Inside The Nfc Central

Sporting News, The, Oct 2, 2000

GAME OF THE WEEK

Minnesota at Detroit, The Vikings feature one of the NFL's most potent offenses, and the Lions rank near the bottom in offensive efficiency. There are All-Pro receivers aplenty, but the running game tells the story. Robert Smith averages 4.5 yards per carry, and Daunte Culpepper averages 5.1. Detroit's James Stewart?. Try 2.9.

MATCHUP TO WATCH

Tampa Bay's `D' line vs. Washington's `O' line. Warren Sapp and Anthony McFarland are playing well together, and the Bucs' defense has been dominant. Washington's passing game lacks weapons (especially a deep threat), and Tampa's secondary is superb, so the Skins' offensive line must open holes for Stephen Davis.

ON THE SPOT

Minnesota must get Randy Moss more involved. He has just 12 catches for 196 yards and one TD. Part of the problem has been double teams, plus Culpepper has been scrambling often. On the other hand, at this point last season Moss' numbers were 9-123-1.

KEEP AN EYE ON

Green Bay's receivers. Antonio Freeman has been fighting double-teams all season, so a No. 2 guy must emerge. Bill Schroeder and Charles Lee have been inconsistent (as have the tight ends), and injured Corey Bradford will miss at least two more weeks.

ROOKIE REPORT

Chicago LB Brian Urlacher, who lost the strongside job, is now starting in the middle and has had back-to-back strong games. He had 11 tackles and a sack against the Giants in Week 3 and six tackles, one sack and a key interception against Detroit.

FEARLESS FORECAST

The Vikings! offense will be too much for the Lions (at least three touchdowns better), and the Bucs' defense will stifle the Redskins' attack (piling up at least six sacks): This will set up a Week 6 battle between the 4-0 Vikings and 4-1 Bucs on Monday night.

FANTASY SOURCE The Bears aren't known for their defensive prowess but watch for them to thwart Brett Favre and the Packers. Look for CB Thomas Smith to shut down Antonio Freeman. If Green Bay does move the ball, it will be because of Dorsey Levens. Chicago is allowing more than 148 yards rushing per game.

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Chicago

0-4: 5th

Allen's workload signals a change in offensive focus

The offense may have undergone the first stage of a change in mindset RB James Allen's 19 carries were the most by a Bear this year and could signal that coordinator Gary Crowton, whose play-calling has been pass intensive, may be willing to commit to the run even when it doesn't sparkle immediately. Two complementary keys are involved. The line uses a drop-step technique that seals and uses a synchronized angle approach to engage defensive lines. The ideal back is not a power back like Curtis Enis, who is a pure straight-ahead power runner, but rather a slasher who can make back-side cuts and pick holes. Allen is the best the Bears have at cutting back, and he is a quick twister once he gets hit, rather than a plodder.... Enis has been assigned to the fullback spot but remains perhaps the key to the offense. Allen and backup RB Marlon Barnes have histories of injuries, and Allen missed time twice last season despite being used rarely. It's unclear how he will hold up to the pounding of starting in an offense that is looking to run. Enis has good hands, and catching out of the backfield gets him away from the pack, where he has struggled.... Third-year S Tony Parrish leads the team with 27 tackles, but the next three ranking tacklers are from this and last year's drafts. LB Warrick Holdman is second with 22, followed by rookie MLB Brian Urlacher (21) and S Mike Brown (18). The hallmark of the three is not only their speed but their instincts for getting to the ball.

SCOUTING REPORT: G Todd Perry developed into the team's best all-around blocker before injuries hurt his ability to do proper weight training. He underwent a private plan of therapy and conditioning in addition to the team's and has come back with more quickness than he has had in recent years. His body fat is down, and he is playing like someone with half his eight seasons. Perry has had consistent success against both speed rushers and strongmen and has worked well both in the zone double-teaming the team once used and the drop-step technique the team uses now.

SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: The offense needs QB Cade McNown to free-lance less and concentrate on execution and the adjustments his receivers are forced to make. He is excellent outside the pocket but has reverted to trying to make too many big plays instead of taking underneath stuff, something coaches worked with him on during the offseason. --John Mullin

GRADING OUT vs. Detroit

OFFENSE B

Run game was effective, but poor early McNown throws and turnovers were costly.

DEFENSE B

Late 91-yard drive undid strong performance, but offense not giving much help.

SPECIAL TEAMS F

27-yard punting average gave opponent field position and dug holes for the defense.

COACHING B

Sticking with the run was a plus, and the defense shut down a good Detroit attack.

BEARS

PASSING   Att.   Comp.   Pct.   Yds.   Long

McNown     141      86   61.0    849    55t

PASSING   TD   Int.   Rate   Sacks

McNown     4      5   72.7      11

RUSHING   Att.   Yds.   Avg.   TD

Allen       44    225    5.1    0
McNown      27    192    7.1    2
Enis        21     49    2.3    0

RECEIVING     No.   Yds.   Avg.   TD

M. Robinson    23    292   12.7    2
Engram         16    109    6.8    0
Booker         11    115   10.5    0

SCORING   XPM   XPA   FGM   FGA   Pts.

Edinger     6     6     2     4     12

PUNTING        No.   Yds.   Avg.   Blk.

Bartholomew     24    859   35.8      0

KO RETURNS     No.   Yds.   Avg.     TD

Milburn         20    472   23.6      0

PUNT RETURNS   No.   Yds.   Avg.     TD

Milburn         10     85    8.5      0