Match 'em up

Brad Biggs breaks down Sunday's key showdowns

The Colts have improved their running game dramatically in the playoffs, averaging 63 more rushing yards after rookie Joseph Addai -- who gained 1,081 yards in the regular season without starting a game -- finally supplanted Dominic Rhodes. Some opponents talk about stopping Peyton Manning first and then worrying about the running game, but the Bears' credo remains the same. They want to stop the run first. If they cannot make the Colts one-dimensional, it could be a long game.

As the leader of the Bears' front seven, middle linebacker Brian Urlacher will have an opportunity to shine. When the Colts' passing game is going well, it creates running lanes that can make any back a star -- one of the reasons they decided to let Edgerrin James go free. Addai is a good back who runs hard and is decent in the passing game, but the Bears' priority is bottling him up as a runner. They need to be able to do so with their front seven. Get the safeties involved in run support too much, and Manning will have the edge throwing downfield.