We almost didn't make it to halftime. I'm not talking about the Bears, I'm talking about you and me. We almost had a meltdown. We thought, "Son of a bitch, not again." But with third and 22, it was Ron Turner -- for once not us -- who said, "Run the damn ball."
This game wasn't so different from last week. In both games: Rex threw a first-half pick that led directly to a touchdown, the Bears regained the momentum with a late first-half TD (last week it was 14-10 at half, this week it was 13-10), a receiver fumbled on the first drive after getting the second half kick, and the defense gave up well over 100 yards to the other team's running back.
The crucial difference this week was the Bears' ability to ride out their opponent's early fire. TJ, Rex, Moose, and (ahem) Mark Bradley all had excellent days. The reason? The line figured the Giants out.
For 29 minutes and 12 seconds, the beef looked rancid. The last drive of the first half began auspiciously (getting Bradley involved for the first time this season). Then Rex threw high to Des, our left tackle false started, then our right tackle figured he'd try that, and a screen to TJ went nowhere. And we all cursed with resignation.
But something happened in the huddle with 48 seconds to go, and for the rest of the game, TJ had holes to run through, and Rex had as long as he needed to find open receivers. The Bears got the upper hand and it was a game again. Well, at least until the league's best return man (and possibly least interesting interviewee) choked the life out of the G-Men. While I sleep this evening, I'll be replaying Bears linebackers crushing Giants linemen and the kicker on the way to paydirt. And after thinking he was a badass for getting two tackles earlier, that kicker most surely had it coming to him.
That's my narrative, but it by no means covers all the highlights. Here they are in no particular order:
I can't complain about not seeing a lot of Benson, but I still want to see more of him against the Jets. That's my only quibble. Still, this week I'll be much more interested in hearing Jeremy Shockey's lamentation.
#2 Green Lantern said . . .I gotta say they played an awesome second half. And i love T.J. i thought he stepped up his game last night. It felt good. Rex came back and played well after the first INT. Going to bed with a grin on my face
November 13, 2006
#3 Megan said . . .so great to hear that fucking stadium get SILENT after the return, and the giants fans that were taunting me earlier (who the f--- have you beaten? you're terrible. go back to your awful city) LEAVING with 10 minutes left after the return. great fans in new york....
i'll be beating on the other 50% of new york next sunday along with all the others who will make the "MOOOOSE" calls a meadowlands staple.
this game was awesome. home field is right there, three game lead on the giants and seahawks (tiebreakers) and two games over the saints.
bring on the playoffs.November 13, 2006
#4 Noah said . . .During the first quarter... "Hold the f*cking ball!" I actually turned off the TV (had tivo running) and tried to sleep towards the end of the half when the momentum seemed to be going our way then we lost it again.
30 mins later, turned the TV back on, turned tivo back and VIOLA! I couldn't sleep last night, that second half ROCKED!
Plex should eat his words... Bradley?? Moose was right on! Either the NY fans were booing him or I could swear I heard Jeff yelling "Moooooose!" Was that you??I'm off to work, tired but happy!
November 13, 2006
#5 Midway Monster said . . .The two plays of the game for me:
1. Rex taking a sack on third and long around th 50-yard-line instead of throwing an interception.
2. Moose picking up that first down along the sideline.And one more thing, watching these guys in person for the second week in a row was amazing. They looked like a different team on offense. Having Bradley out there as an option really changed the way Rex played. And Davis isn't half bad either. They ran a few really sweet sets with both of them in. Imagine what it'll be like with Berrian back.
November 13, 2006
#6 Al Pittman said . . .Not sure if you all caught this but near the end of Devin's (record-tying) 108-yard run after the missed FG, Shaun O'Hara (#60 of the Gmen) gets knock solid on his butt. Wow, what an embarrassing knock down blow.
Also- was it me or was Michaels & Madden waaay Giant biased? Chripes- I wonder if during half time they weren't down getting Giant autographs!
No matter, I have bragging rights against all my Gmen bud that have been shoveling me $hit for weeks. I love it- What a great Monday here at the coal mine!!!!
