Jeff, feel free to fire me as your erstwhile contributing reporter – deadline for me was Friday to do a pre-game post, and life intervened. Was going to do it last night, but with #1 Texas going to Lubbock to see #6 Tech, that game took precedence over my treasured but unpaid second (actually about 5th) job. And what a heartbreaker it was – (in best Brent Musbergian tones) – “Folks, if you missed that game, you missed a doozy!”
On to more important things – today’s matchup. [Hubris Alert – Warning to the Superstitious – Stop Reading Here] This game is going to be nothing but pure, unadulterated joy if you’re a Bear fan. Nothing to worry about, nothing to fear, everything to look forward to. The question isn’t whether we win, it’s by how much and in how pretty a fashion. It ain’t next week’s Texas vs. Baylor but it’s closer than you think. The Lions have NOTHING to play for except pride, and if you’re a Detroit Lion, pride pretty much snuck out of your duffel bag about two days after you had the unfortunate luck to be added to the team. You know things will get better in the future because the NFL’s version of Isaiah Thomas was finally exorcised, but the future is not now – now you’re playing out the string, looking for one win so you keep your good name out of the Record Books of Hell but you’re not looking this week – not against the Bears, not at Soldier Field, not after the much-needed bye week. In this game you’re just looking to get out of the arena with all of your body parts in place.
So given my premise that there’s nothing to worry about here, what should we focus on today?
1) Kyle Orton’s continued march to the top of the NFL quarterbacking ranks. If he keeps going like this and the Bears make the playoffs, he’ll be in the running for MVP. And that’s pretty amazing. Today’s a day to pad the stats, although Kyle would never give one thought to that – he’s good that way. Not at all self-absorbed. And built like a winner. Getting better by the game.
2) Devin Hester gets off the schneid – returns one for a touchdown. These aren’t going to be kickoffs either – Lions aren’t going to get to score much in this game, so we’re talking punts, and a lot of them. His first return of the season will come on a punt return, and it’ll come in the first half. The second will come in the second half. Two for the game.
3) Looks like this may not be the week for Brandon Lloyd to come back, so that ruins that storyline. So this week, it’s Devin, Rashied, Marty – can Devin continue his undeniably consistent progression into a real receiver, and can Rash and Marty play important roles by being sure-handed?
4) Greg Olsen continues his ascendance as a top flight NFL receiving tight end. Watch for him to add more big catches to his already good season, and watch him to continue to improve his YAC, which was moribund at the beginning of this season but is now improving week to week.
5) Watch the pass rush get to the Russian. I think most would agree that this unit has been the most disappointing on the D, since they have by and large had their health yet not gotten to the QB. To their credit, we’ve played against some pretty stout offensive lines of late. Lions don’t have one of those. Orlovsky has been a mistake-minimizer (is he kind of like the Kyle Orton of 2005 – but without any D to win games for him?) but today he’s going down. Line’s going to play like a beast.
6) How does Nick Roach do in place of an injured Hunter Hillenmeyer? There’s been a lot of low-key dissension around here about exactly how good Hunter is. I’m with Jeff on this, I think he’s better than we think – but I’m certainly not sure about my opinion. Let’s see how the younger Roach does. If he stinks I guess we’ll get to see some Jamar too.
7) Vasher is NOT losing his job to Corey Graham. I’m not sure where that rumor popped up, but Vasher at 100% is the second best corner on the team. He hasn’t been 100% for a while so maybe that’s the rub. But it looks like he’ll be on the field. Time to do something to bring back the long-shelved “Interceptor” nickname.
8) Matt Forte. Nuff said.
Fire up yer brats, ice up yer Old Style, grab yer nuts (well not in front of the kids) – and watch a (new-style) Old Style beat down of the Detwa Lions.
3 offensive tds, 2 Hester ST tds, 1 defensive td, 42-3.
(Oh, and Packers get pummeled by the Titans)
Bears move to 5 -3. Sole possession of first place.
BEAR DOWN AMERICA!!!!!!
#2 Rancid said . . .First! Lets hope we see the same domination we saw in Detroit a few weeks ago
November 2, 2008
#3 Sweet Home Chitown said . . .You sure can pump up a crowd Phil, let's hope it happens just like you say.
November 2, 2008
#4 Shady said . . .I'm a believer Phil. I'll take rank-and-file kyle over sexy rexy any day. Two touchdowns for Hester? Come on man, what's in the water down there. I do agree we need to see him do something big, and this is the game to do it. Let the beat down begin!
November 2, 2008
#5 DaBears Win! said . . .Nice work Phil, better late than never.
And mention of hubris? I haven't seen that since my first days on the blog over a year ago.
I have a feeling it's gonna be a KO to GO kind of day today.
Hester will score one way or another, whether it's a kick return or as a WR, Hester will find the endzone against the Lions.
Is this the game we see Kevin Jones break out a bit? Maybe in garbage time? I'd like to see him stick it to his old team before the end of the season.
Is the the game we see Chris Williams? Maybe in garbage time, again. No need to mess with the O-Line now. In one of the most bizzare and unexpected story lines of this season, the O-Line has become the steady and dependable rock of this team with Kyle as their captain.
This game is also an opportunity for the Bears to find out what kin of depth they have at the LB position. Nick Roach will have to show why the coaches feel so strongly about him especially with Roach overtaking special teams beast Jamar Williams. I'm sure Jamar will see some Ford field too, and he'll be looking to make the most of it.
Nice problem to have: What to do with season standout Corey Graham? Nickle? Safety? CB backup? Either way, the Bears know they have players who can step up when called upon.
A Green Bay loss this week will feel just as good as a Bears victory would.
Bear down America, it's football Sunday!
November 2, 2008
#6 Shady said . . .Phil,
Excellent entry. All that you said is accurate except for one thing, you left out the two field goals RG will kick. I'd like to correct your total to 48-3 Bears. (Maybe 50-3 if the D gets the safety I'm hoping for.)Here's to being alone atop the NFC-N for the rest of the season.
Bear Down, Chicago Bears!
November 2, 2008
#7 The Knight of Ownage said . . .Is today the day we see a direct snap to Devin Hester?
November 2, 2008
#8 DaBears Win! said . . .Anyone know how a fan in the South can watch this game. Online possibly? Any help/advice/links would be greatly appreciated.
BEAR DOWN!
GO BEARS!
November 2, 2008
#9 Decatur Staleys # 7 said . . .Knight of Ownage:
I'm just outside of Marietta, GA, and I just go to my local Taco Mac. (Mine is on the East-West Connector about a mile east of Austell Rd.) They show all the games. You just need to locate your game and find a place to sit where you can see it.
I haven't tried online due to my slow internet connection. However, when I change ISPs in a couple of weeks that may change.
November 2, 2008
#10 Renobearsfan said . . .Great post Phil,After readung I'm pump an ready to watch a Bears Beatdown!(even if its the Lyings)
See everybody at halftime.
November 2, 2008
#11 jay said . . .Little bit off on this one Phil...at least we got the win....ugly ugly ugly...God i'm gonna get an ulcer watchin grossman play!!Here's to orton's injury not being too serious!!! BEAR DOWN!!!
November 2, 2008
I cant stand Babich! I dont get the defensive playcalling.If we have to go with grossman next week, the D wont be able to hold them.
November 3, 2008
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.