INJURY REPORT AND IMPLICATIONS – HOLIDAY EDITION
Chicago Bears (7-7) at Green Bay Packers (13-1)
By
Michael Nudo

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The Packers will be without their top 3 offensive tackles for their game Christmas Night with the Bears.

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BEARS OFFENSE vs. PACKERS DEFENSE

Josh McCown takes over for an offense that has fallen off the tracks since Jay Cutler and Matt Forte went down. Caleb Hanie was largely ineffective during his 4-game tryout. Yeah, I’m in the Christmas spirit and being too kind with that statement. The injuries have piled up on this side of the ball. Wideout Johnny Knox is recently done for the year, after suffering a horrific-looking back injury. We’re all thankful that he appears to be ok after surgery. Long gone are linemen Chris Williams (LG) and Gabe Carimi (RT). Edwin Williams and Lance Louis have taken those spots. Louis’ play has fallen off after a good start. He’s out of position, but was forced to move there when the team realized that Frank Omiyale was the second coming of Qasim Mitchell. Likely to miss this game is running back Marion Barber (calf). The workload falls to Khalil Bell, who shined a week ago. Wideout Sam Hurd was released when it was discovered that he was trying to buy enough drugs to corrupt the youth of the entire Great Lakes region. Wideout Devin Hester is questionable, but hasn’t looked like he has been interested in playing contact football in about 3 weeks.

Defensive end Ryan Pickett is out with a concussion. Safety Nick Collins has been on IR since the beginning of the season. And they’ve rolled on. For those of you keeping score at home, Charlie Peprah is second on the team in interceptions with 4 and fourth in tackles. It’s easy to cover up for a 31st ranked defense when you have the top offense in the league, led by the most efficient passer.

Auditions in play here for Khalil Bell and Josh McCown. If, for some reason, Mike Martz is back as Offensive Coordinator next year, McCown’s audition here has significant meaning. Separately, if this turns into a blowout, there is every reason for Nathan Enderle to be brought into the contest to get his feet wet. Look for the Packers to pressure McCown to force turnovers and get this game over as quickly as possible. If the Bears are going to be successful, they must capitalize on this aggressive play. Draws more than screens should be in order. The timing of screens isn’t likely to be good with all the different players involved due to injury.

Linebacker Lance Briggs (ankle) is questionable, as is defensive tackle Henry Melton (shin). The Bears have their greatest depth at Melton’s position, where Amobi Okoye and Stephen Paea have flashed during regular rotation. But behind Briggs, and any of the linebacker spots, there isn’t much. Untested special teams players Patrick Trahan, Jabara Williams and Dom DeCicco are the depth players at linebacker. Another possibility is moving Nick Roach to that spot, since he’s normally off the field in nickel packages.

They have great depth at wide receiver, but clearly suffered a blow in losing stud wideout Greg Jennings for a few weeks. He’s still out for Sunday night’s game. The Packers are down 3 offensive tackles. Bulaga and Clifton are out, while rookie starter Derek Sherrod was placed on IR with a broken leg last week. T.J. Lang is expected to move to tackle from guard, while Marshall Newhouse will have the other tackle position. Green Bay has already allowed 37 sacks.

Look for Peppers and Idonije to try teeing off on the Packers’ sorry tackle situation. It won’t be enough. Green Bay should be able to do just enough running and max protect to win out. Aaron Rodgers, back when he had no protection a few years ago, showed that he’s one of the few quarterbacks that can be extremely effective, even when he’s getting hit regularly. He’s not prone to turning the ball over. What for him to challenge the Bears’ sorry safety situation over the middle of the field. Jermichael Finley (45-683, 6 TDs) will be the man.

I don’t know how to see this any other way than Packers in a blow out of biblical proportions. To win, the Bears will need to have one of those Julius Peppers games where he has 3 sacks and gets the rare INT return for a touchdown…oh, and the Bears will also need to return a kick for a touchdown as well. Ho Ho Ho….I don’t think so. If Mike Martz couldn’t find a way to craft an offense around what Caleb Hanie can/cannot do, even when he had him for two years, do you really expect him to be able to do that with McCown in just a few weeks? Someone is going to have to explain to me why McCown and Enderle weren’t also getting some first team snaps in practice the last few weeks. I don’t care how commonplace it is for the #1 to get all the reps. It was plain for everyone to see that Hanie held the ball too long and was locked in on Knox. He was clueless out there.

Packers 38
Bears 9

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

INJURY REPORT AND IMPLICATIONS
Seattle Seahawks (6-7) at Chicago Bears (7-6)
By
Michael Nudo

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Matt Forte's knee injury means more action for Barber.

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BEARS OFFENSE vs. SEAHAWKS DEFENSE

Since Caleb Hanie took over for the injured Jay Cutler (thumb) 3 weeks ago, the Bears offense has only put up 40 points. He piled up six interceptions in his first two starts before going pick-free a week ago. Second-string running back Marion Barber started for Matt Forte (knee) last week after taking over early two weeks ago. During that time he failed to line up properly to take a touchdown off the board against the Chiefs and then against the Broncos he failed to stay in bounds during the four-minute offense with a lead, and fumbled in overtime. The mental errors overshadowed a strong running effort (27/108, TD) a week ago. Wide receiver and special teams’ ace Sam Hurd was released on Friday after federal drug charges were brought against him.

