I was lifeless Sunday watching the Chicago Bears beat up on one of the worst football teams I've ever seen on a television screen. Lifeless is really the only word. Victories simpy are not as much fun when the only emotion they spawn is overwhelming relief. Relief is something you should get from Rolaids and hard-throwing right handers. Not from beating the St. Louis Rams in the middle of November.
The Bears proved two things Sunday, both positive (1) They're not terrible. The Rams are terrible. (2) Their offensive future is currently on this roster at quarterback (Kyle Orton), running back (Matt Forte) and wide receiver (Devin Hester).
And its the latter that provides a genuine reason to watch these last five football games with eager anticipation. Even if you don't believe the Bears can go into Giants Stadium and win in January or even out-last the Packers/Vikings down the stretch, any fan would be foolish not to recognize that the Bears currently have their finest collection of young offensive talent in more than a few generations. These next five games will be about putting that unit under the microscope.
Starting Sunday. In Minnesota. In front of the country. This is not a "must win" game if the Bears are to make the postseason but it is for the Vikings - whose schedule simply won't allow them to overcome a third loss in the division. While the defense deals with the best back in football, the offense will have the opportunity to knock out a division rival.
Everything to this point in the season has been unexpected. Now the expectations soar. What the quarterback, running back and wide receiver do in the next five weeks might tell us everything we need to know about the next five years of Chicago Bears football.
#2 Willie from Chicago said . . .Numero Uno.
November 25, 2008
#3 Willie from Chicago said . . .Damn just missed it.
November 25, 2008
#4 Shady said . . .Why dont the Bears pick up a cornerback in free agancy? the Bears need one.
November 25, 2008
#5 Willie from Chicago said . . .Man I hate that fucking horn they blow every time the Vikings get a 1st down, is there a more annoying sound in football? OK yeah, Dick Stockton and Joe Buck.
The offense seems to be struggling a bit right now with he exception of Forte, and if the defense doesn't come to play Sunday I think the Bears are going to be in trouble. While last time these teams got together it was a shootout, I think this meeting will be a bit different.
Jeff you said this game isn't a must win, but I couldn't disagree more. This game is going to pretty much make or break the season. It's in front of national TV and both teams are looking to send a message to the Packers. Sure in theory they could lose this game and still win the division, but I don't see it happening. A loss for either team will probably spell the end of the season, at least in my mind, because I don't see how either team could recover from losing ground to a division foe.
Also, I don't see how these 5 games can be extrapolated into the next 5 years. I don't buy it, but I see what you;re saying about the future of the offense being Forte. Orton and Hester? I think the jury is still out on those guys.
November 25, 2008
#6 Rancid said . . .I have to disagree with you Jeff, the Vikings game will determine where this season will end up. If we win, we will be 7-5 and in great position to make the postseason, if we loose we will be 6-6 and struggling.
The result of tonights Green Bay New Orleans game will play a big hand in how big the viking game will be. If the Pack win, then it will be a must win for us because if we dont put a 1 game gap beetween us and the Packers with 4 games left, then I dont think we will make it. If the Saints win, then we will have a 1 game lead over the cheese going into next week.
BEAR DOWN
November 25, 2008
#7 Jimbo said . . .Beat Minny, then we'll talk.
November 25, 2008
#8 Question said . . .Jeff. Great post, got me more excited for this sunday night.
Kyle Orton has really suprised and impressed this season. In the preseason i was a big rex supporter (and i also thought our O-line would be terrible and Forte would split carries with K. Jones and our D would be awesome...but i digress). I hope he continues to improve. Just think if we can get him a big possession target at WR, some improved OL help, and Matt Forte with another year of experience... we could have a legit offense.
Matt Forte is the freaking savior of chicago. That kid is tremendous. I just hope he can handle the work-load over the long term. If he can stay healthy and if we can draft a capible power back-type #2 RB chicago could be a double threat on the ground and in the air.
Thats exciting and great and the future on O looks good... but what about the D??? I guess my biggest suprise is that the D-line has been so ineffective. We have a ton of depth there, and essentially the same players that have dominated in their respective positions for the past 2-3 seasons... yet this year they are nearly useless. They were back to their old disruptive ways against the Rams... but the Vikes O-line isn't nearly as bad.
