Four quarters. Sixty minutes. As Joe Banks says in the brilliant Joe Versus the Volcano, "I can taste it like sugar on my tongue." One more win and we're...
I recorded Sunday's game and I've watched that last drive about a half dozen times now. The 3rd and 10 throw to Rash Davis. The big runs by Cedric Benson (dramatically underrated) and the kick. God, what a game. Sunday was the reason I love football and the reason I put everything I do into this football team. It isn't often...but sometimes they repay me tenfold.
The Saints are good. But more importantly, the Saints have magic. Defensively, we don't match up well with a team that executes the screen as perfectly as they do. I still have Ahman Green nightmares (for you, PiB). So I'm going to start my look ahead to the NFC Championship Game with this:
This Bears defense will be defined by how they perform Sunday. If they are a great unit, they'll be great at home on Sunday. The offense will score points - especially with the way Jones and Benson are running. It is up to the defense Sunday and the magic number is 20. Hold these Saints...these incredibly tough to root against Saints...under 20 points...and we'll spend two weeks writing sonnets about you. This is the time for Brian Urlacher to forever extinguish the "overrated" label. This is the time for Tank Johnson to make his season about on the field performance. This is the time for Charles Tillman to catch that ball and take it back for six.
The Saints are good. But more importantly, the Saints have magic. Let's take it from them and do as Obama wishes. Let's end the fairytale Sunday. Little Red Riding Hood is coming into Chicago and the Big Bad Wolf is wearing navy blue and orange. These are not the '85 Bears but we never asked them to be. Be the '06 Bears...the defense that shutout the #1 offense in football in the NFC Championship Game.
#2 flybait said . . .The Saints offense has the most yards per game but the bears offense scores more points. If the defense shows up, we win. I think the offense will be OK. Now that I say this the offense will probably lack and the D will be great. Who knows with this team??? I just cant wait, I am looking forward to this game so much. Cmon D!
January 16, 2007
#3 Pissed off said . . .Hmmmm.....
Its gonna be a tough one! I can almost see the saints offense confusing the D. The D best be on their toes for this game!January 16, 2007
#4 Pat said . . .Shocking!! More negativity from flybait.
January 16, 2007
#5 Pyrobob said . . .I agree. I think it all comes down to how we handle the short pass and the inside running game. They will score, we just have to keep it manageable. If we see an inspired D like we did down the stretch against Seattle, then we'll put ourselves in a position to win. Definitely could use a little love from He Gone that doesn't get taken away by the Nerd Beater.
I just watched the game again too-- I still get the nervous shits even the third time through. I will never forget 55 on 4th and 1. And Tank's sack... I hope those guys come back with a fury next week. We'll have our hands full.
January 16, 2007
#6 BRIANsong said . . .Here is why the Bears will win this game and go on to the Superbowl:
NO, despite the outward appearance and talk of coming in to play to win against a tough team will, to a man, be thinking: Good Rex/Bad Rex? Unprotected Rex? Shaky D? Screwy calls from Coaching staff? It's in the bag! What they will really find when they step onto the field this Sunday? "They are who we thought they were!" No kidding.
THEY ARE THE BEARS!January 16, 2007
#7 Pissed off said . . .I am nervous.
January 16, 2007
#8 mikebdot said . . .I admit I was wrong about my prediction regarding the Seattle game, I predicted a win by 2 scores, that being said I think Seattle played over their head on Sunday.
This game will have a tight score in the end, within a TD either way, thats how the playoffs roll. There will be no blowouts (though I'd love there to be one). As John Madden said "the team who has the most points at the end of the game will win"
January 16, 2007
#9 Megan-okay, not my last post said . . .Is Joe Horn going to play in this game? If so, I'm slightly concerned...but not overly. If Brees tries to force some passes into receivers, especially on 3rd and long, he's going to have a long day. #24 will have at least one pick if they have a couple of 3rd and 7+s, which is why we need to stop Deuce/Bush...
January 16, 2007
#10 beantown bears said . . .We are the Bears shufflin' through.. AHHhhhhhhhhhhh
We are the Bears comin down on you hard, kicking your ass and leaving you in the dust. Running over you like a steam roller over playdough. No mercy! No mercy, and again I say NO MERCY!
Can I get an AMEN??January 16, 2007
#11 jeff said . . .I am also a little nervous . . .but just remember, we played all year to get this game at home - an here it is right where we want it.
January 16, 2007
#12 Big T said . . .that's a great point beantown. all season, all those wins are meant to amount at putting another team at a marketable disadvantage. look at the history of warm weather and dome teams in situations like this...things look good. i think seattle was the hump. and i hope we're over it.
January 16, 2007
#13 flybait said . . .PO'd
I'm glad to see someone else saying that Seattle may have played over their head's on Sunday. It seemed like every Hasselback pass was coming with him just missing geting sacked, the ball being in the perfect place for the receiver to catch it...it could have been a lopsided game had a few of those passed not been so perfect. I really don't think Seattle could have played much better.
That said NO is going to have to play close to perfect as well and I'm hoping that our team has gotten some of their swagger back. If we can stop the run early and put pressure on Brees, we'll be in good shape.
January 16, 2007
#14 Pissed off said . . .PO'd
comon man why you gotta be like that, I made a realistic statement, exactly what is wrong with that?
