Game-day details
Sun., 4:15 p.m. ET, Soldier Field
Weather forecast from AccuWeather.com:
Partly sunny. High: 56. Low: 45.
Why To Watch
Both teams enter this game without their starting quarterbacks. The outcome of this game will be determined by the play -- or more correctly, lack of misplays -- of Baltimore's Anthony Wright and Chicago's Kyle Orton.
Chicago has been able to establish its running game thanks to Thomas Jones' 100.4-yard average. Jones and wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad have taken the pressure off Orton, a rookie, and kept the defense rested.
For a while now in Baltimore, it has been up to the defense to overcome the inept offense and win games. The Ravens survived with that formula for years. However, Ray Lewis and the defense have dropped a notch and no longer can carry the whole team. Wright, a journeyman, has struggled to get the ball to playmakers Derrick Mason and Todd Heap. Jamal Lewis, who missed much of the offseason workouts and training camp while serving a prison term, has yet to rush for 100 yards in a game but appears to be improving.
Both teams need a win to reach .500. The Ravens need a win to keep pace with the Bengals and Steelers in the AFC North, and a Bears win would keep them in atop the weak NFC North.
Ravens Keys For Success
1. Line up in two-tight end formations and pound the ball. No. 2 receiver Mark Clayton sprained his ankle last week, so the Ravens' passing game will not be at full strength even if he can play. Mason and Heap are fine receiving weapons, but Wright has been awful. So, the Ravens should run the ball 40-50 times this week. The Ravens' offensive line is massive and can blow the Bears' smaller defensive line off the ball. With Jamal Lewis and Chester Taylor mixing up running styles, the Ravens can use a ball-controlled offense and limit turnovers.
2. Use more 3-4 defensive schemes this week. With defensive end Anthony Weaver out for a couple more weeks with a toe injury, the Ravens should deploy four linebackers against the Bears. The Ravens have shifted in and out of the 3-4 and 4-3 this season, but Orton struggled mightily against the Bengals' and Browns' 3-4 schemes. Baltimore defensive coordinator Rex Ryan should take notes on how these two defenses attacked Orton.
3. Limit penalties. With 32 penalties the last two games, the Ravens have lost the battle of field position. Coach Brian Billick must rein in his players and get them to be more disciplined. In a close game, field position could cost the Ravens a win.
Bears Keys For Success
1. Throw to tight end Desmond Clark. Clark is coming off a two-touchdown performance against Minnesota, and Orton seems to have found a comfort level with him. Getting Clark involved against Baltimore will take pressure off Orton because he can throw quickly on three- and five-step drops. Short passes over the middle also should keep the linebackers from attacking the line with abandon and thus create more running room.
2. Blitz Wright. Chicago defensive coordinator Ron Rivera sent everybody after Pro Bowl quarterback Daunte Culpepper last week with great success. Wright is no Culpepper and is prone to lock onto his primary receiver. By blitzing, especially against slow-footed right tackle Orlando Brown, the Bears will take away throws to Wright's right -- the easiest for Wright -- and force him to hold the ball and take more sacks. Safety Mike Brown should keep Wright guessing all day.
3. Get rookie Cedric Benson involved. Even with a bum knee, Jones had success against the Vikings. But the Bears should use a healthy Benson to absorb some of the punishment and maximize Jones' talent. Benson is strong between the tackles with excellent vision to hit cutback seams. Using him and Jones equally will wear down the Ravens' defense.
Injuries at a glance
Ravens injuries
10/18/05 Ed Reed S Ankle sprain Could miss up to a month
10/17/05 Ovie Mughelli RB Ankle sprain Week 7 status unclear
10/17/05 Mark Clayton WR Ankle Week 7 status unclear
10/14/05 Kyle Boller QB Toe Earliest he could start is Week 9
Bears injuries
10/18/05 Thomas Jones RB Knee Will play through pain
The Bottom Line
Baltimore will win this defensive showdown by playing the basics just a little better than the Bears. They will pound the ball with Jamal Lewis and Taylor. They will play aggressive defense and force turnovers by blitzing Orton.
Pick: Ravens 14, Bears 10
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