Four Critical Matchups In The Falcons-Bears Game

by Dave Choate on Sep 10, 2011 1:00 PM EDT in Falcons News

The game is approaching.

I'm sorry, I didn't give that the appropriate gravity.

The game is approaching!

Better. With the Falcons so close to stepping onto the rough-hewn turf at Soldier Field, it's impossible not to be excited. If you watched Grayson's video yesterday, you probably had a flood of memories from the 2010 season, which probably got you more psyched for the 2011 season, and now you have to take some downers. Apologies if those are expensive.

Excitement aside, this promises to be a challenge. In the interest of expounding upon why this will be a good game and what you should watch out for, I'm bringing back my four pre-game matchups worth giving an extra damn about. A couple of these things were covered earlier in the week in my Bears preview, but hey, they're still fresh!

As always, your feedback is welcomed. Hit the jump with me!

Matt Forte vs. Falcons Defense

Kind of a no-brainer. The Falcons are stronger on the edges and in general than they have been in the past, but Brian Van Gorder's defensive scheming has always left the team open to assault from pass-catching running backs.

Unfortunately for the Falcons, Forte just so happens to be a borderline elite receiver out of the backfield. It's going to take some defensive ingenuity and the watchful eyes of a linebacker or two to hold him in check. If they can take away that option, Jay Cutler will have to throw to guys like Roy Williams. Ouch.

Roddy White and Julio Jones vs. Bears Cornerbacks

Not really a fair matchup, which is exactly why the Falcons need to exploit it.

Roddy White is one of the best route runners in the business, and one of the best receivers period. Charles Tillman is a solid cornerback with good size (listed at 6'2"), but it's going to be tough for him to hang with White throughout the entire game. You have to like that matchup. Frankly, I like Roddy versus any cornerback not named Revis or Asomugha.

Then there's Julio Jones versus Tim Jennings. Again, Jennings is solid enough, but Jones has about eight inches in height on him. If Jones is even close to as good as he looked in the pre-season, that's going to be a tough disparity to overcome.

I fully expect to see Matt Ryan come out slinging.

Matt Bosher vs. Devin Hester

Yes, the Bears' number one receiver is also their kick and punt returner. No, I don't fully understand it, either.

Hester is a dangerous weapon as a receiver and a returner, but frankly I'm more worried about the latter. Bosher should be able to hit the back of the end zone and keep Hester from channeling his inner Randall Cobb tomorrow, but on punts the stakes are a little higher. Those of you who have wrung your hands over Bosher's fortunes will get a chance to see whether the coaches instructed him to punt short or if his leg strength is somewhat less than desirable.

Let's hope he does not disappoint.

Falcons Offensive Line vs. Bears Pass Rush

The Bears have an ever-shifting defensive line, one that might feature Julius Peppers inside on one snap and a lycanthrope in a Richard Dent jersey the next. It's a little frightening.

Pair that with the Falcons trotting out Joe Hawley and Garrett Reynolds at center and right guard, respectively, and you get a sense of why I might be slightly worried about how this one will turn out. Ice needs time to throw, after all, and generally when you're staring up at gray Chicago skies while Henry Melton mauls you, you're already out of time.

Watch this one closely.

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Comments

I'm quietly confident Ryan will have a 300 yard game

But I just read that the Bears only allowed 14 passing TDs all year. Kinda wish I had that $20 on White catching one back. I think Hawley and Baker’s play will win or lose us the game, it’s what stand between a 20 carry 40 yard game for Turner and a 20 carry 120 yard game.

Be sure to check out this week's Best Case/Worst Case article here.

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by Turner_The_Burner on Sep 10, 2011 1:06 PM EDT reply actions

I think Hawley and Baker’s play will win or lose us the game

THIS to infinity and beyond. I’m just praying Julius P has an off day and/or Baker comes out with a chip on his shoulder.

by James Rael on Sep 10, 2011 10:42 PM EDT up reply actions

About Turner

He might end up with a 20 carry – 80 yard game, and people will yell, “He’s declining! He’s not worth it!” But the truth is, Michael Turner is the engine that makes the offense go. That being said, I really do hope that Matt Ryan becomes that engine and Turner becomes a compliment. It’s time to flip the script from 2008 and take the training wheels off of Matty Ice.

by ndnpride8806 on Sep 10, 2011 1:51 PM EDT reply actions

Last Year Turner was the clog in the Offense.