It wont matter what Forte, Orton, or Hester does if our D lets Guss Ferotte look like a hybrid of brett farve and peyton manning on sunday. We were able to win the last game essentially because our special teams scored 2 TD's. I dont think we can count on allowing 40 something points and still winning.
We can stop the run... great... but please please please get to the QB. He threw 4 picks last-time, with pressue it could be the same story this week.
Bear down D-line. Tommie needs another 2 sacks this week. Beat Minny and lets make this a 2 team race.
November 25, 2008
#9 Shady said . . .Why do we need a power back? Forte is all in one and our other backs don't run the same... I don't think that the double RB attack is nesscessary. As long as we give Forte a break with Garret, AP, or Jones (depending on how long those guys are here) then why even talk about getting another RB?
November 25, 2008
#10 jeff said . . .If you really think about it, EVERY game is a must win.
If you don't enter a game with that sort of mentality, you can be sure the other team will impose their will and win the game.
Where is earl Bennett? Brandon Rideau? They both had great preseason performances. Let's see ALL the WRs. Why not? You couldn't say one is head and shoulders above the other, give people an opportunity to help you win.
It would be a great Bears moment if Bennett, Rideau or Mike Hass caught his first Touchdown in the NFL this season, I would love for that to happen.
November 25, 2008
#11 Rancid said . . .BEAR DOWN, NEW ORLEANS SAINTS!
38-21!
November 25, 2008
#12 Bounce said . . .You know that gay commercial where the dad gives his young son his first lame Vikings helmet? It's time to break that little kid's freakin heart.
November 25, 2008
#13 Shady said . . .Packers are losing....:) hahahahaha
November 25, 2008
#14 said . . .Man it feels great to watch Green Bay get embarrassed on national TV.
November 25, 2008
#15 BearDown1982 said . . .I fucking love the New Orleans Saints!
51-29!
November 25, 2008
#16 Joseph said . . .Green Bay is getting destroyed in the dome. I'm very, very thankful we will get the Saints on a December night...instead of inside that place. Brees could still tear us up, but the weather will help.
With GBs loss...Sunday's game just got that much more important. IF the Bears win, they put their destiny in their own hands.
November 25, 2008
#17 The Ghost of Halas said . . .Greenbay plays Carolina next...ouch! GB loses that game they are Fucked! I think the Bears shock the world and win the next 5 games....
Bear Down Peeps
November 25, 2008
#18 zmac said . . .I'm in a phenominal mood tonight. Seeing our ancient arch-rivals falls HARD to a Saints team which is mediocre at best. I have hope now, when a week ago I had so precious little. It's within our grasp.
But guys we've got to work. We've got to work. We've got to make this happen. It's not just going to happen.
I also purchased the 2006 NFC Championship game on itunes...wow! If you want something that will make you feel incredible, pay the $1.99 for a 13 minute long edited version of that game. That was the last game (nearly two years ago) in which the Chicago Bears played up to their full potential. A smile from ear to ear rippled across my face when I watched and remembered Thomas Jones scoring that final touchdown on that improvised reverse. Oh my!
Bear Down, America. Bear Down.
November 25, 2008
#19 Willie from Chicago said . . .17: I'll give you that the Saints defense is mediocre (although they nutted up tonight and played their asses off in the 2nd half), but the Saints offense is anything but mediocre. The was Brees made a very good Packers secondary look terrible scares me to death for that Thursday night game in December... lets all pray for SNOW.
November 25, 2008
#20 Willie from Chicago said . . .I wonder where Packfan is now, hes probably crying over his frying station at Berger King.
November 25, 2008
#21 I dont get it said . . .Ok, now we have a 1 game lead over the Packers, next week they play Carolina and if they loose that game, they will basically have no chance of winning the division (as Joseph said). The Bears control what happens to them this season, they win out or even if the win 4 out of 5 and sweep their remaining divisional schedule, then they will win the division. Simple as that. If we win out, then we could have the kind of run that the Giants had last year. They werent the best team but they got hot and won the superbowl.
BEAR DOWN!
