The New York Giants head west to face the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois, this Sunday at 1:00 p.m. EDT.
The Bears are coming off a huge win over the Cincinnati Bengals — a game they almost lost. The Giants are coming off an embarrassing loss to the San Francisco 49ers. Both teams’ on-field play has been up and down this season, though the Bears have been more successful at winning. The Giants would love to put another one in the win column this week.
Let’s take a look at six keys to victory for the Giants in Week 10.
Target Theo Johnson for mismatches
Theo Johnson leads the team in receiving touchdowns with five. The Giants must exploit the Bears’ vulnerabilities against tight ends with seam routes and red zone fades. Johnson is a big target with decent hands and a perfect mismatch in the red zone, something Dart has to take advantage of on Sunday.
Mix up pass-rush schemes
Caleb Williams thrives on a clean pocket, but if the Giants can confuse him, it will be easier to contain his production. Use simulated pressures and creative blitzes on passing downs and avoid predictability to force mistakes. Shane Bowen doesn’t blitz or stunt much, but that has to change this week.
Exploit interior line matchups
Bears’ center Drew Dalman has allowed 12 pressures through eight games. Using Dexter Lawrence’s power to overwhelm him will collapse the pocket and force Williams into quick throws or scrambles. Lawrence has been misused and unproductive this season due to that misuse, but that could change against the Bears if Bowen plays his cards right.
Limit Rome Odunze’s production
Rome Odunze is Williams’ top target. He leads the team in targets, yards, and touchdowns. Doubling Odunze is the way to slow him down and force Williams to locate D.J. Moore or Olamide Zaccheaus. Take a page out of Bill Belichick’s book: Give Deonte Banks one job, to shadow Odunze. Give him permanent safety help and let Cor’Dale Flott go one-on-one with the secondary receiver.
Limit yards after contact
Okay, we all know the Giants struggle with tackling in general, but they cannot miss tackles against the Bears’ dominating run game. It’s not just one running back to keep track of, either; the Giants have to keep their eyes on D’Andre Swift, Kyle Monangai, and Caleb Williams. All three are capable runners who can evade tackles, so the Giants must improve to win. Making the tackle at first contact limits yards per carry and yards after contact.
Win in the red zone
This applies to offense and defense, especially if the Bears show up firing on all cylinders. The Giants will never stop the Bears’ offense with a bad defense, but if they win inside the 20-yard line, it will be a huge help. Utilize chaos to throw the Bears off their game, put the ball in Jaxson Dart’s hands, and hold the defensive interior. It all goes together; the Giants have to win inside the red zone on Sunday.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: New York Giants vs. Chicago Bears: 6 keys to victory in Week 10
Reporting by Serena Burks, Giants Wire / Giants Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