Last year Turner was holding back the offense and put more load on Ryan. Ryan had to be very efficient to run a slow methodical, time consuming offense with out much help from Running game. This year it may be makes sense to just throw the ball if Turner is not efficient.

It's all about Process...

by Vishnu_falcon on Sep 10, 2011 2:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Agreed

by Dirtybirdz90 on Sep 10, 2011 4:32 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

this is the year

when no matter how good our defense is or might be, our fate is in our offense’s hands.

even with elite pass rushers the Bears have, Ryan has enough weapons to score points (provided Mularkey’s doesn;t screw up). if we build an early lead, that will take away many of Bears options, and Cutler will have to throw on most downs – and I like our chances then.

Atlanta Falcons fan in Moscow, Russia

by Gemini-RU on Sep 10, 2011 1:56 PM EDT reply actions

Whatever

happens we need to get pressure on Cutler we cant have him just sit in the pocket and pick our D apart. Hopefully Ray Edwards and JA can get it done

by Erihury on Sep 10, 2011 2:33 PM EDT reply actions

I think they'll bring the pressure

with Edwards on rookie Carimi (though he’s a good rookie) and JA on Webb, with one year of experience and an inconsistent motor. They will undoubtedly get help from the tight end; if Forte has to chip in to help, it’ll compromise him as a receiver.

by randomaxe on Sep 10, 2011 3:06 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm cautiously optimistic

about tomorrow. Chicago is a good team that’s even better at home and our Falcons haven’t been road warriors in the past. That being said, I think we have one of the more talented Falcons teams ever and smart guys on the coaching staff and FO. Our offense has the talent to run up an impressive score against a very good Bears D with the right play-calling. Our CBs shouldn’t have any problems covering the Bears’ average WRs, Abraham, Edwards, Babs and Jerry should be able to pressure Cutler-hopefully sack him a few times instead of just pressuring and our LBs should have no problems with Chicago’s nonexistent TEs. Spoon and Nicholas need to take care of Forte.

I really think our success or failure tomorrow is all up to Mularkey and BVG. Scheme well and adapt to unforeseen circumstances and we’ll win handily. Failure to adapt during the game will spell trouble for us.

by drmondo667 on Sep 10, 2011 3:14 PM EDT reply actions

One of the things you note here in the article is that Devin Hester is Chicago’s number 1 wide out…. I believe, being a Bears fan, you’ve made a mistake. Johnny Knox made the most yardage as wide out last season, just under the 1000 yrd mark.

Comments about Roy Williams… well so far in the pre season a) came in overweight, b) did not catch a ball, was given the title as Starting WR without stepping foot on the practice field, and absolutely was outplayed by Johnny Knox.

Bears are going to use Hester in more Special Teams settings this year than last. Which is great for the Bears, not so much for their opponents.

I like that you have confidence in Julio…. me too. Its great that White has a 1b with him this year… may be a break out year for both of these guys. Fantasy Pools (ie: Yahoo, ESPN) don’t have that much confidence in him being a true break out this year. I’ll have to wait and see.

Best of luck tomorrow. Its going to be interesting how much Forte will get the ball. I believe you are right, if he plays well, gets a head of steam running and a few catches out of the backfield, it could get pretty interesting.

And the addition of Brandon Merriweather is a bonus for the Bears, if he can be the impact player of old, there should be some nice open field hits on the highlight reel.

by Cruisin4aBruisin on Sep 10, 2011 4:15 PM EDT reply actions

I know that Knox is a superior option

But I see your initial depth chart has Hester and Williams listed as the starters. That’s the assumption I worked off of for the first game, even if I eventually believe Knox and Earl Bennett should be outside in the long-term.

