I won't be anywhere near a computer tomorrow so I'm bringing my Sunday pick/preview (in extended form) today.
The Bears haven't won this game all year. They've followed wonderful wins at Green Bay, at Philly and at Oakland with demoralizing losses the following week. They haven't seen .500 since Week 2. But they haven't faced Eli Manning yet.
CHICAGO BEARS 30
NEW YORK GIANTS 9
I know I should be taking the Bears with a conservative 23-18 score but I'm not. This is the week I want Lovie and Ronald to coach like its the Super Bowl. I want the Giants to leave Soldier Field so deflated they have no shot in Philly next week. This is the NFC Announcement Game for the Chicago Bears. If they win, they could go on the kind of run that'll make them the team no one wants to see in the postseason.
#2 Brian Sec430 Row 30 said . . .1st.....23...need I say more
November 29, 2007
#3 Phil from SATX said . . .Just a heads up for you die-hard Bears fans that live in Chicago....
Steve "Mongo" McMichael will be making an appearance on behalf of the winery I work for at Dominicks 1340 S. Canal tonight from 4-6pm. Thought you may want to come by, meet #76, get an autograph and maybe even buy a bottle of Toasted Head Chardonnay, Cabernet or Merlot. Hopefully I will see you there!
November 29, 2007
#4 Bill said . . .Man, Jay Mariotti 3 for 3! What's happening to the universe?
Yes the football floating in Lake Michigan was, at best, mildly amusing THE FIRST TIME it was aired in that game. By the 7th time, it was beyond lame.
I can't tell you how much I despise Dan Dierdorf after repeated viewings of that football game. This guy is so depressing he needs a triple dose of Prozac PLUS some crystal meth thrown in. How about his call on the second Devin Hester runback?
"I don't believe it. I don't believe it," he grumbles with the inflection of Eeyore as Greg Gumble at least tried to inject some enthusiasm and excitement into an incredibly exciting, thrilling moment. No, stupid old Dierdorf wasn't excited, he was just pissed and grumpy for God know what reason. How did he survive for so many years on Monday Night Football? He totally sucked the wind out of something incredible with his horrible call. Fortunately I ignored him while screaming and jumping up and down and hugging my boys. He may be worse than Brian Baldinger, if indeed that is possible.
2 Rex TDs 1 Field Goal 1 Hester TD 2 Defensive TDs (1 Tillman 1 VASHER!!!) and Giants can barely crawl off the field with 2 field goals, but add a long return/short field TD given how many times we're kicking off to them after scores. What is that? 38-13 it looks like.
38-13 Bears THRASHING of The Team Formerly Known as Gothams.
LET'S DO IT!!!
November 29, 2007
#5 RandomName said . . .Phil - I agree about Dierdorf - VERY unprofessional. He had a point of course that it was stupid to kick to him again, but he coudl have saved that point for AFTER the return. Their job is to show enthusiam for every good play made by either side. NOT to sound personally insulted that he just saw Denver do something he figured shouldn't have happened.
My score -
It seems like we're sort of encouraged to pick the Bears, so I'll say Chicago 31 Giants 27. But in my head I don't see two in a row happening this year.November 29, 2007
#6 Shady McBears Fan said . . .Speaking of the lameness of the football being kicked in the lake, which wasn't really distracting to me. Yeh I probably snickered internally with each one.
Nonetheless I'd still rather have my choice of Tom Thayer and Jeff Joniak from the 780AM but i cant. Why? BECAUSE THE 10 second delay!
I wish someone who has the power would be as nice enough to sync those two thing up.
I cant site the source (heck maybe from dabearsblog.com who knows) but i recently read that the punter's hang time / direction /distance is quite good, which is why Hester didnt return anything with the last Giant's meeting.. well except for the missed field goal (but who's counting?).
so my point is i'm gonna be staring at mister excitement himself during the game, like always. I guess i really didnt have a point with all of that. =]
November 29, 2007
#7 RandomName said . . .Two in a row.
Two in a row.
Two in a row.