With N.O. a team has to stay on their toes or they get lost in the N.O. offense, i know it dont sound right but watch a game where they played on top of their game.
January 16, 2007
#15 Pissed off said . . .Thanks Big T, I'm glad someone else agrees, that or else no one reads my blogs......which could be the case too.
I havent heard officially if Horn will play, I dont think it makes a lot of difference either way, he'll probably sit....he's played like 4 games in the last 8 years due to a hammy.
Great point by beantown.....this is why we play the reg season to build toward something, I'd rather be at home for this game than in NO, this gives us a better chance to win and thats why the reg season pays off.
AMEN for you Megan and I'd also like to add ........."didn't come here to cause no trouble, we just came to do the SB shuffle......"
January 16, 2007
#16 flybait said . . .Flybait, just type "I believe the Bears can win this Sunday" and then post it. Dont sugarcoat it, just those words. If you do that I will stop.
January 16, 2007
#17 jdawg said . . .I believe the Bears can win this Sunday as long as they play perfect D and O!
Hows that PO'd?January 16, 2007
#18 jdawg said . . .A few thoughts/questions since my head was spinning all game and actually exploded shortly into overtime:
Was C Harris that bad? As I was saying last week I thought T Johnson could be a difference maker, but they decided to ease him back into the lineup;
Should they put Idonidje in at tacklle during passing downs just so he can raise his hands in the air? He's 6'7".
January 16, 2007
#19 Pissed off said . . .I forgot to add:
Like he just don't care
January 16, 2007
#20 Pyrobob said . . .No flybait, you sugarcoated it, say "I believe the Bears can win this Sunday" and thats it, no circumstances. By not typing just that I dont think you are true fan, or a true believer, you gotta Believe man!! You are the only one here that can't type just those words.
January 16, 2007
#21 Midway Monster said . . .AMEN
"I believe the Bears can win this Sunday"
January 16, 2007
#22 Midway Monster said . . .AMEN!
--Midway--
January 17, 2007
#23 flybait said . . .Jeff, Dude- Are we really gonna write Sonnets? Hoes this:
Ode To That Team With The Stupid Symbol On Their Helments
There once was a team from Nawleans
A winning streak had they
Till they came to Chicago
And met a bad foe
Now they all have bruises in the a$$ of their blue jeans.
--Midway--
January 17, 2007
#24 scott said . . .POd
I Cant say it like that man, sorry but just because they beat the seahawks dont make em all that now.
I thought this blog was about being down to earth and real? What happened to that? Last week thats pretty much what everyone was like, now everyone is like the bears can kick anyones ass and they cant lose.
Weir man..just weird.January 17, 2007
#25 Fred said . . .flybait, I think realism prevails here. What's needed right now, though, is faith. Faith in the QB, faith in the D and, most of all, faith in the Bears. Yeah, it's gonna be a tough game. We're in the Final 4. They should all be tough. I can't speak for everyone on this site but I think the opinion here is that you should just believe. Ain't that the essence of being a fan?
January 17, 2007
#26 max said . . .you say, "...these incredibly tough to root against Saints..."
How is that?
Never mind the fact that they choose to live below sea level and then rebuild under water again, this is just football.
Had we known at the beginning of the year that we would play the saints in the championship game we would've shit ourselves with glee.
Nothings changed, it's the Aints and we will rock them like a hurricane.January 17, 2007
#27 Coxy said . . .First off, AMEN.
Secondly, i am more inclined to agree with PO'd on this one. I am nervous (as i am before every game) and this game gives reasons for nervousness.
Saints are here because they are a good team. Same as the Bears. Do I think we will win? Yes. Do I think we should win? HELL YES. Does that mean its in the bag? Not by a mile.
But I believe we can win this week. No ifs, ands, or buts.
I Believe
(I however do not question your dedication as a fan flybait. . . the bears have given us plenty of reasons to hold our breath and we have earned the right as bear fans to be cautious given their track record)
January 17, 2007
#28 Pissed off said . . .One thing that bodes very well for us is the monkey off our back. It is weird. Living in NY, other people around here equate the Bears to George Mason U or something. We took care of business all year (except for the biggest game of the year against the Packers - there you go PIB). We took care of our first playoff game. Sure not every win was beautiful, but who cares. Any body with any sports knowledge knows that it doesnt matter how it looks as long as its a win.
We have a home game in Chicago, against a team that a few weeks ago didn't scare us at all. Now I just feel like we are playing with the house's money. Nobody expects the Bears to win at our own house. Thats a beautiful thing. There is nothing to lose now and the Bears are going to play like it.
January 17, 2007
#29 FR said . . .If flybait cant believe or say anything positive then I dont want to hear it, some criticism is fine, we all criticize but we all believe the Bears can win. You dont, you honestly dont think the Bears can win and thats where your wrong! They have as good a chance as any to win this weekend. Your not a true fan and your setting yourself up so you can say I told you so on Monday. Give it your heart man!
January 17, 2007
#30 FR said . . .A team who dominated (and embarrassed) the Cowboys the way the Saints did is a team to be feared. They also know how to pull a few tricks out of their bag at opportune times. Lots of talent and fearless play from this bunch.
January 17, 2007
Forgot to add...
...this team is used to an indoor stadium so the cold could be a factor working against them but on the other hand they won more road games than they lost. (6-2)January 17, 2007
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