This week, Rex Grossman will have something in common with the opposition’s quarterback. They’re both former SEC quarterbacks in big markets that still have yet to prove their worth as premier NFL quarterbacks. The Giants are coming off a demoralizing loss to Minnesota where Eli Manning matched a career high with 4 interceptions, 3 of which came back to the house. As for the Bears, I still find it unbelievable that fans are talking “playoffs” and “running the table”, but that’s the reality of the situation. Here’s what the Bears need to do in a rematch from last year:

Offense: The Bears have seemed to try everything on offense this year and most of it hasn’t worked. A dismal running game, quarterback by committee, stupid penalties, and dropped passes is a quick summary. It’s not going to be any easier against the Giants, especially on the end. Left tackle John Tait has struggled for much of the year and now the Bears will be without Fred Miller (who hasn’t done anything special either) at the right tackle position. Thus, John St. Clair will have the honour of facing Michael Strahan on Sunday and Tait won’t have any easier of a time with Osi Umenyiora on the other side. Adrian Peterson gets the call at running back with Cedric Benson on the IR, but its not necessarily like starting a rookie at the position. Peterson is a six year vet who’s been waiting for this moment for some time and should be ready to fill right in for Benson and has the ability to catch the football out of the backfield. The passing game will need to excel in this game as the Giants are eighth in the league on the run, but do show some instability in the secondary which is currently ranked seventeenth.

What to Watch For: Its no doubt that the Bears will “test” Peterson to see how he reacts in the number one role and to determine where their running game lies with him as a starter. The problem is, just about every team stacks 8 guys in the box and uses multiple blitzes due to the inconsistent passing game, which leaves the ability to run the football a very difficult task. Instead of trying to establish the the run and use play action, the offense may be better suited to use singleback, multiple receiver sets to spread out the Giants defense and allow Grossman to connect on short to mid passing routes over the middle and in the flats. Look for the Giants to blitz heavy and get good pressure on the ends of the line which will make Peterson priceless in assisting with blitz pickups. If the Giants do come heavy from the outside, it could limit the abilities for the Bears tight ends to exploit the middle of the field being forced to stay home and help in blocking schemes. It all comes down to how well Tait and St. Clair can handle the ends for the Giants. Watch the Bears to also follow Minnesota’s idea of going deep in the passing game against rookie Aaron Ross early in the game.

Defense: The defense allowed touchdowns to an up and coming wide receiver (Brandon Marshall), a no name tight end (Tony Scheffler), and a former practice squad running back (Andre Hall) against Denver. Is it just me or do the names Plaxico Burress, Jeremy Shockey, and Brandon Jacobs/Reuben Droughns develop a scary thought? The Bears were able to hold Denver to 1 for 12 on third down, but still allowed Denver to move the ball downfield on first and second down. The Bears are at the bottom at nearly every defensive category and its no doubt the Giants will try to pound the ball with the running game and use play action to set up some big passing plays. The Bears have been ultimately inconsistent, but so is Eli Manning and hopefully they learned a lot from the tape last week against Minnesota. It appears that Nathan Vasher will be out once again and it will ultimately come down to the Bears secondary and linebackers being able to defend against Burress and Shockey.

What To Watch For: What worked for Minnesota? They came heavy and often right up the middle with blitzes/stunts which left Manning shuffling his feet and forced him to throw 4 picks. The Bears haven’t been a force up the middle in terms of blitzes or either in coverage. The Bears have gotten decent pressure from the defensive ends and hopefully we’ll here Tommie Harris’ name called a slew of times during this game. The Bears absolutely cannot overpursue and allow the Giants running game to move the ball or let Manning pick them apart if he has time.

Special Teams: Hester won’t touch the ball and won’t return a missed field goal 108 yards.

What To Watch For: The Bears being able to retrieve pooched kickoffs. Maybe give Garrett Wolfe a shot in the middle to return a kickoff?

Overall: It almost seems like an annual event, but Giants fans and the New York media are once again wondering if a good early start will yet again lead to a late season downfall. Tom Coughlin and Eli Manning are on the hot seat and after last week’s performance, they need a big win. What better way to get back in gear and gain revenge after last year’s loss to the Bears at the Meadowlands. As for the Bears, they just about need to win out and haven’t shown any consistency on either side of the ball to give fans (or maybe just me) any real hope that there is still a good shot to make the playoffs. Devin Hester won the game last week and the Giants punter isn’t Todd Sauerbrun. In either case, our pizza and hot dogs are still better than New York’s…

My Pick: Giants 20 Bears 17

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