Bears need to play angry to win. I'm not sure they'll be as angry as the Giants. It was the Giants who were smoked by Minneapolis and have something to prove this week while the Bears seem to be playing like they're just avoiding the inevitable fate of missing the playoffs.
After every Bears win, the team has come out the following week and laid an egg. Lovie and company have been stubborn to a fault in sticking to a predictable "formula" for success. Each week, they come out and try to prove to everybody that they ARE a running team and they CAN win with their defense. Clearly that "formula" ain't workin this year. It's time to let it all hang out. Another grind-it-out game plan will fail against this angry NY football Giants team.
In a battle of defenses in a game riddled with turnovers:
Bears 16
Giants13Regarding Sean Taylor: It's plain to me that this murder is not a simple coincidence, but rather a sordid past coming back to haunt a former thug Sean Taylor. Professional sports, for a lot of inner-city kids, is a way to escape the harsh reality of ghetto life. The thing these kids have to remember is that when they DO make it to the NFL or NBA, they have to leave the ghetto thug-life behind. The streets will have the last word, because they always do. Look at Michael vick, look at Sean taylor. This is a disturbing trend in the NFL and comissioner Rodger Goddell needs to do something about it.
Regarding next week's Thursday game against the Redskins: I would not be opposed to pushing the game back if Washington asked for it to be, although I highly doubt that will actually happen.
November 29, 2007
#8 jeff said . . .Well packers cowboys tonight. wish there was a poll feature here. who wins?
i'm thinking cowboys, but i'm thinking green bay..
tough one but i'll gooooo wiiitthhh.
Greenbay, for the win.November 29, 2007
#9 Al in WI said . . .vasher practiced today for the second consecutive day. if he returns sunday, i'm going to be very aroused.
November 29, 2007
#10 Rancid said . . .It will be interesting to see how much Vasher plays this Sunday. That could be the tonic for the struggling defense to return to at least respectability.
As for the game I see the Bears finally getting some momentum. NY doesn't have the corners to shut down Berrian and that will help the consistancy of the passing game. Having AP as the regular running back will make the playcalling seem less predictable at least on early downs. The defense will be better too, as their pressure will force Eli to be Eli.
Bears 31
Giants 17November 29, 2007
#11 mikebdot said . . .Go Bears. I'm not picking a score as I am superstitious and they haven't done so well this year when I have. I will be watching the game with a good friend who is a diehard Gmen fan and am believing that I will be the one doing all the gloating this Sunday
November 29, 2007
#12 DTB said . . .Since all you care about is the score and nobody has gotten it right, let alone two people necessitating a tie breaker, here you go:
Bears 41
Giants 3Ah, what the hell:
One defensive TD (finally!), two Grossman TD passes, one TO converted into Giants sole FG, good field position due to another TO by G-men and one from a return yield FGs. Then we run the ball like mad and get two more TDs, one by Wolfe, one by AP.
November 29, 2007
#13 Shady said . . .Bears 73 - G-Strings 0
Take it to the bank.
November 29, 2007
#14 DTB said . . .Kool-Aid is flowing. Wow. Have the Bears taught us nothing this year?
Jeez, I hope you guys are right.
November 29, 2007
#15 RandomName said . . .I'm fucking drunk! I love kool-aid!
November 29, 2007
#16 Shady said . . .ok with Ced out A.P and grossman have to pick up the slack, Grossman rushes for 75 yards, throws for5 touchdowns and gets 355 yrds through the air.
Devin Hester pulls a hat trick , a kickoff, two punts plus throws for a touchdown.
Urlacher, Briggs, and Harris combine for 12 sacks.
Vasher gets 2 interceptions and Tillman causes 2 forced fumbles.
btw after Hester's third touchdown Lovie passes out for a breather from all the sideline running he does
Go Bears!
oh yeah Eli to Russell Crowe er I mean Shockey for a lucky touchdown
Bears:70
Giants: 7I'm not a drunk but play one on the internet.
November 29, 2007
#17 23=rsandberg=mjordan=dhester,any? said . . .Speaking of Shockey,
I would bet anything that Coughlin sends him deep for a 1-on-1 with Arch-deluxe. Shit. Every other team has done it with great success, why not give it a shot?
