KEY MATCHUPS: Bears at Falcons
Bears DE Jared Allen vs. Falcons LT Jake Matthews: Allen's streak of 113 consecutive games played was snapped after a bout with pneumonia two games back. He returned to play 59 of 66 snaps (89 percent) against Carolina last week. He had seven tackles and a pass defense. Matthews had a lot of help from running back Steven Jackson in blocking New York's Jason Pierre-Paul last week. The rookie received the lowest overall Pro Football Focus grade (minus-8.9) among all tackles in the NFL in Week 5, as he allowed two quarterback hurries and committed two penalties.
Bears TE Martellus Bennett vs. Falcons FS Dwight Lowery: Bennett has 32 catches, the second-most for a tight end this season. He trails Jimmy Graham, who has 34. Bennett has 312 yards and four touchdowns. "We move him around," Chicago quarterback Jay Cutler said. "He's an excellent blocker in the run game and in pass protection."
Bears RB Matt Forte vs. Falcons LB Paul Worrilow: In the team's previous meeting, Forte torched the Falcons in a 30-12 Bears win to open the 2011 season. He had 21 touches for 158 yards, which included a 56-yard touchdown catch-and-run on a screen play. The Falcons have had a tough time with smallish/fast backs such as Cincinnati's Giovani Bernard (169 total yards) and Minnesota's Jerick McKinnon (152 yards).
About the Author
Honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in recognition of his "long and distinguished reporting in the field of pro football," D. Orlando Ledbetter, Esq. has covered the NFL 28 seasons. A graduate of Howard University, he's a winner of Georgia Sportswriter of the Year and three Associated Press Sports Editor awards.
