Chicago Bears Strategy and Personnel

The offensive line switch of Chris Williams from right tackle to left tackle in place of injured Orlando Pace (groin), with Kevin Shaffer filling in at right tackle, worked well.

"I was pleased with how they both played," coach Lovie Smith said. "(For) Chris, that's tough moving, but he looked like a natural there. He played well. He was involved in one sack to that side, but it wasn't all his fault. Kevin hasn't played a lot. To come in and play against a good player like Leonard Little like he did was also big for him."

Little had the Rams' other sack.



PLAYER NOTES

--RB Matt Forte's six receptions of 20-plus-yards are tied for first among all running backs, along with Darren Sproles and Ray Rice. Forte did not catch a pass in the first game vs. the Packers, and he was held to 55 yards on 25 carries.

--WR Devin Hester has not had a 50-yard receiving game in the past four games and is averaging 33.5 yards. He has not scored a touchdown in the past six games. He had four catches for 90 yards in the season opener vs. the Packers.

--TE Greg Olsen is averaging just 5.9 yards per catch over the last three games with 15 catches for 88 yards and a long gain of 11 yards. He had one catch for eight yards in the first meeting with the Packers when Charles Woodson took him out of the game.

--WR Earl Bennett caught four passes for 66 yards in Week 1 vs. Green Bay.

--WR Johnny Knox caught two passes for 82 yards, including a 68-yarder in the season opener against the Packers.

GAME PLAN: In the first meeting the Bears got after Packers QB Aaron Rodgers, sacked him four times and limited him to 184 yards on 17-of-28 passing, but the Bears have had that many sacks just once in the past 11 games. The Bears will still come after Rodgers, who has been sacked more than anyone in the NFL, but the Packers have done a slightly better job of protecting him recently. In the first game the Bears used a variety of blitzes, getting sacks from strong safety Al Afalava and nickel back Danieal Manning.

Offensively, the Bears finally showed a desire to run the ball last week, rushing a season-high 38 times, even though they picked up just 120 yards on the ground. The Bears are still 31st in rushing yards but they don't want to be put into situations where Jay Cutler has to throw the ball, considering he was intercepted four times in the first meeting on opening Sunday. And that was when the Packers were struggling with the conversion to a 3-4 defense.

They have improved tremendously since then and are currently No. 1 in total defense, fourth against the run and third against the pass. Charles Woodson is having an MVP-caliber season at cornerback, but on the other side, Tramon Williams has struggled, so the Bears will try to take advantage of him. Because the Packers like to play press coverage, the Bears believe they will have a couple opportunities to go deep.

MATCHUPS TO WATCH: LT Chris Williams, who is expected to make his second NFL start at left tackle, vs. Packers rookie ROLB Clay Matthews, who leads the team with seven sacks, including two last week. Williams, who started the first 11 games at right tackle but was drafted to play on the left side, allowed one sack to the Rams' Chris Long last week. If Orlando Pace is recovered from a groin injury, he could be back at left tackle, but the veteran has struggled all season with speed rushers.

Bears QB Jay Cutler, who is tied for the NFL lead with 20 interceptions, vs. Packers five-time Pro Bowl CB Charles Woodson, who is tied for third in the NFL with seven interceptions and has also forced four fumbles.

Bears DLE Adewale Ogunleye, who had two sacks in the first meeting, vs. Packers RT Mark Tauscher. Ogunleye was going against Allen Barbre in the first game.

INJURY IMPACT:

--OLT Orlando Pace (groin) returned to practice on a limited basis but will probably be listed as questionable at best for Sunday's game.

--OT Chris Williams will get his second NFL start at left tackle if Orlando Pace (groin) cannot play. Williams started the first 11 games at right tackle.

--WLB Lance Briggs (knee) will start Sunday after going through a full practice on Thursday.

--MLB Hunter Hillenmeyer (groin) went through a full practice Thursday after sitting out Wednesday and is expected to play Sunday.

--LB Jamar Williams, who was credited with 20 tackles and two passes defensed last week filling in for Lance Briggs at weak-side linebacker, will get increased playing time somewhere this week, either in the middle to give Hunter Hillenmeyer (groin) a few plays off or on the strong side in place of Nick Roach.

--OT Kevin Shaffer will start at right tackle if Chris Williams starts again at left tackle for Orlando Pace (groin).