2011 Chicago Bears Season Review

The Chicago Bears 2011 campaign was marred by injury, with ten players finishing the season on injured reserve not including Brandon Iwuh who was released after injuring his hamstring.  The Bears won seven of their first ten games including wins over playoff teams to be Atlanta and Detroit before losing Jay Cutler for the season to a broken thumb.  Two weeks later Matt Forte was lost for the year.  The Bears won just one of their final six games, including crushing losses to Kansas City and Denver.  The failings of back up quarterback Caleb Hanie and a regression in the play of the offensive line cost Bears GM Jerry Angelo and offensive coordinator Mike Martz their jobs.  The new Bears GM will have his hands full as the Bears have holes at wide receiver, tight end, tackle, guard, defensive end, cornerback and safety.

Week One:  Bears 30, Falcons 12 @ Chicago

Play of the game:  Midway through the third quarter Bears defensive end Julius Peppers's relentless pressure resulted in one of his two sacks and knocked the ball away from Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan.  Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher scooped it up and returned it twelve yards for a touchdown.

Player of the game:  Brian Urlacher

The star linebacker registered ten tackles, four assists, one interception and returned a recovered fumble for a touchdown.

Week Two:  Saints 30, Bears 13 @ New Orleans

Play of the game:  Early in the second quarter Drew Brees connected with Devery Henderson who had blown by both Bears safeties for a 79 yard touchdown on third and long.  At the time the Saints trailed 7-3 but never trailed again after the play.

Player of the game:  Drew Brees

The Saints quarterback completed 26 of 37 passes for 270 yards and three touchdowns.

Week Three:  Packers 27, Bears 17 @ Chicago

Play of the game:  Early in the fourth quarter Aaron Rodgers hit tight end Jermichael Finley for a ten yard score.  The catch was Finley's third touchdown of the game, each coming against a different Bears defender.

Player of the game:  Jermichael Finley

The big tight end caught seven passes for 85 yards and three touchdowns.

Week Four:  Bears 34, Panthers 29 @ Chicago

Play of the game:  Early in the second quarter Devin Hester returned a Jason Baker punt 69 yards for a score, making him the all time leader for punt return touchdowns.

Player of the game:  Matt Forte

The Bears half back rushed for 205 yards and one score.  He also caught four passes for 23 yards. 

Week Five:  Lions 24, Bears 13 @ Detroit

Play of the game:  Late in the third quarter Lions half back Jahvid Best ran untouched through the heart of the Bears defense 88 yards for a touchdown that put Detroit up two scores.

Player of the game:  Jahvid Best

The Lions runner put up 163 yards and one score on just 12 carries.  He also caught four passes for nine yards.

Week Six:  Bears 39, Vikings 10 @ Chicago 

Play of the game:  After the Vikings scored their only touchdown of the game early in the third quarter Devin Hester took the ensuing kick off back for a score, reminding the Vikings how thoroughly they were being dominated.

Player of the game:  Devin Hester

The Bears special teams star returned three kicks for 125 yards and a touchdown and caught five passes for 91 yards and a touchdown. 

Week Seven:  Bears 24, Buccaneers 18 @ Tampa Bay (in London)

Play of the game:  The Bucs had sliced an eighteen point deficit down to just six and held the ball in Bears territory inside the game's final minute.  Bears defensive end Julius Peppers got pressure in the face of Bucs quarterback Josh Freeman and forced a poor throw that was picked off by Bears cornerback D.J. Moore.

Player of the game:  Matt Forte

The Bears runner dazzled gaining 145 yards and a touchdown on 25 carries.  He also gained 38 yards on two receptions.

Week Eight:  Bye   

Week Nine:  Bears 30, Eagles 24 @ Philadelphia 

Play of the game:  The Bears trailed by four early in the fourth quarter when Jay Cutler hit Earl Bennett for a five yard score that put the Bears ahead for the rest of the game.

Player of the game:  Earl Bennett 

The Bears receiver returned from a chest injury in grand fashion.  He caught five passes for 95 yards and the deciding touchdown.

Week Ten:  Bears 37, Lions 13 @ Chicago

Play of the game:  On Detroit's first possession of the second half Major Wright returned a Matthew Stafford interception 24 yards for a touchdown, turning the game in to a rout.

