12/18 - Bears vs. Falcons

[Jon]

Early word on Vick is that he'll likely be able to play Sunday night, but he might not practice much. Even if he does play, though, it's going to be cold and a few hard shots could knock him out of the game. Something to watch for.

 

Of course, the defense would have to wake up in order for that to happen.

[Butterscup1679666578]

Bears 17

Falcons 10

 

Orton 200 yards, 1 td

TJ 130 yards 1 td

 

Vick: 2 int, 1 fl

 

I can't wait for this game.

[Chocolate Milk]

I think the Bears win this one pretty handily. Teams with athletic linebackers typically contain Vick. He hasn't caused us much trouble historically. I also think, with a couple of good shots, Vick is probably going to pack it in. He is a fumble machine so I think we will get a few turnovers from him.

 

The Defense is going to be angry in this game and looking for blood. Hopefully McGowan starts as he was one of the few bright spots last week. Brown didn't comment, but it's said he doesn't appear to be limping. Chris Harris looks unlikely to go this week.

 

While Kyle wasn't great or even good last week, it did seem like he stepped up his game, to the limited extent he could. Hopefully, a good game from him this week. While the 2 long passes in that quick drive were largely because of great plays by the wide receivers, they were TONS more accurate that what we are used to seeing from Kyle. I'm resigned to the fact that he'll be starting for the rest of the season, so I was pleased to see he answered the bell in some small way.

[goonys evil twin]

While the 2 long passes in that quick drive were largely because of great plays by the wide receivers, they were TONS more accurate that what we are used to seeing from Kyle.

 

And in my mind completely negated by the garbage he threw both before and after those 2 fluke plays.

[Chocolate Milk]

Well, what can be done at this point? The dude is inaccurate at this stage in his career and it doesn't look like Lovie is going to change. Those throws were at least fairly accurate and down the field. I'm looking for the silver lining even if it is that Orton has taken the trainign wheels off. Perhaps those completions will give him confidence that he can make them in the future. I don't know.

 

I guess, at least I felt positive that he made SOME big passing plays.

[UMFan83]

Bears 17

Falcons 10

 

Orton 200 yards, 1 td

TJ 130 yards 1 td

 

Vick: 2 int, 1 fl

 

I can't wait for this game.

 

330 Yards Total Offense???

[Jon]

Although they rushed only 18 times, Smith and Stecker each had plenty of success against the Falcons' defense. They were breaking through pretty small holes consistently. Hopefully Jones and Peterson can do even better.

[Butterscup1679666578]

Bears 17

Falcons 10

 

Orton 200 yards, 1 td

TJ 130 yards 1 td

 

Vick: 2 int, 1 fl

 

I can't wait for this game.

 

330 Yards Total Offense???

 

You better believe it.

[UMFan83]

Although they rushed only 18 times, Smith and Stecker each had plenty of success against the Falcons' defense. They were breaking through pretty small holes consistently. Hopefully Jones and Peterson can do even better.

 

I noticed that too. I think the RB's will have a good day.

[Andy]

No-lose situation for my Panthers. A Falcons loss eliminates a key contender for a playoff spot. A Bears loss coupled with a Bucs loss and a Panthers win over the Saints puts them back in the 2 seed slot despite their sleepwalk last week against Tampa.

 

That said, go Falcons!

[UMFan83]

No-lose situation for my Panthers. A Falcons loss eliminates a key contender for a playoff spot. A Bears loss coupled with a Bucs loss and a Panthers win over the Saints puts them back in the 2 seed slot despite their sleepwalk last week against Tampa.

 

That said, go Falcons!

 

So if the Falcons lose they aren't in the playoffs no matter what? Oh man, gonna be a tough game...

[burnt out cubbie fan]

The Bears better run the ball like the Steelers did on us last week. The most glaring weakness of this team is their run defense and has been all year long. If the Bears want to win this game they need to keep the ball out of Orton's hands. Let those high paid linemen earn their keep and pound that defense.

[Jon]

The Bears better run the ball like the Steelers did on us last week. The most glaring weakness of this team is their run defense and has been all year long. If the Bears want to win this game they need to keep the ball out of Orton's hands. Let those high paid linemen earn their keep and pound that defense.

Take advantage of the cold and have the lines set the tone early. Sounds like a plan.

