Bears-Cards Preview

Here is my preview of tonight's Bears-Cards matchup:

Who Has the Edge?

Offense
The Bears will likely do what they've been doing all season: throw intermediate routes, take deep shots, and run the ball. It's just a real NFL offense, which this city hasn't had for at least a decade. I feel that the 1995 team had the best, most balanced offensive season in team history, and people are starting to pick up on that now, because Ron Turner was also the offensive coordinator for that team. Word is that the Bears have added 10 more plays to the playbook for tonight's game, so an aerial show worthy of Monday night could be in store for us. The Cardinals will likely attempt to run the ball with Edgerrin James and have rookie QB Matt Leinart throw short, quick passes so he doesn't get sacked too often. However, the Cards' offensive line is so bad that they likely won't be able to run the ball very well at all, and pass protection will be a problem. With star WR Larry Fitzgerald out, Leinart may develop tunnel vision for Anquan Boldin, leading to at least an interception or two. Edge: Bears

Defense
ESPN has reported that Bears DE Adewale Ogunleye won't play tonight, and that will hurt some, but the combo of Israel Idonije and Mark Anderson should be able to step in and do well. The game plan will basically be to put a lot of pressure on Leinart and hit him every chance they can get, forcing turnovers in the process. The Cards will likely try to blitz Grossman a lot and try to confuse him, but if they blitz, the WRs will likely be in single coverage, and we know what Bernard Berrian has done to single coverage this season. If they decide to cover Berrian deep, Grossman will be glad to throw intermediate passes to the Moose. Edge: Bears

Special Teams
Bears kicker Robbie Gould has been solid gold this season. Returners Rashied Davis and Devin Hester have done a good job and are a threat to break one every time. Cards kicker Neil Rackers, who was almost perfect last season, has struggled this year, missing all three of his 50+ yard attempts. J.J. Arrington and Troy Walters are average return men. Edge: Bears

Coaching
Lovie Smith and his staff have done an excellent job this year. Dennis Green is a pretty good coach, but he is at the mercy of his rookie QB after Kurt Warner coughed up the QB job. Edge: Bears

Intangibles
This will be the Bears' first game on the Monday night stage in three years. The Bears have historically been pretty bad on Monday Night Football, but in what could be a Super season, the team should be up to the challenge tonight. Edge: Bears

Prediction
Leinart looks like he'll be a pretty good one, but he's still a rookie. Tonight, the Bears take him back to school. Bears 34, Cardinals 9