Player of the game:  Charles "Peanut" Tillman

The Bears cornerback's physical play stifled the Lions big play receiver Charles Johnson.  Tillman also returned an interception for a touchdown and recorded five tackles.

Week Eleven:  Bears 31, Chargers 20 @ Chicago

Play of the game:  Midway through the fourth quarter Bears receiver Johnny Knox slipped on his route and Jay Cutler's pass was intercepted Antoine Cason.  On the return Cutler held up the convoy long enough for Matt Forte to bump Cason out of bounds inside the Bears 20.  The Bears defense would eventually take the ball back, but on the play Cutler broke his thumb.

Player of the game:  Jay Cutler

The Bears quarterback completed 18 of 31 passes for 286 yards and two touchdowns.  He also ran five times for 11 yards and a touchdown.

Week Twelve:  Raiders 25, Bears 20 @ Oakland 

Play of the game:  The Bears held the ball deep in Raiders territory in the first half's final minute when Caleb Hanie's ill fated throwback screen was deflected by Aaron Curry and intercepted by Kamerion Wimbley.  Lance Louis hustled to bring down Wimbley inside the Bears 10 and the defense forced a field goal, but the point and momentum swing was too much for the Bears and their backup quarterback.

Player of the game:  Sebastian Janikowski

The Raiders kicker banged home 19 of the Raiders 25 points, connecting on all six of his field goal tries.

Week Thirteen:  Chiefs 10, Bears 3 @ Chicago

Play of the game:  On the final play of the first half Chiefs quarterback Tyler Palko made a desperation heave from near midfield to the Bears end zone.  The pass appeared to be defended by Brian Urlacher, but in an effort to knock the ball to the ground safety Chris Conte swatted the ball out of Urlacher's hands and in to the hands of Chiefs running back Dexter McCluster resulting in the game's only touchdown and deciding points.  It was Palko's first career touchdown pass and one of many bizarre plays that lead to the Bears demise.

Player of the game:  Justin Houston

The Kansas City linebacker led a blitzing defense recording 7 tackles, 3 sacks, a forced fumble and a defensed pass. 

Week Fourteen:  Broncos 13, Bears 10 (OT) @ Denver

Play of the game:  With the Bears leading by three at the two minute warning Bears running back Marion Barber inexplicably ran out of bound on a second down run.  The play stopped the clock and gave the Broncos an extra forty seconds when they received the ball, leaving them just enough time to drive for a tying field goal.  Denver would capitalize on a Barber fumble in overtime to win the game.

Player of the game:  Matt Prater

The Denver kicker accounted for seven points including a 59 yard field goal to tie the game and a 53 yard field goal to win the game.   

Week Fifteen:  Seahawks 38, Bears 14 @ Chicago

Play of the game:  With the game tied at fourteen early in the third quarter Seahawks linebacker K.J. Wright pressured Bears quarterback Caleb Hanie on a play action pass.  Hanie's course of action was to throw the ball to Seahawks defensive end Red Bryant who had nothing but twenty yards between himself and a go ahead touchdown.  It was the first of two Hanie interceptions returned for scores by the Seattle defense.

Player of the game:  Marshawn Lynch

The Seattle running back rushed for 42 yards and two touchdowns.  He also caught two passes for five yards.

Week Sixteen:  Packers 35, Bears 21 @ Green Bay

Play of the game:  After the Bears scored a touchdown on the first possession of the second half to pull within four points of the lead the Packers answered with a fifty five yard bomb from Aaron Rodgers to Jordy Nelson that beat both Bears safeties.  Green Bay would also score touchdowns on their next two possessions to put the game out of reach.

Player of the game:  Aaron Rodgers

The Green Bay quarterback completed 21 of 29 passes for 283 yards and five touchdowns.  He also rushed four times for 18 yards. 

Week Seventeen:  Bears 17, Vikings 13 @ Minnesota

Play of the game:  Less than a minute after a Bears offensive touchdown got the Bears within three points of the lead early in the second quarter Bears cornerback Charles Tillman picked off Christian Ponder and returned the interception for a touchdown.  The Bears would not trail again after this play.

Player of the game:  Charles Tillman

The Bears cornerback celebrated his first ever Pro Bowl selection in style recording six solo tackles, assisting four others and returning an interception for a touchdown.  The return makes him the Bears all time leader in interception return touchdowns with five.

