NFL Czar: Shootout in Soldier Field
After a couple of incredibly
unpredictable weeks in the NFL, we
are starting to see who the major
players will be come playoff time.
Two teams that will likely be at the
forefront of playoff discussions in
the NFC will be the Green Bay
Packers and the Chicago Bears.
The Packers, of course, are the defending champions, and they have looked nearly unstoppable so far this year. Aaron Rodgers will be at the head of Most Valuable Player talks all year, and the defence will play better than it did week one against New Orleans. The Bears came into the season as huge question marks, but good play from Jay Cutler will lead them back to the playoffs.
Key Matchups
1. Clay Matthews vs. Gabe Carimi — First off, Matthews was ROBBED of the Defensive Player of the Year honours in 2010. There, I said it. He will give the rookie Carimi fits all day with his size and athleticism. Carimi was a highly touted rookie, but his skills will be put to the test here.
2. Aaron Rodgers vs. Brian Urlacher — Rodgers, as I said, will be in the MVP talks all year, but he could have his hands full with the Bears' defensive captain. Urlacher has been around a while, and he will have the defence ready to stop ARod's attack.
3. James Starks vs. Ryan Grant — These two Packers running backs will likely battle all year for carries. Starks was a beast in the playoffs last year (when Grant was hurt), and he needs to stay dominant to keep his job. Grant is a former 1,000-yard rusher, so the Packers will likely have a talented runner either way. It's a good matchup to watch, though.
The Rundown
This will be a great test for Cutler and the Bears. If you remember, it was the Packers that injured Cutler in the NFC title game last year, so he will be out for revenge. The Bears' defence is better than any the Pack have seen thus far, so this should be a very good matchup. However, I am going to take the Packers here, in a high-scoring affair, 31 to 24.
For next week, I will take a look at the Sunday Nighter, which should be an epic defensive battle. Until then, follow me on Twitter @JVZ_NFLCzar.
The Packers, of course, are the defending champions, and they have looked nearly unstoppable so far this year. Aaron Rodgers will be at the head of Most Valuable Player talks all year, and the defence will play better than it did week one against New Orleans. The Bears came into the season as huge question marks, but good play from Jay Cutler will lead them back to the playoffs.
Key Matchups
1. Clay Matthews vs. Gabe Carimi — First off, Matthews was ROBBED of the Defensive Player of the Year honours in 2010. There, I said it. He will give the rookie Carimi fits all day with his size and athleticism. Carimi was a highly touted rookie, but his skills will be put to the test here.
2. Aaron Rodgers vs. Brian Urlacher — Rodgers, as I said, will be in the MVP talks all year, but he could have his hands full with the Bears' defensive captain. Urlacher has been around a while, and he will have the defence ready to stop ARod's attack.
3. James Starks vs. Ryan Grant — These two Packers running backs will likely battle all year for carries. Starks was a beast in the playoffs last year (when Grant was hurt), and he needs to stay dominant to keep his job. Grant is a former 1,000-yard rusher, so the Packers will likely have a talented runner either way. It's a good matchup to watch, though.
The Rundown
This will be a great test for Cutler and the Bears. If you remember, it was the Packers that injured Cutler in the NFC title game last year, so he will be out for revenge. The Bears' defence is better than any the Pack have seen thus far, so this should be a very good matchup. However, I am going to take the Packers here, in a high-scoring affair, 31 to 24.
For next week, I will take a look at the Sunday Nighter, which should be an epic defensive battle. Until then, follow me on Twitter @JVZ_NFLCzar.
