12/11 - Bears vs. Steelers

[burnt out cubbie fan]

Another test for the Bears. This game should be really interesting as the Steelers are the same style team but have a slightly worse defense and running game but a superior passing game. Look for an old school game in Pittsburgh.

[goonys evil twin]

A "not a chance game" in my mind about 4 weeks ago, now, I really don't know. Pittsburgh has not looked good. Their dbacks are susceptible to a good passing game, unfortunately the Bears don't have anything resembling a good passing game. If Pittsburgh can mount anything close to a decent running game, it'll be trouble. Right now I think the consensus is the Bears are too one dimensional to do anything in the playoffs, and they'll probably lose any road playoff game and possible even a home game against NY. If they win this game on the road, and show something on offense, the doubts will vanish.

 

The more desperate team often wins in the NFL, and Pittsburgh has to be considered more desperate. But the Bears are not even guaranteed a wild card spot, let alone the division or home field right now. They need this game to reduce the chances of making that Vikings game meaningful.

 

I think Orton makes some mistakes here, and the defense gives up 1 or 2 big plays, meaning a 13-6 loss.

[TripJ]

I think this will be the make-or-break game for Orton too. If he can take a step forward, he might - MIGHT - be able to solidify his hold on the top spot at QB for a little longer. But I suspect if he plays as badly as he has in the last few weeks, Lovie will make the switch to Rex.

 

One thing that's encouraging is that Cincy and Indy ran the ball very effectively against the Steelers. Of course, there's the small matter of having multi-dimensional offensive attacks...

[cubbyvirus00]

We got this one.

 

 

Lots of playaction, and be ready for all the blitzing. The holes will be opened for Orton, he just needs quick intelligent passing and we'll win the game.

[Chocolate Milk]

I'm convinced that unless Orton has some ridiculous game (100+) QB rating, that he's likely lost his job. Jay Mariotti actually did a good job pointing this out today.

 

I am very worried about this one, primarily because the Steelers are backed into a corner at home. I think they'll jump to a 10 point lead and just kind of hold it. I think we may lose this one, but that's not always a bad thing. We need to get sharper on offense, and maybe this will be a wake up call.

 

I hope I'm wrong though! Go Bears!

[rocket]

please win bears

 

love,

the bengals

[rickrolled]

sweet sig Rocket

[treebird]

17-3 steelers

 

and the defense will score the 3, dont ask how

[Transmogrified Tiger]

17-3 steelers

 

and the defense will score the 3, dont ask how

 

Urlacher will eat the ball. Little known bylaw, eating the ball = 3 points. You can't take off your helmet though, that's where they get ya.

[da bears]

I think this will be the make-or-break game for Orton too. If he can take a step forward, he might - MIGHT - be able to solidify his hold on the top spot at QB for a little longer. But I suspect if he plays as badly as he has in the last few weeks, Lovie will make the switch to Rex.

 

One thing that's encouraging is that Cincy and Indy ran the ball very effectively against the Steelers. Of course, there's the small matter of having multi-dimensional offensive attacks...

 

Yeah I agree with you on Orton. Well, if I was Lovie this would be his last chance. I do like Lovie a lot and he is NOT Dusty Baker, so I bet he will be willing to make a change.

[burnt out cubbie fan]

We got this one.

 

 

Lots of playaction, and be ready for all the blitzing. The holes will be opened for Orton, he just needs quick intelligent passing and we'll win the game.

I think that is a pretty realistic view of what will go down.

[Banedon]

The Bears win this game....not because of defense...not because of Orton....not because of eating footballs...but because the CBS Sportsline Harmon Forecast has picked against the Bears every single week through the winning streak, and been wrong. They picked the Steelers.

 

Bears win.

 

Orton throws for 4 yards and a TD.

 

(Seriously, I think the Bears can win this. Though I'm scared to death about it.)

[Jon]

Chris Harris is doubtful and Todd Johnson will start at free safety in his place.

 

Bobby Wade or Rashied Davis will be returning punts. According to Lovie, they want to try to improve those two before trying someone new.

[rocket]

We got this one.

 

 

Lots of playaction, and be ready for all the blitzing. The holes will be opened for Orton, he just needs quick intelligent passing and we'll win the game.

I think that is a pretty realistic view of what will go down.

 

very REALISTic indeed

[Mark Priors Calves]

Chris Harris is doubtful and Todd Johnson will start at free safety in his place.

 

Bobby Wade or Rashied Davis will be returning punts. According to Lovie, they want to try to improve those two before trying someone new.

Why Todd Johnson and not Mike Green?

[Jon]

Chris Harris is doubtful and Todd Johnson will start at free safety in his place.

 

Bobby Wade or Rashied Davis will be returning punts. According to Lovie, they want to try to improve those two before trying someone new.

Why Todd Johnson and not Mike Green?

Here's the explanation that was offered:

ChicagoBears.com[/url]"]"We feel like it's going to be a physical football game this week and Todd is probably a little bit better in run support," said coach Lovie Smith. "There are a couple of packages where we have three safeties in the game, so both guys will play quite a bit for us."

[adamb0719]

Does anyone know if Grossman will be available to come in on Sunday if/when Orton does terrible.

[Jon]

Does anyone know if Grossman will be available to come in on Sunday if/when Orton does terrible.

Yup. He's now second on the depth chart.

[adamb0719]

Does anyone know if Grossman will be available to come in on Sunday if/when Orton does terrible.

Yup. He's now second on the depth chart.

 

Think he will make an appearance in the game?

[USSoccer]

Does anyone know if Grossman will be available to come in on Sunday if/when Orton does terrible.

Yup. He's now second on the depth chart.

 

Think he will make an appearance in the game?

 

If Orton has a bad first half and we're down by more than one score, then yes.

[rawaction]

Watch for Alex Brown against Trai Essex. The Steelers line has been bad the last few weeks. The Bears will bring a lot of people and put pressure on Big Ben. I think this is a favorable matchup for Tillman and Vasher, as they both have size over the Pitt WRs (Ward, Randle El). Parker's a quick back, which has given the Bears trouble, but I think they will be able to stop him. He has also been putting it on the ground recently. Offensively, I think they can run a bit, but I don't know what they are gonna do in the passing game.

 

Both teams play right into each other's hands, personnel wise.

[Jon]

I still don't see Grossman getting in there before either a loss or a double-digit deficit.

[rawaction]

I still don't see Grossman getting in there before either a loss or a double-digit deficit.

 

Me either. And I don't know if a team is capable of scoring double digits against the Bears D before they do something in return.

[BigbadB]

Exclude that whopping 1 yard drive against Tampa Bay in the first quarter, and the offense hasn't done much in quite some time.

 

The writing is on the wall for him. He needs to make something happen whether the defense is keeping it close for him or not.

 

This game has all the characteristics of a playoff game. Lovie knows it, and he can't just sit there and let the offense continue to struggle series after series. If Orton can't move the ball in this game, they need to put someone in there that can.

 

They have capable receivers. They need a capable quarterback. I hope Orton is that guy, but he needs to make it happen early in this game.

[Jon]

Yeah, a loss is probably more likely.

 

Trib[/url]"]Defensive tackle Tommie Harris is anything but overwhelmed by the specter of playing the Steelers at Heinz Field "[Pittsburgh receiver] Hines Ward has his own field?" Harris dead-panned in awe. "I never heard of it. Harris also called Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger "Bert."

Bert...