Chicago Bears Week 10: What To Look For

Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

The Bears have to put pressure on Aaron Rodgers.

In their first matchup at Soldier Field, Rodgers had all the time in the world to find an open receiver, and he did so, over and over again. The one time he was pressured, he ran away from the pressure and flicked the ball forty yards into the end zone (though a penalty nullified the touchdown).

The Packers with Rodgers did not punt at all in that game. Without the pressure, Rodgers completed 22 of his 28 passes (78.5 completion rate!) for 302 yards and 4 touchdowns.

This week, Rodgers is dealing with a hamstring injury that affected him two weeks ago in the Packers’ loss to the New Orleans Saints. He also had a bye this week, and it really helped him,

The Bears need to make Rodgers move around to see if he is truly over the injury. If he re-injures the hamstring, that spells good news for the Bears. This requires Jared Allen to show up and earn his pay.

Allen was the big free agent pickup this season, and so far that signing appears to be a bust. After being a perennial double-digit sack machine, he has just 1.5 this season. To borrow from Marshall, “That is unacceptable!” Allen needs to wreak havoc in the Packers’ backfield, and lead the way for the Bears front line.