November 25, 2008
#22 mikebdot said . . .Why isnt anyone here or in the media talking about how bad Kyle Orton has been the last three games he's played? He should have thrown 4 INTs last week. HE BLOWS. Against an actual good team and good defense in Min, you can bet they wont drop those easy INTs. This is the begining of the end for Kyle. He had a nice few game stretch but he's back to the same Kyle we've seen and known for the last 3 years.
November 25, 2008
#23 Joseph said . . .I don't get it: The Vikings have 8 INTs all season. You don't know what the hell you're talking about. Oh, yeah, remember that time Kyle Orton had a career game against the Vikings?
He's hurt you douchebag. But a hurt Orton instills more confidence in the coaching staff than a healthy Grossman. That certainly says something.
And, no, he "should" not have had 4 INTs against him. The one that went "right into the defenders hands that should have been caught" was not a sure INT. The defender looked back at the QB at the very last second and just happened to be in the spot the ball was going to. He couldn't react quickly enough. The pass over the middle was a pass he's made multiple times throughout the season that has "almost" been picked off a few times, but half of them were incomplete and the other half were either caught for a touchdown or a huge 3rd down conversion. He just didn't fire it off quickly enough on account of his ankle.
When was the last time we had two 40+ yard TD runs in a season by the same back? Anybody know?
November 25, 2008
#24 said . . .Here is an interesting statistic...the Bears have only givin up 1 pass play over 40+ yards. But we still rank 30th in the league in Pass Defense.
We also only gave up 26 passes of 20+ yards or more which ranks about 9th...not too bad.
The most disturbing stat is we gave up 147 first down which is 3rd from the bottom.
November 25, 2008
#25 Z said . . .I know you don't get it pissed off, I know.
November 25, 2008
#26 mikebdot said . . .Willie, I could go for some fries with some Packerfan tears and just a hint of redemption. True redemption will come in the rematch.
If the Vikings game is not a must win, it is real damn close to one.
Orton is on a bum wheel and close to an INT is not an INT. Keep chugging along KO. We do need a little more from you this week though big fella.
Goodell can we get some suspensions or what in this motherfucker? Seriously. Pot, crack, diet supplements, steroids, there is a list. If something is on it, you don't take it. If you can't handle that, you get suspended. You only work basically 5 months out of the year. Buy a Wizzinator.
November 25, 2008
#27 NittyGritty34 said . . .Joseph: And 32nd in the league in pass attempts against us.
11th in points given up.
23rd in first downs given up.
Might have something to do with 25th in first downs obtained. Our offense doesn't stay on the field very long.
Does anyone remember that team that won the super bowl in '06? Their defense was the polar opposite of ours. Gave up all kinds of rushing yards, but overcame it with rushing the hell out of the passer on every play.
We clog running lanes, THEN rush the passer. That's what we do. It's not even about "scheme". It's telling the players to do what they do. The Colts defense was the other way around, run towards the quarterback/receivers on the snap of the ball, regardless of what the running back does.
Our safeties cheat to stop the run. That's why play-action passing kills us, pretty much every time.
Incidentally, that '06 team that won the super bowl led the league in first downs obtained. All we got to do is get hot at the right time. Do we really trust Turner to do that?
Do we really want Hester running in the wildcat against the Vikings? Seriously? Up the middle against the Williams guys? Maybe it'd be the perfect offense. Who knows. Risk/reward.
Or, we could just run the same offense that scored 48 points against the Vikings (off of what, like 5 turnovers?).
Let's come to play fellas. Make me believe. Make me root harder during the Packer rematch. Win the division.
Incidentally, wouldn't it be great if the Lions first victory of the season came against the Packers or Viqueens?
November 25, 2008
#28 Rancid said . . .Pity poor Pack Man for what promises to be the first in a 5 week span of disappointments.
Great Game New Orleans. I knew you could do it. Man I loved watching Al Harris and Woodson get scorched last night.
Who we root for this week: Chicago (obviously), Carolina (obviously); and for possible wild card help should we need it: Seattle over Dallas, NYG over Wash, New Orleans over Tampa, and San Diego over Atlanta. Never hurts to start preparing early. If all those things happen then the wild card race will look like this after next week:
Tampa 8-4
Wash 7-5
Atl 7-5
Dal 7-5
N.O. 7-5
Minn 6-6
GB 5-7Even if we don't manage to win the division. We still have a shot at the wild card. We lose tiebreakers with Tampa, Car, and ATl unfortunately so we need help if we have to rely on this scenario. But we still have a reasonable shot.
