Bears Team Report

INSIDE SLANT

Regardless of the won-loss record, no Bears season is ever considered a total washout as long as it comes with at least one win over the Packers.

Jay Cutler(notes) can find out Sunday at Soldier Field if the same is true for individuals, when he gets an opportunity to atone for his inauspicious Bears debut that included four Packers interceptions in the season opener.

Unfortunately for the Bears, Cutler’s performance was a sign of things to come. He’s thrown 16 more picks since then and is tied with Lions rookie Matthew Stafford(notes) for the NFL lead with 20.

Last week against the Rams was the first time in eight games that Cutler wasn’t picked off at least once, and the hope is that he’s getting better.

But has he improved?

“That’s up for debate, maybe,” Cutler said. “It’s been a long year. It’s been a lot of ups and downs. I’m really not going to go back and look at all the games we’ve made mistakes. We have to concentrate on Green Bay this week and just getting better this week.”

Cutler was better against the Rams, but a 1-11 team isn’t much of a measuring stick. Still, his 96.0 passer rating was his highest in four weeks and only his second mark above 79.6 in the past eight weeks. For the season, Cutler’s 75.3 passer rating is 22nd in the league.

By comparison, the Packers’ Aaron Rodgers(notes) is fourth in the league with a passer rating of 103.3. He’s been below 85.0 in only two of 12 games this season and has thrown just three interceptions all season.

Cutler managed to throw for 277 yards in the first matchup, but the Packers’ defense has improved considerably as it’s adjusted to playing a 3-4 defense after switching from a 4-3 in the off-season. The 8-4 Packers have won four straight and their defense is No. 1 in the NFL in yards allowed and ranks in the top five in rushing yards (4), average gain per rush (2), passing yards (3) and average gain per pass (4) allowed. The Packers are also No. 2 in interceptions and No. 6 in third-down efficiency.

One advantage the 5-7 Bears will have is a greater familiarity with the Packers’ new scheme and how they play it. They didn’t have much to go off in the season opener.

“It was tough that first game with a new defensive coordinator (Dom Capers),” Cutler said. “He didn’t really show what exactly they were going to do with the 3-4, so there were a lot of unknowns. This time around, there is a lot more film on them, so we’re going to get a better read on them.”

The Bears have seen enough of Packers cornerback Charles Woodson(notes) to know they want nothing to do with the 33-year-old, 12-year veteran. The five-time Pro Bowl pick is mentioned in any intelligent discussion about defensive player of the year. He’s tied for third in the NFL with seven interceptions, leads the Packers with four forced fumbles and is third with 63 tackles.

“He’s one of the top guys in the NFL right now,” Cutler said. “He’s playing some of the best ball, probably, in his career.”

Even the Bears’ cornerbacks are impressed by Woodson’s play.

“Woodson is a beast,” Zach Bowman said. “I watched him on Thanksgiving. I watched him on Monday night, and he still has it. He’s making plays.”

The Packers’ other cornerback, Tramon Williams(notes), has had his problems, although he had one of the Pack’s picks against Cutler and tacked on a 67-yard return. But Williams was flagged three times for pass interference Monday night in the Packers’ 27-14 victory over the Ravens, for a total of 106 yards in penalties.

According to Cutler, the Bears must take some shots down the field, especially against Green Bay defensive backs who love to play tight press coverage.

“You definitely have to attack them,” Cutler said. “If you don’t, they’re just going to beat you up all day. There were some times in the first game where we took some shots. Johnny (Knox) got behind them once (for a 68-yard catch). We’re going to take what they give us. If they want to come up and press us, then we’ll definitely (get) some opportunities to run past them.”

Series History:   178th regular-season meeting in the NFL’s most frequently played rivalry. Bears lead 90-81-6. Packers won this year’s season opener 21-15 at Lambeau Field, as Bears QB Jay Cutler threw four interceptions. The Bears won the last meeting at Soldier Field, 20-17, last season on Monday Night Football.

NOTES, QUOTES

—Based on coaches’ review of game tape, Jamar Williams(notes) was credited with 20 tackles against the Rams, including 12 solos. Both are season highs for the Bears this year.

Williams was filling in for Lance Briggs(notes) (sprained knee), who had the previous highs for the Bears this season with 17 total tackles against the 49ers and 11 solos against the Bengals.

“Jamar Williams really stepped up and played well,” coach Lovie Smith said. “You expect some of your backups who have been here for a while to play that way when they get an opportunity. He really made plays in the running game, passing game and (all-around).”

Williams also had two pass breakups and earned more playing time in the final four games of the season, even after Briggs returns, which is expected to be this week against the Packers at Soldier Field.

“We go on production,” Smith said. “By his play (Sunday), it said, ‘I need more reps.’ We listen and we watch everything that happens, and we liked everything that we saw (Sunday) from him.”

So did Williams’ teammates.

“Jamar was all over the place,” defensive end Alex Brown(notes) said. “He deserves a lot of credit for coming out and replacing a guy like Lance Briggs, who is probably the best player at his position in the NFL. It says a lot about the guys we have as far as backups. Jamar can definitely step up and be a playmaker for us. Hopefully we see a lot more of him.”

Then, Brown quickly added. “We still want Briggs.”

—Defensive end Gaines Adams(notes), who cost the Bears a 2010 second-round draft choice, was inactive Sunday after having a total of no solo tackles and two assists in his first six games.