Defensive end Chris Clemons has 9 sacks. He’ll be lined up over Lance Louis, who has struggled the last few weeks. It was reported that Louis injured both his ankles recently, but is not on the weekly report. In winning 4 of their last 5 games, the Seahawks have allowed only 74 points. Before you pooh-pooh the teams they were playing, the first of those wins was against the Baltimore Ravens (22-17).

Caleb Hanie has shown little ability to deliver the ball accurately or on time. The Bears should expect to see 8 men in the box with the corners jamming the wide receivers at the line. To succeed, they must find a way to convert third downs. Tight ends and receivers must get off the line and hold on to the ball. Hanie’s best friend is going to be a receiver who can break a tackle and make a play. Psst….Earl Bennett. The best way to help Louis against Clemons would be to run right at him. He’s more of an undersized speed player.

Safety Major Wright (shoulder) is expected to be ready for action. He may be eased back into the lineup with Craig Steltz playing well the last two weeks. Add in the likelihood of Seattle running the ball with Lynch. Defensive tackle Henry Melton (shin) is questionable. Melton has had his ups and downs, but it’s difficult to argue with 7 sacks through 13 games from the defensive tackle position. His loss might be rookie Stephen Paea’s gain. Paea had the most disruptive game of his rookie season last week. He and Amobi Okoye have provided some pass rush in spurts.

Marshawn Lynch needs just 31 yards to reach 1,000. He also has 9 rushing touchdowns. He is their offense. Over the last 6 games, Lynch is averaging 118 yards rushing. Tarvaris Jackson only has 11 touchdowns versus 12 picks, but has still completed 60 percent of his passes. This should be just enough to outscore the Bears, no matter how well their defense is playing. The Seahawks’ Injured Reserve has recent additions in tackles Russell Okung and James Carpenter as well as wide receiver Sidney Rice. Wide receiver Doug Baldwin is expected to play despite a bothersome ankle.

The Seahawks have allowed 41 sacks. This could be another game for stat padding for the defensive line. But Seattle runs the ball about 43 percent of the time, and Lynch can wear down a defense and then break off a long run. If the Bears are going to break their losing streak, they’ll need the defense and special teams to put the offense into field goal position at a minimum. Discipline and tackling form is critical again from the safeties, to ensure Lynch does not to go all the way if he breaks through the second level.

These are two teams going in completely different directions. The Seahawks, winners of 4 of their last 5, are coming together. The Bears are falling apart at the seams. They’ve lost their top QB and RB and now have a massive controversy swirling over Hurd’s drug arrest. My heart tells me it’s going to be even more of a rout than I am predicting.

Seahawks 24
Bears 3

INJURY REPORT AND IMPLICATIONS
Chicago Bears (7-5) at Denver Broncos (7-5)
By
Michael Nudo

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Von Miller is expected to be back after thumb surgery. He has 10.5 sacks (Getty Images).

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BEARS OFFENSE vs. BRONCOS DEFENSE

Caleb Hanie makes his third start this Sunday, while Jay Cutler tries to rehab his way back from a broken thumb. Hanie has three interceptions in each of his starts. Running back Matt Forte took a helmet to the knee last week and has a grade 2 MCL sprain. With Forte out for at least this game and maybe one or two more, Marion Barber will get the start with Khalil Bell spelling him at times. Barber’s inexperience in the passing game cost the Bears a touchdown last week when he was not properly aligned before the snap. Lost in that miscue was the inexperience of the quarterback. Do you think Jay Cutler would have seen this presnap and would have aligned Barber before the play? Yes, some responsibility must also fall on Hanie for that play.

The Broncos are expecting to get strong side linebacker Von Miller (thumb) back on Sunday. He already has 10.5 sacks this year. With Miller sidelined last week, Mario Haggan stepped in to lead the team in tackles. He added three tackles for a loss and an interception return for a touchdown. Meanwhile, defensive end Elvis Dumerville has 6.5 sacks. J’Marcus Webb will get to battle Dumerville on every down. Miller will likely be blitzing from outside Lance Louis and perhaps the tight end. It’s important to note that these are blitzes and the Bears will need to be assignment sound and the responsibilities of the running back and tight end come into play. Since Mike Martz arrived last season, there have been quite a few sacks that have also been the responsibilities of units other than the offensive line.

Denver’s defense is very aggressive. However, it’s masking their 23rd – ranked passing attack and 20th – ranked rushing attack. If the Bears fail to run 30 times on Sunday to protect Caleb Hanie, they will have no chance. Communication will be a key on the road, as well as conditioning at Mile High. Let’s hope Mike Martz can set up play action for the deeper drops, while using quick passes, draws and screens to counter the aggressiveness of the Bronco front. Expect the Bronco to load up the box, and to press the wide receivers.