[Andy]

No-lose situation for my Panthers. A Falcons loss eliminates a key contender for a playoff spot. A Bears loss coupled with a Bucs loss and a Panthers win over the Saints puts them back in the 2 seed slot despite their sleepwalk last week against Tampa.

 

That said, go Falcons!

 

So if the Falcons lose they aren't in the playoffs no matter what? Oh man, gonna be a tough game...

Probably not. As it is they are 8th in the NFC currently, with 9-4 Carolina as the first wildcard and 8-5 Dallas as the 2nd. And 8-5 Minnesota still lurks as well. This is really an all-or-nothing game for the Falcons, who can control their own destiny in the NFC South with a win but are basically gone from the playoffs if they lose.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

I didn't watch the end of the Saints-Falcons game - I take it Vick got hurt? What happened?

[Jon]

I didn't watch the end of the Saints-Falcons game - I take it Vick got hurt? What happened?

He bruised his ribs while making a tackle after an interception. He took a few shots later on and had to leave.

[MembersOnlyJacket]

The season is on the line for the Birds on Sunday Night. I think the Falcons will play their best game of the season. The Falcons are the best in the NFL running the ball and that is the only area where the Bears aren't at the top of the league defensively.

 

The key to me is 3rd down conversions. The Bears are the best in the NFL defensively on 3rd down; the Falcons are 2nd best offensively on 3rd down. Something has to give here on Sunday Night.

 

I like the Falcons 13-10.

[Jon]

Not to completely harp on the weather, but it looks like this is the first and only game the Falcons will play in cold weather all year. The last one would be their playoff loss in Philly last year. The current forecast calls for a high of 18 degrees during the day and no snow.

[BigbadB]

The Bears will already know what Minnesota did earlier in the day. It's a big game for the Falcons, but an equally big day for the Bears, Vikings and Steelers.

 

I like the home field advantage. I won't like it if Orton is still starting. I would hope that Grossman would be ready the first time the offense sputters (which will likely be the first series the Falcons stop the running attack).

 

Blitz Vick hard and get him out of the game early. Bears win this game 28-6.

[CP_414]

The Bears will already know what Minnesota did earlier in the day. It's a big game for the Falcons, but an equally big day for the Bears, Vikings and Steelers.

 

I like the home field advantage. I won't like it if Orton is still starting. I would hope that Grossman would be ready the first time the offense sputters (which will likely be the first series the Falcons stop the running attack).

 

Blitz Vick hard and get him out of the game early. Bears win this game 28-6.

 

Am I the only one who would rather face Vick than their backup QB? Vick is almost a lock to force a few interceptions. I think his running game will also be greatly negated by Urlacher. It isn't often that Vick faces a linebacker with that speed. This will be a HUGE game for the Bears, but one they should win.

[CubsHawks25]

IMO, its a game the Bears SHOULD win, but being a Bears/Cubs fan... we all know how those games can go.

 

I'm going 20-10 Da Bears, a Vick pass INT'd and returned for 6 late seals it.

[YearofDaCubs]

Bobby Wade has been cut!!

[Jon]

ChicagoBears.com[/url]"]LAKE FOREST, Ill. - With the Bears looking to turn a weakness into a strength, Eddie Berlin, Bernard Berrian, Rashied Davis and Nathan Vasher all returned punts Wednesday in practice.

 

One of the four candidates will replace Bobby Wade, who was waived Tuesday after muffing four punts and fumbling five returns in 13 games this season. Coach Lovie Smith declined to handicap the competition, saying only that Berlin "would probably be the fourth guy in the mix."

[Banedon]

ChicagoBears.com[/url]"]LAKE FOREST, Ill. - With the Bears looking to turn a weakness into a strength, Eddie Berlin, Bernard Berrian, Rashied Davis and Nathan Vasher all returned punts Wednesday in practice.

 

One of the four candidates will replace Bobby Wade, who was waived Tuesday after muffing four punts and fumbling five returns in 13 games this season. Coach Lovie Smith declined to handicap the competition, saying only that Berlin "would probably be the fourth guy in the mix."

 

Berrian was the only one that caught punts in practice yesterday, so if I was a betting man, I'd say Berrian is probably your punt returner on Sunday.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Falcons by 10