Blitz #20! Hell blitz everybody! Their O-Line has had trouble picking up blitzes all year and Eli is terrible under pressure!
Bring house Babich. Bring house early and often.
November 29, 2007
#18 Phillip said . . .Agree jeff.....If we get a good run even the cowgirls wouldn't want us coming into there house in a playoff game 2return the favor after they embarassed us on sun.nite ftball....bottom line we are our worst enemy,if sh*t starts clicking & wRONg fucking starts plying 2 win,not lose there isnt I repeat ISNT 1single team in the NFC that has more overall talent than us.
November 29, 2007
#19 jeff said . . .I for one welcome our new kick returning overlords.
I also cannot WAIT to see the headlines and sad faces on the subway on my commute from Brooklyn to TriBeCa monday morning.
BEAR. DOWN. CHICAGO. BEARS.
November 29, 2007
#20 jeff said . . .hey Philip...Smith's Tavern on 5th Ave and 9th Street in Park Slope was where me and noah watched the game last sunday...only people in the bar...i assume that'll be different with giants fans around.
November 30, 2007
#21 olsen said . . .fun story:
Toward the end of Strahan's conference call Wednesday, Adewale Ogunleye stopped by the media room and said: "Mike, Adewale Ogunleye is one of the best ends in the league. What do you think about him?"It didn't take long for Strahan to figure it out.
"Is that him asking me the question? How did I know that? I'm no fool, man," he said. "I think he's great. I probably patterned my entire game after him. Without him, there would be no me."
November 30, 2007
#22 Shady said . . .help
I have Roy Williams, Andre Johnson and Reggie Wayne as my usual three starters (one slot is wr/rb).
Johnson and Williams shit on me last week, 3 points each. Wayne has Jax and Mathis to contend with, and no Harrison to even shit out.
On the bench I have Berrian and Kevin Curtis, and I can start a RB in the third slot- I have AP!
Is my Bears bias coloring my picks? cause im leaning toward starting Berrian and AP?I need your wisdom here boys, my season is sinking like a Brian Griese deep throw.
November 30, 2007
#23 said . . .WR- Reggie Wayne (Has the most talent on your list with the best QB)
WR-Bernard Berrian (BB & RG go together like PB & J)
WR/RB- Adrienne Peterson (Sure the Giants have the #8 run defense in the NFL, but Detroit is collapsing and RW is getting fewer passes thrown his way. That and I can't stand the man.)
November 30, 2007
#24 jeff said . . .Sorry Adrian not Adrienne. WTF is the matter with me?
November 30, 2007
#25 Green Lantern said . . .i'd put ap in the lineup, without question. again i think the bears are going to score points sunday and they tend to score once or twice on the ground.
November 30, 2007
#26 Phillip said . . .SO FIRED UP BY THIS POST
redeem me from the giants fans here in CT....
November 30, 2007
#27 jeff said . . .Jeff, if you can make it up to the Gael at 83rd and 3rd in Manhattan I can guarantee you three things: lots of bears fans, some free beer, and one of my last remaining Mike Ditka cigars.
Think about it, and bring friends :)
-pl
November 30, 2007
#28 Start Olsen, Free Ced said . . .phi, i'd love to come up. i'm trying to hit a bunch of different joints...probably won't happen this weekend but i'll be up there before season's end without doubt.
November 30, 2007
#29 BRIANsong said . . .AP and B2 it is
Ill probably go with Wayne too, you're right shady
benching andre johnson and roy williams is hard since either could have a monster game, but im rolling the diceNovember 30, 2007
#30 Phillip said . . .I'll take the Bears this week, slightly. The most important thing is going to be the first quarter. If they can put the Giants in a 7-10 point hole and force the game onto Eli's shoulders, they could open it up. Eli does not handle pressure well - I've never seen a guy throw more balls into the ground. Anybody else wish Favre didn't get hurt last night? Christ, that was some old school stuff he was dealing in the first quarter, heaving balls into the netherworld.
