JEFF'S CHICAGO SPORTS BLOG - THE BEARS TURN TO ADRIAN PETERSON!
BEARS WOULD REACH .500 WITH A WIN – CAN THEY MAKE THE PLAYOFFS?
In a must win game for the Chicago Bears this Sunday, the Bears will be without starting running back Cedric Benson who sustained a season-ending ankle injury in last week's game. It was very unfortunate as it looked as though Benson had turned the corner and was ready for a hot streak. Now, the Bears face a formidable defense in the New York Giants who have the league lead in Quarterback Sacks.
The Giants are coming off a terrible loss against the Vikings in which their starting Quarterback, Eli Manning, threw three interceptions that were returned for touchdowns.
The Bears will have their hands full with the Giants Defense especially due to both Bear Offensive tackles playing with injuries that have limited their effectiveness. The Giants have a tremendous pass rush in particular from the outside so the Bear tackles will be put to the test. The word coming from Halas Hall on Friday was that John St. Clair was going to start in place of right tackle, Fred Miller.
This will be a big test for Bears QB, Rex Grossman. Assuming the Giants will seek to pressure Grossman, he must be able to make quick reads and stay away from throwing interceptions and/or fumbling the football. The key here will be to see how Adrian Peterson performs, as he will be the featured back for the Bears with Benson's absence. If Peterson can run well and help in protecting Grossman from the outside pass rush, he will be the reason the Bears will win. Peterson runs hard and had a pivotal touchdown in last week's thrilling, come from behind victory against the Denver Broncos.
Peterson has been strong when filling in for Benson and adds a quicker dimension to the Bears offense than the bigger Benson. To date, Peterson is averaging 3.6 yards a carry and has scored a couple of touchdowns. The Bears rank 31st in rushing offense so they hope to improve in this must win game playing against an NFC opponent in the New York Giants. Look for the Bears to establish Peterson and if he comes to play, the Bears might just be victorious.
The Bears pulled off a shocking win last week against the Broncos. Can the beat New York today? Advance to the playoffs?
DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO SPORTS EDITOR,
JEFF ARDITO
