Colts-Bears Preview

Colts-Bears Preview

The Indianapolis Colts and Chicago Bears met in the Super Bowl two years ago with Indianapolis winning the Lombardi Trophy. The Colts continued their winning ways by taking the AFC South title yet again in 2007. Unfortunately, the Bears did not experience the same level of success a year ago struggling their way to a 7-9 season. Now the two teams open the 2008 season in a primetime clash in the brand new home of the Colts.

COLTS OFFENSE vs. BEARS DEFENSE
Peyton Manning hasn't been active at all during camp or in the preseason after having knee surgery to remove an infected bursa sac. If you go by his comments, Manning will be ready to go. And even a rusty Peyton Manning is more dangerous than most quarterbacks in the NFL. Making him even more lethal is the return of wide receiver Marvin Harrison, who missed most of last season with a knee injury. Harrison may be getting long in the tooth, but he is still one of the best in the game. Add Reggie Wayne after his breakout season of a year ago and tight end Dallas Clark and the Chicago secondary will have their hands full. Wayne totaled over 1,500 yards receiving in 2007 and Clark led the Colts in touchdown receptions with 11.But the passing game will be only part of the concern for the Bears on defense. The Colts are even deeper than they were a year ago at running back. They will lead with Joseph Addai, who rushed ror 1,072 yards with 12 touchdowns in 2007. But this season, Addai will have Dominic Rhodes backing him up again instead of Kenton Keith.

What may be of concern for the Colts are the guys up front. Center Jeff Saturday is out indefinitely and it appears that he will be replaced by rookie Jamey Richard. That would give the Colts two rookies up front with RIchard and Mike Pollak at guard. Undoubtedly, the Bears will try to exploit the inexperience of the two rookies in the middle since Tony Ugoh and Ryan Diem are solid at the tackles. This is where defensive Tommie Harris will be so important. Harris is one of the best interior linemen in the NFL and the Bears will need for him to get into the backfield and disrupt everything the Colts try and do. Getting pressure on Manning is key. If he is given any amount of time everyone knows he can tear a defense to shreds. It starts with Harris getting free up the middle and Alex Brown and Adewale Ogunleye getting loose from their end positions. If the Bears can't get enough heat on Manning, they will bring bliztes. Brian Urlacher will normally come right up the middle but he won't be the only one to help with the heat. Safety Mike Brown plays his best near the line of scrimmage and is also an option. The Bears have decent corners in Charles Tillman and Nathan Vasher, but Wayne and Harrison are hard to handle for even the best cover corners. And too much time for Manning would only make their jobs harder.

BEARS OFFENSE vs. COLTS DEFENSE
While the Colts offense suffered some from not having Marvin Harrison available to play in 2007, the problems the Bears had on offense were far more widespread. And the changes made for the upcoming season will be tested against the Colts. Rex Grossman is no longer the starting quarterback. Kyle Orton will now run the offense. Running back Cedric Benson is no longer with the team at all after too many off the field incidents. Now the running game rests with rookie Matt Forte. Bernard Berrian and Muhsin Muhammad are both gone. This year, the Bears want return ace Devin Hester to beome a No. 1 receiver.  And Marty Booker and Brandon Lloyd have been brought on board for experience  at the position. Add Rashied Davis to the rotation as well. Davis helped himself in the preseason and will be a player to keep an eye on. Suffice to say, the Colts will likely get a number of different looks from the Bears offense.

But it does begin up front and Fred Miller and Rueben Brown are both gone. Terrence Metcalf and John St. Clair fill the voids and St. Clair in particular will have his hands full with Dwight Freeney, one of the fastest ends in the NFL. For the Bears, they will want to run the ball first  and foremost. So look for linebacker Gary Brackett and safety Bob Sanders to be flying in and making hits. The Colts know if they shut the ground game down, the Bears have to resort to a passing attack that is questionable at best. So the Colts will stack up to stop the run if need be to force the Bears into relying on their air attack. Kyle Orton won the starting job partially because he doesn't normally make the same mistakes that Grossman makes. But if he has no running game and his protection is breaking down, Orton could also make critical errors.

SPECIAL TEAMS
Devin Hester gives the Bears an edge in the return game obviously. Punters Hunter Smith and Brad Maynard are about even as both averaged a bit under 42 yards per punt in 2007. Robbie Gould had a career season in 2007, which would give him an edge over most kickers, but Adam Vinitieri is no everyday placekicker and is one of the best clutch kickers in the NFL.

SUMMARY
The Colts do what they do and it seems they do so regardless of who they have on the field. The offense will move the ball and score points. The defense, although undersized, is aggressive and they will fly to the ball. The Bears now may have to find themselves on offense with a rookie running back, questions on the line and at receiver and a new quarterback. But starting off against the Colts isn't the best way to do so. The Chicago defense will keep the Bears in the game early, but to beat the Colts you have to score points. Few defenses can hold down Manning and Company all day. The Bears offense won't be able to match the Colts on the scoreboard and their defense won't be able to shut down the Indy offense. So look for a happy grand opening for Lucas Field.

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