Nickel back D.J. Moore is expected to return after missing the last 3 games with an ankle injury. Corey Graham played well in Moore’s absence. With as little as Denver passes, it’s expected that strong side linebacker Nick Roach will rarely leave the field for a nickel back. At safety, Major Wright injured his shoulder last week. Craig Steltz stepped in and had the best game of his career. With Wright ruled out, Craig Steltz will get the nod. This means Steltz has surpassed Brandon Meriweather on the depth chart. Steltz is a special teams standout that excels against the run, but isn’t as fluid of a pass defender as his teammates. However, he’s a veteran of Lovie Smith’s defense and is smart with his assignments.

With Knowshon Moreno on the Injured Reserve, the bulk of the carries have fallen to veteran Willis McGahee. McGahee has responded well, and has put up close to 900 yards rushing so far. He and tackle Ryan Clady have sore knees but are expected to play. Wide receiver Eddie Royal (questionable) is trying to recover from a concussion. Royal has just 18 receptions after having 59 a season ago. He clearly has been impacted by the change in offensive philosophy to support Tim Tebow’s skill set.

Denver runs an option offense, with Tebow running quite a bit. He’s not a runner like Michael Vick. He’s more like a cross between Larry Csonka and Rex Grossman. Discipline and assignments are more important than ever when facing the option. Safeties Steltz and Conte must take good angles to the ball. Corners Tillman and Jennings have proven to be above average run defenders. It sounds like a good matchup for the Bears’ defense. The overall speed of the front seven makes this an appealing matchup, especially with Nick Roach on the field. Trampled Under Foot: Will the first man to the ball be disciplined enough to give up his body to bring down Tebow? If he thinks he can tackle high or go for the strip, he’s going to get churned up and used for mulch.

Denver does not make many mistakes. They’ve won 5 in a row and boast the league’s top rushing attack. Tim Tebow, for all the criticism, has only thrown 1 interception. I don’t like this being a road
game, where the Bears’ suspect offensive line will be challenged by one of the best pass rushing defenses in the league. I hope I’m wrong, but I cannot see Hanie surviving this game, whether it’s due to injury or ineffectiveness. I am very concerned that a loss here will send the Bears’ playoff hopes Into Thin Air. More than ever, they’ll need a big game from Devin Hester on special teams to keep this one close.

Broncos 24
Bears 9

INJURY REPORT AND IMPLICATIONS
Kansas City Chiefs (4-7) at Chicago Bears (7-4)
By
Michael Nudo

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Tyler Palko has 0 TDs and 6 INTs in relief of Matt Cassell (Getty Images).

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BEARS OFFENSE vs. CHIEFS DEFENSE

Caleb Hanie is set to make his second start after Jay Cutler injured his thumb. Hanie will look to cut down on the 3 interceptions he gave to the Raiders. Left guard Edwin Williams makes his third start after Chris Williams (wrist) was lost for the season. The transition has been relatively smooth. All has been quiet at right tackle since Lance Louis settled down the position when Frank Omiyale was shown the bench (after rookie Gabe Carimi knee was injured). Carimi has recently been place on Injured Reserve (knee), officially ending his season.

Sabby Piscitelli has been starting at safety since Eric Berry was lost early in the season. That’s a huge drop off, but the Chiefs have been able to get by without too many defensive breakdowns. Kansas City is ranked 12th against the pass, but that might also be because they’re allowing 133.7 yards rushing. With only 13 sacks as a team, the player to focus on is Tamba Hali, who plays outside linebacker in the 3-4 and has 7 sacks. He’s usually lined up over J’Marcus Webb’s side of the field.

The Chiefs are 26th against the run. Caleb Hanie is making his second start. It’s time to get the Matt Forte train going again. Look for the Chiefs to expect this and load the box. It will be up to Forte and Marion Barber to break through the loaded fronts, and for Hanie to make blitz-beating throws like his quick slant to Johnny Knox for a touchdown a week ago. If Hanie keep the turnovers to a minimum, the Bears should be able to treat their fans to a victory.

Nickel back D.J. Moore (questionable-ankle) is making progress and is getting ready to return. It’s likely he’ll still need another week. With Moore out, Corey Graham made the most of his chances with interceptions in 3 straight games. On special teams, veteran long snapper Patrick Mannelly (knee) was lost for the season two games ago. Chris Massey was signed to replace him. His snaps last week didn’t result in fumbles or blocked kicks, but they were far from perfect. Defensive tackle Anthony Adams (back) showed up on the injury report. He and Matt Toeaina (knee) have taken turns being dinged and inactive. All this has meant more time for rookie Stephen Paea, who flashed early but has struggled of late, especially keeping his pad level down.

Kansas City has lost their starting quarterback (Matt Cassell) and starting running back (Jamaal Charles). They’re expected to start Tyler Palko at quarterback, although they did put in a waiver claim on former Bear Kyle Orton this week. Orton is expected to play soon, possibly as early as some time Sunday against the Bears. The Chiefs have only scored one offensive touchdown in their last 4 games. Palko has thrown zero touchdowns versus 6 interceptions. Neither he nor Orton poses a threat to scramble. At running back, Jackie Battle, former Bear Thomas Jones and Dexter McCluster share the load. They’ve been steady if unspectacular, with a longest run from scrimmage of only 34 yards. Leonard Pope gets the majority of snaps at tight end, where Tony Moeaki (on the IR since the end of preseason) had 47 catches a season ago.

