Game Preview: Chicago Bears at New York Giants, November 7, 2004

Approach to the Game – Chicago Bears at New York Giants, November 7, 2004: This is not a comfortable position for the Giants: coming off an upset against a quality team and now being favored against an inferior team that they are favored to beat. But the Giants need to get over this “play down to the level of your opponents” crap that has tormented them since God knows how long. The Bears are a lot like the Lions – good defense and special teams, bad offense. But the first two elements of their team often keep them in tight games and the Bears are physical on offense and they can run the football. Yes, this is another trap game for the Giants. The players and coaches need to stop talking about not falling prey to trap games and actually prove it with their actions on the football field. As Tom Coughlin is fond of saying, “Deeds, not words.”

Giants on Offense: The Bears have a good defense. They are well-coached defensively (their head coach being one of the candidates competing for the Giants’ top job with Coughlin) and have good talent. It will not be easy for New York to move the football or score many points. The defensive line is decent with two ends who can rush the passer: LDE Adewale Ogunleye (questionable with a leg injury) and RDE Alex Brown. The Bears have a nice complementary defensive tackle duo in LDT Tommie Harris and RDT Ian Scott. Harris was a top draft pick who plays with excellent quickness and has 2.5 sacks. Scott is more of the 2-gap run defender who ties up blockers. The Giants’ offensive line, which has not pass blocked well the last two weeks, will need to elevate its game in pass protection. Both tackles and RG Chris Snee will be under the microscope in this department. The Bears are not afraid to blitz, especially with MLB Brian Urlacher (“NFC Defensive Player of the Week”; 4 sacks despite missing the early portion of the season) so blitz pick-ups by the line, tight ends, and backs will be critically important.

WLB Lance Briggs is a run-and-chase type who is a good tackler and hitter. But he is not terribly strong at the point-of-attack and has problems in coverage at times. Running in his direction and at Alex Brown (who is not a good run defender) would seem prudent. Look for off tackle runs behind LT Luke Petitgout and those runs around left end where TE Visanthe Shiancoe will block down on Brown and Petitgout and LG Jason Whittle pull.

I’d be surprised if the Bears don’t keep Urlacher (a former safety) in coverage for much of the game against HB Tiki Barber. But if the Giants are able to match-up Barber (or TE Jeremy Shockey) on one of the other two linebackers in the passing game, this might prove fruitful as well. Hunter Hillenmeyer is the non-descript strongside linebacker.

In the secondary, the Bears will be without LCB Charles Tillman (knee). But the secondary is still decent. R.W. McQuarters (on Ike Hilliard) will start at left corner and Jerry Azumah (on Amani Toomer) is the right corner. McQuarters is a heck of an athlete, but he will sometimes gamble and lose. He also will give up plays in front of him so look for QB Kurt Warner to play pitch-and-catch with Hilliard some. Azumah is a smaller corner who plays bigger than his size. He is very quick and fast, but he will bite on some moves. With Mike Brown out for the season, Todd Johnson is the new free safety. Johnson is a good run defender but he sometimes struggles in coverage. Reserve CB Nathan Vasher is an impressive rookie who just returned a pick 71 yards for a touchdown against the 49ers. If the offensive line can give Warner time, the Giants’ receiving corps of Toomer, Hilliard, and Jamaar Taylor may be able to make some big plays with double-moves against this aggressive group.

Giants on Defense: The major key defensively in this game is stopping the run. The Bears are down to their third quarterback as Rex Grossman was lost for the season and Jonathan Quinn was terrible. Craig Krenzel is the new quarterback who got his first start last week in the Bears’ defeat of the 49ers. Again, this is not a comfortable position for the Giants (remember Doug Johnson of the Falcons?). But the Giants must go into this game thinking run defense first and foremost. The Bears can run the ball as they are a physical, blue-collar group up front. And the Giants’ run defense has been spotty at times this season. The interior of the offensive line is a real strength with LG Ruben Brown, OC Olin Kreutz (one of the best centers in the game), and RG Mike Gandy (questionable with a hamstring injury). This is a very good run-blocking group who can maul defenders so the defensive tackles all need to buckle up their chin straps and get ready for a real war. John Tait is one of the best right tackles in football and the Bears will likely count on him to handle DE Michael Strahan all by himself. LT Qasim Mitchell is a huge player who can run block but who also sometimes struggles in pass protection. The Giants need big games out of Keith Washington and Osi Umenyiora here.

Thomas Jones is questionable with a toe injury so the Giants may see more of Anthony Thomas – a no-frills, physical running back typical of the University of Michigan. He’s strictly a between-the-tackles runner who finishes his runs off well. Thomas is good in short yardage too. FB Bryan Johnson is a very good lead blocker and the Bears will use him as a safety valve in the passing game (12 catches). The man on the spot here in my opinion is MLB Kevin Lewis. This is the type of game where Lewis will really show his mettle. If he plays poorly, misreads plays, and can’t get off blocks, the Giants may be in trouble. The other guy who needs to play well in run support is the undersized strong safety, Gibril Wilson. It’s also time for SLB Carlos Emmons (questionable with a hip flexor) to be more of a factor in run defense. If Emmons can’t play, Reggie Torbor will be on the spot. It’s probably better for the Giants to have Nick Greisen starting this weekend on the weakside, given the style of the opponent.

If Thomas Jones plays, he is a major threat of the backfield (26 catches). Linebacker coverage here will be crucial. TE Desmond Clark is more receiver than tight end. He has the ability to make plays down the field.

Krenzel is a big quarterback who usually makes good decisions, but he is a statue in the pocket, has a slow release, and is not terribly accurate. He has a good, but not great arm. The Giants should not play it safe in my opinion (and thereby give him confidence), but come after him and force some bad turnovers. The Giants played it safe with Joey Harrington of the Lions and Harrington played his best game of the year. Take some chances with your secondary and come after Krenzel – make him beat you. If he does, then kudos to him and the Bears.

Will Peterson faces the Bears’ most-talented receiver, David Terrell. But Terrell doesn’t run great routes and has been a big disappointment to the Bears since he was drafted. Nevertheless, he does have the ability to make catches deep or over the middle so Peterson has to take him very seriously. The other starter, Bobby Wade, is a very quick receiver who lacks speed. Will Allen has had some problems with quick, double-moves so Wade and the Bears may come after him a bit until he proves he can handle it. Wade is similar in style to Wayne Chrebet – a savvy guy who knows how to get open. Like the Giants’ starters, neither Terrell nor Wade have a touchdown reception yet (knock on wood).

Giants on Special Teams: The Bears have outstanding special teams and very dangerous returners. R.W. McQuarters is the punt returner and Jerry Azumah is the principle kickoff returner. Azumah is averaging 27 yards-per-return and has a 73-yarder this season. The Giants’ coverage units need to be in top form on Sunday.

Former Giant Brad Maynard is one of the top punters in football and PK Paul Edinger is very good despite his unorthodox kicking style.

Prediction: Once again, the Giants embarrass themselves against an inferior team. Bears 55, Giants 6.