November 30, 2007
#31 Phillip said . . .Btw, don't know if anyone's seen this or not, but check out: http://kicktodevin.com/hesteria.htm#Hestertainment
kicktodevin.com in general is pretty redic.
November 30, 2007
#32 B.A. Baracus said . . .Oh, and two things: 1. Where is everybody? 2. I'm going to go out on a limb here and predict a blowout.
Mini Bearsss: 35, 2 HTDs (That's HESTER Touchdowns for those of you who don't know), one big play by Olsen, one Defensive TD on an interception, at least two big sacks.
(Please see http://www.leechvideo.com/video/view2299519.html for a historical account of Bears/Giants)Giants: 0. ZERO. Maybe Eli should ask his big brudder to come play in his stead.
November 30, 2007
#33 Phil from SATX said . . .I wish I could be more optimistic about this game, but the Bears have shown nothing in games following a big win.
Hester will be lucky if he touches the ball once or twice against the Giants. Feagles is going to give him nothing - he is basically the best angle kicker in the league. Enter the Bears wishy washy ineffective offense that does not have a running game and that plays right into the Giants' strength - the pass rush. Grossman will get a steady diet of grass all game.
Combine the above with a lackluster Bears' defense and I see nothing good. Sorry guys, my kool aid pitcher is empty.
Giants 24
Bears 17November 30, 2007
#34 Phil from SATX said . . .It was indeed a very fun and entertaining game. As I said, I had Packer friends over and was rooting for them (only temporarily of course). Brett looked scared and lost in the first half before he got hurt. Didn't expect that at all. Aaron Rogers, on the other hand, was very impressive. I thought the play calling was horrific in the first half - GB was so anxious to exploit the secondary that they completely abandoned what had got them to this point.
Went back to the West Coast offense just to lower the risk for Rogers and get him some completions, and lo and behold, they started clicking again. Coaches lost that game for them. I guess RT's not the only one who can do that for you. Doesn't the GB coach look a little like Turtle from Entourage?
Green Bay will have a shot at Cowboys again (unless da Bears have something to say about it) and at full strength with Woodson and the pass rusher who's out it may be a different story next time. But the Cowboys are a strong, confident team right now with an excellent, improving QB.
The great thing about that game was even though the GB fans left saddened, I was not. And 2 games to look forward to in the next 6 days or so.
I sure hope we bring it - I hope RT's on his game for once (actually for that to work out he'd have to be on someone else's game for once). Receivers better catch. If they do, we'll win. Simple as that.
Do you think the reason we haven't had the usual Packer gadflies around here is only because we beat them, so what can they say? I almost miss them. Almost.
November 30, 2007
#35 B.A. Baracus said . . .Come on Mr. T, no reason for such mopiness! Rules were made to be broken, and the Bear's current SOP of Loss Must Follow Win is about to go down the tubes!
With AP starting, Rex getting in a groove, the receivers having a lot to prove after a horrible game that they still won, offensive line substitutions, D finally remembering how to sack and take away, Pnut and Wale on Pro Bowl missions, Arch Deluxe - whoa, forget I said that name - VASHER coming back, and The Incomparable Best Ever Devin Hester (screw Feagles, he's great but they're going to be doing A LOT of punting, can't keep him down forever) -
BA, what's not to like? Didn't you get the memo? Only PackerMike is allowed to pick against the Bears.
BA really meant:
Bears 24 Giants 17
(he's a little dyslexic but please don't make fun of him, it's not his fault)
November 30, 2007
#36 mikebdot said . . .Phil - I appreciate your post - it gave me a chuckle - and I certainly hope the Bears win. I am definitely not a Packer fan like Packer Mike (His rants on here are pathetic). In fact, it warmed my heart to see the Pack go down in flames last night.
That being said, I must stick to my guns on my prediction. Dyslexia aside - I shall return here on Monday to eat crow should the Bears win (unlike dirtbag Packer Mike).
November 30, 2007
#37 Rancid said . . .I haven't seen the word "dirtbag" in quite awhile.