The Chiefs are 11th in rushing yards, in spite of losing Charles early. Look for more of that, but keep in mind that if Orton gets in the game, the Chiefs have a talented receiver corps led by Dwayne Bowe (55-819, 4 TD).

The Chiefs have lost 4 in a row, and while last week they looked game against the Steelers, it was still a loss and is just as easily disheartening. I look to see the Bears run a bit more, and for Caleb Hanie to start making some progress in his second start. Rediscovering Earl Bennett could go a long way as well. Bennett, who was just signed to a 4-year contract during the week, was not a big focus against Oakland. I’m expecting the Bears’ defense to force turnovers and put the offense in good field position.

Bears 30
Chiefs 10

INJURY REPORT AND IMPLICATIONS
Chicago Bears (7-3) at Oakland Raiders (6-4)
By
Michael Nudo

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Since McFadden's injury, Michael Bush has picked up the slack.

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BEARS OFFENSE vs. RAIDERS DEFENSE

The Bears have lost quarterback Jay Cutler for a significant amount of time with a thumb injury. Caleb Hanie will get an opportunity to show what he has learned from the sideline over the last two seasons. Josh McCown, who has played under Mike Martz, was signed on Wednesday. Edwin Williams had a solid game in his first start for left guard Chris Williams, who is lost for the season with a wrist injury. Meanwhile, nobody even thinks about right tackle anymore, where Lance Louis has settled down a position that was a problem when rookie Gabe Carimi was lost for the season in game two (knee) and journeyman Frank Omiyale couldn’t cut it. Wide receiver Earl Bennett has been a big part of the offense since missing much of the first half of the year with a chest injury.

Richard Seymour has a knee injury (questionable) but should be ready to play. Starting defensive end Jarvis Moss (hamstring) is out and Lamarr Houston (knee) is questionable. Free safety Michael Huff (knee) is questionable. Matt Giordano is the backup and has 3 interceptions to lead Oakland. Cornerback Chris Johnson (hamstring/groin) is questionable but expected to play. Defensive tackles Richard Seymour and Tommy Kelly along with outside linebacker Kamerion Wimbley have been getting to the quarterback with regularity.

The Raiders are 25th against the run and 20th against the pass. Look for them to load up against Forte and the run and dare Hanie to beat them. With all those players in the box, you can also expect they’ll blitz against run and pass. Communication among the line will be critical. Draws and screens can help against this, as well as hitting the intermediate routes. It will be especially important for the receivers to get off the line and into their routes quickly. Expect the Bears to have plenty of double tight end max protection for Hanie as well as utilize fullback Tyler Clutts. From this personnel they can assure Hanie better protection as well as have the extra blockers for Forte’s running.

Safety Brandon Meriweather is recovering from a concussion but should be ready to play. Julius Peppers (knee) appears to be healthier than he has been in a few weeks. Nickel back D.J. Moore (ankle) is still not quite ready to return. With Moore out, Corey Graham made the most of his chances last week with a big interception. He has one in each of the last two games. On special teams, veteran long snapper Patrick Mannelly (knee) was lost for the season. Chris Massey was signed to replace him after Jake Laptad was signed and then released over the period of just a few days.

In spite of Darren McFadden missing considerable time with a foot injury, the Raiders are third in the NFL in rushing. Michael Bush (139/599, 5TD) is a big reason for that. The other element is the offensive line. The Raiders have only allowed 15 sacks. Sure, they run more than they pass, but the numbers are still low, considering they’re on their third quarterback (Jason Campbell, Kyle Boller). Carson Palmer has played his way into shape as well as familiarity with the offense. Wide receiver is a problem position as far as injuries are concerned. Jacoby Ford (foot) is out. Darrius Heyward-Bey (neck) and Denarius Moore (foot) are questionable. Heyward-Bey, Moore and Ford rank 1-2-3 in receptions for the Raiders. The injuries to Ford and Moore impact punt and kick returns. Taiwan Jones can do quite a bit of damage returning kickoffs as well but he is also banged up (hamstring).

With all the injuries at wide receiver, and with Michael Bush churning out big yardage, it would stand to reason that the Raiders will look to run on the Bears and then set up play action. Rookie safety Chris Conte has been unspectacular, but has done a decent job of not allowing plays to get behind him. Will Major Wright flinch when he needs to fill in the box against Michael Bush?

I don’t like this one at all. The Raiders have a ton of injuries but the potential for a flame out on the road is high. Palmer is just finding his groove. The physical running of the Raiders could spell trouble for the speed of the Bears. Caleb Hanie faces a difficult challenge on the road, as does his offensive line. The Raiders have 28 sacks. Matt Forte has not been as productive the last two weeks as teams have begun stacking the box. I see the Bears coming up short here on the road in a loud stadium against one of the more underrated pass rushes in the NFL.

