Atlanta Falcons Prepare for Rested Chicago Bears
Falcons Look to Remain Undefeated at Home Against Jay Cutler's Bears
Oct 11, 2009
The Falcons, coming off a 45-10 dismantling of the San Francisco 49ers (3-2) on the road, look to beat a 3-1 team for the second time in as many weeks when they play host to the Bears in The Georgia Dome.
Matt Ryan, Roddy White Coming off Career Days Heading into Bears Game
Two of the Falcons' offensive stars had career days against the 49ers in week 5 of the NFL. Matt Ryan threw for a career-best 327 yards, while Roddy White broke the Atlanta Falcons franchise record for receiving, amassing 210 yards on eight receptions. Both hope to keep the momentum going against a tough Chicago Bears defense.
The Falcons were also able to get running back Michael Turner back on track. Turner ran for 97 yards, and averaged over four yards-a-carry for the first time this season while rushing for three touchdowns on the ground. The Atlanta Falcons' offense, which scored six touchdowns on the day against the 49ers' highly rated defense, got excellent play out of its offensive line, a unit which was under much scrutiny going into the San Francisco game.
The Atlanta offensive line will need a similar effort against a quick, stout Chicago front in order to not only give Michael Turner running lanes, but to give Matt Ryan time to throw in the pocket off of play-action pass against a fast Bears defense.
Atlanta Falcons Defense Hopes to Continue Improved Play Against Chicago Bears
After the loss of defensive lineman and first-round draft pick Peria Jerry to a knee injury in week 2 against the Carolina Panthers, the Falcons' defensive line struggled mightily against the New England Patriots in week 3. Coach Mike Smith and his staff were so displeased after that performance that they gave tryouts to several veterans before the San Fransisco game, which served as an NFL-style wake-up call to John Abraham, Jamaal Anderson, Jonathan Babineaux and Thomas Johnson.
Against San Francisco, Atlanta controlled the line and gave up only 100 yards rushing, over half of which were from Sean Hill scrambles. They were also able to get pressure on Hill, who looked uncomfortable in the pocket against blitz packages.
Against the Bears, the Falcons will need the defensive line to apply pressure with a four-man front, as quarterback Jay Cutler has the capability to release the ball quickly and accurately on hot reads, something the 49ers' Hill was unable to do.
Chicago Bears Coming Off a Bye Week
Over 60% of NFL teams coming off of a bye week end up winning—a significant statistic the Bears hope will hold true as they prepare for a tough road test against a surging Atlanta Falcons.
Head Coach Lovie Smith and the Bears are looking to get running back Matt Forte on track against the Falcons' defense. Forte is only averaging 67 yards a game this year, and while some of this might have to do with Cutler and a shift in play-calling, some feel Forte has not been hitting the holes and reading the defense as well through the first four weeks.
Chicago Bears' Injury Report - Israel Idonije Out / Devon Hester In
Defensive lineman Israel Idonije, who suffered a knee injury in the Pittsburgh Steelers game, had his knee scoped over the bye week and will be unavailable against the Falcons.
To the relief of Bears fans, Devon Hester—the versatile and explosive kick returner and wide receiver who suffered a neck injury in the win against the Detroit Lions—will be in uniform and available for Sunday night's game.
Key Match-up: Tony Gonzalez vs. Lance Briggs & Pisa Tinoisamoa
Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez was able to get away from Patrick Willis and the 49ers safeties for a solid day receiving for the Falcons. With Atlanta looking to build upon the return of its running game, look for Gonzalez to release often on the play-action pass when the Falcons have double tight end sets and in two-back formations. A key will be whether Briggs, an aggressive linebacker, will recognize Gonzalez in coverage and be able to stay with the Pro Bowler. If not, Matt Ryan could have another huge day.
Matt Ryan and Play-Action Pass Keyed by Running Game
Ryan completed 90% of his passes, including both his touchdowns, off of play-action fakes against the 49ers, many of those going to Roddy White and Tony Gonzalez. For Atlanta to have similar success against the Bears, Atlanta's offensive line will need to execute their blocking assignments and show the same toughness displayed against the 49ers, thus giving the running game life.
Offensively, look for Atlanta to try establishing a run game in order to set up the passing game against Chicago, a team with aggressive safeties and linebackers who are prone to being drawn out of position on play-action.
Bears, Falcons Prediction
It's no small matter that the Bears will be coming into Atlanta after a bye week, and to a degree, this game will measure the competency of the Bears' coaching staff.
Look for both teams to be able to run the ball—Forte should have a solid game—which will open up the play-action pass, a department where Matt Ryan excels. The team which is able to get pressure on the opposing quarterback and come up with big plays on defense will win this game.
Look for Chicago's defense to be the story coming in, but for the much maligned Atlanta unit, which will enter with a new set of blitz packages created over the bye week before the 49ers game, to disrupt Cutler just enough to slow down the Bears offense.
Prediction: Atlanta Falcons 24, Chicago Bears 21.
Chicago Bears Schedule
After the Falcons, the Bears move into the an AFC Central portion of its NFL schedule, traveling to Cincinnati to take on the surging Bengals before returning home to host the lowly Cleveland Browns.
Atlanta Falcons Schedule
After the Bears, the Falcons have back-to-back road tests, first against the Dallas Cowboys and then a Monday Night Football game against the New Orleans Saints in the Crescent City, a game which will do much to determine which team will head to the playoffs (NFL).
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