Packers won’t dominate Bears

Boy, I’ll tell you, I have never seen a team rise to such prominence in three preseason games. Don Banks from SI moves them from #19 to #3 in his power rankings just because of the preseason? Wow! One guy on the NFL Network tonight picked the Packers to lose to New England in the Super Bowl. And yet not one regular season game has been played and the Packers were 6-10 last year. What is going on here?

I do expect the Packers to win the division this year and the Bears to be second, but this rising praise from the national media has come out of nowhere. I have to admit I like it but I don’t think it will go over real well in the Bears’ locker room.The Bears will be bringing their best effort Sunday night and the Packers better be expecting no less. The Bears have owned the Packers since Lovie Smith took over as Bear’s head coach and it is time for the Packers to reverse that trend.

I think this game will be one of two halves – the Packers dominate the first half and hang on in the second half. I don’t think there is any chance of a blowout like last year’s 37-3 beatdown the Packers put on the Bears in Lambeau. The Packers’ new defense hasn’t proven anything yet and neither has their special teams which were pitiful last year. I can see Devon Hester having a big night in that department.

I see the Packers jumping out to a 27-14 lead then hanging on for a 27-21 nail-biter. The defense will hold in the last minute. At least that is my best case scenario, the new defense gets tested and shines in its first real test. It would set the tone for the whole season. Of course so would five Aaron Rodgers touchdown passes and a 41-3 win. Guess I’ll take either.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, September 9th, 2009 at 9:05 pm and is filed under Al Davis. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

  • http://Orlando Mark

    From what I’ve seen the defense is well coached. But we’re weak against the run on the right side which the Titans exposed. Our offense is experienced and good. Especially if they can get Johnson in at FB to help the run game. Specials, advantage Bears. A tough game but we’re playing at home and I expect a win.

  • http://Orlando Mark

    One other thing that bothers me. We’ve tried screens the last couple of years and in the preseason and they just don’t work. I don’t know if we’re tipping them or what. Our backs always get caught up in traffic and the QB has to throw it away quickly or take a sack because he has no blocking. It must work against our team in practice because we’re not great at defending it. Any ideas, it’s supposed to work against an overaggressive rush.

  • Jeff

    I am going to say this for the last time ! Lovie Smith did not own the Packers , he owned Favre and it goes back to when Lovie was in St.Louis and Tampa. Remember Favre only won one game in Raymond James and he never beat Lovie’s Ram defense in St. LOuis.
    It was proven last year that Lovie’s defense did not faze Rodgers in the least. The Bear defense was not good last year and they lost Mike Brown. The only way the Packers do not win this game is if they turn the ball over 5 times and that will not happen because in 2 games last year Rodgers only had one turnover against thhe Bears.
    The Bears can bring their best effort but it will not matter because the Packers are the better team.
    Packer 27 – Bears 16.

  • CheesyD

    Dominate? Who cares? I’ll take a 2-0 win.

  • AATP

    CheesyD, that would be a tough one to watch though…

  • iccyfan

    AATP Says: “that would be a tough one to watch though…”

    I’ve already seen that game this week, as SEJH 7th Grade Lightweight Red held on for a stunning 2-0 upset of NWJH 7th Grade Lightweight White!

    I won’t predict a score, but I’m confident the Packers offense will continue rolling and the Packers will prevail. I’m most excited to see the wraps come off the Packer defense, with all starters “go” and no exotic blitz packages held back. I’m tired of hearing about Cutler and want to see him with grass stains on the back of his jersey!

  • Reid

    Al – I disagree, the Packers will dominate 31-13.

  • Bob

    I’m just super excited about this team, I can’t wait to see the pre season talent keep going into the regular season, which I believe will happen. sure we have some small holes, but I believe we have enough talent to cover them up. I believe the packer players have a chip on their shoulders and will be very fun to watch.

  • http://jlworden1suddenlink.net Larry

    Chalk up another one for Childress. Release their leading receiver for the last two years and bring in a guy who hasn’t been in their camp. And Seifert, wow, he (Wade) was ranked #4 on that group that was better than the Fab5. Glad Seifert admitted he had egg on his face. I hope Cutler tests us deep, because I doubt Favre will; but with the MIN coach you never know.

  • JeffN

    That Packers offense drops at least a 30 burger, maybe a 40 burger. Cutler get’s picked off at least once and that’s being generous, he is going to have to force the ball to his WRs if he wants to make progress and what happens when you force the ball to the likes of Nick Collins, and Charles Woodson lurking about the secondary? We all know the answer to that.

