JEFF'S SPORTS BLOG - THE BEARS LOOK TO GO 2-0
The
Bears play their second consecutive road game against a
tough opponent when they visit the
Carolina Panthers this Sunday. Both teams enter the game at 1-0 and feature
a good defense. A strong defensive line
that features two large defensive tackles leads the Panthers. Panthers' Pro-bowl defensive end,
Julius
Peppers will be sure to test Bears' left tackle
Jon St. Clair in the passing
game which will be ineffective if the Bears cannot run the football
effectively.
The Bear defense played with a tremendous amount of
intensity last week against the Colts and should they come out and play this
way again the results should be similar.
The Panthers do feature two running backs with different styles of
running. HB DeAngelo Williams is a
shifty back with game-breaking speed; while rookie back, Jonathan Stewart, is a
more physical back with good speed too.
Panthers' QB, Jake Delhomme is back from Tommy John surgery on this
right elbow and played really well last week against the San Diego
Chargers. Delhomme is a savvy veteran
who played a big role in defeating the Bears in the 2005 playoff season.
The Bears will have to control the line of scrimmage and
runt the ball effectively to manage the game clock in their favor. If the Bears run effectively, their
play-action passing attack will benefit immensely and also allow the Bears to
take time off the clock and allow their defense to rest. This will be a key component since the
weather forecast has temperatures possibly in the mid-90's for the game.
This game points to a battle that will be decided in
the fourth quarter and will certainly be predicated on ball control and
probably the team with the least amount of penalties and turnovers will
prevail. It would be huge for the Bears
to go 2-0 and then come home for two games.
JEFF ARDITO & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO
