Tune in to NBC now for Keith Olbermann =^D, Dan Patrick, Tony Dungy, Al Michaels, and Cris Collinsworth broadcasting tonight's game.
CHICAGO BEARS (3-1) vs. Atlanta Falcons (3-1)
When the Bears have the ball
Key matchups
LT Orlando Pace vs. DE John Abraham
The Bears' offensive line has been under scrutiny more for its run blocking than its pass protection. Save for a few hiccups, Pace has done a decent job protecting Jay Cutler's blind side as the Bears have allowed eight sacks. After starting the season with two sacks against Miami, Abraham went without a sack for two games before recording one against the 49ers last week. His 87 career sacks ranked second among active players.
RB Matt Forte vs. LB Mike Peterson
Forte got the critics off his back, at least for a while, with his 121-yard performance against the Lions the last time out. Two of his top three rushing efforts have come indoors, so Forte might thrive in the Georgia Dome. And Peterson might put an extra lick or two on Forte with hopes of helping his brother, Bears running back Adrian Peterson, get more touches in the future. But seriously, the veteran linebacker has brought toughness to the Falcons and is the team's second-leading tackler.
When the Falcons have the ball
Key matchups
QB Matt Ryan vs. FS Danieal Manning and Kevin Payne
Ryan is a second-year player who reads defenses like a 10-year pro. Whoever is playing free safety for the Bears will have to resist falling for play-action fakes, look-offs and pump-fakes. While coach Lovie Smith has been stressing coming up with more takeaways, this is not the kind of game in which the Bears can afford to have their free safeties take too many risks. It's more important that Manning (on first and second downs) and Payne (on nickel downs) not blow assignments and stay in position than for them to gamble on a big play.
RB Michael Turner vs. LB Nick Roach
If Roach wants to remain a starter in the middle, he can state his case at the Georgia Dome. Turner is one of the most physical runners in the league, and he gets a lot of his yards after contact. Roach and the other Bears defenders will have to hit him low, wrap him up and put him on the ground without getting too fancy. Turner also is outstanding on the goal line and in short yardage, so it will be a test to see if Roach can read the play, get to the hole and make the tackle.
Tribune reporters pick 'em
David Haugh, Falcons 35, Bears 31: With Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez running down the middle on third down, this will be the game the Bears feel Brian Urlacher's absence the most. The offense will keep the Bears in it, but the defensive challenge is too great.
Vaughn McClure, Falcons 27, Bears 24: The Bears will be rested, and teams win more than 60 percent of games following an off week. But the Falcons' balanced offensive attack, led by Matt Ryan and bruising NIU product Michael Turner, might be too much for Bears on the road.
Fred Mitchell, Falcons 34, Bears 27: The Falcons have the offensive weapons, the home-field advantage and the momentum of a big road victory over San Francisco. The Bears will need to control the time of possession and the turnover ratio to pull off the victory.
Rick Morrissey, Falcons 23, Bears 20: The Falcons are a scary team with Matt Ryan, Roddy White and Michael Turner. The Bears need a strong pass rush, and the Falcons' offensive line, which allowed only 17 sacks last season, hasn't given up one the last three games.
Dan Pompei, Falcons 33, Bears 30: Tough game to call. The Bears should benefit from having a week off, but they might not match up well with the Falcons' explosive players on offense. The Falcons have developed a significant home-field advantage at the Georgia Dome.