-- Midway
November 13, 2006
#7 Superbowl Bound said . . .Well, once again Rex had that "deer in the headlights" look, but the O line started blocking better once they figured the Grunts plan, the transition to pro-ball has been tough for Rex, King of the Hill for the Gators, no major injuries, "Mr Football" in Indiana,state title, no injuries, he is young, he is a tough kid, we all should just relax, grin and BEAR-it, he and the other Monsters will fill our dreams with delights!
November 13, 2006
#8 paytonrules said . . .Hmmm...where's the critics who say we haven't played anyone? We now have beaten two of the top teams in the NFC (Giants and Seahawks). Who's left to beat up on...Atlanta, New Orleans??? Neither is as good as NY in my opinion. A good showing last night once the line woke up and decided to play. I only wish Cedric would get some more carries.
November 13, 2006
#9 Justin said . . .No they weren't getting autographs, because they had Jeremy Shockey's cock in their mouth.
I guess he is the best TE in football..oh wait Antonio Gates is..well the best in the NFC...no that's Alge Crumpler...um...
They were so desperate to praise him that when he got his ONE catch they ran highlights that included a cheap shot - and praised that as toughness! Plus they praised his jawing as "firing his team up" rather than "Asshole who talks trash when he's losing."
November 13, 2006
#10 Brad said . . .I know I am being cynical but our defense has to learn how to stop the run. It is not just this game either...offenses have been running all over us all year. Lance briggs did not play well tonight...Tiki ran to his side all night with great success and that TD run by number 27 was again right through Briggs' gap...but on a happy note I loved to see Bradley out there and moose catching balls all over the field. I would have like to see Clark catch a few more but hey..and Benson, what a dope?? That guy cannot run even if there was a million dollars waiting in the endzone for him..
November 13, 2006
#11 Pissed off said . . .Someone help me out. Now, Hester catches the missed fg in the end zone and starts nonchalantly walking in the end zone as if he's going to down the ball in the end zone. The Giants players obviously didn't expect him to run the ball back.
My question is this: If Hester catches the missed fg and downs the ball in the end zone, is that a touchback? If it is then we would have lost 15 yards because the ball was kicked from the 35 and the Giants are idiots for falling for his ruse.
If that fg is made it's 24-23. I felt a huge load lift off of my shoulders when Hester crossed the goal line with 5 bears in tow.
Oh, and Hockulee(?) homered us. Horse collar my ass! Peanut's fumble?! Give me a break. I guess there's a lot to say for doing what you can to keep the games close.
They are who we thought they were. Crown their ass!
November 13, 2006
#12 Steven said . . .No more calls for Rexs' head! The guy is money and he is still young. If he can be this good this early in his career, just think of how the future looks. No more chants for Greise, just Rex. Also, lets get off the Ced Benson bandwagon, I like the guy but I still say situational running only. TJ is the starter and runs with heart. I hope we contiunue this streak, and oh by the way, that Eli Manning sure looked good, yeah he's way better than Rex.
November 13, 2006
#13 Brad said . . .I realize the game was over by this time, but how about the drive to end the game. Tj for 5, tj for 3, Tj for 3 and a first down, Tj for 2, Tj for 6, Tj for 3 and a first down, CB for 1, cb for 2, cb for 9 and a first down. THAT IS BEAR FOOTBALL. Game in hand, grind it out!!!
Thanks for a great night bears!!
November 13, 2006
#14 James said . . .I heard the answer to my earler question on the Score. If Hester would've downed the missed fg in the end zone, the Bears would have received the ball at the spot of the kick--on the 35-yard line. Still, pretty stupid for the Giants players to actually leave the field.
November 13, 2006
#15 jeff said . . .This was a good win, I don’t know if I learned anything new about the bears in this game.
• We knew that the Dolphins game was an aberration and the Bears were simply looking ahead to this game and Jets and Pats. Nothing changed there
• We knew before that if Grossman is pressured he will make bad decisions. The pick in the first quarter looked awful, but as soon as the O-line stepped up and started giving him time to throw he looked a LOT better. Might have been a different story if Straham, Umenyiora and Arrington were in the line-up.
