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.

They Turn Me On When They Take It Off

That's right kids, your Minnesota Vikings are celebrating fifty years of football existence by going topless.  Considering most of the Vikings' existence has been erratic and poorly thought out, this seems about right.  Ladies and gents, a big round of applause for your Minnesota Vikings.

Chances are, this game won't be about the Vikings, though.  If the juggernaut known as the New England Patriots can knock off the Green Bay Packers Sunday night, the Chicago Bears would be in position to take the NFC North division title with a win over the Vikings.  Keeping in mind that the Patriots are tearing up the league's best defenses at a break neck pace and the Packers are likely to be with out starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers, it's likely the Bears will be playing for the division title.  However this is the NFL and nothing should be assumed.

Either way, this is a huge game for the Bears playoff chances.  If the Bears win they would enter the final game of the season against the Packers with zero division losses (Green Bay will have two) and the Packers would need the Bears to lose to the New York Jets next week to control their own destiny, should they beat New England and the New York Giants.

The Vikings once again found out the hard way that using a garbage bag for a roof isn't the greatest idea, and due to the Metrodome's collapsed roof, Monday night's game will be held at the University of Minnesota's TCF Bank Stadium.  Logistical nightmare anyone?  TCF seats roughly 15,000 fewer fans and 2,000 of the capacity is standing room only.  After being forced to host the Giants in Detroit last week, the Vikings did not want to lose another home game, especially with their celebration planned.  As a Big 10 university stadium, TCF does not serve alcohol, thus has no beer taps and out of respect for this policy packaged beer will not be served.  Game time temperatures are expected to be in the 0 to <0 range.  I'm not sure I'd want to be the one to tell 50,000 norsicles they can't have beer.  Several players have expressed concern about playing on a surface that doesn't use heating coils to help keep the field thaw.  The plan is to use a system of heaters and tarps to keep the field safe.  Personally I think this is a great and unique opportunity for the Vikings to do what they should do and play football outdoors.

Also of concern to the Vikings is that because of injury they will most likely be starting rookie third string quarterback Joe Webb.  This would be the third time this season the Bears have gone up against a team's third string quarterback (@ Miami, @ Detroit), the Bears have won the previous two opportunities.  Normally the outdoor setting would be a huge advantage to the outdoor playing Bears facing the indoor playing Vikings (the Vikings are just 1-8 in their last nine trips to Soldier Field), but this Bears team is built for speed and if the footing is less than ideal that could actually help the Vikings.  The Bears defense hasn't forced a turnover in the past two games, surprising because the Bears are one of the best in the league at turning the ball over.  It's probable this streak will end.

The Vikings will have their usual compliment of explosive players on hand, but this is a team the Bears roughed up in Chicago when Brett Favre was the quarterback and as the temperatures drop the hapless Vikings could start thinking about off season vacations in Cozumel, especially if the Bears can get up on the scoreboard early.

Prediction:  Division Champion Bears 20, Vikings 10

Initiate Dream Sequence

If you are any kind of fan of the NFL you are surely aware of the huge Sunday show down between the Chicago Bears and New England Patriots.  Now there were AFC teams that created bigger preseason  buzz than the Patriots, but they have stayed the course, surprised a lot of people and deserve to be where they are heading in to this game.  That being said, it's hard to see a scenario where this scrappy bunch knocks off the juggernaut known as the Monsters Of The Midway.

The biggest issue for New England with be how they deal with the Bears terrifying defense.  The passing game will receive little support from their unheralded running backs, so it could be a long day for quarterback Steve Grogan and a huge day for Bears defensive end Richard Dent.  As always the Bears defense will be forcing turnovers and you never want to rule out a safety.  If New England is to have any offensive success in this game it may come from getting the ball to their exciting young wide receiver Irving Fryar.

The match ups don't get much better for the Patriots when the Bears have the ball.  A talented linebacking corps led by Andre Tippett could limit the damage done by Bears running back Walter Payton, but the Bears over all running attack should be just fine and produce multiple scores.  The Bears passing attack is no slouch either, quarterback Jim McMahon and receiver Willie Gault can be a handful, especially in big games.

All in all, the Bears team is one of destiny.
Official Prediction:  Bears 46, Patriots 10

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Ugh, where am I?  I better find my rotary phone and call for help.

The fact of the matter is, kids, that since the Bears historic beat down of the Patriots in Super Bowl XX, the Patriots are 5-1 vs Chicago, including a pair of late season wins at Soldier Field in seasons (1994, 2006) that both teams made the playoffs.

The Bears currently hold the second longest winning streak in the NFL at five games, but New England is coming off a thrashing of the New York Jets and their highly regarded defense.  The Bears will have the home crowd and the weather is expected to be of the nasty cold and windy variety on Sunday, but this isn't the Atlanta Falcons coming to Chicago.  The Patriots play outdoors, in weather similar to that of the mighty Midwest and have already won a November game at Pittsburgh.

Official Updated (2010) Prediction:  Patriots 27, Bears 20

Number 2 In The Standings, Number 10 In Our Hearts

Anybody that knows me, knows I love to mock the Chicago Cubs (and there is much to mock).  A favorite target of my buffoonery was the overly emotional, often misspoken radio color commentator Ron Santo.  But unlike my criticisms of the various ass clowns that inhabit the bleachers (or left field) at Wrigley Field, my teasing of Santo the kind reserved for good friends and loved ones.

I'm too young to remember Santo as a player, I don't like the Cubs and didn't think he was a good broadcaster.  What struck me about Ron was the way Cubs fans connected with him.  You may find it hard to believe, but some of my favorite people are Cubs fans and they lived and died (so to speak) with Ronnie.  His pain was their pain when Brant Brown dropped the ball, when Sammy Sosa corked his bat and when "you know who" caught that foul ball.  His laughter was their laughter when he burned his toupee in Shea Stadium.  His joy was their joy when the Cubs won their division.

Looks like it's time to break out This Old Cub.  Good bye Ronnie, you will be missed.  Even by the enemy.

Fade. To. Black.

Detroit Lions wide receiver Nate Burleson has guarenteed (a Roy Williams favorite) the 2-9 Lions will defeat the 8-3 Chicago Bears when the two teams meet at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday.  Is he familiar with Lions football?  I'm not sure they should guarantee a win over Michigan State.

Something for Nate to take in to consideration is that Chicago has won the last five meetings by a combined score of 165-91.  Also in the Bears last three seasons of consequence (2001, 2005, 2006) the Bears have swept the Lions.  All three seasons the second win has come at Detroit.  Maybe Burleson is drawing some confidence off the teams' first meeting when Chicago survived a late Lions charge with help from a bizarre NFL rule.  That was a different Lions team (two quarterbacks and 9 losses ago) and this is a much improved Bears team.  Also Detroit is great at finding ways to lose, posting a record of 4-39 since the start of the 2007 season.

I don't watch or follow the Lions enough to pretend to break this game down beyond Ndamukong Suh, good, Detroit Lions, bad.  Calvin Johnson, good, Matthew Stafford, hurt (again).  Shaun Hill, hurt, Drew Stanton (he of 49 QB rating), starting quarterback.

Maybe the Lions will heed the call of the Burleson, but the Lions are bad at football and have been for some time.  Since the Lions last playoff appearance in 1999 the rest of the NFC North Division (Bears, Minnesota Vikings, Green Bay Packers) has combined to go to the NFC Championship game four times, with each franchise going at least once.

Fast money:  Bears 34, Lions 10