Chicago offense vs. San Diego defense

	BEARS OFFENSE
	Ranking in the NFL:
	Run	22
	Pass	6
	Tot. Yds.	8
	Scoring	22
	Int's allowed	15
	Sacks allowed	24
	CHARGERS DEFENSE
	Ranking in the NFL:
	vs. Run	12
	vs. Pass	13
	Total yds. allowed	11
	# of Ints.	9
	# of Sacks	21
	Turnover differential	-15

The Bears need to put last week's disappointing loss behind them and concentrate on running the football early. After piling up yardage on the ground two weeks ago against the Packers, RB Curtis Enis and Glyn Milburn were held to just 49 yards on 22 carries. A lackluster performance by the offensive line is the primary reason for the collapse and they must come out and play with more desire in the run game against a Chargers defense that is slowly beginning to wear down. The Bears were soft at the point of attack and allowed so much penetration that Enis was regularly side-stepping defenders deep in the backfield.

The Chargers once-dominant run defense hasn't played up to its capability since holding Seattle to just 61 yards on 27 carries in Week 6. San Diego must take away the run in order to win this football game. Chicago's offense is so diverse that it will be tough to stop if they maintain a good run/pass balance. San Diego, which had been playing with backup Greg Jackson in Rodney Harrison's free safety spot, will lineup with recently signed Reggie Rusk or rookie Jason Perry on Sunday. Reaching that far down the depth chart should have a devastating effect on the Chargers' run defense.

Chicago QB Jim Miller registered the fourth-best passing day in franchise history last week but keep in mind it was done against one of the league's slowest and worst defensive backfields. In last Sunday's loss to the Vikings, Miller received ideal protection and displayed a great feel for offensive coordinator Gary Crowton's offense.

The Bears have been successful offensively because Crowton gives opponents a tremendous amount of formations and plays to prepare for. For example, WR Marty Booker's 57-yard touchdown came on a middle screen that Crowton took with him from his college playbook at Louisiana Tech. Because no other team in the league feels comfortable running a risky play such as this, opponents rarely, if ever, prepare to defend it. The outstanding play of Booker and Marcus Robinson will let Curtis Conway rest his ankle for a sixth straight week.

The Chargers' starting cornerbacks, Terrance Shaw and Charles Dimry, were beaten repeatedly last week, so look for a shakeup in the secondary. Head coach Mike Riley would be wise to get playmaker Darryll Lewis back on the field. Lewis, who was outstanding early in the season in a relief role, will bring a more aggressive mentality to this unit.

Despite giving up 345 yards through the air to Minnesota WR's Cris Carter and Randy Moss, the Bears secondary often had tight coverage but their inability to make plays on the ball killed them last week. Chicago also did a lousy job of tackling, which resulted in far too many yards after the catch. DC Walt Harris' late interception does not make up for he and SS Tony Parrish's inability to stop the big play. Look for San Diego to take a page out of Minnesota's playbook and take some deep shots to Charlie Jones, who is the only player capable of stretching the field.

The Bears must find a way to put pressure on Harbaugh and they'll have a tough time doing so strictly with their front four. Last week, San Diego's offensive line held up well, allowing just two sacks against a capable Raiders front. Chicago hasn't been afraid to rush five or six men but they will need to time their blitzes better in order to reach Harbaugh. Chicago's defensive backs have been a step too slow on the blitz and quarterbacks have had an easy time finding the vacated space in the secondary.

The Chargers failed to record a single rushing first down last week against the Raiders and their 2.1 per carry average is reflective of the sagging play up front. San Diego needs to establish something on its opening drive after gaining just 16 yards of net offense in the first quarter last week. San Diego's massive offensive line will have trouble with Chicago's quick, penetrating defensive line that is holding opposing runners to just 3.1 yards per carry.

The Bears linebackers struggled holding down their gap responsibilities last week and Minnesota took advantage for 110 yards. Rookie FB Jermaine Fazende made his pro debut at tailback last week and he played well despite some misleading numbers (13 att., 29 yds.). Fazende hit the holes when they were there but the lack of a passing threat enabled the Raiders to stack the line.