    Yeah you heard me we drop at minimum a 30 burger. Yes I understand people don’t want to get overly optomistic. The way I see it the players and coaches have to do their do diligents and not be overly optimistic… I do not have to do my do diligents. I’m kicking it back with pizza, chips, beer and pretzels and watch the Pack win this game! Just wish I could of gotten tickets to this one.

  • roy jamison

    Al, I agree with Reid and JeffN…Yeah I know you should never get too giddy when playing da Bears. Lovie is a good coach and has had the Packers number over the years. But the reason I feel good about this game is the superior strength of wideouts the Packers have and which the Bears don’t have. That, plus an iffy Bears secondary should give Reid’s and JeffN’s prediction of 30 plus points credibility. In fact, I really don’t think this Bears team can comeback if they get a couple of TDs down. Who is Cutler going to throw long to? Hester? I expect Cutler will have some success throwing to the TE, but not as much as we are used to seeing. I believe the 3-4 coverage is going to limit even that option.

  • Reid

    On another note, a lot of people are panicking over our back-up QB situation if Rodgers gets hurt. What if Cutler gets hurt, has anyone seen the Bears’ depth chart? Who is Hanie?

  • http://jlworden1suddenlink.net Larry

    Yeah, good TEs, for some reason have always caused us fits. But……man for man the Bearse don’t match up. Geez, the Jets pay him 12mil and he throws ‘em under the bus. Man, why can’t he stay out of the press anymore? I guess there was more to the separate dressing room than just privacy. I always blamed McCarthy for that; now I think I might have been wrong. Just can’t keep his mouth shut anymore. It’ll be a long time before the NYC writers give him any HOF votes.

  • FAUJim

    If the Pack want to dominate I think they will need a good start from their special teams….great points made by Wilde

    http://www.espnmadison.com/includes/news_items/1/news_items_more.php?id=154&section_id=1

  • Pack4life

    Ok new rules Vikings can do whatever they want. They can tamper and use roids it doesnt matter. The Vikes may have won this battle but I am sure the NFL wont maintain a city that doesnt allow its drug testing. Hello LA Vikes

  • Cody

    Bill Simmons posted that he had the us winning the superbowl over the steelers!
    http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/090910
    now that is exciting.. and somewhat strange…

  • Jeff

    Chessy D.

    If you can believe it , the Packers and Bears played a 2-0 game in the pre season in the mid 1970s at Milwaukee County Stadium.

  • Jeff

    Roy.
    I will say this as many times as I have to. It was not the Packers that Lovie Smith dominated , it was Favre he dominated and that was proven last year.
    Lovie Smith live off of turnovers and we know that Brett had the tendency to force up some bad passes and that is why Lovie had his way with hi. Rodgers takes better care of the ball and that is why the Packers beat them up in Lambeau last year.
    The Bear tight ends did nothing against us last year because we put Woodsen on Olsen.

  • iccyfan

    Pack4life Says: “Ok new rules Vikings can do whatever they want.”

    I was thinking about this “state” vs “federal” court scenario and kinda chuckling as to why either would meddle in piddling sports league rules violations. Where’s it end? Has the statute of limitations run out on Al Davis or can he appeal the “tuck rule” to the Cali Supreme Court and win the rights to the Patriots SB title?

    My thought is that the “Williams Wall” should never have taken this clear-cut rules violation to court in the first place in order to win a reprieve. Goodell has to be fuming and I hope his staff is looking for a way to suspend the cheaters for an entire season to set the precedent the NFL doesn’t work this way; you break the rules and you serve your suspension! As Packer fans, we can only hope there’s some sort of a reversal and the Williams boys have to serve their four games at the end of this season when the games are critical…

  • Pack4life

    As someone who lived in MN a long time, this is typical. The Vikings are a bottom feeder organization with a sorry fan base (still facing blackouts). Let Scalia, Thomas,Roberts,Alito and Supreme Court look at this decision. What about equal protection? The Saints players have to sit.
    If anyone doubted the divided locker room of the Vikes look at the Bobby Wade situation. Even the MN press says they are broken up about it.

  • Dan

    Only way this game is close is if Packers fumble it away. Bears play to strip the ball, so just take care of it and the games over.

  • iccyfan

    Pack4life Says: “As someone who lived in MN a long time, this is typical. The Vikings are a bottom feeder organization with a sorry fan base (still facing blackouts).”