• We knew before that the turnovers will make or break this team, and when they stopped turning the ball over they were able to generate some offense. The problem is we don’t know if next week it’s not going to be pick, pick, punt, fumble, pick first half again.
• The defense no matter how good it is still cannot stop a stud back. Ronnie Brown, Tiki, even Kevin Jones run up and down on them. What will happen against a healthy Sean Alexander in the playoffs? Or round 2 VS Tiki.
• We still haven’t beat anybody good at full strength. Seattle without Alexander, and Giants without half the team. The “closest� good win was Minnesota during their “up� swing.The good news are that any doubts about Bears being simply mediocre and a product of their soft schedule was eliminated. We have some exciting parts to the team – passing D, Hester, Gould and (sometimes) Grossman. And this was an important win against a conference opponent. But if the goal is Superbowl, there is a LOT of work to do.
November 13, 2006
#16 Pissed off said . . .THE PLAY OF THE GAME??? THE PLAY OF THE GAME WAS THOMAS JONES GETTING THE 3RD AND 22 AND SHOVING MY COLUMN LAST WEEK UP MY ASS! I LOVE THIS TEAM.
November 13, 2006
#17 Midway Monster said . . .I am not worried about the run or pass defense. If anything I'm worried about more about the pass D than the run D. These backs that run for 100+ yards are getting a lot of carries and thats because the teams are generally in the lead (due to turnovers and consequently easy points thereafter). When the defense needs to step up they do, but offenses are bound to score when they constantly have a short field (again, due to offensive turnovers). I think the Jets game will be a different story, I dont see Barlow or Leon Washington running on this defense since both backs are mediocre at best, unlike Barber (who is an elite back in the NFL right now) and Ronnie Brown (who is an upcoming superstar and on his way to being elite like Barber). Bottom line, great backs will run on teams no matter who they are, you just have to keep these teams out of the endzone and then also play better pass D. With the Bears there is always one element of the D that works, last night pass D was better. In other games you can pass on the Bears all day long but you cant run. As I said the Bears D is GREAT, as long as the offenses they oppose dont have a short field all the damn time, the Bears D will get it done every week. I love the D, by the way whats the deal with Peanut Tillmans annunciation of "Louisiana".. that guy is hilarious.
November 13, 2006
#18 jeff said . . .Brad: Dosen't really matter (but they get it from where they kicked it) because you play the whistle. If you don't do that - you're one stupid team!
November 13, 2006
#19 nick said . . .can everyone also stop with this full strength bit? who do you want to play, the 84 niners? all this bears team has done is beat 8 of the 9 teams they've played and yet i have to keep hearing fans of this team tell me what they haven't done. you know what they haven't done? won a playoff game. and we'll see that test come january.
November 13, 2006
#20 Coxy said . . .Im with jeff, even though the garbage men were missing half of their team its still a team that won 5 in a row and was supposed to "crush" this untested Bears team.
Madden did say something good last night, I belive it went something like, You cant say these guys havent beaten anyone now. No shit Madden.November 13, 2006
#21 jeff said . . .I have always disliked Peanut Tillman and thought he was a no talent ass clown. I still cringe when I think about the Panthers game and Smith dry humping our field goal post after Tillman gave away that game. Last night he showed that he is improving. He was all over Burress most of the night. On that interception, Plaxico might as well have told him the route before the play. It was nice to see that he stepped up to the calling out of the secondary.
November 13, 2006
#22 James said . . .coxy, this deserves it's own column. and it's getting one. wednesday. peanut played brilliantly last night.
November 13, 2006
#23 District Selectman said . . .Obviously this was a big win and an important win from the seeding in the playoffs perspective. I am just saying it was not a “statement� win like some would suggest. The stars shined in their favor and some of the same holes that plagued them the whole season were evident.
Frankly I kind of like it that way. It gives the Bears an opportunity and desire to work on these holes, which they may not do if everyone just crowns their ass, like they did earlier in the season.
November 13, 2006
#24 Noah said . . .The full strength argument is just sour grapes. It's not like the Bears were exactly full strength either.