Bears 13
Raiders 16

INJURY REPORT AND IMPLICATIONS
San Diego Chargers (4-5) at Chicago Bears (6-3)
By
Michael Nudo

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Devin Hester (ankle) will get his chance against a poor Chargers special teams unit.

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BEARS OFFENSE vs. CHARGERS DEFENSE

Left guard Chris Williams (wrist) is done for the season. Edwin Williams will start there. He had an excellent preseason, and many felt he outplayed Chris Williams for the spot. He’ll get his opportunity Sunday. First round draft pick Gabe Carimi was placed on IR this week after suffering a setback in his return from a knee injury suffered in week two. Practice squad players Levi Horn and Rick Henry have been put on the active roster for depth. After Frank Omiyale failed as Carimi’s replacement at right tackle, Lance Louis stepped in and stabilized the position. Wideout/return specialist Devin Hester (ankle) is expected to be ready for returns but may again be limited on offense. Running back Matt Forte shows up on the list with a sore shoulder. It is not believed to be serious.

Linemen Antonio Garay (hip) and Louis Castillo (tibia) are nursing injuries. Garay has gradually improved as a defensive tackle since his brief stint with the Bears a few seasons ago. Castillo, a defensive end, is out. Garay is questionable. Former Bear Tommie Harris is also part of the Chargers’ rotation on the defensive line and should see plenty of action at end with Castillo out. The Chargers run a 3-4 alignment. Rush linebacker Shaun Phillips (foot) is out. Cornerback Marcus Gilchrist (hamstring) is doubtful.

The Chargers boast the league’s 7th best pass defense but are 24th against the run. Linebacker Antwan Barnes (6 sacks) is one of the more productive pass rushers that you’ve never heard of. He’ll be testing edge protection for Lance Louis and J’Marcus Webb. Don’t underestimate the impact of the injuries to cornerstone players like Castillo, Gilchrist and Phillips. Look for the Bears to impose their will on the Chargers and keep them from being put in difficult down and distance situations where an aggressive 3-4 defense might cause problems. Recall that the Saints weren’t expected to have much on defense and schemed their way into giving the Bears’ offense fits.

Nickel back D. J. Moore injured his ankle in practice this week and is doubtful for Sunday. Corey Graham is expected to take his place. The other option would be to move cornerback Tim Jennings to nickel and play Zack Bowman at corner. Mat Toeaina (knee) was held out last week after injuring his knee before the bye and then returning the game before last. He’s back to full participation. Defensive end Julius Peppers (knee) has assorted bruises and sprains to his knees and has missed some time. He’s expected to be ready to go for Sunday. Linebacker Lance Briggs (neck) was a surprise to show up on the list. He held out most of training camp and played his way into shape. He has been back to playing at a Pro Bowl level for about the last month. Briggs is expected to be fully ready for Sunday.

The Chargers’ offensive line is a MASH unit. Pro Bowl guard Kris Dielman (concussion) was placed on injured reserve this week. Tackle Marcus McNeill (neck) is out. Guards Tyronne Green (hand) and Louis Vasquez (ankle) are doubtful. Scott Mruczkowski is expected to be the first reserve guard off the bench to be elevated for action. Ikechuku Ndukwe and Tony Moll were signed this week for depth on the line. Ndukwe is a tackle and Moll can play both guard and tackle. Brandyn Dombrowski is getting reps at left tackle. Wide receiver Malcom Floyd (hip) is out. This should mean more looks for Patrick Crayton.

If anyone is going to truly test rookie safety Chris Conte on the deep routes, it’s going to be the Chargers with Phillip Rivers at the helm. To do so, he’ll need time. Rivers has already been sacked 25 times, and he’s down quite a few linemen. This sounds like a perfect place for the cover two, where the Bears’ front four should get plenty of pressure on Rivers against the makeshift Chargers’ line, while the coverage feasts on hurried throws. San Diego might be better served by running. Can they be patient enough, especially with their season on the line?

It has trap written all over it. The Bears should dominate the line of scrimmage. They should put pressure on Rivers and force turnovers. I fully expect the Bears’ offense to have a bounce back game behind the running of Matt Forte. The Chargers are allowing 26.5 yards per kickoff return and 13.7 yards per punt return. Cue the Devin Hester highlight reel. This is the 10th game of the season. When does Kellen Davis have his breakout game? Right now, that would be 4 or more catches.

Bears 34
Chargers 21

INJURY REPORT AND IMPLICATIONS
Detroit Lions (6-2) at Chicago Bears (5-3)
By
Michael Nudo

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The Bears are hoping Devin Hester is ready for Sunday's game with Detroit.

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BEARS OFFENSE vs. LIONS DEFENSE

Earl Bennett returned last week from a chest injury to haul in 5 passes for 95 yards and a touchdown. His presence is likely to mean less playing time for some of the other receivers. Continued drops by Roy Williams and Dane Sanzenbacher are hard to ignore. It could be time for Johnny Knox to regain a bigger role as well. Tackle Gabe Carimi suffered a setback in his recovery from a knee injury and had a minor surgery this week. When he is ready, it will be difficult to make changes to the right side of the line, where Chris Spencer has settled in at right guard and Lance Louis has been something of a revelation at right tackle. Wide receiver/return specialist extraordinaire Devin Hester injured his ankle in last week’s game (more Johnny Knox again on kickoffs and possibly Bennett on punts).

