This Bears team I once pronounced the most talented in its conference has been Jauronianlly reduced to a shell of its Super Bowl status. Now they travel to Detroit for a game we once wrote off as a guaranteed W and now wonder if it won't be repeat of Sunday night's home massacre at the hands of the Dallas Cowboys.
It won't.
BEARS 31
LIONS 20
Why do I like the Chicago Bears this week?
1. I always like the Chicago Bears.
2. The first ten minutes of this game are going to be pivotal. The Bears must dominate the line of scrimmage and score early. If they find themselves in a 7-10 point hole before the end of the first quarter, look out.
3. The Lions offensive line is a disaster and the Bears still have one of the best rotation of defensive ends in the game. Mixing in a few Babich blitzes should enable the Bears to keep Kitna off-balance. The quarterbacks that will give the Bears fits are the ones with mobility. Kitna...not one of those guys.
4. Brian Griese. Even if it doesn't last, I think Griese is going to bring a new energy to the huddle. He's been patiently waiting two years to get his chance under center and it won't be wasted. He'll overthrow a few people early but I look for him to have a terrific last three quarters.
5. The Bears play their first game against a team without an elite tight end. That sigh of relief you're hearing is coming from Mrs. Archuleta.
6. Because the Bears HAVE to win Sunday. They're all in. And if you don't believe your team can beat a weaker team when they MUST HAVE THE GAME, then what's the point of being a fan?
Bear down, Chicago Bears.
#2 Al in WI said . . .Amen!
Bear Down.
September 28, 2007
#3 CAK said . . .Jeff, I so hope you're right!
September 28, 2007
#4 Scuba Man said . . .Well said, but if the Defense is out on the field first, then I think an interception or a fumble will really get things going.... a three and out is not bad, but we need mount a strong attack.
September 28, 2007
#5 Scuba Man said . . .Bears need some Gatorade, man. That's the only way they can beat the Lions. Drink lots of Gatorade, man. That stuff works real well, I suppose. Go tell them to drink lots and lots and lots of Gatorade.
September 28, 2007
#6 Megan said . . .My good friend, Jack Scipoli drinks Gatorade and he can go for miles and miles and miles. It's real yummy as well. Replaces all them electrolites and things such as that. Gives you the salt back. Lose the salt and you're all done. Let's hope them Bears don't lose the salts over the weekend, man.
September 28, 2007
#7 wayne said . . .Gatorade or not, the Bears really need to win this one.
My fingers, toes and eyes are crossed. It's not a pretty picture.
XXOO
MeganSeptember 28, 2007
#8 Pissed Off said . . .Yes Mikebdot! Amen and hallelujah!
September 28, 2007
#9 Al in WI said . . .Is it even possible that the Lions O-line could have a good game? They do have 5 lineman up front dont they? They are professional football players. I hope the Bears win but I'm not so sure they are the superior team on paper with all these injuries. We need a gutty performance. Thats it. 28-27 Bears.
September 28, 2007
#10 StartOlsen said . . .In order for the Bears to win, I think they're going to need to score a lot of points this week. And I think to do that it's going to take at least one from Hester, and a couple turnovers hopefully deep in Lion territory.
September 28, 2007
#11 Pissed Off said . . .this is the lamest buch of posts, ever. Im not coming back until Sunday.
September 28, 2007
#12 Northside Superfan said . . .Good call Al, I would argue that we need a return from Hester for a TD and also a Defensive score to win this game. Along of course with multiple turnovers. I just think Kitna will be able to shred this depleted secondary, we just need some breaks (listed above).
September 28, 2007
#13 Midway Monster said . . .I agree with CAK--getting some turnovers is going to be a huge key to this game. Even with all the injuries, this should still be possible because
1. Even though Detroit does have a good passing game, they are still commiting a lot of turnovers
2. We still have a number of players suiting up for are good at heads-up interceptions (Manning Jr., Urlacher, D. Manning,)
3. We still have a lot of players who can strip the ball (everyone on D)
That being said, we cannot do this with another 10 point outing. 20 will probably not be enough either. Detroit will score points. A great game form BG would be nice, but an adequate game where he doesnt turn the ball over or pin us in our own end zone will do. Benson must have a good game (he should against this soft D), Hester needs to get us in Field position (or just score himself, that would be fine too) and we need to work the tight ends in on the midrange passing game. I'd really like to see Olsen make his mark as a Bear in this game.
Detroit has some strengths, but they are still a mediocre team at best. As Jeff said, I would expect the team to bring it this week because it is a must-win.
September 28, 2007
#14 Midway Monster said . . .Ya gotta be an optimist or you'll just gripe your life away on this blog. I say we kill em.
This will be the start of 3 in a row to take the division lead.
--Midway--
September 28, 2007
#15 Scuba Man said . . .PS -- Hey Scubaman... if I understand you correctly I need to drink some Gatorade. Do I have that right cuz I am confused and I need you to post clearly.
--Midway--
September 28, 2007
#16 Ed in CO said . . .Midway,
I don't converse with monsters. And surely not monsters who are mid-way between something. That points toward an asexuality that scares me, especially if you are, in fact, a monster.