The Top Three Bears Games Of 2011

3.  Week One:  Bears 30, Falcons 12 @ Chicago

The Bears validated the previous season's great run by throttling a team that had been the NFC's top playoff seed the previous season and would become a wild card participant in this season's playoffs.  Big games from Jay Cutler, Matt Forte, Brian Urlacher and Julius Peppers led the way to victory.

2.  Week Nine:  Bears 30, Eagles 24 @ Philadelphia     

For the second consecutive season the Bears out classed the Eagles in a key mid season show down.  Despite being the underdog the Bears ran over and around the Eagles, exposing the "Dream Team" and continuing their dominance over Michael Vick.  Only one of ESPN's Monday Night Countdown "experts" picked the Bears to win this game:  Mike Ditka.

1.  Week Ten:  Bears 37, Lions 13 @ Chicago

The Bears avenged an embarrassing week five loss to the Lions in dominant fashion.  Despite getting a sub par game from the offense the Bears defense and special teams took Detroit out of the game taking the ball away six times, returning two interceptions and a punt return for touchdowns.  The most prevalent victims were the Lion's two best players quarterback Matthew Stafford and wide receiver Calvin Johnson.  Stafford looked uncomfortable all game and was picked off four times.  Johnson was shut down Charles Tillman while the game was in the balance, lost a fumble and was rocked by Julius Peppers and Lance Briggs.

Bear Of The Year:  Jay Cutler

Despite having five players named to the NFC Pro Bowl squad (Matt Forte, Lance Briggs, Brian Urlacher, Charles Tillman and Corey Graham), no one player's fortune's impacted the Bears than those of Jay Cutler.  In ten games with Cutler the Bears were 7-3 and rounding in to one of the NFC's best teams.  In the six games following losing Cutler to a broken thumb the Bears went 1-5 facing softer competition than what Cutler faced.  In ten games Cutler completed 182 of 314 passes for 2319 yards and 13 touchdowns.  He also ran 10 times for 18 yards and one touchdown.

 

Brett Favre Is A Pimp

Well folks, the Green Bay Packers went ahead and ruined a perfectly good NFL season.  Ok, I take that back.  If anything I'm just pissed at the Bears.  They had two shots to put a bullet in that iconic "G" and both times the gun jammed.  But I'm not really here to reflect on Super Bowl XLV, if like it you already know and if you don't there is no reason to go back down that road.  There will be some reflection, however, hearkening back to a time when Brett Favre and the Dallas Cowboys ruled the NFL.

In the post Super Bowl afterglow much has been made of Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers moving out from under the shadow of Favre.  While the two will forever be liked through Favre's seeming endless and overwhelmingly uncomfortable "retirement", it's just as unfair to compare Favre to Rogders as it is to compare Rodgers to Favre.  They are both spectacular quarterbacks that happen to have played for the same franchise in succession, but each is his own entity.  If any one has been validated in relation to Favre it's Packers General Manager Ted Thompson.  In bringing joy to the hearts of Packers fans Rodgers has taken a huge leap towards Favre, but in relation to the impact and legacy Favre has left behind, Rodgers has taken but a baby step.  It is also in the best interest of the Packer fan to let Rodgers be Rodgers and not Favre, because Brett was once a young, brash extrovert, not unlike Rodgers, but when it was all said and done Favre was just a good old fashioned 'vert.

Secondly, as punishment for losing Super Bowl XLV we will reminisce about the Steelers previous Super Bowl failure, Super Bowl XXX.  In a time when the wild and crazy Dallas Cowboys were easily NFL public enemy number one, the nation welcome the thought of the return to glory of the famed "Steel Curtain".  Dallas had destroyed the Buffalo Bills in Super Bowls XXVII and XXVIII by a combined score of 82-30, but the juggernaut was ripe for the picking in Super Bowl XXX.  Twice in the second half the Steelers were with in six points or fewer of the Cowboys, but Steelers quarterback Neil O'Donnell couldn't help throwing the ball to Cowboy's cornerback Larry Brown who snared two passes, setting up 14 Cowboys second half points en route to a 27-17 victory.  Maybe if somebody had told then Steelers linebacker Kevin Greene "It's time!" everything would have been different.

Well that's it folks, Abraham's House Of Foolishness has thrown yet another football season in to the trash and not a moment too soon.  Now time to focus on basketball, beer and movies before the boys of summer start rustling around in earnest.