    I lived in the Twin Cities (Apple Valley in specific) for 4.5 years and used to laugh at my fair-weather co-worker Viking fans. I was there when General Mills put up the millions (for black-out avoidance) they thought would last five years but got eaten up in half a season…

    If the players had any remaining doubt as to “management commitment” to them, it should be gone with the Bobby Wade ordeal. No doubt they understand the NFL is a business, but the way the Vikings roll is dirty business!

  • packer_bob

    Al,

    The new media respect for the Packers is all about the preseason, pure and simple. It’s a mistake, imo, to get too excited about what happens in the pre but we didn’t just win with the first string, it was domination. The numbers by the starting O and D weren’t just good, they were supernaturally spooky. I think the Arizona game cinched it, as it was billed as a real test, and we found some respect in the eyes of some of the media.

    How real that streak was, or whether or not it was a mirage, we’re about to find out. I think we’re further along than the Bears right now, and predict a pretty comfortable victory. I think we get out of the gate fast, get a big lead, and breeze easy down the back stretch to a 35-17 victory.

  • packer_bob

    Jeff,

    You can say it all you want, but the reality is for most of the Lovie Smith era the Packers haven’t been very good as a team. I seem to remember us getting ready to piss pound the Bears in the first meeting in 2007, and we lost something like 3 fumbles, 2 by James Jones I think. Guess that was BF’s fault too.

    Favre probably had some shitty games statistically against the Bears in 2005 and 2006, but we weren’t very good, especially in 2005. I’m not sure how good you’re supposed to look with a porous line, Samkon Gado and Noah Herron as your RB’s and not much to work with at WR other than Driver.

    The reality is that during the years BF was a quote-Bear killer-unquote, we had superior teams for the most part. And for a good stretch of Lovie’s tenure, we haven’t been very good. We split with them last year, split not swept, and the one we won we pounded the ball up their ass at will. If we could have done that for the majority of the Lovie era in Chicago, we wouldn’t be having this conversation, so I’m not sure how that proves your point.

    At any rate, let’s hope we are entering into another a long stretch where we own those sons of bitches! Sure was alot more fun that way!

  • http://jlworden1suddenlink.net Larry

    I think you’re there p_b. Last Bearse game Grant had (6) runs for losses and Rodgers took (4) hits. Does anyone think, that w/ their D stars a year older and our revamped OL, that will happen again? I’ll throw out the Pre, although who could not be encouraged, but we were not that bad a team last year. Think about how we lost (7) of those games and what we have done to correct what happened. If any of you want to throw out the Pre, I’ll throw out last years record. Tillman is a terrible loss for them in this game and using Hester as a receiver dilutes his effectiveness as a return guy – look what happened to his return production last year. I would think McCarthy knows how to handle Cutler (young Favre?).

    Looks to me like same ole CHI; TEs and RBs w/o the super D.

  • http://jlworden1suddenlink.net Larry

    Way to cover yourself Al, but your blowout senario is closer to the truth going in. Re answer to p_b above. That 37-3 was a better indication of this team than the nail biter. We have only gotten more experienced with the same roster, plus improved the Specials whether they proved it in the Pre or not. Add to that the new D scheme that Lovie has to plan for. I can’t see how the Cutler/TE/RB group can keep up with Rodgers/Fab5 against the 3-4 to take away Forte. After all, Forte only had 64 and 73 yd games against us and when we were banged up it was another one of those 3 point games.

  • packer_bob

    “That 37-3 was a better indication of this team than the nail biter.”

    From our perspective yes, I’m sure a Bears fan would disagree. I don’t personally remember all the details from that 37-3 game or the shape of the Bears at the time, but I remember we ran on them at will the entire the game. I’m sure they would say that is not indicative of their normal defense and would argue that their O is greatly improved this year.

    Even if you grant that, I’m still thinking we should handle them pretty easily this first game. We have improved the O-line, have a QB and receiving corps that is familiar with each other and appears to already be in mid-season form. They have a QB on a new team still working to develop that chemistry in his first real game with his new teammates and it’s in our house.

    Plus, I just don’t think there is any way they can be prepared for our new look defense. Maybe the 2nd time they see us, after they’ve had several weeks of game film to look at, but I think they’re in for a big surprise tomorrow night as far as our D.
    I think our O scores points in the first half, we get at least a couple of turnovers and cruise to a pretty easy victory. The only potential problems I see are of the shooting yourself in the foot variety (turnovers, penalties, special teams gaffes etc.)

