Inside The Nfc Central

Sporting News, The, Dec 11, 2000

GAME OF THE WEEK

Tampa Bay at Miami. The Battle of Florida features two excellent defenses, two questionable offenses, two quarterbacks with something to prove and plenty of payoff implications. The running games will tell the story in this one, and Warrick Dunn is simply healthier and more productive than Lamar Smith.

MATCHUP TO WATCH

St. Louis' defensive line vs. Minnesota offensive line. Kevin Carter and Co. can't pressure Daunte Culpepper and get penetration against Robert Smith, the Vikings simply will outsource Rams. The Vikings handled Detroit's much more talented group in Week 14, but the Rams' front four did play well against Carolina.

ON THE SPOT

The Lions' injury-depleted secondary. Detroit ranks second in the league with 23 interceptions, but CB Bryant Westbrook (six picks) is out for the season, and FS Kurt Schulz (seven) is battling an ankle injury. This unit must build on its strong performance vs. Minnesota.

KEEP AN EYE ON

Desmond Howard's return to Lambeau Field. Packers P Josh Bidwell has struggled all season. Meanwhile, Howard continues to be one of the NFL's top punt-and-kickoff-return men. He had 124 combined return yards against the Packers in the first meeting.

ROOKIE REPORT

Thanks to the plethora of injuries to the Bears receiving corps, third-round pick Dez White should get more action. White has progressed slowly and has been used sparingly, but his speed could provide the Bears with the deep threat they so desperately need.

FEARLESS FORECAST

Robert Smith will be the league MVP. Although he is overshadowed by several of his teammates, Smith is the one who makes the Vikings offense click. He has produced five consecutive 100-yard rushing games and also is having his best season as a receiver.

FANTASY SOURCE

Daunte Culpepper has a chance to take his amazing season to new heights this week when he faces a Rams defense that is allowing more points (29.5) per game than the Vikings score (25.4). All of Minnesota's key offensive players should have huge days against one of the NFL's worst defenses.

For mere fantasy football go to fantasy.sportingnews.com

Chicago

3-10: 5th

McNown needs to play so team can rate progress

QB Cade McNown has been putting his separated throwing shoulder through more work each week. Besides more drills, McNown is taking half of the practice-squad reps, but he still is not able to unleash throws without pain, which he expects the rest of the season. Look for him to get some action against the Patriots, even if only for a couple of snaps to hand off. This season has been largely about McNown's development and the Bears' finding out what he can or can't do. McNown has been studying and observing since his injury on October 22, and he needs at least a short stretch back on the field before the offseason.... The team's recent surge in the defensive rankings is traced as much to the line as to the pyrotechnics of MLB Brian Urlacher. The line is doing a superior job of keeping blockers off the linebackers, allowing them to run free and use their speed advantages. Coordinator Greg Blacho told the line to focus more on gap penetration and being more aggressive, which has forced the action up front and occupied offensive lines.... Despite the team's frustrating record, several free agents-to-be are privately talking about wanting to stay because of the chemistry and potential. That includes DE Clyde Simmons, who has played with a badly broken finger that has squelched his production.

SCOUTING REPORT: The offensive line continues to have a strong season now that coaches are letting the group tee off in the running game, and no one is having a better season than underrated RG Chris Villarrial. He has improved his quickness to complement a very physical mindset, keeping his feet under him better on pass sets and letting the play come to him. He and RT James Williams are a solid tandem that likes to mix it up. Villarrial is a strong drive blocker, probably better suited to double-teaming schemes that get movement on down linemen than the Bears' current angle/seal approach, but he's proving to be a fit for any system.

SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: The defense has tightened each week as the players, with as many as six new starters from the '99 unit, have grown confident about each other's whereabouts. Cornerbacks, for example, are trusting in their "trail" technique, following a receiver underneath, knowing there is safety help where it's supposed to be. Defensive ends are able to turn loose up the field now that linebackers are filling to their inside or outside, something that wasn't always happening early in the season. --John Mullin

GRADING OUT vs. Green Bay

OFFENSE D

Allen's running couldn't overcome dismal passing by Matthews.

DEFENSE D

Early long drives gave Packers control of the game, and Favre proved unstoppable.

SPECIAL TEAMS B

Edinger extended FG string to nine. Onside kick recovered, Aguiar's punting was subpar.

COACHING C

Team is not able to maintain emotion consistently. Early play-calling hurt offense.