Seahawk, It's Not A Word.

When I was a kid I was under the assumption that the Buccaneers, Saints and Seahawks would never win the Super Bowl.  Thanks to the bungling of a couple less than choice AFC squads two thirds of this dream has been crushed, but the Milwaukee Brewers of the NFL are keeping hope alive.  Despite winning only seven games in the regular season, the Seahens have not only claimed a playoff spot, but have also knocked of the defending champion New Orleans Saints, shaking the very foundation of the world.  The well rested, second seeded, eleven win Chicago Bears should no problem knocking off a team that shouldn't even be in the playoffs, right?  Uh, well, muh.....suh...

Ok, Ok, calm down, of course the Bears are going to win.  It just will be more annoyingly challenging than necessary.  Not because Seattle is some under valued squad or set to take a magical playoff dream come true, but because there is one big match up issue.  The Bears defensive mind set is keep everything short and make teams execute the length of the field, assuming their will be a mistake (sack, holding or turnover), but veteran Seattle quarterback and his slew of capable receivers are built for methodical, precise execution.  When Seattle beat Chicago in week six Mike Williams torched the Bears for 123 yards on ten catches.

There are some differences in the Bears this time around and, of course, some ways to make sure this doesn't end the Bears season.  The first adjustments will come on offense.  In the first meeting Matt Forte and Chester Taylor combined to run the ball 12 times for 42 yards.  In the Bears final eight games the duo averaged almost 23 carries a game for 91.5 yards a game.  Not only has the commitment to run been improved, but the biggest improvement for the Bears offensive line has been their run blocking on the edges.  Also by earning the bye the team has had an extra week of rest and preparation.  Since the Bears didn't know who their opponent would be until Sunday, they had to start game planning for three different teams, the real value is the Bears had an extra week to scout themselves.  An extra week of prep for offensive coordinator Mike Martz means, the Bears will use their past formation tendencies to set up unpredictable plays, maybe a big end around.

Defensively having linebacker Lance Briggs available will be a boon for the Bears, as he missed first meeting with an ankle injury.  Briggs speed, instincts and tackling are a big reason the Bears can control a team's running game and short passing attack.  Keeping Seattle's backs Marshawn Lynch and Justin Forsett from gaining traction on the ground will also be key.  The two ground out 111 yards and two touchdowns in the first meeting.  Keeping Seattle to 3 and 7's or longer would be huge, as will getting to the quarterback.  Every team wants to pressure the quarterback, but with an aging, beat up Hasselback at the helm and early battering would keep him physically and mentally uncomfortable in a hostile environment.

Prediction:  Bears 23, Hens 13

2010 Chicago Bears Season Review

What a season is was for your Chicago Bears.  A team that generally was expected to finish behind preseason media darlings Green Bay and Minnesota wound up controlling divisional play and ended up NFC North division champions.  Despite winning eleven games, this team was as unpredictable week to week as any in the NFL.  Yes they usually won, but there was no real calling card.  Some weeks it was a big return from Devin Hester that made the difference, others it was a dominating defensive performance leading the way to victory and some weeks the offense simply lit up the skies.  Bear loses were generally highlighted by poor offensive line play and thrown interceptions.

Week One:  Bears 19, Lions 14 @ Chicago

Play of the game:  Detroit appeared to take the lead inside the game's final minute as quarterback Shaun Hill, subbing for Mathew Stafford whom the Bears knocked out in the first half, appeared to connect with Calvin Johnson on a spectacular leaping touchdown catch, but the ball squirted out of Johnson's hand as he was getting up and the officials ruled he had not completed the process of the catch.  Detroit's final two passes fell incomplete and the Bears walked off the field winners.

Player of the game:  Matt Forte
The Bears starting half back posted 201 total yards (50 rush, 151 receiving) and two receiving touchdowns.

Week Two:  Bears 27, Cowboys 20 @ Dallas

Play of the game:  In the final minute of the first quarter Bears quarterback Jay Cutler hit tight end Greg Olsen for a 39 yard touchdown pass.  The pass traveled less than ten yards, but most of the Cowboy defenders has rushed up field and Olsen out raced the rest to the end zone.  This sparked a quick pass strategy and brilliant Cutler performance that neutralized the Cowboys aggressive blitz that had paralyzed the Bears offense for most of the first quarter.

