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| George Halas and Vince Lombardi at Lambeau Field in 1964 |
So we’ve finally reached the end of what Chicago sports radio has referred to affectionately as “Meatball Week,” and I’m pretty sure that you’ve heard that there’s a pretty big game that’s being played on Sunday. I, like all other Chicagoans have completely bought into the hype, read every article about every matchup and heard every interview with every player that’s ever played in this rivalry. So instead of adding my own checklist of why this NFC Championship game is “the biggest game in Chicago sports history,” let’s focus on the matchup that’s going to be on the field.
The Packers come into this game billed as “the hottest team in football,” and it’s hard to argue against that label. Aaron Rodgers comes into this game having thrown six touchdowns against no interceptions in his two playoff games this year, and the Packers put 45 points on the NFC’s number one seed at home last weekend. Chicago also cruised into the conference championship game, beating up on Seattle for three quarters before allowing them to pad their stats late in a 35-24 win. The Bears have been riding this wave for awhile since they’ve won eight of their last 10 games, and Green Bay isn’t too far off, winning their last four after losing two consecutive games when Aaron Rodgers went down with a concussion in December. So with two seemingly similar teams in two seemingly similar situations, who’s got the edge?
Let’s take a look at the keys to the game:
1. Special teams is king.
It goes without saying that Devin Hester is the best and most feared kick returner in history. (Go ahead, I dare you to argue.) His contribution is going to be a deciding factor in this game. Hester has averaged 17.1 yards per punt return this season, and he ran one back for a touchdown against the Packers earlier this year. While many teams have tried directional kicks to keep the ball away from Hester, that strategy also can play into the Bears hands because even if Hester doesn’t touch the ball the Bears usually can get good field position. Special teams has been an Achilles heel for Green Bay this year, and if this group can’t lineup capable players on their coverage units, Chicago could put up more points than everyone thinks they will.
2. Killer corners
The cornerback tandem of Charles Woodson and Tramond Williams has probably been the best in the NFL this season. Woodson is the reigning defensive player of the year and Williams very quietly put together a Pro Bowl caliber season this year. Since Williams has 3 interceptions in the Packers two playoff games so far, that secret is out of the bag and the Bears had better be careful when throwing to his side of the field. As for Chicago’s defensive backfield, they can be pointed to as one of the biggest reasons that the defense has been so exceptional this season. While cornerback Charles Tillman has been a mainstay since 2003, there were whispers going into this season on whether “Peanut” was still good enough to cover every team’s best receiver after a disappointing 2009. Tillman responded with 5 interceptions and three forced fumbles, and his play against receiver Mike Williams in the Divisional round against the Seahawks had big-time player written all over it. On the other side of the field, Tim Jennings took over the starting position from Zac Bowman in week 4 and never looked back. His ability to make tackles is what makes him an integral part of the defense and his and Tillman’s ability to blanket WR’s is what has helped the defensive line generate pressure. Whichever unit gets their hands on more balls is going to decide which QB has a bad day. And when turnovers turn into points things can get out of hand quickly. Just ask the Atlanta Falcons.
3. Play Blackjack
With both defenses playing at the top of their game, this could easily be a slugfest. Conventional theory gives the Packers an advantage because of a)Aaron Rodgers and b) Green Bay’s potential to be a high powered offense. But you can’t easily forget that the last game of the regular season ended in a 10-3 Packers win, and if the Chicago offense had been able to do anything on that fateful night four weeks ago, then the Packers may not have ever had the chance to play in this historic game. If either of these offenses can muster a two score lead it’ll put the other team in a bad place in trying to play comeback against a stingy defense. That could especially mean trouble for Jay Cutler, who’s thrown nine interceptions in four games against the Pack, and his INT with ten seconds remaining sealed the final regular season game. While it may seem like a stretch with Chicago’s defense (or a slap in the face considering the Packers offense), both teams magic number needs to be 21. Anything more than that can be considered running up the score.
So who wins? You can’t deny the extremely high level that Aaron Rodgers is playing at, and while I don’t see him throwing a stinker, I think the Packers will have trouble finding the end zone. The Bears haven’t had too many barn burners either and this game will be no different. My head is telling me that Green Bay is playing too well to be stopped, but my heart (and my home) is in Chicago. It’s gonna be a cold, windy, brutal afternoon next to Lake Michigan, and The Battle of Chicago (as I’m now calling it) is going to be one for the ages. Neither team reaches blackjack, but the house wins with seventeen.
Bears 17, Green Bay 13
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