Score Fast and Early!

The Chicago Bears (5-6) still have life for a playoff berth…kind of. This Thursday when everyone will be stuffing their faces with delicious Thanksgiving food, the Bears and Lions will be looking to stay in the playoff race. Only way I see the Bears making the playoffs is if they win out and get a lot of help from other teams. It all starts this Thursday. The Bears need to start off fast, win the turnover battle, and get pressure on Stafford if they want to win this game.

It’s been a while since the Bears have put up points on the scoreboard in the 1^st quarter. They haven’t scored in the 1^st quarter since they played Carolina on October 5^th. So honestly you won’t be missing much if you didn’t watch the 1^st quarter of a Bears game. The Bears have been outscored 48-14 in the 1^st quarter since that Carolina game.

Start off fast and don’t look back, that’s what the Bears offense needs to do to win this game. I have been waiting all season for the Bears to have a complete game on offense and each week it seems there is a penalty, a poorly thrown ball, a bad route, bad play call that kills a drive and then forces the Bears to punt. It’s time for Trestman and the offense to have a complete game. When you score early in a ball game that gives you confidence and that’s what the Bears need against a good opponent like Detroit, score early in their house and don’t stop. Chicago can do this if they can somehow establish the run game. That’s going to be tough against the number one ranked rushing defense. If the Bears can get at least four yards on first down, that puts them in a great position to pick up the rest of the yardage through the air. Jay Cutler might have to throw the ball 35-40 times to win this ball game but as long as the line gives him time I believe Cutler can put the ball only where his receivers can get it.

Maybe if you read my blog this phrase might sound familiar, “JAY CUTLER DON’T TURN THE BALL OVER!” I don’t think that Cutler reads my blogs because he keeps doing what I tell him not to do. Chicago is still finding a way to win despite Cutler turning over the ball, but against a good team like Detroit, turnovers will lose you the game. If we see a Cutler fumble or interception, Detroit has the weapons to capitalize and make the Bears pay for their mistakes. When pressure is in Cutlers face he needs to just take a sack or somehow escape the pocket and throw the ball away. I’ll take a punt any day over a turnover. Hopefully the Bears can get the punt off because special teams have been struggling all year. Nonetheless if the Bears can win the turnover battle they have a shot at upsetting Detroit this Thursday. 

Last thing Chicago must do to beat Detroit this Thursday is keep playing defense at a consistent level. The Bears defense has forced five turnovers in the past two weeks and a lot of credit should be given to the play of the defensive line. This group is playing until they hear the whistle and are getting consistent pressure on opposing QB’s. That’s what I need to see this week, don’t let Stafford set his feet and keep him moving. Stafford is definitely capable of making plays outside of the pocket but if the defense can keep him guessing and moving around this only increases the chances of adding to the turnovers the Bears defense have been causing. The Bears secondary did a great job of containing rookie wide out Mike Evans last Sunday and will have to do the same against the best in the game, Calvin Johnson. It’s no easy task for the defense but I believe the defense has confidence and will show it on Thursday.

If Chicago wants to stay in the hunt, they need to come ready to play on Thanksgiving. Let’s hope the Bears gobble up the Lions and come out with a victory! Bears 31- Lions 24.

http://www.nflrush.com/story/photos-week-4-bears-vs-lions