On 670, people are now clamoring for Adrian to move ahead of Cedric on the depth chart. Give me a break. When Ced was playing, his runs were no different from TJ's. Look it up. The Bears' offensive success boiled down to the offensive line figuring out how to block the Giants. Period.
November 13, 2006
#25 Noah said . . .Of course the play of the game was TJ on third down, number 2 is Devin. It's a fight for the rest, I just thought Rex taking that sack was a big move.
As for what we learned, I think one thing we didn't completely understand is what an impact a speed threat has on Rex's game. We saw him play without Berrian last week and with Bradley in the lineup this week he looked a lot more comfortable and in sync. Moose is money over the middle and Rex knows it, but he's a gunslinger and he wants to look downfield. Having a guy who can actually run those routes as opposed to the bum that is Justin Gage made a big difference.
November 13, 2006
#26 James said . . .Just heard that TJ's run on 3rd and 22 was the longest third-down run
for a first down since 1999.Awesome.
November 13, 2006
#27 Pat said . . .It's not even a down field threat, its someone who Rex can dump the ball off to when the blitz is coming. Someone who can catch the ball and get the first down to punish the D for blitzing. It happened on the Bradley TD, and the Giants did not seem to bring the pressure as often anymore.
November 13, 2006
#28 Pat said . . .No disrespect to your boy Schiano, but I think "Poppin' Wood" might be a more appropriate description of this Monday morning.
Big win. No denying it. Rex bounced back like we haven't seen yet this season. TJ just kept grinding through two frustrating quarters until the holes opened up, and most importantly, the D kept this one close in the first half. We could have been looking at 24-3 going into the half.
Having Bradley playing well allows Berrian to make sure he's healthy, and sure makes things look good when he does come back.
November 13, 2006
#29 Midway Monster said . . .I have to say, the shot of Lovie chasing Hester down the sidelines with that huge grin on his face and waving his arms was freaking sweet.
Oh, and Hester's jump shot at the end of the return was a not so subtle way of saying "eat a fat dick" to the Giants.
November 13, 2006
#30 James said . . .District:
Where did you get this quote: "What is best in life? To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of the women."
November 13, 2006
#31 Midway Monster said . . .its from Conan the Barbarian
November 13, 2006
#32 Starbuck said . . .Gotta go to YouTube.com and relive Devin's run. Check out the blocking!
http://youtube.com/watch?v=nPBGWdFGebA
November 13, 2006
#33 Brad said . . .Hey Justin,
Don't be too hard on Lance Briggs. There are reasons that Shockey only had 1 catch all night - Briggs was a big part of that. He will be missed next year...
November 13, 2006
#34 Noah said . . .Rex is tied for the NFC lead in TDs (17, tied wit McNabb) and interceptions (11, tied with Eli and Kitna).
November 13, 2006
#35 Sean said . . .he also leads the nfc in wins . . .
November 13, 2006
#36 Adam said . . .Ya know that last blurb about Rex leading in TD's and INT's says that he is a gunslinger. Much like that guy from north of the border (The Mississippi Cheese Monster) Rex likes to gun it down field and have that option whenever he takes a snap. Having Bradley was huge this week...I think the deep threat really just improves his confidence when the line blocks. I am getting giddy about the return of Berrian with Bradley...gunslingers love their deep threat option...in Rex's case it comes from upbringing and that damn fun'n gun he ran down in Gainesville with the ol' ball coach! We play who is scheduled and you cant gripe about that...if you wanna complain that we havent beaten full strength teams...well look at our safetys!!!!!
Bear Down! BROTHERS!November 14, 2006
#37 jonathan said . . .Benson had his chances and didn't do very well with them. Jones ran much better, but I think it was more due to the line giving him holes.
My man of the match: Charles Tillman
November 14, 2006
#38 test said . . .More YouTube fun -- here is TJ's run on 3rd&22, and Hester's runback, with the original M&M commentary. Classic:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYy72C4cHJs
November 14, 2006
test text
November 18, 2006
Here at DaBearsBlog, you are free to kill us or the Bears as you so wish. You are not free, however, to be an asshole. So if you spew racism or ill-meaning foul language (cursing about football is just fine) or anything of that ilk, your comments ain't gonna last long, jerk.