    Mind you, this does not mean I’m picking us to go to the SB or even win the division at this point. I just think we are alot closer to where we want to be right now than the Bears are. In fact, this is a game we should win as I think most of us that have predicted a winning record for the Pack this year are doing so in part because of the schedule. We need to take care of business at home and against the weaker teams we face early in the year. If we lose this game it doesn’t mean hit the panic button but I must admit it would deflate me big time.

    I would be totally shocked if we lose this game, period.

  • http://jlworden1suddenlink.net Larry

    Excuse me for bringing in ancient history, but that is what killed us in the ’70s and ’80s; no killer instinct when we were ahead in games and not winning the games we should have. We’ve learned our lesson and this team will not let it happen-we are too aggresive to repeat those senarios. Sportsmanship be damned, rub it in. Don’t let them forget that point spreads, Div. wins, wins against common opponents, and the like count at the end if ties in standings occur.

  • Packer_Bob

    I agree with you about the killer instinct Larry, sometimes it seems like we take our foot off the accelerator when things are going our way. Clearly, this is all TT’s fault.

    Nah, I’m just kidding. But seriously, I do think MM gets too conservative at times, as has our defensive play calling in the past few years imo. Think you have to lay at the feet of the coaching staff, either by design or allowing a team mindset to set in when ahead. I’m not in favor of running up the score per se, but just how much of a lead is big enough these days? Didn’t Indianapolis come back from like a 3 td defecit in the last 5 minutes a few years ago?

    I mean, if you’re up 40-10 with 3 minutes to go and still throwing deep passes than you’re an asshole, but sometimes we get up a couple of TD’s and let off the gas. Those are way different scenarios.

  • Ratpack

    One of things that i will be paying attention to will be the Linebackers with their exotic blitzing. The one thing that makes me nervous is not getting to the QB quick enough. When the defense blitzes it has to have the get there yesterday mentality and if the Linebackers cant get to the QB quick enough we will be picked apart. Remember in preseason games nobody game plans for exotic blitzes its fairly basic planning. The Bears and the rest of the NFL have had 3 games to get an Idea what the Packers will try to do. So to say the Packers will blow away the Bears I hope is right but I am not convinced. Pack 17 Bears 13.

  • http://Orlando Mark

    Ratpack, what concerns me about the defense is Cullen Jenkins vs. the run. He’s an asset on passing downs but I would put Raji there in run situations. I’m sure Capers has something figured out, but that’s the only problem I can come up with. Blitzing is an art, when to use it and how to disguise it. I know we’ll blitz better this year but it would really be effective if we can get the lead and they have to pass. If they can run effectively it will be close, if we run well they haven’t got a chance. It should be a great game.

  • Ratpack

    I totally agree, I think Capers is the best thing that could ever happen to this Defense, the knowledge that he has of the 3-4 is almost scientific, the only thing I am saying is after 3 preseason games I am not ready to call any game especially this game a blow out. The best thing to watch Raji do tomorrow is watch him collapse the interior pocket and have the Linebackers make plays. Go Pack Go!!!

  • http://jlworden1suddenlink.net Larry

    Mark, you answered your own concern, in that Jenkins’ ability to push ties up two OLs. ie, thereby freeing up those indispensable LBs. He doesn’t have to make the tackle.

  • Mel e Mel

    Here Here Larry He does his job and dictates to opposing offenses not vice versa.

  • packer_bob

    I’m still predicting a beat down of epic proportions tonight, matchups be damned. Unless the Bears bring King Kong or Godzilla with them, this is over early.

    Watched the Vikes at noon, damn, AP is a beast. Granted, it was just Cleveland but it was in their house and all BF had to do was hand the ball off alot and make a couple of passes.

    But anyway, condition critical for the Bears tonight, and the game hasn’t even started yet! I’m not normally given to flights of fancy, but I have a fairly large bet on the Pack tonight and will be suprised if we’re not ahead by two touchdowns by halftime.

    It’s for real now so Go Pack Go! Peace y’all!

  • roy jamison

    I watched the Vikes game today and came away unimpressed. The Browns had some success running the ball. Brady Quinn has a long way to go in being a qb. The Vikes special teams aren’t too special.

  • packer_bob

    No, it was far from perfection, but you weren’t impressed by AP?

  • Mel e Mel

    anyone got Tauschers #? Seriously John Runyan is available

  • Ratpack

    Never base your opinions on how the season will go on preseason games. Offense has allot of work to do. Defense did a great job but we sure were vulnerable a few times with the blitzes. Good tough win. Go Pack!