Be Ready for A-Gap Pressure Look From Urlacher and Briggs

This past Sunday against the Bills, Aaron Rodgers and the Packers' offense seemed to have all sorts of problems in the first half with the Bills' third down defense, especially when they walked linebackers and safeties into the "A" gap pre-snap. Rodgers in particular seemed to be over thinking things, seemingly trying to audible into the "perfect" play each time. At one point, a visibly frustrated Rodgers even had to burn a time out early in the first half when he couldn't get an adjustment made in time.

I'm not sure how much Buffalo had shown this look the week prior, but you can bet you'll see it from Chicago on Monday night. Lovie Smith has been dropping Lance Briggs and Brian Urlacher into the A-Gap pre-snap for years, especially on passing downs. It creates confusion and doubt along the offensive line and with the quarterback. Are they coming? Are they dropping into coverage? Is one coming and the other dropping, or vice-versa? This works for the Bears because of Urlacher and Briggs' incredible athleticism. Sometimes Urlacher will start in the A Gap and end up sprinting back 20 to 30 yards with a streaking tight end or even wide receiver.

Rodgers can be sure to see a lot of this look on Monday night. While the Bears use their version of the Tampa 2 on a majority of third and long calls, if Rodgers catches them in man coverage on a second or third down, watch for the backshoulder throw like the one below:

• Get the Bears In Nickel And Run the Ball

McCarthy is a master at showing multiple looks personnel wise. (Urlacher commented on what a headache it is for the defense when he met with local Chicago media today) One of the things that Dallas did well early in their matchup with the Bears last week was getting Chicago to bring in a defensive back for a linebacker and then run the ball.

Now, I am under no illusions that Brandon Jackson, John Kuhn and Dimitri Nance are anywhere near the talent level of  Marion Barber, Felix Jones and Teshard Choice. But I do know the Packers have a much better chance in the running game if they can a) get all three backs involved. (I think they will mix in Nance a bit more this week before really taking the training wheels off next week against the Lions), b) keep the Bears off-balance by running out of passing formations and throwing out of power formations, at least early on in the game and c) use their own running backs the proper way.

That last one really stumped me last week. A lot was made of Jackson not doing much with the limited carries he was given but I submit that both he and Kuhn were taken out of their comfort zones a bit. I understand not wanting to get predictable, but using Kuhn on a stretch end run and Jackson to pound it up the middle is a bit ridiculous. Give Jackson a chance to run the stretch plays and leave the pounding of the football to Kuhn and I think you'll see a bit of an improvement.