Bears vs. Giants preview
The Bears face a banged up New York Giants team this week, and it’s a good thing. They need to get back on track. It looks like the Bears will be hitting the Giants at a good time. The Giants defense will most likely be without starters, Lavar Arrington (achilles), Osi Umenyiora (hip flexor), Michael Strahan (foot), Brandon Short (quadricep) and Sam Madison (hamstring). I’m sure Rex Grossman couldn’t be mmore happy that those guys won’t be on the field on Sunday night. Grossman is coming off a horrible game (18/24-210-1-3) in which the Bears suffered their first lose of the season.
The Bears come into Sunday night’s game with injury problems of their own. Brian Urlacher suffered a spraigned toe in the loss to the Dolphins but is expected to play against the Giants. The same can’t be said for Bernard Berrian who will be sidelined with bruised ribs for the next couple of weeks. As I’ve said before, Berrian is an important part of this Bears offense. It will be interesting to see how offensive coordinator Ron Turner and Rex Grossman change the game plan to account for the lose of Berrian. If they asked me (which they haven’t), I’d tell them to call more midrange passes to the outside. I think this plays to Muhsin Muhammad’s strength (if he could hold onto the balls), as well as opening up the middle of the field for Desmond Clark and the running game.
Next question. Will the Bears be able to stop the Giants offense? I think so. The Giants’ offense is predicated on the run, and I think the Bears will be able to slow their running attack down enough to force Eli Manning into some uncomfortable down and distance situations. Hopefully that will lead to some turnovers.
As we know, the defense is the strong part of the Bears team, but the offense will need to step up this week, even if it’s just to maintain a good locker room atmosphere. I know that if I were a defensive player I’d start to get tired of the offense underperforming. I don’t think that Lovie Smith or Ron Rivera will let that happen, but I think it’s definitely a possibility.
Now for my prediction. The beat up Giants defense will give up too many yards on the ground and the Bears defense will limit the effectiveness of Tiki and Eli. The Bears will pull out a close game 13-10.
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November 8th, 2006 at 3:42 pm
Giants win because they are tougher and can handle adversity better.
November 8th, 2006 at 3:52 pm
Scrivs.
You do realize that Eli Manning is related to Peyton Manning. And while I’m a fan, I’m not sure I would rank him high on the ‘handles adversity’ chart.
November 8th, 2006 at 7:03 pm
If you had both Rex Grossman, and Eli Manning for your fantasy team, who would you start and why? I am faced with this decision and can’t seem to come up with a good answer on my own.
November 8th, 2006 at 7:17 pm
Luke.
I would start Manning. The Bears offense would have to prove to me that they can deliver consistently again before starting Grossman again. Berrian is down and that will hurt the Bears production and Burress may be out for the Giants but I think the Giants have better options on offense than do the Bears. Another thing is that the only part of the Bears D that could be considered a weak link is the secondary. If I can see that, I know their offensive coordinator (John Hufnagel) can see it.
I just read that Amani Toomer is out for the season. That leaves Eli without as many solid options. I’d keep an eye on if Burress’ status as the week rolls on. If he’s on the shelf I’d say go with Rex.
Anyone else have thoughts?
November 8th, 2006 at 7:28 pm
I also have Jeremy Shockey. Does this make it a safer bet to start Manning, or could it hurt me to have two Giants going at the same time?
November 8th, 2006 at 7:33 pm
If Burress doesn’t play Shockey will be the only bona fide receiving threat. That could mean that he’ll get a lot of looks, or it could mean the Bears will gang up on him with one of their 3 really fast linebackers or safety.
I think that when you take all but one bullet out of Manning’s gun, safer to go with Rex.
Do you have faith in the Bears passing attack?
November 8th, 2006 at 7:47 pm
Luke,
I would have to disagree with Kendall. I think you should start Grossman. I agree that he hasn\’t been super consistent this year, but he hasn\’t had two bad games in a row. Plus, I think people are watching him really closely and are just waiting for him to mess up. No one totally trusts that he is going to be good long term. So when he does have a bad game people make a HUGE deal out of it.
November 8th, 2006 at 8:04 pm
So what it basically boils down to is that if Burress doesn’t start, bench Manning. But if Burress is good to go, I may want to consider him and hopefully utilize Shockey?
November 9th, 2006 at 10:49 am
That sounds about right to me. Hope it works out. Who do you think will win the Bears v. Giants game?
November 9th, 2006 at 7:00 pm
I would like to see the Giants pull it off, but with all honesty, I just want to see a great game.
November 12th, 2006 at 11:30 pm
Scrivs.
I have to say, I saw a lot of Peyton Manning face on young Eli on Sunday night.
Feeble weak Bears: 38
Mr. Tough and Handles adversity: 20
November 13th, 2006 at 7:36 pm
thanks for the advice with Grossman!