Chicago Bears (3-0) at New York Giants (1-2), 8:20 p.m. Sunday at New Meadowlands Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
By Ben Kelly - InReeseWeTrust.com 10/3/10
What happened last week?
The Bears continued to surprise NFL pundits this season by remaining one of the three undefeated teams left, along with Pittsburgh and Kansas City. Chicago beat Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers on Monday night by a field goal made with four seconds remaining for a 20-17 victory. Rodgers threw for 316 yards and a touchdown, but Green Bay committed a team record 18 penalties, including two fifteen yarders on Chicago’s final drive, that ultimately cost them the game. Chicago quarterback Jay Cutler did his best to throw the game back to the Packers, but his multiple late interceptions were called back by penalties. Chicago escaped in a sloppy victory against their divisional rival.
What to expect from the Bears:
Chicago’s offense produced 298 yards, 221 by air and 77 by ground. Jay Cutler accounted for 37 of those rush yards. Like they did against Matt Moore in week one, the Giants are going to have to force Chicago to play one-dimensional football on offense and force several poor decisions from Jay Cutler. Chicago’s running back tandem of Matt Forte and Chester Taylor accounted for 38 yards on 14 carries, a paltry 2.8 average. Cutler will approach 250+ yards but also throw multiple interceptions to New York’s big play secondary.
What to expect from the Giants:
I can’t imagine this has been a fun week for the Giants after two consecutive embarrassing defeats against the Colts and Titans. Five personal fouls and repeated dumb penalties, including a chop block in the end zone from Ahmad Bradshaw that resulted in a safety, doomed the Giants to a week of criticism and doubt. Which Giants team are we going to see this weekend, the team that stifled the Panthers on both sides in week one? Or will it be the team that went belly-up the past two weeks against tough opponents?
Prediction:
I remember the 2007 Super Bowl season that began 0-2 in shootouts against Dallas and Green Bay. Fans called for Coughlin’s dismissal and questioned Eli’s leadership. In the third week the Giants took a defensive stand against Washington in the red zone and streaked to a 6-2 record. I’m not saying history will repeat itself, but its veterans like David Diehl, Kareem McKenzie and Brandon Jacobs who recorded the most hurtful Giants mistakes last week, veterans who have won in New York and should have enough maturity to revive the team’s current down period. If this team wants to win, it will make a statement this week and physically dominate the Bears. Jay Cutler, you are not winning at the Meadowlands. Giants 24-16.
Week 3 prediction: 33-24 Titans (Actual: 29-10 Titans)
Season record: 2-1