Safety Louis Delmas (foot) is questionable. If he cannot play, former Bear Chris Harris will see action just a few weeks after he was cut loose by the Bears. The Lions have serious issues on special teams. Punter Ryan Donahue (quadriceps) is questionable. Robert Malone was signed and will take over if Donahue is not healthy enough for action. Meanwhile, kicker Jason Hanson cut his knee during the bye week but is expected to be ready to play.

The Bears have really turned around their pass protection thanks to shortening the drops of the quarterback, providing some help for the tackles from the backs and tight ends, and using a more balanced attack. Will this make for a better result against the Lions, who dominated the Bears’ line a month ago? If the Bears were paying attention to what they do well on their own, they’ll run the ball. Further, if they paid attention to how the Niners and Falcons ran all over the Lions in Detroit’s two losses, they’ll run some more.

Julius Peppers took a hit to his knee during Monday’s game but was able to return and register a sack. Safety Major Wright (ankle) is probable, but has struggled since his rookie season to stay healthy. Further, his play has never measured up to the expectations placed upon him. Meanwhile, Brandon Meriweather, who lost his job after the last Lions game, stands to gain some increased playing time as Wright is beginning to fall out of favor.

Running back Jhavid Best (concussion) is out. He’ll be replaced by Keiland Williams and Maurice Morris. The Lions are 10th in the league in passing yards but 27th in rushing. The player on Detroit’s offense that has gone somewhat unnoticed is tight end Brandon Pettigrew (41-360-2 TD). After hauling in 71 catches last year, he’s currently on pace for even more.

Even with running back Jhavid Best down with an injury, the Lions’ offense poses problems with “megatron” Calvin Johnson and tight end Brandon Pettigrew. Quarterback Matthew Stafford has remained healthy and has put together a first half of the season that people envisioned for him when the Lions used a first round draft pick for him a few seasons ago. Ironically, former and current Bear defensive ends Adewale Ogunleye and Julius Peppers each have caused Stafford to be injured.

Much has changed since the Lions battered the Bears a month ago. The line has settled down. The coaching has gotten better. The Bears will be at home, so penalties should be down due to crowd noise. The Lions are no longer undefeated. But Calvin Johnson is still head and shoulders the best receiver in the NFL. Jhavid Best broke their backs with a long touchdown run last time around. He’s not going to be available. Turnovers will again be key. Jay Cutler has kept his turnovers to a minimum this season, in spite of dealing with huge amounts of pressure and hits. I’m looking for Cutler to have a big game, as well as wide receiver Johnny Knox, who is due to break out as both as a receiver and return specialist.

Bears 27
Lions 21

INJURY REPORT AND IMPLICATIONS
Chicago Bears (4-3) at Philadelphia Eagles (3-4)
By
Michael Nudo

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The Bears are happy to have Earl Bennett back in the lineup.

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BEARS OFFENSE vs. EAGLES DEFENSE

Coming off the bye week, the offense received a big lift with the return of wide receiver Earl Bennett from a serious chest injury. He’s a dependable target and has a knack for making people miss after the catch. Right tackle Gabe Carimi (knee) also returned to practice but was held out the rest of the week after either a great deal of soreness and swelling or what would be considered a setback. He will be eased back into the lineup slowly considering the injury as well as the fact that the right side of the line has begun to really gel with Chris Spencer at guard and Lance Louis at tackle. Carimi’s eventual return might put Spencer on the bench and Louis at right guard. Other deck shuffling would not be a surprise. The extra time off allowed Spencer to further heal an injured hand.

The Eagles are relatively healthy on defense. They don’t have a long list of players on IR, either. The spotlight should shine on Jason Babin. Babin had 6 undistinguished seasons before finally emerging a year ago with 12.5 sacks and a Pro Bowl appearance for Tennessee. He has modeled uniforms for the Texans, Chiefs, Seahawks and Titans prior to this year. In fact, he even had a one-year stint as an Eagle 2 seasons ago. He is a relentless competitor and a tireless worker. You do not amass the 93 tackles he did a year ago without being that kind of player. His photo should be in the dictionary next to the expression “high motor guy.” The Texans used a late first round pick (27th) on him and he has finally come into the form many projected for him after coming out of Western Michigan.

The Bears have settled into being a running team a little sooner than last year. This trend should continue as the identity continues to establish itself. It seems the more fullback Tyler Clutts and tight end Matt Spaeth are on the field, the more good things happen. Look for the Eagles to challenge the Bears’ offensive line with their Wide 9 package. The wide alignment of the defensive ends will test the athleticism of the tackles. Keep an eye on J’Marcus Webb and Chris Williams this week as they square off against Jason Babin and Cullen Jenkins, who have combined for 14 sacks. On the other side, Lance Lewis gets another start at right tackle, where you have to think Trent Cole (4 sacks) is looking to get back to the form that had him averaging 11 sacks per season over the previous 4 years. Power running between the tackles should be the order of the day if the alignment continues to have the ends that wide.

