Chicago Bears at New York Giants

October 02, 2010

For the second time in the first four weeks of the 2010 NFL season, the Giants will be featured on Sunday Night Football. With home-field advantage this time, they hope things go better for them than when they lost Manning Bowl II 38-14 at Indianapolis on September 19.

There was no improvement for the Giants last week. They fell at home 29-10 to Tennessee and are now 1-2 straight up and against the spread.

At the other end of the spectrum, the Bears couldn’t be feeling better about themselves than they are right now. Having taken care of Detroit 19-14, Dallas 27-20, and Green Bay 20-17 on Monday night, Chicago is the only undefeated team in the NFC and one of three remaining undefeated teams in the NFL along with Pittsburgh and Kansas City.

LINE MOVEMENT

The Giants opened as 3-point favorites at most betting sites but the line has made its way up to 4 points. The total has also been on the rise, opening at 42.5 before climbing to 44.

INJURY REPORT

For the Bears, left tackle Chris Williams (hamstring) and safety Major Wright (hamstring) have been ruled out. Chicago has no other problems aside from those two and the players it has on injured reserve (including Hunter Hillenmeyer due to concussion symptoms).

It is a different story for the Giants, and it starts with the defensive line. Mathias Kiwanuka had not appeared on the injury list throughout the week, but was suddenly listed as out on Friday because of a bulging disc in his neck. That is especially bad news considering fellow defensive end Osi Umenyiora is questionable with a knee injury.

New York linebacker Keith Bulluck (toe) is doubtful and defensive tackle Rocky Bernard (back) is questionable. Bulluck tried to take part in Thursday’s practice but quickly had to pull himself out. Wide receiver Mario Manningham (concussion) is probable.

PRIOR ENGAGEMENTS

The recent history between Chicago and New York is not extensive. The two teams have faced each other only four times since the turn of the century and the head-to-head series is tied 2-2 in that span. Their most recent encounter came on Dec. 2, 2007 in Chicago.

The Bears—during the Rex Grossman era—led 16-7 in the fourth quarter behind three Robbie Gould field goals, but Eli Manning paved the way for a late comeback as the Giants prevailed 21-16.

BEAR-ING DOWN

While the Giants are reeling and the Bears are cruising, Chicago knows things can change in a hurry. Lovie Smith’s squad is not about to let its 3-0 start lead to overconfidence.

“Starting 3-0 with some of the teams that we've played in those environments, I think you can take a lot of positives from,” the team’s website quoted tight end Greg Olsen as saying. "But as we've all said, there are 13 more weeks. Everyone wants to be that first team to beat the undefeated. So we have to come out and be willing to take everyone's best shot. I think Sunday that that's pretty much going to be the way it goes."

Chicago has twice missed the playoffs following 3-0 starts, in 1978 (finished 7-9) and 1989 (finished 6-10).

“This thing is far from over,” added quarterback Jay Cutler, who is third in the NFL with a 109.7 passer rating and No. 1 in the league with a 9.56 average yards per attempt. “There are a few good teams that are 0-3 right now that still have a great chance of making the playoffs. We understand that.”

THE MAN-NING OF THE HOUR

Based on the way Chicago has halted ground games the first three weeks of the season, you can bet Manning and company will take to the air on Sunday. The Bears are limiting opponents to a stunning 39.7 rushing yards per game. Granted the Packers never ran the ball against them on Monday night, but they also silenced Detroit to the tune of 20 yards and limited the Cowboys to 36.

Giants quarterback Eli Manning has attempted 102 passes in three games while running backs Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs have combined for just 82 carries. Manning has thrown six interceptions, but he has also tallied 810 yards and five touchdowns.

“We’re throwing the ball well,” Manning told the New York Post. “Guys are getting open. The guys have a better understanding of what’s going on; what they’re doing. I can read their body. The receivers are playing with a purpose and understanding. Guys are playing fast, the offensive line is protecting well; I can step into my throws.”

Still, Manning knows he will have to go about his business methodically against the Bears. “They don’t like to give up the big plays,” he added. “They’re going to play a lot of two high safety and drop their linebackers deep and make you throw underneath quickly, and they’re going to come up and tackle. They want to make you have these 12-, 14-play drives.”