Post by elijah on Jan 17, 2011 15:47:42 GMT -5
The storyline
Tradition. History. Rivalry. Throw in that these are the two ascending teams in the postseason and this is a tailor-made rumble. Chicago and Green Bay split in the regular season, with the Packers surviving the season finale just to get into the postseason as a wild-card team. The Bears could regret letting that game get away from them.
The Packers will win if ...
They get pressure on quarterback Jay Cutler and force him into turnovers. The Packers have generated five interceptions and forced two fumbles over the past three weeks, winning all three games. ... Quarterback Aaron Rodgers maintains composure. He won't have it as easy as he's had it the past two weeks.
The Bears will win if ...
Cutler continues to protect the ball, and his receivers continue to behave like playmakers. Cutler and his wideouts are not making many mistakes, and they really seem to be in harmony. ... Their defense keeps Rodgers in the pocket. Rodgers has been lethal when he breaks containment, but the Bears have strong perimeter defenders to limit him from scrambling.
Did you know?
Rodgers and Cutler have won their first playoff games this postseason. ... The Bears have held Green Bay to 123 combined rushing yards in two games this season. The Packers have amassed 234 rushing yards in the playoffs. ... Both teams have won at home against the other this season.
GREEN BAY PACKERS
Passing Cmp Att Yds TDs
Aaron Rodgers 312 475 3922 28
Matt Flynn 40 66 433 3
Rushing Car Yds Avg TDs
Brandon Jackson 190 703 3.7 3
Aaron Rodgers 64 356 5.6 4
Receiving Rec Yds Avg TDs
Greg Jennings 76 1265 16.6 12
James Jones 50 679 13.6 5
CHICAGO BEARS
Passing Cmp Att Yds TDs
Jay Cutler 261 432 3274 23
Todd Collins 10 27 68 0
Rushing Car Yds Avg TDs
Matt Forte 237 1069 4.5 6
Chester Taylor 112 267 2.4 3
Receiving Rec Yds Avg TDs
Johnny Knox 51 960 18.8 5
Earl Bennett 46 561 12.2 3
Source - NFL.com
Interesting Match-Ups:
Clay Matthews(LB) - Greg Olsen(TE)
Charles Woodson(CB) - Devin Hester(WR)
A.J. Hawk(LB) - Matt Forte(RB)
Brian Urlacher(LB) - James Starks(RB)
Elijah's Analyze:
The Packers and Bears play a hard fought game, James Starks runs all over Brian Urlacher but the Bears defense shuts down the passing offense. Devin Hester gets a couple of deep bombs past Charles Woodson and Matt Forte has a solid rushing game. Clay Matthews comes out strong though and gets 4 sacks, 1 when it's most needed. It's a high scoring game, but in the end, the Bears go down bring Aaron Rodgers to his 1st Super Bowl
Packers 34-28
Tradition. History. Rivalry. Throw in that these are the two ascending teams in the postseason and this is a tailor-made rumble. Chicago and Green Bay split in the regular season, with the Packers surviving the season finale just to get into the postseason as a wild-card team. The Bears could regret letting that game get away from them.
The Packers will win if ...
They get pressure on quarterback Jay Cutler and force him into turnovers. The Packers have generated five interceptions and forced two fumbles over the past three weeks, winning all three games. ... Quarterback Aaron Rodgers maintains composure. He won't have it as easy as he's had it the past two weeks.
The Bears will win if ...
Cutler continues to protect the ball, and his receivers continue to behave like playmakers. Cutler and his wideouts are not making many mistakes, and they really seem to be in harmony. ... Their defense keeps Rodgers in the pocket. Rodgers has been lethal when he breaks containment, but the Bears have strong perimeter defenders to limit him from scrambling.
Did you know?
Rodgers and Cutler have won their first playoff games this postseason. ... The Bears have held Green Bay to 123 combined rushing yards in two games this season. The Packers have amassed 234 rushing yards in the playoffs. ... Both teams have won at home against the other this season.
GREEN BAY PACKERS
Passing Cmp Att Yds TDs
Aaron Rodgers 312 475 3922 28
Matt Flynn 40 66 433 3
Rushing Car Yds Avg TDs
Brandon Jackson 190 703 3.7 3
Aaron Rodgers 64 356 5.6 4
Receiving Rec Yds Avg TDs
Greg Jennings 76 1265 16.6 12
James Jones 50 679 13.6 5
CHICAGO BEARS
Passing Cmp Att Yds TDs
Jay Cutler 261 432 3274 23
Todd Collins 10 27 68 0
Rushing Car Yds Avg TDs
Matt Forte 237 1069 4.5 6
Chester Taylor 112 267 2.4 3
Receiving Rec Yds Avg TDs
Johnny Knox 51 960 18.8 5
Earl Bennett 46 561 12.2 3
Source - NFL.com
Interesting Match-Ups:
Clay Matthews(LB) - Greg Olsen(TE)
Charles Woodson(CB) - Devin Hester(WR)
A.J. Hawk(LB) - Matt Forte(RB)
Brian Urlacher(LB) - James Starks(RB)
Elijah's Analyze:
The Packers and Bears play a hard fought game, James Starks runs all over Brian Urlacher but the Bears defense shuts down the passing offense. Devin Hester gets a couple of deep bombs past Charles Woodson and Matt Forte has a solid rushing game. Clay Matthews comes out strong though and gets 4 sacks, 1 when it's most needed. It's a high scoring game, but in the end, the Bears go down bring Aaron Rodgers to his 1st Super Bowl
Packers 34-28