Sunday’s Bears-Ravens game should be an exercise in NFL simplicity, helmets and high-tops optional.
“We could probably meet at midfield, hand each other our game calls and be fine,” Ravens coach Brian Billick said. “Because I imagine our approach is going to be the same.”
The Bears rank third in yards allowed; the Ravens rank second. The Bears have held three opponents to fewer than 10 points; the Ravens have held two below 10. Both teams have held four of their five opponents to fewer than 100 rushing yards.
The Bears are 28th in offensive yardage, the Ravens 22nd. Of the Ravens’ three interceptions, two are by linebackers. And since one linebacker is Ray Lewis, the Bears’ problem is more ominous than usual.
Running back Thomas Jones has accounted for 45.6 percent of the Bears’ yardage. Of the Bears’ 299 plays, 40.5 percent have put the ball in Jones’ hands. Nearly 54 percent of all Bears offensive yardage has come from their running backs.
And Lewis is waiting, standing squarely across from the precise strength of the Bears’ offense. Edgerrin James managed only 88 rushing yards for the Colts against Lewis. Curtis Martin, last year’s rushing champion, got 30 for the Jets.
Jones led the Bears in receptions last season and is second behind Muhsin Muhammad this year. For Lewis, this represents a dare.
“Every team we played in the last two or three years, you watch them before we play them, their package will have screens or dumping the ball to the running back,” Lewis said. “But when we get into a game, I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve seen screens the last two years. That’s where middle linebackers make their mark.”
Who has the edge?
QUARTERBACKS
Kyle Orton continues to execute a conservative game plan nearly to perfection, but nothing is happening downfield. Anthony Wright has completed more than 61 percent of his passes. EDGE: RAVENS.
RUNNING BACKS
Thomas Jones has been Bears’ offense and stands seventh in NFL rushing. Jamal Lewis is not the 2,000-yard back he once was. EDGE: BEARS.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Derrick Mason has 35 catches vs. 27 for Muhsin Muhammad; each has TD. Desmond Clark had 2 TD catches last game, but Todd Heap is two-time Pro Bowl tight end. EDGE: RAVENS.
OFFENSIVE LINE
LT Jonathan Ogden still among NFL’s elite, while John Tait has been outstanding but bothered by sprained ankle. Olin Kreutz’s quickness in middle is critical if Bears hope to deal with Ray Lewis. EDGE: BEARS.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Ravens use size to keep blockers off their linebackers; Bears shoot gaps and disrupt plays. Bears only team not to allow rushing TD this season. EDGE: BEARS.
LINEBACKERS
Ray Lewis or Brian Urlacher? Terrell Suggs or Lance Briggs? Ravens have marquee impact players, but Bears get to ball. EDGE: RAVENS.
SECONDARY
Charles Tillman and rest of Bears’ DBs got healthy vs. Minnesota. Ravens’ Chris McAlister is elite CB, but losing S Ed Reed to sprained ankle will be huge. EDGE: RAVENS.
SPECIAL TEAMS
With P Brad Maynard questionable, Bears face problems in field position. K Matt Stover rates experience edge over Robbie Gould. EDGE: RAVENS.
COACHING
Brian Billick has won Super Bowl and has Jim Fassel as offensive coordinator. Lovie Smith and staff are handling difficult situation well with rookie QB and have game-planned effectively. EDGE: RAVENS.