Niccccccce
November 30, 2007
#38 Phil from SATX said . . .Hopefully we can get a return from a kickoff. While Feagles is the best punter in the game, Tynes is the worst starting kicker in the league by far. At the very least I'm hoping he screws up a squib or two.
November 30, 2007
#39 Da Coach said . . .Some interesting stuff in the Sun-Times, who I have to say has been more insightful and productive this year in covering the Bears than the Trib. Discussion of CB losing a $1.73MM roster bonus BY 27 YARDS due to his season ending injury. Also reported that the oft-quoted $16MM guaranteed figure included several years of the supposedly easily earned $1.73MM of which he's now missed two - so the guaranteed minimum is really closer to $12.5MM and that figure still requires him earning the bonus next year. He has earned a little over $13MM through this year (through 3 years). Good money but not as much as usually quoted.
Also see that Vasher is practicing again today, 3 days in a row. And it appears very possible that Plaxico Burress won't play - he has a knee problem in addition to the ongoing ankle. He's the kind of big receiver that can hurt us. I'll take it.
David Haugh thinks that as bad as Arch Deluxe is (I do love that name, it's deliciously sarcastic), he's still the best option at strong safety because Brandon McGowan is showing way too many breakdowns in terms of being in the right place. AA is more typically in the right place but is simply not tackling, which was thought to be his strength.
Not that David Haugh's automatically right, but it is very possible that the guys we think suck hard (AA and Fred Miller principal culprits) still may be better than the alternative. It just means that team is not deep in those positions.
November 30, 2007
#40 Da Coach said . . .The only way Hester scores on Sunday is if he is used correctly on the offensive side of the ball. No way in hell the giants are going to risk kicking the ball to him.
The key will be how well Turner devises a gameplan for the short field the offense will be playing on all game long. The defense is going to be key here as well because if offense sputters and forced to punt the defense must hold court on the field position battle.
I am very excited for this game but cautious none the less and have a feeling the game ends with the bears having their first b2b wins this season.
November 30, 2007
#41 Phil from SATX said . . .Phil thats good news on both accounts - Vasher practicing 3 days now & Plexiglass being very questionable. Although I did not get to see the game last week some reports had Plexiglass bascially giving up on the field and not making some plays on intercepted balls from Eli.
November 30, 2007
#42 Adam Archuleta said . . .I'm really expecting Vasher to be a real game changer and difference maker on D. Most of these guys (well not Ced) love to play the game and it has to have killed Vash to be out so long - it sure killed us. I'm just hoping he's visualizing as we speak about what he's going to do in that game, to make a big splash on his return and also try to make up for his 8 game absence. His vastly improved coverage should mean that the linebackers and safeties will have lots of opportunities to make plays because Eli will not be able to comfortably throw to the top two receivers (whoever they wind up being, Amani Toomer and Sinorice Moss - is that Randy's little sister?) and that means lots of balls to Shockey and David Tyree and Brandon Jacobs in the middle of the field as the edges are taken away. Hopefully lots of oskies ensue (shamefully admit to having heard that word for the first time last night - never was a football player).
November 30, 2007
#43 Da Coach said . . .I might be missing tackles on the field,but @ home im hitting the 1 that counts....U would be 2 w/my wife....Im gonna be a dad{arch deluxe JR}
November 30, 2007
#44 Bill said . . .Other games to follow on scoreboard this week and root for:
Tampa hopefully beating the Saints
Buffalo beating the skins (but I do not believe even NE would beat the skins this week with all the emotion flowing in DC) I think they could be flat against us though next thurs!
Minny beating the Lions
Seattle to beat the Iggles.
Brownies over the Cards.
That would setup well with a Bears win on sun evening.
November 30, 2007
#45 Megan said . . .I suspect Vash will be out if the weather is rainy (as forecast); the good of that is maybe AP will run for a 50 yard tochdown dragging 10 guys with him the last 20 yards or so.
So Arch is where he should be and then blows the tackle like he's not even there. And that makes him better than McGowan how??
Am I the only one who feels The Dread Pirate Ronberts is on trial each and every week?
