Bears vs. Giants: Preview and Predictions from Preseason Week 2 Matchup

When the Chicago Bears and New York Giants play the final game of the NFL's Week 2 preseason schedule Monday night at the New Meadowlands, Bears offensive line coach Mike Tice can cross one worry off a long checklist. 

After giving up nine sacks in their preseason opener, the Bears won't have to contend with Osi Umenyiora—the Giants' best pass rusher—after he decided to undergo surgery on his ailing knee.

Chicago gave up an NFL-leading 56 sacks last season, including 10 against these very Giants in New York during a Sunday night matchup early in the season. Quarterback Jay Cutler was knocked out of that game with a concussion at halftime after enduring nine of those 10 sacks. 

Umenyiora was responsible for three sacks of Cutler and two forced fumbles. He finished the 2010 season with 11.5 sacks and 10 forced fumbles, leading Umenyiora to believe he was in need of a new contract heading into 2011.

After a long bout with Giants management over his pay this season, Umenyiora returned to training camp—only to have a knee injury flare up that has bothered him in the past. He called Giants GM Jerry Reese on Thursday and informed him of his decision to have surgery, which will cost him three to four weeks.

That's good news for the Bears, who have done some reshuffling on the offensive line but can't seem to find the right mix to protect their quarterbacks.

The first team unit gave up four sacks against the Buffalo Bills in Week 1 of the preseason, and there may be several players along that line who are fighting for their starting spots on Monday.

Left tackle J'Marcus Webb, right guard Lance Louis and center Roberto Garza will all be in the spotlight. Each could lose their respective starting jobs if another shaky performance surfaces.

The Giants didn't fare much better in their season opener, falling to the Carolina Panthers by a score of 20-10. New York's first unit failed to score a point as Eli Manning completed 4-of-9 passes for just 39 yards.

With Umenyiora out, however, New York's defense will get another long look at 2010 first-round pick Jason Pierre-Paul, who looked downright dominant at times against the Panthers.

On the Giants' only touchdown of the night, Pierre-Paul pressured and hit Panthers quarterback Jimmy Clausen, forcing a bad throw that Michael Boley intercepted and returned for a score. Pierre-Paul created havoc from that point on, registering two sacks and seven tackles in a brief appearance. 

That performance has many thinking that Umenyiora might find himself on the bench once his health returns, especially if Pierre-Paul can continue to build on it this week against the Bears.

Chicago will be without one of its Pro Bowl players too, as linebacker Lance Briggs won't play due to a knee contusion he suffered against the Bills.  

As was the case for most of the Week 2 games, the starters for both teams should play well in second quarter. That should give us a good look at how two embattled positions—the Bears offensive line and the Giants defensive line—fare against each other.

In a game that rides on play in the trenches, the Giants have a clear edge. Until the Bears get a semblance of togetherness on the offensive line, Cutler and the offense will have their hands full.

The Giants defensive line will continue to make Tice's life difficult, and New York wins a mostly meaningless affair, 23-14.