NFL Czar: Battle for the North
I realize it is ridiculously early
in the season, but the game I am
featuring may be the deciding factor
in the NFC North division. The
Green Bay Packers take their high
expectations with them to Soldier
Field to take on the inconsistent
Chicago Bears.
The Packers are favoured by many to make it to the Super Bowl this season, and while they have the talent, can they win the tough games? They will be seriously tested when they take on Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings, but they will have to win games against their other division foes as well.
Chicago comes into the season as a major question mark. They brought in quarterback Jay Cutler a season ago, and he was very erratic under centre. Now, they bring in defensive end Julius Peppers to bolster their pass rush. Bears head coach Lovie Smith is under a lot of pressure to get the Bears to the playoffs this season, and a win over the Pack would certainly help their cause.
Key Matchups:
1. Aaron Rodgers vs. Jay Cutler: Known as two of the better quarterbacks in the league, these two should provide a very good matchup through the air. In their meetings a season ago, both quarterbacks struggled to take care of the ball. They will have to be better in this one.
2. Julius Peppers vs. Mark Tauscher: As I said, Peppers was brought in to give the Bears a huge boost in the pass rush. Tauscher has struggled early in the season, so this matchup may favour the Bears slightly. If Peppers can get to Rodgers, it'll be a long day for the Packers offence.
3. Jermichael Finley vs. Greg Olsen: The two tight ends in this game are very talented. Finley is an up-and-coming star, while Olsen has been good for a few years. If defences don't scheme for these men, they will pay big time.
The Rundown
This has the potential to be a very one-sided game. The Packers are much more talented, but the Bears are very scrappy, and find ways to stay in games. If they can avoid turning the ball over to the powerful Green Bay offence, the Bears may be able to hang with them.
I expect Peppers and the rest of the defence to get after Rodgers, and force him to make a few mistakes. Despite all that, I am still going to pick the Packers to win, 31-24.
For next week, Donovan McNabb makes his return to Lincoln Financial Field, as the Washington Redskins travel to Philadelphia.
For more from the NFL Czar, check out his blog at jvzsblog.blogspot.com
The Packers are favoured by many to make it to the Super Bowl this season, and while they have the talent, can they win the tough games? They will be seriously tested when they take on Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings, but they will have to win games against their other division foes as well.
Chicago comes into the season as a major question mark. They brought in quarterback Jay Cutler a season ago, and he was very erratic under centre. Now, they bring in defensive end Julius Peppers to bolster their pass rush. Bears head coach Lovie Smith is under a lot of pressure to get the Bears to the playoffs this season, and a win over the Pack would certainly help their cause.
Key Matchups:
1. Aaron Rodgers vs. Jay Cutler: Known as two of the better quarterbacks in the league, these two should provide a very good matchup through the air. In their meetings a season ago, both quarterbacks struggled to take care of the ball. They will have to be better in this one.
2. Julius Peppers vs. Mark Tauscher: As I said, Peppers was brought in to give the Bears a huge boost in the pass rush. Tauscher has struggled early in the season, so this matchup may favour the Bears slightly. If Peppers can get to Rodgers, it'll be a long day for the Packers offence.
3. Jermichael Finley vs. Greg Olsen: The two tight ends in this game are very talented. Finley is an up-and-coming star, while Olsen has been good for a few years. If defences don't scheme for these men, they will pay big time.
The Rundown
This has the potential to be a very one-sided game. The Packers are much more talented, but the Bears are very scrappy, and find ways to stay in games. If they can avoid turning the ball over to the powerful Green Bay offence, the Bears may be able to hang with them.
I expect Peppers and the rest of the defence to get after Rodgers, and force him to make a few mistakes. Despite all that, I am still going to pick the Packers to win, 31-24.
For next week, Donovan McNabb makes his return to Lincoln Financial Field, as the Washington Redskins travel to Philadelphia.
For more from the NFL Czar, check out his blog at jvzsblog.blogspot.com