Player of the game: Cutler
Jay completed 21 of 29 passes for 277 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions.

Week Three:  Bears 20, Packers 17 @ Chicago

Play of the game:  With just over two minutes to go in a tie ball game Bears linebacker Lance Briggs caught Packers receiver James Jones near the sideline and fellow linebacker Brian Urlacher arrived shortly after and knocked the ball out of Jones's hands.  Bears cornerback Tim Jennings recovered ball near midfield as both the ball and Jennings narrowly managed to stay in bounds.  The Bears would use the possession to kick the go ahead field goal with four seconds remaining in the game.

Player of the game:  Hester
The Bears punt returner returned three punts for 93 yards including a 62 yard touchdown.  He also caught one pass for 16 yards.

Week Four:  Giants 17, Bears 3 @ New York

Play of the game:  When the Bears offense returned the second half it was revealed that Cutler had suffered a concussion during the Giants first half nine sack barrage and would not finish the game.

Player of the game: Osi Umenyiora
The Giants defensive end recorded four tackles, three of the Giants ten sacks and forced two fumbles.

Week Five:  Bears 23, Panthers 6 @ Charlotte

Play of the game: Bears defensive end Julius Peppers spectacular pass deflection and interception in the first quarter
set up a Bears field goal and was a microcosm of the Bears defensive dominance.

Player of the game:  Forte
Matt put up 188 total yards (166 rush, 22 receiving) and two rushing touchdowns.

Week Six:  Seahawks 23, Bears 20 @ Chicago

Play of the game:  At the start of the second quarter Seattle converted a third and goal from the nine yard line as running back Justin Forsett bowled over the Bears defense for a score.

Player of the game:  Mike Williams
The Seattle receiver shredded the Bears defense time and time again catching ten passes for 123 yards.

Week Seven:  Redskins 17, Bears 14 @ Chicago

Play of the game:  With the Bears leading 14-10 in the third quarter Cutler tried a quarterback sneak from the one yard line, fumbled and the Bear lost possession.  Replays showed that the ball had broken the plane of the goal line, but Lovie Smith never challenged the call and the Bears never recovered.

Player of the game:  DeAngelo Hall
The Washington cornerback made seven tackles and picked off Cutler four times, returning one for the go ahead score.

Week Eight:  Bye

Week Nine:  Bears 22, Bills 19 @ Toronto

Play of the game:  Jennings fourth quarter interception of Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick and 39 yard return set up the Bears go ahead touchdown and two point conversion.  At the time of the pick the Bear trailed the winless Bills 19-14.

Player of the game:  Jennings
The Bears cornerback made nine tackles, assisted two others and changed the game with his interception.

Week Ten:  Bears 27, Vikings 13 @ Chicago

Play of the game:  Half way through the fourth quarter the Bears play action fooled the Vikings on third and one from the the Vikings 19 yard line and Cutler hit a wide open Kellen Davis for a touchdown extending the lead to two possessions.  The pass was the only reception of the season for Davis.

Player of the game:  Briggs
The Bears star linebacker made five tackles and an interception, leading a stalwart defensive effort that held the Vikings to 13 points, forced four turnovers and held Adrian Peterson to 51 rushing yards.

Week Eleven:  Bears 16, Dolphins 0 @ Miami

Play of the game:  Near the end of the third quarter Forte crashed into the end zone from two yards out for the games only touchdown and final points.

Player of the game:  Peppers
The Bears big ticket defensive end recorded five tackles, one assist, three sacks and broke up a pass in the shutout victory.

Week Twelve:  Bears 31, Eagles 26 @ Chicago

Play of the game:  The Eagles held the ball mid way through the second quarter at the Bears four yard line trailing by one when safety Chris Harris recorded the first interception of Eagles quarterback Michael Vick off a pass deflected by defensive tackle Tommie Harris.  The Bears offense marched the ensuing possession into the Eagles end zone shortly before the half expired and never looked back.

Player of the game:  Earl Bennett
The Bears wide out caught four passes for 56 yards and two touchdowns in a game dominated by the Bears speed and aggressiveness.

Week Thirteen:  Bears 24, Lions 20 @ Detroit

Play of the game:  Cutler connected with tight end Brandon Manumaleuna from seven yards out mid way through the fourth quarter to give the Bears the four point difference.