The Bears released safety Chris Harris during the bye, and he was picked up by conference rival Detroit. The extra week allowed some minor bruises to resolve, especially the knees of Julius Peppers and Matt Toeaina. Coincidentally, these are two of the more powerful run defenders on the Bears, and they’ll be needed against the Eagles’ ground attack. Toeaina is expected to start and add great depth to the tackle rotation. It will be interesting to see if rookie Stephen Paea is reduced to a game day inactive now that Toeaina is healthy. There are some other players that were nicked up earlier in the year that should benefit including Major Wright, Corey Wootton and Stephen Paea.

Running back LeSean McCoy (135/754, 8 TDs, 23-138, 2 TDs) is recovering from the flu and should be ready to go on Monday. He’s a complete back, equally adept at eating up huge chunks of yardage as a runner or receiver. The other interesting note on McCoy is that he has not fumbled this season, and only has 4 so far in his NFL career. Receivers Jeremy Maclin (54-543, 4 TDs), DeSean Jackson (27-487, 2 TDs) and Jason Avant (31-412) all are on a pace to threaten 1,000 receiving yards. They pose the kind of challenge that could have the Bears in a lot of nickel formations, where D.J. Moore is on the field and Nick Roach is off. Meanwhile, tight end Brent Celek has 11 catches for 134 yards and 2 touchdowns in the last two games (Dallas, Washington). Make no mistake; the young safeties (Major Wright, Chris Conte) face another huge challenge against a speedy attack.

It will be a huge test this week in stopping one of the top offenses in the NFL, especially from a rushing perspective (1st overall). Not only are you looking at LeSean McCoy, but you’re also dealing with Mike Vick, who is cranking out rushing yardage at the same staggering pace he was earlier in his career. Vick has matured as a quarterback, bringing his completion percentage up above 60%. Last year, all of his numbers were off the charts. However, this season, his TD to INT ratio (11-8) is not impressive. Turnovers will be crucial.

The calf injury is behind him. This is the week where you want Marion Barber to shine with his tough inside running against the Wide 9. I’d also think about some designed quarterback draws. The Bears have only won once on the road, and that wasn’t so unfriendly, since it was in London and not really a true home game for Tampa. If the Bears’ offensive line can continue to roll on and not lose focus with penalties, this could be a huge victory for the Bears. I am fully expecting Julius Peppers to show up in this game, despite having a tough matchup against Jason Peters. The Bears are underdogs by over a touchdown. Most people are figuring the Bears will succumb to the crowd noise on the road. I’m going to break away from playing the chalk and predict the Bears win this one straight up on the road.

Bears 31
Eagles 23

INJURY REPORT AND IMPLICATIONS
Chicago Bears (3-3) versus Tampa Bay Buccaneers in London
By
Michael Nudo

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Bears are looking forward to Earl Bennett's return.

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BEARS OFFENSE vs. BUCCANEERS DEFENSE

Wide receiver Earl Bennett (chest) started practicing last week, and looks close to a return. He’s probable, but there are conflicting reports about whether they will clear him to play. Speaking of returns, wide receiver/return man extraordinaire Devin Hester exited last week’s game with a chest injury of his own. Hester should be ready to go. Lance Louis performed admirably at right tackle last week as Gabe Carimi continues to work back from a knee injury. It’s now looking like Carimi won’t be back until after the bye week. Chris Spencer (hand) stepped in for Louis at right guard and also played well. Tight end Kellen Davis (elbow) is expected to be ready for Sunday’s game.

Defensive tackle Gerald McCoy (ankle) is questionable for Sunday. If McCoy cannot play, Frank Okam will get the start. Okam is a dramatically different player than McCoy. Okam is a 6’5” 350 lb. eclipse of a man that will be a giant challenge for the interior of the Bears’ offensive line. While the Bucs have not put up great statistics defensively, they are coming off a 3 interception game against Drew Brees. They did not sack him. This is a less skilled pass rushing front than the Bears faced a week ago, and they are more content to cover than to blitz for pressure. They may need to get more aggressive to hurry Cutler and might feel they can take this gamble since the Bears’ receivers don’t usually strike fear into opposing secondaries.

What is impressive about the Buccaneers’ defense? The yardage allowed is high. They’ve given up 10 TD passes versus 5 picks. What’s impressive is 7 forced fumbles. Hold onto the ball. The problem may not be in keeping too many blockers in against the blitz. This might be more a manner of being patient enough to take what is there for the taking. Look for the Bears to continue to keep their attack balanced, allowing Matt Forte to break off a big run or two.

Strong safety Major Wright showed up during the week on the injury report on Thursday with a hip problem. He is expected to be ready, but if he is too limited, it would seem Chris Harris, who was not active last week, will step back into the starting lineup. Harris missed a few games with a pulled hamstring, and likely came back too soon against the Lions and found himself getting beaten deep and taking some poor angles against the run. He’s a better player than he showed there. This might be a big opportunity for him to reclaim a starting position in a contract year. Further, the Bears clearly are looking to the future in starting Major Wright and Chris Conte at safety. They need to know who they’re going to carry forward. With defensive tackle Matt Toeaina out, Amobi Okoye and rookie Stephen Paea took advantage of opportunities last week. They’ll be seeing bigger reps again this week.

