- The Bears' veterans. Guys like Urlacher, Briggs, Kreutz, Harris (squared), Tillman, Hester and Peppers have all been here before (and beyond). This game will not be too big for them. Further, I get the sense that these veterans know this is their time, and they will be giving this game every inch of their football souls.
- Jay Cutler. Cutler's personality lends itself to big games, as his assuredness and "short memory" allows him to forget the agressive mistakes that he makes and perform at a high level. He exhibited this in the Jets game late in the year, when he threw a bad pick six and came back to throw three touchdown passes and lead the Bears to victory over one of the other conference semifinalists. Cutler has exorcised a lot of his "blow up game" demons and has taken big steps to learning how to be a winning NFL quarterback this year. Watch him take big steps to becoming an NFL star today.
- The Packers running game is OVERRATED. I don't understand how James Starks can have 1 good game (Eagles) and suddenly the Packers have a balanced offense and a running game. Sorry, not gonna happen against the Bears. The Packers will be 1-dimensional. Even though that 1 dimension is a great asset, it is tough to win in the playoffs that way.
- Past "doppelgangers" to quote ESPN's Bill Simmons. Going into this game reminds me of the 2006 Title Game against the Saints at Soldier, where the team with the better Defense, Special Teams and homefield made it so key plays went their way.
- The Packers will kick to Devin Hester. No further explanation required.
- Aaron Rodgers has won 2 playoff games, I don't understand the Joe Montana comparisons quite yet. The Bears have done as good a job as any team at keeping him out of the endzone. That will continue.
- The Packers reliance on younger players. Matthews, Rodgers, Starks, Jones, Hawk, Shields, Williams have all NOT been here before. And this is not their time. It is the Bears time.
Bears 27 Packers 21
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