldier Field in January. At some point, whichever team wins is going to have to get some semblance of a ground game going. For the Bears, that means keeping Green Bay’s tackling machine in the middle from cutting down Matt Forte before he can get out of the backfield. If Forte can get anything going on the ground, it will put the Bears in a very good position to win.

4. Bears OT Frank Omiyale Vs. Packers LB Clay Matthews

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CHICAGO - DECEMBER 13: Clay Matthews #52 of the Green Bay Packers awaits the start of play against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on December 13, 2009 in Chicago, Illinois. The Packers defeated the Bears 21-14. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

The biggest reason the Bears went from 7-9 last year to a division title this year is that they finally found the right combination of duct tape and string to hold their offensive line together. One of the keys to that rebuilt line is Omiyale, who gets the marquee job of protecting Jay Cutler’s blind side. Against Green Bay, that means stopping a serious Defensive Player of the Year candidate in Clay Matthews, whose 14.0 sacks led one of the league’s top defenses.

If Omiyale and company can keep Cutler clean, the Bears should be able to make it a close game. If Matthews and his buddies have a field day (the way the Giants did in knocking Cutler out in Week 4), the Pack can book its flight to Dallas.

3. Bears DE Julius Peppers Vs. Packers OT Chad Clifton

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CHICAGO - SEPTEMBER 27: Julius Peppers #90 of the Chicago Bears looks on against the Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field on September 27, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

No, Julius Peppers hasn't single-handedly turned the Bears into the league’s best defense (which is about what it would have taken to really justify the amount of money Chicago threw at him in free agency). Still, he’s the most dangerous pass rusher on a good defense. That makes him Chicago’s best chance to force Aaron Rodgers out of his rhythm and dictate the game on defense. Or, he could just force Clifton into a few false starts, which would have much the same effect.

But if Clifton and the rest of the Green Bay line do their job in pass protection, the Packers will win this game.

2. Bears QB Jay Cutler Vs. Packers CB Charles Woodson

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CHICAGO - DECEMBER 13: Charles Woodson #21 of the Green Bay Packers breaks up a pass intended for Devin Aromashodu #19 of the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on December 13, 2009 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Even if Cutler has time to get the ball off, his decision-making has to be sharp. He’s cut down his interceptions this year (16 compared to a league-worst 26 from last season), and he looked good in his playoff debut last week.

Last week he wasn’t facing the Packers secondary, led by the ball-hawking Woodson.

If Cutler hands Woodson a game-changing turnover like the INT that Seattle’s Jordan Babineaux dropped on the goal line on Sunday, Woodson will likely be high-stepping straight to the Super Bowl.

1. Bears KR/PR Devin Hester Vs. Packers Special Teams Coach Shawn Slocum

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GREEN BAY, WI - NOVEMBER 16: Devin Hester #23 of the Chicago Bears returns a kick off against the Green Bay Packers during NFL action at Lambeau Field on November 16, 2008 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated the Bears 37-3. (Photo by Doug Pens

This one should come as no surprise, given Hester’s history against Green Bay (including a 62-yard punt return for a TD in the Bears Week 3 win this season). After Atlanta’s Eric Weems burned the Pack for a 102-yard TD last week, Hester must be chomping at the bit. With Green Bay head coach Mike McCarthy calling Hester “the most dangerous man on the field,” don’t be surprised to see the Packers kick the ball away from No. 23 all day long. That move wouldn’t be at all popular with the Soldier Field fans, but might keep Green Bay from seeing a tight game swing the wrong direction on one highlight-reel play.

If Hester breaks another long return, the Bears will be in good shape.  But if he doesn't, don't expect the Soldier Field fans to leave happy on Sunday.