Green Bay Packers: Bears scouting report ahead of Week 15
More talented than their record suggests, the Chicago Bears are determined to burst the Green Bay Packers’ bubble.Soldier Field has been kind to the Packers in recent years, Green Bay winning on its past six visits (including playoffs). But a seventh consecutive victory in Chicago will have to be earned, John Fox’s stubborn Bears determined to leave a dent in the Packers’ playoff hopes.PACKERS: Stock up, stock down following win over SeattlePACKER PERSPECTIVE: McCarthy deserves credit for dramatic turnaroundThe Packers enter Sunday’s game on the back of three straight wins, including an emphatic 38-10 beatdown of the Seattle Seahawks at Lambeau Field last week.The Bears, quarterbacked by third-string Matt Barkley, are 1-2 in games he’s started, but have remained competitive in their two defeats. Barkley led an inspired drive late at Detroit last week, and was on the verge of at least sending the game to overtime had it not been for offensive penalties.Chicago is 3-3 at home this year, unbeaten against NFC North opponents at Soldier Field. How can the Packers prevent their rivals from sweeping the division on home turf? Let’s take a closer look at Sunday’s opponents.Next: The X-Factor Dec 4, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears running back Jordan Howard (24) rushes the ball past San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker Gerald Hodges (51) and defensive end Ronald Blair (98) during the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
The X-Factor: Jordan Howard
Rookie sensation Jordan Howard’s name will be at the top of Dom Capers’ gameplan this week. His breakout season is forcing the league to take notice.
Howard, who didn’t earn his first start until Week 4, has already piled up 969 rushing yards and five touchdowns in his debut campaign. This is even more impressive when you consider who his quarterback is, third-string Matt Barkley, who fills in for the injured Jay Cutler and Brian Hoyer.
Howard is a physical, downhill runner averaging 3.06 yards-after-contact, according to Pro Football Focus. Stopping him requires an excellent tackling defense.
The Packers bottled up the rookie in the first meeting between the two teams, restricting him to just 22 yards from seven carries, but he’s been on fire ever since. John Fox has increased his workload in the backfield and the rookie hasn’t disappointed.
In six games following the meeting at Lambeau, Howard has turned 121 carries into 617 yards and four touchdowns.
Frigid conditions are forecast in Chicago this week. Expect another heavy dose of Howard. The Bears’ young star has big boots to fill with Matt Forte’s departure, but he’s a player Chicago can their offense around.
The Packers must have an answer for him Sunday.
Nov 13, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery (17) against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. The Buccaneers won 36-10. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Bears offense
When Matt Barkley emerged as the Bears’ starting quarterback following an injury to backup Brian Hoyer, everyone expected the offense to rank among the league’s worst.
But Barkley has been OK. Despite only tossing one touchdown pass in his past two games, the former Eagle has protected the football well with zero interceptions in that span. Barkley completed 20 of 32 attempts for 212 yards and a touchdown last week in Detroit, and was confidently marching his team towards a potential game-winning touchdown before sloppy penalties derailed their momentum.
Barkley’s receivers haven’t helped him. The Bears have 32 dropped passes on the season, fifth-highest in the league, according to Sportradar, via Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
While Barkley has played respectably, he’s limited. He did manage the game well in Detroit, but the Bears’ spark came on the ground from Jordan Howard.
Player to watch: Alshon Jeffery
Jeffery returns to action following the completion of his four-game suspension. On a contract year, the Bears’ star receiver is determined to finish the season strong. He won’t beat you with his speed, but Jeffery is one of the league’s best when it comes to making contested catches. The Packers will need to be wary of his threat in the red zone.
For all of Jeffery’s talents, he’s yet to post a 100-yard game against the Packers. He’s caught 34 passes for 450 yards and two touchdowns in nine games versus Green Bay.
Dec 4, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears outside linebacker Leonard Floyd (94) celebrates with Chicago Bears strong safety Deon Bush (26) after forcing a safety on the San Francisco 49ers during the fourth quarter of the game at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports
Bears defense
Nobody bullies the Bears defense anymore. Vic Fangio’s rising unit is getting healthy and displaying lots of potential.
Despite a number of question marks in the secondary, the Bears are No. 6 against the pass, largely due to tremendous work up front. Chicago is tied with Buffalo, Green Bay and Tennessee for No. 5 in sacks (33). Free agent acquisition Akiem Hicks has turned out to be a great addition, while rookie pass rusher Leonard Floyd continues to impress.
Fangio’s defenses historically win up front, even without much talent in the defensive backfield. This is holding true in Chicago this year.
The Bears have generated pressure consistently in four-man rushes, but Fangio could be forced to send more bodies if the Packers’ offensive line holds up as it did last week versus Seattle. The Seahawks’ gameplan was to win by rushing four, but registered just three quarterback hits and one sack on Aaron Rodgers, per Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times.
If the Bears can’t win with four and are forced to send pressure, the Packers could win with shorter, quicker passes as they have been doing for much of the season.
Player to watch: Leonard Floyd
Rookie Leonard Floyd is emerging as one of the Bears’ biggest playmakers on defense. Floyd is raw but an excellent athlete who wins with speed. Selected ninth overall last April, the rookie notched two sacks against the Packers at Lambeau in Week 7. He forced a fumble of Aaron Rodgers and scored.
Floyd is tied with Akiem Hicks for second among Bears in sacks (seven), 6.5 of which have come in his past six games.
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