New England Patriots: Keys to Slowing Bears Offensive Attack

Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports

While Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler is prone to making a mistake or two throughout the course of a ballgame, the New England Patriots can’t bank on that this Sunday afternoon. Cutler has a bevy of offensive weapons at his disposal. The Patriots will have to be conscience of where each one is at all times. Two Patriots, among several others who’ll be key in defending Chicago’s aerial attack, are Brandon Browner and Darrelle Revis.

Starting on the outside, the Bears employee All-Pro wideout Brandon Marshall and third-year standout Alshon Jeffery.

Marshall presents a prime cover matchup for Revis. Both receivers are very physical, but Marshall isn’t as rough as Jeffery. Revis matches up well with his speed. His ability to shadow Marshall all over the football field will be key to the success of the secondary. Revis’ willingness to jam receivers at the line of scrimmage should wear down Marshall before he’s able to gain a valuable first step. Cutler likes to throw Marshall a lot of jump balls. Revis excels at knocking balls away in traffic.

For the first time all season we could see Browner playing regularly opposite Revis. Expect Browner, who stands 6-foot-4, to be all over the 6-foot-3 Jeffery. Jeffery is used to manhandling smaller defenders. Browner will look to knock him around at the line of scrimmage and mentally distract Jeffery in doing so. With that said, Jeffery’s size advantage should be a non-factor.

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If both Browner and Revis can stifle their men, Cutler will look for running back Matt Forte and tight end Martellus Bennett.

Forte is as dynamic a player as they come. He can hurt an opponent on the ground and through the air. Vince Wilfork will be relied upon heavily to disrupt the point of attack in the run game, especially with Jerod Mayo and Chandler Jones out of the lineup. Dont’a Hightower will likely be called upon to defend Forte when he runs passing routes. Forte leads the Bears in receptions with 52. Hightower is just one game removed from a knee injury. His ability to keep up with Forte will play a major role as the Patriots have been susceptible to running back damage this season.

The Patriots play many defensive sub packages in which they send out three safeties into the formation. Bennett is a tremendous pass-catching tight end who requires constant attention. He serves as a safety blanket of sorts for Cutler. Cutler likes to check down to him in many situations. Bennett is also a prime red zone target. To eliminate Bennett, the Patriots would be wise to man up on him with a safety and allow Jamie Collins to provide additional help if need be.

If the Patriots are able to lockdown the outside of the field, Bennett and Forte could become crucial targets in the Bears offense. New England’s coverage over the middle of the field will have to be air-tight. A mix of defensive looks could go a long way in altering Cutler’s decision making, thus causing mistakes in favor of the Patriots.

The Bears rank 10th in passing offense with 254 yards per contest. They rank 25th in rushing offense with 95.3 yards.

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New England Patriots: Keys to Slowing the Bears Offensive Attack

By Frank OLaughlin | Oct 24, 2014