Post by mitch9234 on Sept 2, 2012 14:51:55 GMT -5
Here we are, in the regular season, now these game have a meaning. In one side, a promising rookie QB, in the other side, a QB no longer shackled by his offensive coordinator. Both players are on the spotlight in this game, among many others.
Things I want to see:
Good performance by the secondary. Brandon Marshall is a WR that's very difficult to cover, even Darrelle Revis had trouble to cover him, as he allowed 5 receptions for 63 yards last year. I'm glad Jim Irsay finally did something about the cornerbacks, otherwise Marshall would be close to burn the Colts like the last time he was playing against them: 21 receptions for 200 yards, 2 TDs. By the way, I feel sorry for the Lions for signing Jacob Lacey, they don't know what they just did. In a division where they face Greg Jennings, Jordy Nelson, Brandon Marshall, you must get the best cover cornerback available. Back to the Colts now.
No injuries, especially from Austin Collie. Colts have been harmed with injuries on offense and defense, with losses of Cory Redding, Pat Angerer, Jerraud Powers, Robert Mathis, Mike McGlynn and Austin Collie, with the latter expected to play in week 1. Collie is the Colts' most dangerous receiver, as evidenced in training camp, he is one of the most important players on the offense.
Good performance by the offensive line. The Colts' offensive line has been one of the worst, where Jeff Saturday was the best player there. Now that they lost him, the Colts' offensive line has been even worse, as they are allowing too many pressure on passing and running plays. They need to open holes more often for running backs and give Luck more time to throw.
Robert Mathis (if he plays this game) and Dwight Freeney. I don't know if Mathis will play in this game, as I haven't seen any news about it. If he plays, I would like to see him and Dwight Freeney in this new 3-4 scheme. Both Mathis and Freeney had just 1 tackle in the pre-season. Facing a weak Bears' offensive line might help them in putting pressure in passing situations.
Top 5 Colts Players to watch:
5.Coby Fleener. I would like to see how Fleener will be used in this offensive scheme.
4.Austin Collie. The Colts' most dangerous wide receiver, Collie will face veteran cornerback Charles Tillman.
3.Vontae Davis. Davis has the task of covering one of the most dangerous receivers in the league in Brandon Marshall. Marshall is with a better QB now, so they can do damage just like in their days in the Broncos.
2.Donald Brown. The Colts' running game struggled massively, and Brown will have to face a tough Bears run defense that ranked 5th last year.
1.Andrew Luck. Expect Luck to be here all weeks. Starting rookies are always someone to watch.
Top 5 Bears Players to watch:
5.Charles Tillman. It is one hell of a task in having to cover Austin Collie, Luck's favorite target.
4.Julius Peppers Peppers is one of the best pass rushers in the league, and he is facing a very weak offensive line, Anthony Castonzo must do a hell of a job to protect Luck from Peppers.
3.Brandon Marshall Cutler to Marshall is back. One of the league's most deadly QB-WR combination is now back.
2.Matt Forte. Matt Forte against a weak run defense. Forte can put up 100 yards easily in this game.
1.Jay Cutler. Cutler can have the best season of his career now that his players around him are better and no offensive coordinator named Mike Martz to prevent Jay Cutler from using the audible.
Prediction: One upper hand the Bears have is that their defensive line is too strong and the Colts' one is too weak. The other one is Matt Forte against a weak Colts' run defense. Other is the Bears' tough run defense against Donald Brown and Mewelde Moore.
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