Din-scipline
Bears offensive linemen have committed nine of the team’s 20 penalties through two games (seven by Jermon Bushrod and Vlad Ducasse). That’s not encouraging heading into the loudest building in the league, where the 12th Man has drawn an average of almost two opposing false starts per game over the last five years. The Same Page on The Silent Count will be as big a test as any, to say the least. It may be tough to execute the offense against a charged-up Legion, but the offense has to at least give itself a chance.
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Matt & Marty
Adam Gase and Jimmy Clausen both talked about finding ways to make positive plays and get into an early rhythm. Without Jay Cutler’s big arm and Alshon Jeffery’s field-stretching ability vs. that uber-talented defensive backfield, getting Matt Forte going against what’s been a middling defensive line to this point would be a start. Following that up with play action and short tosses to Martellus Bennett into intermediate zones just might … might … create that.
[RELATED: Bears face nightmare turnaround scenario with Seahawks in Seattle]
Mob Marshawn
NFL
I have serious doubt that this Bears defense has a player capable of shadowing Russell Wilson on his rollouts, and that’s how Seattle was most effective in taking a fourth quarter lead last Sunday night in Green Bay. They’re certain to try to get Jimmy Graham more involved, and the sense here is damage will come from those “Dange-Russ” adventures out of the pocket. But Marshawn Lynch is averaging just 3.5 yards a carry. Can Vic Fangio’s guys at least keep him to that average for another week to remove that dimension? The run defense hasn’t allowed a play longer than 16 yards, even though they’re giving up 124 per game (tied for 22nd). It’ll help if they keep seismologists from checking their meters.
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