Player of the game:  Urlacher
The face of the franchise registered nine tackles, eight assists and his fourth quarter combination sack with D.J. Moore helped ice the game.

Week Fourteen:  Patriots 36, Bears 7 @ Chicago

Play of the game:  The Bears were already trailing by 27 points when rookie safety Major Wright forgot to stay deeper than the deepest and Patriots quarterback Tom Brady hit Deion Branch for a 59 yard touchdown as the first half expired.  Even if this play is defensed properly the Bears still get blown out, but it really showed how much more prepared the Pats were than the Bears.

Player of the game:  Brady
The New England quarterback completed 27 of 40 passes for 369 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions in a driving blizzard.

Week Fifteen:  Bears 40, Vikings 14 @ Minneapolis

Play of the game:  Bears defensive end Corey Wootton's second quarter third down sack of Vikings quarterback Brett Favre near midfield knocked the legendary quarterback out of the game and possibly ended his career.

Player of the game:  Hester
Devin caught two passes for 23 yards and a touchdown, but more importantly contributed 146 kick/punt return yards on three returns including one score.  Hester broke Brian Mitchell's record for kick/punt return touchdowns with his 14th career score.  This number does not include his missed field goal return against the Giants in 2006 or his opening kick off return of Super Bowl XLI.

Week Sixteen:  Bears 38, Jets 34 @ Chicago

Play of the game:  On the Jets opening possession of the second half they tried to convert a fourth and two near midfield with a fake punt using quarterback Matt Sanchez as the punter's personal protector, but the Bears were not fooled.  Wide out and special teamer Rashied Davis sniffed out the play and harassed intended receiver Brad Smith enough to force an incompletion.  The very next play Cutler hit Johnny Knox for a 40 yard touchdown to tie the game and start the victory momentum.

Player of the game:  Cutler
The Bears quarterback completed 13 of 25 passes for 215 yards, three touchdowns and one interception against a defense that ranked sixth in the league in pass defense.  He also ran for a touchdown.

Week Seventeen:  Packers 10, Bears 3 @ Green Bay

Play of the game:  Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers hit receiver Greg Jennings for 46 yards to the Bears one yard line on a play that expertly victimized the principles of the Bears very effected cover two defense.  The Packers would convert for the game's only touchdown and deciding score.

Player of the game:  Charles Woodson
The Packers star defender made five tackles, one assist, one sack and broke up three passes leading a terrorizing defensive charge.

Top Three Bears Games Of 2010

3. Week Twelve:  Bears 31, Eagles 26 @ Chicago

This game marked the Bears first test against an elite team after the half way point of the season and the Bears showed up aces.  A late touchdown pass from Vick to Brent Celek made the final score closer than the play on the field.  The Bears out ran and out willed the Eagles in all phases of the game and announced to the league they were a serious playoff threat.

2.  Week Three:  Bears 20, Packers 17 @ Chicago 

The Bears validated their surprising week two victory in Dallas by knocking off the Packers in week three.  The Bears took advantage of the Packers sloppy play and shocked the league on Monday night.  It sent a message to Green Bay that the Bears were indeed a good team and anything that sends a Packers fan home unhappy is good by me.

1.  Week Fifteen:  Bears 40, Vikings 14 @ Minneapolis

It is almost impossible to have a season where the Bears beat Green Bay and not have it be my top game of the season, but there was so much good in this one game.  Plus the Vikings are like the Packers ugly girlfriend.  In the same game the Bears won the division title,  Hester broke the returns record, the Vikings learned that playing outdoors is the right thing to do and Favre's career was ended.  Not even beating the Packers can top that.

Bear Of 2010:  MLB Brian Urlacher
There were more serious candidates than usual for this, but after spending 2009 going 7-9 with out Urlacher, 2010's 11-5 record showed how much he means to this team.  The addition of Peppers was huge as were resurgent years from Hester and Forte, a more responsible Cutler and the contributions of coaching additions Mike Martz and Mike Tice, but Urlacher is the engine that drives the Bears.  His ability to control the middle of the field is the main reason the Bears defense is so tough and opportunistic.

