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Kansas City Chiefs at Chicago Bears Game Preview

| November 30th, 2011

Will Kyle Orton be returning to Chicago as a starting quarterback? I think so. Will Caleb Hanie be able to improve upon his performance of a week ago? He has to. Will the Bears right the ship at home? Absolutely.

WHY DO I LIKE THE CHICAGO BEARS THIS WEEK?

  • I always like the Chicago Bears.
  • The Kansas City Chiefs allow over 133 yards per game on the ground and the Bears are proving they can run the ball on just about anybody. The Bears, at home, should be able to control the game.
  • The question offensively for the Bears will be Caleb Hanie and I spent Tuesday discussing everything I have to say on that matter. The Bears can lose this game if Hanie turns the ball over multiple times, especially in Bears territory. Ball security wins the day.
  • I like Kyle Orton. He is a good quarterback who will be a sturdy backup for years to come. But the Todd Haley offense is complicated to learn and I can’t imagine Orton arriving at Soldier Field with anything more than an elementary understanding of it. Tyler Palko is going to start, per Todd Haley, but if he makes it through the game that’s a bad thing for the Bears defense.
  • The Chiefs do have talent at the receiver position, including Dwayne Bowe. I was planning to spend my offseason campaigning for the Bears to sign Bowe until he concluded his effort against the Steelers Sunday night with one of the most gutless plays in the history of the NFL. (To see video, CLICK HERE.) The Bears need to be physical and hit these guys on the outside. It’s very clear they don’t want any part of it.
  • The Chiefs have two road wins. They won at Indianapolis (and I’m confident half the SEC could do the same) and they won the ridiculous 28-0 game in Oakland as Kyle Boller and Carson Palmer threw a dozen interceptions. This Chiefs secondary is a bit larcenous and Hanie needs to be wary about sailing balls into coverage. Again, ball security wins the day.
  • The Chiefs have only 13 sacks on the season – lowest in the league – but Tamba Hali needs to be accounted for at all times. Recently it hasn’t been a major concern for the Bears. Let’s hope that continues.
  • And let’s not forget this is also Thomas Jones’ homecoming in Chicago. I have nothing to add to that fact. I just like Thomas Jones.
  • Only two of kicker Ryan Succop’s last nine kickoffs have gone for touchbacks and punter Dustin Colquitt is an average player. I think Dave Toub and the Bears return units will be angry this week. Not only were they frustrated by Parts Unknown (Lechler/Janikowski) but their early penalties put the offense and Hanie in some seemingly insurmountable holes.
  • Also looks like there’s a 50/50 chance of rain and snow showers throughout the afternoon. I’d like to see it. I’m tired of seeing football in sunshine.

Overall I think this game is a simple one. If the Bears don’t turn the ball over they definitely win. If they turn it over once, they should win. If they turn it over twice, they might not win. If they turn it over three times, all bets are off.

Chicago Bears 17, Kansas City Chiefs 10