Appreciate the comment, by the way. Definitely hope it’s a great game.

by Dave Choate on Sep 10, 2011 5:53 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree with that

Knox is a good option, and if it’s Hester and Knox on the outside at some point, I wonder who Brent Grimes will go against. (I would think Hester, because I don’t think DR can run with Hester.) Hopefully our LB’s can stay in front of Forte. That’s my biggest worry.

I see Merriweather almost like a Dallas Roy Williams…big hitter, but struggles in coverage. The safeties seem to be the weak point for the Bears, and I hope JJ, Roddy White, and HD can exploit them.

by ndnpride8806 on Sep 10, 2011 11:19 PM EDT up reply actions

I wouldn't say Roddy White is in for a breakout year

He has 4 1000 yard receiving seasons in a row and the most receiving TDs and yards in the league over the last 3 years.

by Mosugo on Sep 11, 2011 7:23 AM EDT up reply actions

I never said that

Did I? I figured his break out year was back in 2007…when Vick left…

by ndnpride8806 on Sep 11, 2011 12:32 PM EDT up reply actions

No

Cruisin for a bruisin said it, the reply just appeared further down.

by Mosugo on Sep 11, 2011 12:47 PM EDT up reply actions

In other news

Bobo making me thankful we have Mularkey.

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by Caleb Rutherford on Sep 10, 2011 5:33 PM EDT reply actions

Bobo??

More like Bozo…

by birdwatch on Sep 10, 2011 5:40 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

AAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by FLA_Falcon on Sep 10, 2011 7:04 PM EDT reply actions

I have a question...

When we go nickel, who are the two LBs that stay on the field? Spoon and Lofton would be my guess, but since Nicholas was better on 3rd down, does Nicholas stay? I guess it depends on the situation as well…

3rd and 3 —> Lofton and Nicholas
3rd and 7 —> Lofton and Spoon

Is it a possible that Lofton comes out like 2008? I doubt it. The guy is too beastly.

by ndnpride8806 on Sep 10, 2011 9:07 PM EDT reply actions

Sir...

I believe you have your situations confused. 3rd and 3-Spoon and Lofton.
3rd and 7-Lofton and Nicholas.
Nichs was much, much, much better against the pass than Spoon than last year. I do not doubt the Spoon, but Nicholas was better against the pass.

by birdwatch on Sep 10, 2011 9:38 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

My bad

I meant it the other way around.

by ndnpride8806 on Sep 10, 2011 11:13 PM EDT up reply actions

I hope its SN.

Last year it was mostly Spoon who was part of the Nickel package.

It's all about Process...

by Vishnu_falcon on Sep 10, 2011 10:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Bears running game

Forte will get 25 touches easy. Your DE may be an upgrade, but with Peters out, you are weak in the middle.

by Bearaholic on Sep 10, 2011 10:08 PM EDT reply actions

Bad news for you, then.

Peters is barely better than his backups, which is a testament to Vance Walker and Peria Jerry if anything. I’ll take Babs and Walker and you can keep your ‘weak in the middle.’

by VenomySnicket on Sep 11, 2011 12:20 AM EDT up reply actions

We aren't weak in the middle, thanks

Peters, Walker and Jerry are all almost the same ability. Peters being listed as the starter is simply because Jerry is a 3 technique and Peters is a 1 tech. The rotation is so frequent that Peters isn’t an every down player in any sense.

by Mosugo on Sep 11, 2011 7:25 AM EDT up reply actions

^This AND

I think, since he’s fully healthy, Jerry might even be better. It might be good to see Peters get some rest and see if Jerry lives up to that potential we thought he’d display in 2008. Good to see Jerry healthy.

by ndnpride8806 on Sep 11, 2011 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions

Saw a good PFF on this game

and they mentioned Earl Bennett vs. the Middle of the Falcons DEF. As we all know, our beloved Birds can struggle mightily do to BVG’s telegraphed zone blitz schemes, and the struggles most often manifest in between the numbers about 12 yards from the LOS. That space just happens to be where Earl Bennett goes to work. Let’s hope whoever’s in front of him (Nicks, Spoon, Owens, Franks, Hayden, Kitchen Sink) can stay with him.

by KMarch on Sep 10, 2011 10:25 PM EDT reply actions