Country Roads, Take Me Home

Well cheese doodles, due to the respective play of the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears, today's NFL regular season showdown between the two greatest sports rivals has been reduced to an extra exhibition game for the Bears (Of course assuming either the Falcons beat the Panthers or Saints beat the Buccaneers, but then again we all knew Joe Webb would lead the Vikings to victory of the Eagles, right?).

I follow a lot of Packer media and know a lot of Packers fans.  Common (but not exclusive) perception among people of this ilk is that the Packers are the better team.  Because they lose more or something like that.  A lot of the perception stems from the fact that when Green Bay wins, the do it with more flourish.  The Packers have a point differential of +141 to the Bears +55.  Really this should serve as a reminder that under Mike McCarthy the Packers are 5-16 in games decided by four points or fewer.  The Bears have won four games decided by four or fewer this season alone.  More importantly in this odd battle of perception the Bears always seem to lose (I guess I'd rather win battle of reality) let us not forget the Bears beat the Packers head to head and while Chicago benefited from a bizarre rule to hold on and beat the Lions in week one, at no point did the Bears actually lose to the Lions.  The Bears may not blow many teams away on the score board, but they are one of the few teams in the NFL that can beat you with offense, defense and special teams.

The Bears have been talking the talk, saying they will go all out to beat the Packers, despited more than likely being locked in to the two seed with a first round bye.  The prospect of sweeping the division and possibly keeping Green Bay out of the playoffs are on the table for the Bears, but that seems like small consolation vs the prospect of having to start Todd Collins in a playoff game.  I think the Bears will pull key starters early in this one.

Let's say the Bears phone this one in, escorting the Packers to the playoffs like a boozed up prom date.  In the playoffs teams aren't very likely to get blown out (remember cheese doodles if you are in, the Giants are out).  Maybe here and there, but a deep playoff run from a wild card (which the Packers would be) would probably take 2-3 wins where the game's final score is with in one possession.  Against teams that have made the playoffs the Packers are 2-3 beating the Eagles by 7 and the Jets by 9 and losing to the Bears by 3, the Falcons by 3 and the Patriots by 4.  By contrast the Bears are 2-1 vs teams that have made the playoffs beating the Eagles by 4, the Jets by 4 and losing to Patriots by 29.  The Bears 1-2 against teams that could still make the playoffs beating the Packers by 3 and losing to the Seahawks by 3 and the Giants by 14.  I didn't list the Packers win over the Giants, because should the Giants make the playoffs the Packers wouldn't rendering their record against anyone moot.

So I guess the Bears would be more likely than the Packers to get beat by multiple scores in the playoffs, but both teams are equally beatable.  In an elimination tournament it doesn't matter if Matt Flynn keeps you within four of the Patriots, fewer points and you are out.  By beating Green Bay in week three and not losing to Detroit, the Bears are in a position to have to win at least one home game and at most one road game to get to the Super Bowl.  If Green Bay gets in, they would have to go to Philadelphia, a place they won this season, but Mike Vick only played the second half, rallying for 17 of the Eagles 20 points to get the Eagles within seven.  If the Pack could duplicate their success in Philadelphia, they would most likely go to Atlanta, where they have already lost and should they advance they would most likely go to Chicago (where they have already lost) or to New Orleans to face the defending champs.  I don't think either of these teams will be playing on super Sunday, but I'd much rather be in Lovie Smith's shoes.

Wait by the phone cheese doodles, but don't be surprised if the Bears don't come calling, they have a date with a prettier team, the New Orleans Saints.

Packers 34, Bears 10  Bears pull starters in the first half, Green Bay pulls them in the second and Abraham clicks over to the Badgers basketball game at five.

Northern Exposure

Tomorrow the co-leaders of the NFC North, the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers, both face staunch tests against fellow NFC elites, the Philadelphia Eagles and Atlanta Falcons respectively. 

Despite the Bears consistent trudge along with the Packers, (not to mention head to head victory), popular opinion seems to be Chicago is but a bug on the Packers interstate to the NFC North crown.  A lot of this perception is based on the Bears victories have coming against teams with a combined record of 23-49, beating only two teams (Green Bay and Miami) with at least a .500 winning percentage.  Fair enough, but before we hand Green Bay the keys to the car keep in mind their wins have come against teams with a combined record of 26-37, with two wins coming against the 3-7 Minnesota Vikings, beating two teams, (New York Jets and Philadelphia), with at least a .500 wining percentage.