But, to each his own.
My posts are clear. The Bears need to watch their salt level and replace their electrolytes often. Gatorade will help.
Bear Down. Or Up.
September 28, 2007
#17 Viva said . . .Scuba, Monster, you guys are funny. Stop spiking your Gatorade. What we really need is some Ursa-ade.
Jeff, I don't know about point 2. In both the SD and Dallas games I was super excited about how the defense played the first 10, heck the first half, of each of those games. Then the Bears didn't drink up on the gatorade, and things started to fall apart in the 2nd half. Especially in the Dallas game.
I think how well the defense holds up in the last quarter will be the deciding factor.
I predict a come from behind victory. The Lions will have the lead going into the 4th quarter, but since they can't run the ball, they won't be able to run out the clock. The defense will come up big with either a big 3 and out deep in Lions territory and a good punt return by Hester, or the defense will get a turnover and the offense gets a short field for the win!
Bears: 20
Lions: 17
September 28, 2007
#18 from da region said . . .I can't believe the Bears are giving points in this game. I am all over the moneyline.
Detroit is not so bad that we can overlook the fact that we have 5 starters on D not playing, 1 playing with a broken hand, another a hip pointer, blah blah blah blah blah.
The only solace in a Bear defeat is winning $, which = beer, and maybe a good rub and tug.
September 28, 2007
#19 Superbowl Hangover said . . .they need to hang on to the ball, they were giving way to many turnovers. maybe griese can outperfom poor rex...what happened to that guy? played amazing for first few games then awful.
September 28, 2007
#20 Midway Monster said . . .Boys & Girls,
It's over. The 2006 Chicago Bears are part of history. The superbowl hangover is here, as is the bad luck that comes with it.
Missing the entire secondary, down to the 3rd and 4th team @ D-Tackle the defense will not bail out the Bears.
Switching to Griese is an act of desperation, they still have no running game or backs, and have but one reciever. Let the long nightmare of Chicago continue:
Detroit 31
Chicago 16September 28, 2007
#21 Jimbo said . . .Gee SuperBowl Hangover, way to $hit in everyone's Easter basket the night before game weekend.
--Midway--
September 28, 2007
#22 Shady McBears Fan said . . .The NFC Champs just got rid of their achilles heel. It's on, regardless of the injuries.
Bears travel to Green Bay 2-2.
Go Bears.
September 29, 2007
#23 Nicole is broken said . . .Gotta say this: I'm a big believer in attitudes and positive thinking. If players took some of the attitudes of people on this blog, they would lose out the rest of the season. Nobody likes to read a bunch of bitching and moaning anyway.
Sunday should be a pretty good indication of what the next few games are going to be like for the Bears. For once there are actually BIG question marks on BOTH sides of the field.
Because we are still in the 1st quarter of the season, I don't know if I would call it a MUST win. The NFC is really wide open again this year and there is still enough football yet to play. I've heard the injury report coming out of Halas hall isn't very accurate, and I have no idea why. If they can get some key players back in a month like Harris, Vasher and Briggs, Chicago could make a serious playoff push later in the season, just when the offense should hit high gear.
I look at the Philly game (away) and the next Detroit game (home) as potential MUST wins.
SUNDAY: @ LIONS, Noon
10/7 @ PACKERS, 7:15 PM
10/14 VS. VIKINGS, Noon
10/21 @ EAGLES, 3:15 PM
10/28 VS. LIONS, Noon
11/11 @ RAIDERS, 3:15 PM
11/18 @ SEAHAWKS, 7:15 PM
11/25 VS. BRONCOS, Noon
12/2 VS. GIANTS, 3:15 PM
12/6 @ REDSKINS, 7:15 PM
12/17 @ VIKINGS, 7:30 PM
12/23 VS. PACKERS, Noon
12/30 VS. SAINTS, Noon
If the Bears lose this week, their season is not over, and it's not the end of the world. I'm not saying the game is not EXTREMELY important, I'm just saying it's not QUITE do or die time yet. That being said, the Bears should play like their season depends on this game, kinda like everyone should every game...Rex.I agree this would be a great time for Mr. Greg Olsen to make his mark as a Chicago Bear and come up with a few big plays - and for Mr. Urlacher to take over the game much like he did at Arizona on Monday Night of 2006. Here's to never quitting, no matter what. (Grab a drink) Bear down and let's go Cubs!
September 29, 2007
#24 Z said . . .Hey Region Rat- what part are you from?
September 29, 2007
#25 Z said . . .Right off the Bears website:
Health update: While the Bears have been plagued by injuries, cornerback Nate Vasher (groin) was the only player listed as doubtful on the injury report Friday.
Safety Adam Archuleta (hand), linebacker Lance Briggs (hamstring), guard Ruben Brown (ankle), tackle Fred Miller (knee), defensive tackle Tommie Harris (knee) and cornerback Charles Tillman (ankle) are questionable.
Briggs, Tillman and Vasher did not practice Friday, while Archuleta, Brown, Miller and Harris were limited. Middle linebacker Brian Urlacher (back) was listed as probable and held out of the workout, but he will start Sunday’s game against the Lions.