But whatever. We're winning this thing outright. Now, onto the Queens!!
Bear Down and Beat the Queens!!!
November 25, 2008
#29 NittyGritty34 said . . .I'll be staying with friends in the middle of nowhere without internet capability until Sunday. It's hard but the cooking's worth it. Why is it that all people who live in the middle of nowhere without contact with civilization are amazing cooks? Anyway, I've made my opinions known. At this point Da Bears need a convincing win over a good team to regain credibility and take that first step toward the playoffs. Beat Minny. Bear Down.
November 25, 2008
#30 mikebdot said . . .I read on the Queens website that the agent for the Williams Sisters don't expect a decision from the league until the first week of December. So it looks like we've got the Wall next week. Hopefully, they'll be suspended down the stretch and the Queens suffer greatly because of it.
November 25, 2008
#31 mikebdot said . . .NittyGritty: Did you hear the announcers talking about Deuce and two other Saints players being caught up in that as well? The claim is that they were taking diuretics in order to keep their weight down because weight is a clause in their contract.
That's some scripted shit if I've ever heard any. PR drones. That's why pundits get paid so much money. It's hush-money for all the bullshit they make them say to benefit the league. Talking heads in the media are no different. I'm convinced this is why hockey is ridiculed endlessly on Around the Horn and pretty much everywhere on ESPN.
I actually like Versus and can't wait until they give ESPN a real run for their money with a big contract moving to them rather than ESPN. It's bound to happen.
November 25, 2008
#32 BillyBear said . . .From last thread: If 370 is the magic number of carries for a back to suck the next season, hopefully AP has 35 carries against us for 80 yards. He's on pace for 352 carries right now with an average of 22 per game.
The Vikings have outgained their opponents on the ground by like 800 yards (double!). That's messed up.
We need to stop AP. That would be good. I say let receivers go deep. All day long. Press coverage bitches. None of this slant shit. They can have 40 yard play opportunities. They don't have the talent to convert them. He'll eventually throw a few picks. It will be good times.
November 25, 2008
#33 PANKSTER IN DA CAROLINA'S said . . .Inflexibility. Only one word, but the main reason for what will be another disappointing season.
Lovie and Co. are victims of knowing everything there is to know about the game of professional football and how it should be played. Because they know everything they make assumptions about their opponents, and they hold onto those assumptions even after reality kicks them in the butt.
If we assume the Packers won't be able to run on us and they do, we are in such a state of shock the assumption was wrong that we can't recover. And when we lose, Lovie thinks the game plans are fine and the players are to blame.
Bill Walsh could create a gameplan for the 49'ers and follow it no matter what in order to make the other team play the game on his terms. For Bill Walsh it worked. Lovie is not Bill Walsh.
November 25, 2008
#34 Pankster said . . .This will be the only fuckin week I root for those Carolina Panthers and the horn in Minnesota is annoying but not as bad as that "cat hissin" in Carolina anyway Bear Nation we are 2-0 on sunday night and always rise up on national tv and when we are the underdogs we seem to play better Babich Patch better have this D fuckin ready and AP #28 is overdue to get hurt and we can not forget chester the tool man taylor Bears 24 drag queens 17 Bear The Fuck Down Happy Thanksgiving Bear Fan's Bear the Fuck down!!!!!
November 26, 2008
#35 animal said . . .Was I the only one who heard that fuckin bengal collinsworth say on TV no matter who wins the north they are gonna lose 1st game in playoffs?
Yeah if its anyone other than the bears is what I say.November 26, 2008
#36 animal said . . .off topic a bit-
I really (still) love AP. I forgot about the guy for a while. I love the suggestions that he (bulk up and) play fullback. He runs HARD and with passion. We need to give him the ball 5-6 times a game to rest Matte a bit and change things up on the D.
Im really nervous and really excited about the Minny game this week. Prime time has been mostly good to us. Lets hope Gus giftwraps a few easy picks and maybe a score or two.
November 26, 2008
Jeff I thought you were at that game. How the hell did you post a score mid-game?
November 26, 2008
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