BEARS (1-3) VS. COLTS (1-3)
SUNDAY, 1 P.M. ET, LUCAS OIL STADIUM, INDIANAPOLIS uTV: FOX, DIRECTV 711
Announcers: Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Erin Andrews
About the Bears: A green secondary, rookie runner and veteran backup quarterback led Chicago to its first win, 17-14 against the Detroit Lions. After a knee injury to No. 1 CB three young cornerbacks —
and — locked up Detroit’s dangerous passing game. Fifth-round RB
helped Chicago win time of possession for the first time with the franchise’s best debut in the starting lineup by a tailback since Matt Forte. QB in his second start in place of injured (thumb), became the first Bear since Josh McCown more than two years ago to have consecutive 300-yard games. Hoyer took apart the Lions’ hapless defense, hooking up regularly with and who was having his best game as a pro before leaving with a left ankle injury.
About the Colts: They’re the first team to play the following Sunday after traveling to London. The Colts again couldn’t protect their franchise quarterback or prevent the opposition from scoring 30 points, falling 30-27 to the previously winless Jacksonville Jaguars. After seeing coaches fired after London games the past two years, owner likely was left second-guessing his decision on the long flight back to extend the contracts of coach and GM over the offseason. About the only positive for the Colts, who play five games in the next five weeks, is that they’re still alive in the AFC South. But Pagano’s defense continues to struggle, and the roster has a lot of question marks outside of QB
Porter, whom the Bears say could have returned Sunday, and Callahan will be tested by the speed of Indianapolis’ dynamic receiving tandem. Hilton and Dorsett, both with fourth-quarter touchdowns in Indianapolis’ failed comeback bid, are explosive players, but Chicago’s secondary just grounded
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
another big-strike offense.
Player to watch: Bears ILB Jerrell Freeman: The Colts will wonder why they let Freeman, third in the NFL in tackles, get away. He has been tremendous in the middle and will have to be active in slowing RBs
and rookie
Hoyer’s 120.1 passer rating was the second highest of his career. He has attempted 97 passes without an interception.
KEYS TO THE GAME
1. Colts’ response: How will the Colts handle their road weariness and the imminent chatter about Pagano and Grigson? They need CB and OLBs and to step up against a Bears team finally enjoying momentum. It starts with getting stops early against Howard and giving Luck and the offense a chance to play with a lead.
2. Turnovers: The Bears generated two interceptions deep in their territory Sunday, their first multi-takeaway showing since last Thanksgiving, while continuing to show better ball security with Hoyer than with Cutler. Meantime, Luck has at least one giveaway in three consecutive games.
3. That offensive line: Behind three rookie starters, Luck was sacked a career-high six times. Whether RT and RG
can return from back injuries to resume their starting roles remains to be seen. But the unit, even at full strength, wasn’t giving Luck sufficient protection.
Arthur Arkush