As a Colts fan, there are exactly two members of the Chicago Bears that scare me in a matchup with the Colts. IMO, the Colts’ ability to stop these two players will be key in winning the game.
- Devin Hester - makes Dante Hall look like James Mungro when it comes to returning kicks on special teams. During the playoffs the Colts’ special teams coverage has been… ummm… scary to say the least. They just about gave the AFC Champsionship game back to the Patriots when they allowed the 80 yard return by Hobbs just after tying the game. The Colts are going to have to man up on those coverage teams and keep Hester in check. The last thing they want is some quick return for a TD early in the game.
- Bernard Berrian. The one common thread among the three teams the Colts have defeated in the playoffs is that they haven’t had a speedy, burner-type receiver to stretch the field and make the Colts pay for bringing Bob Sanders up in the box against the run. Berrian can do that. Harper (if he plays), Jackson and David are going to be facing a lot of one-on-one coverage against receivers that are better than what they’ve faced in the playoffs so far. It’s either that or drop Sanders back in coverage and let the Bears running game get going.
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Marlin Jackson meet Bernard Berian. Berdnard Berian, meet Marlin Jackson. You’re going to be really good friends on Sunday. (courtesy fannation.com)
I’m not going to make any predictions (yet) but those are the two keys for the Bears as I see them. If the Colts can keep them both in check, the game should end in a Colts victory. If not… well… it may be a long day.