Green Bay has a few advantages in the war of perception, winning with more flourish, out scoring their opponents 252-146, (Chicago has out scored their opponents 191-146) and the Packers have knocked off two first place teams to Chicago's one.  Also Green Bay is coming off a playoff season in 2009, whereas Chicago finished 2009 7-9, losing twice to the Packers. 

With both squads facing first place teams tomorrow, we will not only get a better feel for how these two teams relate to each other, but how well the top of the NFC North stands up to the top of the NFC.

Purple Is A Girls Name

Ok folks, it's going to be a "quick and dirty" breakdown of Bears vs. Vikings, because in less than five hours Soldier Field will welcome those flaxen haired vixens from the big garbage bag in the sky.

This season's edition of the Norski's has been on a quite a bumpy ride.  The head coach Brad Childress is pretty much universally hated by everybody associated with the Vikings, wide receiver Randy Moss was traded for and released after four games for general douchery and of course prima donna quarterback Brett Favre has been dealing with blow back from texting pictures of his penis.  You heard me.  All this and Vikings boast a less than stellar record of three wins, five losses.  Not exactly what was expected from a team that was on Favre interception away from the Super Bowl last season (Where have we heard this before?).

I was listening to a local radio show this week, and when discussing this game there were comments to the effect of how Favre always roughs up the Bears.  Looks like somebody is stuck in the '90s.  In his last eight games against the Bears Favre is 2-6, winning just one of his last four appearances at Soldier Field and that win came against Chicago's back ups as the Bears rested their starters in preparation for their Super Bowl XLI run.  The Vikings have struggled at Soldier Field as well, winning just once in their last nine trips.

Despite all these concerns Minnesota feels they are primed to make move to get back in to the playoff chase and a win at Chicago would go a long way in improving their standing.  Meanwhile Chicago has used a stingy, opportunistic defense and resourceful special teams to over come a poor, sloppy offense (save for a few shinning moments) to post a record of five wins three losses, trailing the front running Packers by just one half game.  The fact of the matter is the Bears have defeated only one team with a winning record (see front running Packers).  If the Bears want to keep hope alive they would be well served to put Minnesota down as they enter and absolute meat grinder finish.

I watched an episode of the Andy Griffith Show yesterday and Sheriff Taylor proclaimed "the blue and orange wins every time".  I hope you're right sheriff, but I haven't felt good about this game all week.  Mostly because the combination of the Bears swiss cheese offensive line and struggles to protect their turn over prone ball handlers.

Official Prediction:  Vikings 25, Bears 17.  Sigh......you know what always makes me feel better?  Jen Sterger.  Am I right, Brett?

Grant Recinded

Well cheese doodles, how are you feeling this morning?  Yesterday news was handed down the Green Bay Packers starting half back Ryan Grant would be lost for the 2010 NFL season.  So what does this mean for a team poised to make a run at a return to glory?  Doom?  Probably not.  Nothing?  Definitely not.

What makes the Green Bay offense so deadly is their multiple wide receiver sets allowing star quarterback Aaron Rodgers to victimize the opposition's reserve secondary players.  That doesn't mean a strong rushing attack isn't important and Grant was certainly strong, rushing for over 1,200 yard in both of the past two seasons.  Having a dangerous ground game adds another dimension to the high powered Packer offense, keeping opposing defenses from loading up against the pass, particularly teams with a strong pass rush that can take advantage of the Packers suspect offensive line.  Green Bay has an explosive back up in Brandon Jackson, but he has never attempted more than 75 rushes in any of his four seasons.  Jackson's 175 career carries are 107 fewer than Grant had last season alone, so whether or not he can pick up the slack remains to be seen.  Of bigger concern is what would happen if Jackson were to also suffer a serious injury.  The Packers current roster offers two fullbacks, Korey Hall and Quinn Johnson, as well as half backs John Kuhn and the recently added Dimitri Nance.  The quartet boasts a total of 20 NFL carries, all by Kuhn.

For the time being Green Bay is still a playoff worthy team with an explosive offense and opportunistic defense anchored by rising star Clay Matthews and 2009 NFL Defensive Player Of The Year Charles Woodson, but team depth has taken a serious blow.  A lot of an NFL season is surviving injuries and losing a key weapon in the first week of the season sets the Packers back in the race for NFC dominance with the Minnesota Vikings and New Orleans Saints.