Earnest Graham is expected to start at running back for LaGarrette Blount (knee). Graham doesn’t have game-breaking speed but is an excellent all-around player and a better receiver than Blount. His 17 carries for 109 yards were a key to the Buccaneers’ victory over the Saints a week ago. Center Jeff Faine (biceps) is out. Jeremy Zuttah is expected to slide over from guard to center. Stepping in at guard will be Ted Larsen. Larsen started 11 games a season ago.

The Bucs do not have the same speed and vertical threats on the outside as the Vikings presented. A greater challenge will be in the middle of the field where Kellen Winslow creates a challenge for the Bears’ ever changing safety situation. Let’s see if rookie Chris Conte starts to feel comfortable enough to start making plays at free safety without getting beaten over the top. Keep an eye on the matchup for Julius Peppers as well as the interior line where Faine is out. Zuttah has played well against the Bears in the past.

In previous seasons, I’d have been concerned this as a team that sneaks up and whips the Bears because of how physical the Bucs can be at the line of scrimmage. But players like Garza, Spencer and Louis give me hope that this is trending the other way. Further, on defense, Paea adds something to what Peppers starts. The subtractions of Tommie Harris and Olin Kreutz change a lot about what happens in the middle of both lines. I don’t like the fact that the Bears are waiting a few more days than Tampa to arrive in England. I’ve made the trip half a dozen times myself. You cannot simply assume that your entire roster is capable of sleeping on a plane and body clocks can adjust that quickly. The extra time would have helped, and outweighed any potential distractions associated with being in jolly old England. I still like the Bears. Whatever it was that Mike Martz was smoking last week to get him to call plays and protections like a sane man…please pass him another.

Bears 27
Bucs 21

INJURY REPORT AND IMPLICATIONS
Minnesota Vikings (1-4) at Chicago Bears (2-3)
By
Michael Nudo

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Former Bear Bernard Berrian was a healthy scratch last week for disciplinary reasons.

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BEARS OFFENSE vs. VIKINGS DEFENSE

Wide receiver Earl Bennett (chest) is expected to miss this week’s game again, but has begun to start getting more involved in practice and was upgraded to questionable. His absence has allowed Dane Sanzenbacher to emerge as a reliable target for Jay Cutler. Frank Omiyale has not played well for right tackle Gabe Carimi (knee). Lance Louis is expected to slide over to tackle, while Chris Spencer (hand) is expected to be ready to return to action and play right guard. If he has a setback, Edwin Williams will be the next player in.

Cornerback Antoine Winfield (neck) is doubtful. Chris Cook and Asher Allen are the backups. Wiinfield is the Vikings’ leading tackler. Their secondary is already poor. However, they do get after the quarterback and the Bears’ offensive line has been compromised for 18 sacks and countless pressures.

Beware. Expect the full on Mike Martz offense Sunday night. The Vikings are allowing 271.8 yards passing per game, while only 76.4 yard rushing. But with ends Jared Allen (8.5 sacks) and Brian Robison (4.5 sacks), it is going to be very difficult for Jay Cutler considering offensive tackle is the weakest link on the team. To succeed, the Bears will need to run just enough. They’ll also need to bring the screens back out. It has been speculated that the Bears might run some 3-step drops. We shall see.

Last week, Chris Harris returned from a hamstring injury and did not play well. He and fellow safety Brandon Meriweather have been benched in favor of Major Wright and Rookie Chris Conte. Defensive end Julius Peppers injured his knee during last week’s game but returned and finished. He is doubtful. Doubtful is not out, and Peppers is a special player. You have to think he might be a game time decision. Henry Melton is expected to slide over to end with Amobi Okoye starting at the 3-technique tackle. Defensive tackle Matt Toeaina has an injured posterior cruciate ligament in his knee and is expected to miss a few weeks. This will pave the way for rookie Steven Paea to finally dress on Sundays. Corey Wootton (hand) is practicing and healthier but might be held out another week as a precaution.

Wide receiver Percy Harvin (ribs) is questionable but it expected to play. Former Bear Bernard Berrian was benched last week (healthy) but has been reinstated to game day status. While Berrian has struggled to make an impact, another former Bear, Devin Aromashodu has started to deliver big plays.

The Vikings have had a very difficult time getting their passing offense together. Meanwhile, Adrian Peterson continues to be an elite runner. Any idea what they’re planning for us? Yeah, it’s going to be the AP show. I would not be shocked if they throw a little more than we expect, as they might be seeing the inexperienced Bears safeties as an opportunity to get their aerial attack healthy.

I don’t like the matchups at all. Quarterback Donovan McNabb has struggled all year. Back in Chicago, this would be the perfect bounce back game for him. The Vikings are only 1-4. The Bears are 2-3 and even in the Carolina victory it felt like something was broken.
Vikings 27
Bears 20