November 30, 2007
#46 Fletcher said . . .Yes, Bill. You stand alone, much like Cheese.
Sheesh. Dread Pirate Ronberts... That made me chuckle.
Bears 20
Giants 17November 30, 2007
#47 RandomName said . . .Found the Devin Hester ad I saw last night on youtube... It's about taking down Hester if he were loose in a diner - hilarious...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwLxVneBADo
December 1, 2007
#48 Shady McBears Fan said . . .Bear down, Chicago Bears, make every play clear the way to victory;
Bear down, Chicago Bears, put up a fight with a might so fearlessly.
We'll never forget the way you thrilled the nation with your T-formation.
Bear down, Chicago Bears, and let them know why you're wearing the crown.
You're the pride and joy of Illinois, Chicago Bears, bear down.I really enjoy that song.
well it's one more day closer to D-day.
Get the nachos ready.
RNDecember 1, 2007
#49 Viva said . . .Two in a row.
Two in a row.
Two in a row.
My guess is that Plaxico will play, he's been nursing that knee for a few weeks now much like Tommie Harris at 80% is better than anyone else the Bears have, Plaxico at 80% is better than NY's other options.
CB Aaron Ross and S Gibril Wilson are listed as doubtful for Sunday's game.
Note to Rex: IF THEY DON'T PLAY, MAKE IT RAIN OUT THERE!Manning has always performed well after a disastrous outing like the one he had last week against the Vikings. I wouldn't be surprised to see him put up some pretty solid numbers. Then again, I wouldn't be surprised to see him run off the field crying after his 6th INT.
Vasher should make it onto the field come Sunday, but he certainly won't play the entire game. It would obviously be great to see #31 back out on the field regardless of how much he plays.
P.S. I believe Sinorice is the younger brother of Santana Moss of the Washington Redskins.
December 1, 2007
#50 Al in WI said . . .The Giants strength on D is their ability to get to the QB (one of our weaknesses).
The answer for an overagressive line is -
1. Adjust snap count (erratic tempo).
2. Incorporate a screen/counter-draw package into your game plan.
3. Identify and negate blitzes.The Giant Offense is as schizophrenic as ours, but they do run consistently well, which sets them up for downfield opportunities.
We need to:
1. Run blitz on predictable running downs (I thinks Jacobs is averaging 5+ yards per attempts, and we need to keep him to low 3's)
2. Get in Eli's face early and often against a better then average O-Line.
3. Take Shockey out of the game...AGAIN.My Prediction:
Bears 31
Giants 17
December 1, 2007
#51 Max said . . .Picking up on Viva's key factors of the game theme:
A) Catch the damn ball!! As Jeff and others have noted, Rex would have had over 300 yards last week and the game wouldn't have been close if our recievers had caught the ball. They need to get back to the level of play versus Seattle and we will make plays on that secondary.
B) Pitch play. Remember that annoying counter pitch play Denver ran up our butts a dozen times last week? We need to use that play this week to attack the NY ends.
C) Throw early & often. The one real bennefit I see to having AP as the starter is that we should be less predictable. Ced was such a liability on pass protection, they almost always ran when he was in the game. Sunday, we should be able to hit some quick passes on early downs to avoid the long yardage situations.
D) Blitz. Eli is shaken. We cannot allow him to get off to a good start and get his confidence back. Get in his face and force a mistake early and he'll go down the tubes.December 1, 2007
#52 jeff said . . .Good to see the love. As much as i love the bears, i am not pickin them to win in a blowout. There has been someone every week picking a blow out and every week, it never happens.
Bears 23 Giants 13. AP with a TD. Des with a TD. Rex goes 22-40 1 TD 1 INT 1 FumbL. Robbie kicks 3 field goals. Put that in the bank.
And for the record, put in St. Clair. I dont care if Miller is considered better because lets face it. . . at this point i dont think anyone can play any worse than Miller.
AA still sucks
Bear down.
December 1, 2007
no jacobs, ross or gib tomorrow for the giants. they are going to be incredibly thin in the secondary. so maybe ronald and co will throw a lot?
December 1, 2007
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