FIVE THINGS TO WATCH
KEY MATCHUP:
Right tackle Bryan Bulaga’s rivalry with outside linebacker Willie Young will resume after a one-sided competition in the first meeting that went to Bulaga. It wasn’t until late in the game that Young, who played the majority of his 63 snaps on the left side, beat Bulaga for a flush. Most of the time Bulaga blunted Young’s unconventional pass-rushing style with solid sets and good hand placement. With frigid, windy weather forecast, it’ll be difficult for pass rushers to find suitable footing. “The Bears have speed and athletic rushers,” an executive in personnel said. “It probably will be tough sleddin’ to get quite the same production.”
REVOLVING GUARDS:
In the first game, former Packers left guard Josh Sitton (ankle) sat out and right guard Kyle Long departed after 20 snaps because of an arm injury. Sitton is back in the lineup but Long, who went on injured reserve Nov. 15, will be replaced by journeyman Ted Larsen. After studying Sitton last Sunday against Detroit, one scout said it was apparent the ankle still bothered him. He also said Sitton looked a little overweight and questioned his stamina, which he theorized was due in part to the nagging ankle injury. “Sometimes you see athletic limitations,” said the scout. “But he’s never been a pretty body. I still think he’s a solid starter and helped solidify them.”
RISING ROOKIE:
Outside linebacker Leonard Floyd had missed the two previous games with a calf injury before playing 35 snaps in Green Bay. Two of his seven sacks came against the Packers. On the first, Floyd beat David Bakhtiari inside for a sack in 3.5 seconds when Aaron Rodgers also held the ball too long. On the second, Floyd ran a well-choreographed stunt in which right guard Don Barclay, subbing for injured T.J. Lang, was picked by Young and he swooped wide and cleaned up. “Floyd has been real active,” one scout said. “Looks like he’s got a shot to really be the player that they picked (ninth overall) in terms of pass rush and making plays.” Added another personnel man: “He’s got no experience in coverage. You can’t put a plow on a thoroughbred. ‘Hey, go get the ball, man. Go make a play.’ To their credit, they’ve done a good job of that.”
ON THE MOVE:
Rookie running back Jordan Howard played just 22 snaps against Green Bay the first time around and backup Ka’Deem Carey logged 26. Howard carried seven times for 22 yards and didn’t catch a pass. In the six games since then, Howard has rushed 121 times for 617 yards (5.1) and four touchdowns. “The guy can run the ball,” Lions defensive coordinator Teryl Austin said Dec. 8. “He’s got good vision. He’s not going to go down on the first hit. If you’re going to tackle him you better tackle him. You’re not going to arm-tackle him, you’re not going to trip him up.” Added Bears coach John Fox: “Real humble young man. Success hasn’t gone to his head. If not No. 1, he’s in the top three in the league as far as yards after contact.”
BACK-END MATCHUPS:
In the first game, the Bears played a lot of press-man coverage challenging the Packers’ wide receivers. Veteran cornerback Tracy Porter covered Jordy Nelson much of the night, basically owning him. With Aaron Rodgers attempting 56 passes, only four went to Nelson. He caught one (for 9 yards), and it came against slow-footed strong safety Harold Jones-Quartey. On the other side, Davante Adams wore out De’Vante Bausby and Jacoby Glenn, neither of whom remains on the Bears’ roster. Cre’Von LeBlanc, who covered Randall Cobb in the slot, now plays outside leaving Bryce Callahan inside. “Last time LeBlanc was playing inside and he really struggled,” said one scout. “He is playing better. He still has some issues. Callahan is a more natural nickel with his size and quickness. They’ve had lots of moving parts in that secondary.”