Julius Peppers returns to Soldier Field as a Packer this Sunday. Back to the team that released him.
Peppers said this week that the last play of the last game of the Bears season was the reason he got released. Peppers was on a beeline for Aaron Rodgers when John Kuhn chipped him just enough to allow Rodgers to escape and loft the ball to Randall Cobb for the win.
I recently re-watched the Packers Bears game from last season and in particular, watched Julius Peppers.
Speed and length
Julius Peppers has the speed and length to be very dangerous off the edge. When he get’s blocked out of the quarterback’s peripheral, he has the speed to make the corner and the length to strip the ball when the quarterback draws back to throw. We all remember the strip of Aaron Rodgers in last year’s game that in a bizarre (but beneficial) twist, ended up a fumble recovery for a Packers touchdown. Julius Peppers is dangerous when he gets out of the quarterback’s sight window.
Versatility
Julius Peppers can play with his hand in the ground, standing up, dropping back in coverage. Dom Capers has moved Julius around and with the benefit of another OLB that can play from anywhere (Clay Matthews) Peppers will continue to be effective. Last Sunday we saw Peppers with another sack/fumble that he recovered himself. Had the offense showed up in that game, the Packers would be 2-1, not 1-2. Against the Bears, Julius has a big advantage. Jay Cutler will be no mystery for Peppers and Peppers will be playing with a chip on his shoulders against the team that decided he was no longer good enough. Peppers couldn’t beat the Packers, so he joined them. The result is a defense that is heating up, at number 6 in the league against the pass the Packers’ pressure is beginning to pay dividends. The defense has been improving against the run as well, but still needs to improve. The Bears’ Matt Forte came out this week saying that he is unhappy with the Bears’ inability to run the ball thus far this season and you can bet that they will try to reverse that trend with the Packers.
Desire
Julius Peppers goes back to Soldier Field with something to prove. If the Bears beat the Packers after letting Julius go, it will be a MAJOR slight to Peppers since they couldn’t get it done when he was there. I look for Peppers to have his BEST game as a Packer thus far. We are already seeing offenses pick their poison against the Packers defense in that they often end up choosing to single up either Matthews (see the Lions game) or Peppers. Either of these guys know when opportunity knocks and I look for Peppers to make the best of his opportunities.
Pivotal Game?
The week three matchup against the Lions was important because it was the beginning of a stretch of NFC North games and a chance to get back to what would be considered a “fast start”. The Packers couldn’t get it done. This Bears game is more pivotal because of the fact that the Packers lost against the Lions. I look for the Packers to get it done on Sunday and for Julius Peppers to be a factor. But what do you think? Let me know in the comments section below.
GO PACK!!!
Well Brady this game will depend on if the offense shows up really, The defense has been improving each game and I believe they will keep getting better. The Packers have always relied on its powerful offensive attack with Aaron’s air assault but for whatever the reason he has not looked himself so far this year. I don’t even want to think it but it does happen to all players they reach their peak then start to regress, We can only hope this is not where Rodger’s is at in his career right now. Hopefully it is just bad day’s everyone has them. With that said I think it may have a lot to do with trust, Rodger’s has only thrown the ball at R.Rodgers one time in three games and that was a dropped pass but he needs to trust this kid and get the ball in his hands IMO. Also Boykin has been playing like a rookie if it was me I would bench him and make Adam’s #3, Activate Janis as #4 and get this kid some playing time. I believe he can stretch the field with his speed even if he does not catch a pass. He may also do a little better than Harris in the return game which could get the offense some field position and boost their moral.
If both defense and offense show up this game it should be a walk away win 28-10 but if not it will be a long day I am afraid.
While losing this game would not be great for their chances to repeat as NFC North Champs it is not out of reach still, But a loss to the Vikings as well would have to bring grave concern!
I will keep the faith in my team and root no matter what but I am concerned with the direction they are going if they do lose either of the next two games.
Go Pack Go!
Twitter: GPN_JR
I agree Jeff. So far the Bears have beaten two struggling teams. The outcome of the Packers Bears game is going to depend on whether the Packers struggle or not.