Defensive end Adewale Ogunleye (hip), running back Adrian Peterson (calf) and defensive tackle Darwin Walker (knee) all were listed as probable and practiced without restrictions.
http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=3893
To me this is very good news. We are still really banged up and even if none of the questionables play this Sunday, it is hopeful for the near future. As a Bears fan, I have always braced for the worst with some of the past injuries I have seen.
It isn't so much about one player trying to do everything which is obviously impossible, it is about one player consistently making the big play when needed that sparks the rest of his unit or even the whole team to step up with him and do the same. Being able to count on that consistently during a game takes some of the pressure off the others to just be able to make plays instead of having to try and keep making great plays. When #54 went off in AZ, don't you think everyone around him felt more confident as that run of momentum changing plays went on. That is what the great players are for. Some players are doing great just to stay in their gaps and close on their coverage and not need to be compensated for. Others like #54 and others on D and #23 do have the ability to have a, if not a few game changing plays if they are getting consistent play from others and not having to do too much play after play.
By the way our D does so great in the first half and poorly in the second half because they have already played a half (emotionally and sometimes physically by the end of the first). Some drives by the O instead of putting them in such horrible situations would be just the remedy for that and hopefully all the injuries that we have been seeing.
Time for us to support BG and see what he has. While I do think Lovie caved a little to media and fan pressure, Rex does not seem to be developing into a good (yes he has shown flashes) and certainy not a reliable and consistent QB (which is much more important to this team that does not need all that much from the QB or O to win). I definitely take into consideration that he has had almost no help from the rest of the O or the coaching staff, so a fair evaluation is not possible at this point but he definitely looked pretty rattled and unsure out there and those are two things that you do not need a QB to be. As sad as it would be if the O wasn't playing as hard as they could have because of a lack of Rex being a team leader or some other psychological barrier, sports at this level is very mental and if this change can remedy some of that then it is warranted for that reason alone. Regadless of who is the better QB or has more potential or upside, we are built to win now and anyone who has followed the NFL for long knows that the window for that is very small sometimes. Consistency and less TO's seems far more important on the scale than a strong arm and the potential for some 100 QB ratings in games. Arizona and Leinart seem to be able to handle what I think is how a situation like that should be played out with a young QB. It is disconcerting that they didn't feel Rex could handle things that way.
There is still a LOT of football left to play and even those who have given up on our SB dreams (I am not one and won't ever be until you show me the math that we are out of the playoffs), better cheer us on to and believe that we have a shot at the playoffs.
If not, what the FUCK kind of fan are you?
No prediction this week on the score. Didn't work last week and I am superstitious. Just a Bears WIN will do just fine.
Bear Down!
September 29, 2007
#26 Midway Monster said . . .Oh yeah.
GO CUBS!!!
September 29, 2007
#27 Midway Monster said . . .OKay: game day eve. Time for everyone to walk around all day with your neck bulled and your eyes all wide & bugged out. Then mumble as you pass by folk with a "we're gonna beat dem Lionz". (oh yeah and drink gatoraid).
--Midway--
September 29, 2007
#28 Nicole is broken said . . .PS - wife is a Cub fan and is going nuts. You know what that means don't you? thats right -sex.
--Midway--
(sorry. humor at the expense of too much info huh.)September 29, 2007
#29 Midway Monster said . . .I love Da Bears. I loathe the Cubs.
September 29, 2007
#30 StartOlsen said . . .Side bar
Nicole: You a White Soxs fan then?
--Midway--
September 29, 2007
#31 Z said . . .holy crap Z, nobody asked you to write your dissertation on the Bears did they? Are we suppose to read that shit?
My real reason for being here is this.
Here's to Jamar Williams. His replacing Briggs was the subject of much discussion earlier this year, and now, for a game at least, it is reality. Jamar, go out and show us that you can erase his memory when he leaves us. Good luck 52September 30, 2007
#32 Nicole is broken said . . .I don't know StartOlsen, if you are home on a Sat night, doing a Bears blog, u probably got the time huh?
I needed a break from work and after reading all the bitching and whining and fighting back and forth on here the last few days, I just had to. Besides half of that is the injury report and the rest probably equals the six or seven posts that others just say the same shit over and over again on. At least I don't just repeat myself and insult the other bloggers like some on here.
Shouldn't we put all that aside and focus on our common goal of cheering for the Bears in a few hours. They definitely need the support. And oh yeah, Jamar Williams having 12 tackles after replacing Briggs. Great start, let's hope he can keep it up.
September 30, 2007
#33 Nicole is broken said . . .It's game day bitches! It's 6:44am EST and I know Max isn't going to read this for another 8 hours but I'm just getting home from the bars, I'm wasted and I'm going to stay buzzed until the game at 1pm. Such is the life of being single with no kids!~~~@!BBBBBEARSSSSSSSSSSSS! It's game day- yeah it's the Lord's day, too.... better say a prayer for the game.
September 30, 2007
#34 Hunter said . . .Midway: White Sox.... YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
September 30, 2007
Lets go bears!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! we will win with no duobt... i hope btw i feel sorry about rex
September 30, 2007
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.