I like the Colts because its still Manning vs Grossman and there is to big an advantage because of QB alone. If Joe A. runs like he has been then thats a factor but the Bears D is great at stopping the run. Bears secondary is not that great so Marv. and Co. will kill them. I want the Colts to will bad but I do like the Bears as a team.
Colts-38
Bears24
my take..........
Colts offensively......match up to watch is the bears LB's against the run, and on the TE specifically Urlacher against Clark....that will be huge. i expect the colts to come out and really try to establish the running game. if they can't run, the bears have a lot of flexibility with what they can do from a coverage and pass rush standpoint. If the colts can run, it will put the pressure on the secondary to see if they can take away one of the two WR for the colts. LB's for the bears will be huge for them.
Colts defensively.......stop the run. put it in Rexxy's hands. 1st down defense will be important. get them in obvious passing situations and force turnovers. the d line can't stop the run, that will be huge for Rex and the offense. the bears do not want to put this game in rex's hands....so force the issue.
Bears offensively, run, run, run some more. put yourself in 3rd and short. they have speed on the outside, and they will get opportunities with Moose and Berrian...but they have to be able to run it first. play keep away and take shots when available.
Bears defensively, Urlacher is the MAN. this guy will be a key factor in how well or not the bears play. he has the skill set necessary to take on a TE, and the whole group of LB's and the front 4 must be able to stop Addai and Rhodes w/out help. the secondary though is where the makes or breaks will occur. can they take away either one of the WR's?
special teams.......well, based on what i saw from the colts return game last week, Devin Hester should be able to get their attention. his play alone could get the bears a W even if the offense is struggling. colts cannot give up a cheap TD on a punt return or KO return. they need to be able to keep the bears backed up as much as possible. keep them in bad feild position and hope to force turnovers.
Adam vinateri.....kick it thru the endzone. and make all your fg's. dont' know that this will come down to a last second kick, but if it does..........uh, i like his chances.:thumbsup:
i think these two teams match up against each other much better than the spread indicates. Urlacher vs. Manning......should be very good match up, and i think a much closer game than many will think.
in the end, i like the colts. if they don't turn the ball over, i think they have plenty enough offense to outscore the bears, plus i think Rexxy is more apt to make the bad decision in this one.
closer than the experts think.....Colts 31 Bears 26.
