Packers-Bears. Monday Night Football. It looked like a fun one before the season started, but the game has become even more intriguing after Chicago’s fast start.
If Chicago is going to pull off the upset, they will have to get decent play from their offensive line. Starting left tackle Chris Williams will miss the game, so Frank Omiyale will shift to left tackle and Kevin Shaffer will be at right tackle. Center Olin Kreutz is off to a strong start this year, which should settle the line down.
Despite having to face Clay Matthews and a Packers defense leading the league in sacks, Bears coach Lovie Smith shockingly remains optimistic.
“We beat a good football team with that combination,” Smith said about the Cowboys win via Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune. “So yeah, we feel real good about that. Our entire group of linemen gives us flexibility.’'
In Mike Martz, the Bears have a coordinator that can counter-punch and cover up weaknesses better than former coordinator Ron Turner. Green Bay has fewer weaknesses to cover. They also look replace their left tackle, although most observers consider the possible move from Chad Clifton to rookie Bryan Bulaga an upgrade.
“I’m going to approach it like I’m going to be in there and kind of go from there,” Bulaga told the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.
The Packers say Clifton will start if healthy, but he was limited in Thursday’s practice. Clifton’s body appears to be breaking down, as this column by Pete Dougherty did a great job explaining earlier in the week in the Green Bay Press-Gazette.
If Bulaga gets the call, he’ll match up against Julius Peppers all night. That will be another fun matchup to watch in what should be a great finale to Week Three.