“I’m not disappointed in Gaines at all,” coach Lovie Smith said. “As far as him not playing, we were playing a running football team. I just felt like Jarron Gilbert(notes) gave us a little bit more as far as stopping the run. Just look at the guys we’re playing right now. There are good football players in front of him. He’s a part of the mix. We have a lot of players that we feel comfortable playing. But Gaines will have his day. He’s a good football player, and we’re pleased with the progress he’s making. Each week is different.”

• Quarterback Jay Cutler said after Sunday’s game that he “dinged” his hand when he was hit by Rams defensive end Leonard Little(notes) in the second quarter. Cutler threw just seven passes in the second half, but coach Lovie Smith said his hand wasn’t the reason.

“Going through any game, a quarterback will get dinged from time to time, will take some hits,” Smith said. “But we had a lead, our defense was playing good football, and you try to win the surest way. It was no more than that. Jay should be good to go and effective.”

By The Numbers:   24—Where the Bears’ offense ranks in total yards. The Packers’ defense is No. 1 in total yards allowed.

Quote To Note:   “I don’t remember the last time, if ever, that I’ve seen someone have the year that he’s having. He’s unbelievable. He’s all over the field. He’s playing corner, he’s playing the nickel, he’s playing strong safety. He’s coming up on tight ends, going head to head on tight ends. He’s making tackles, he’s causing fumbles, he’s intercepting balls. He is all over the place, and it’s unbelievable to watch.”—Bears offensive coordinator Ron Turner on Packers CB Charles Woodson.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

The offensive line switch of Chris Williams from right tackle to left tackle in place of injured Orlando Pace(notes) (groin), with Kevin Shaffer(notes) filling in at right tackle, worked well.

“I was pleased with how they both played,” coach Lovie Smith said. “(For) Chris, that’s tough moving, but he looked like a natural there. He played well. He was involved in one sack to that side, but it wasn’t all his fault. Kevin hasn’t played a lot. To come in and play against a good player like Leonard Little like he did was also big for him.”

Little had the Rams’ other sack.

Player Notes  

• RB Matt Forte’s(notes) six receptions of 20-plus-yards are tied for first among all running backs, along with Darren Sproles(notes) and Ray Rice(notes). Forte did not catch a pass in the first game vs. the Packers, and he was held to 55 yards on 25 carries.

• WR Devin Hester(notes) has not had a 50-yard receiving game in the past four games and is averaging 33.5 yards. He has not scored a touchdown in the past six games. He had four catches for 90 yards in the season opener vs. the Packers.

• TE Greg Olsen(notes) is averaging just 5.9 yards per catch over the last three games with 15 catches for 88 yards and a long gain of 11 yards. He had one catch for eight yards in the first meeting with the Packers when Charles Woodson took him out of the game.

• WR Earl Bennett(notes) caught four passes for 66 yards in Week 1 vs. Green Bay.

• WR Johnny Knox(notes) caught two passes for 82 yards, including a 68-yarder in the season opener against the Packers.

Game Plan:   In the first meeting the Bears got after Packers QB Aaron Rodgers, sacked him four times and limited him to 184 yards on 17-of-28 passing, but the Bears have had that many sacks just once in the past 11 games. The Bears will still come after Rodgers, who has been sacked more than anyone in the NFL, but the Packers have done a slightly better job of protecting him recently. In the first game the Bears used a variety of blitzes, getting sacks from strong safety Al Afalava(notes) and nickel back Danieal Manning(notes).

Offensively, the Bears finally showed a desire to run the ball last week, rushing a season-high 38 times, even though they picked up just 120 yards on the ground. The Bears are still 31st in rushing yards but they don’t want to be put into situations where Jay Cutler has to throw the ball, considering he was intercepted four times in the first meeting on opening Sunday. And that was when the Packers were struggling with the conversion to a 3-4 defense.

They have improved tremendously since then and are currently No. 1 in total defense, fourth against the run and third against the pass. Charles Woodson is having an MVP-caliber season at cornerback, but on the other side, Tramon Williams has struggled, so the Bears will try to take advantage of him. Because the Packers like to play press coverage, the Bears believe they will have a couple opportunities to go deep.

Matchups To Watch:   LT Chris Williams, who is expected to make his second NFL start at left tackle, vs. Packers rookie ROLB Clay Matthews(notes), who leads the team with seven sacks, including two last week. Williams, who started the first 11 games at right tackle but was drafted to play on the left side, allowed one sack to the Rams’ Chris Long(notes) last week. If Orlando Pace is recovered from a groin injury, he could be back at left tackle, but the veteran has struggled all season with speed rushers.

Bears QB Jay Cutler, who is tied for the NFL lead with 20 interceptions, vs. Packers five-time Pro Bowl CB Charles Woodson, who is tied for third in the NFL with seven interceptions and has also forced four fumbles.

Bears DLE Adewale Ogunleye(notes), who had two sacks in the first meeting, vs. Packers RT Mark Tauscher(notes). Ogunleye was going against Allen Barbre(notes) in the first game.

Injury Impact:   WR Devin Hester (calf) and MLB Hunter Hillenmeyer(notes) (groin) did not practice Wednesday.

WLB Lance Briggs (knee) and OT Orlando Pace (groin), who missed last Sunday’s game, returned but were limited, as were DTs Tommie Harris(notes) (knee) and Israel Idonije(notes) (knee). All are expected back Sunday with the possible exception of Pace.

TE Desmond Clark(notes) (neck), who also missed the Rams game, participated fully.