1/15 Round 2: Bears vs. Panthers

[goonys evil twin]

i think the bottom line is that they ran for 200 yards against our defense, even if you didn't watch the game you could see that they clearly donimated the line of scrimmage, which doesn't usually happen, at least in fair weather.

 

It's not impossible to dominate the line of scrimmage as a great running team vs the Bears, weather or no weather. Teams routinely push the smaller guys around, but their quickness allows them to pounce on mistakes, which Pittsburgh did not commit. (A matchup against Denver would be interesting because they should be able to run on the Bears, but you'd always be waiting for Plummer to screw up.) And the injuries and poor tackling combined to make the problem worse. They still had a few of those typical 5 Bears making a tackle in the backfield plays, but they got beat early on screen plays and the Pittsburgh passing. They were stuffed on several first quarter runs. The two biggest plays on the opening TD drive were a long screen and a pass to Ward. They also averaged a start around their own 30, and never inside their own 20 early on, something that was bound to hurt the Bears. The pushing them around thing didn't really start until they were up 14-3 and Bettis ran all over them.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

I agree with the thought that the Bears defense would struggle in slippery/icy/wet conditions but that cold weather won't affect them as much - especially the cold weather we should see on Sunday. NWS (who I'd trust over anyone else that I can check right now) has the expected high for Sunday at 34; game-time temps should be about the same and wind chills about 5-10 degrees cooler. Edited January 10, 2006 by CaliforniaRaisin

[Andy]

contrary to popular belief, i don't think the bears are a cold weather team.

 

they're a warm-weather team, possibly even a dome team. i like their chances more in a warm setting, with good field conditions.

I agree about the good field conditions, but you don't think playing with a wind chill in the upper 20s would be an advantage over the Panthers? The Bears have shown they can dominate in very cold conditions. Assuming it was cold in Buffalo in late November, that would be Carolina's only win in cold weather. The wind chill was in the low 40s in New Jersey Sunday and they just don't have much experience playing in the cold.

It was also their only game in cold weather other than the Bears game, which warmth would not have changed in the slightest.

[David]

Haha:

 

Trib[/url]"]Hunter Hillenmeyer wasn't wearing a cast on the right thumb he broke in the Pittsburgh game, but the outside linebacker was wearing a T-shirt for "Kellogg School of Management," the Northwestern graduate business school where Hillenmeyer has begun working toward his MBA.

 

So with this playoff business, did he get a note from his head coach to get him out of class?

 

"I've already talked to the teachers and got the OK not to be in class," Hillenmeyer said.

 

Did he get loaded up with assignments in the meantime?

 

"I don't know if I'll be doing much studying for class the next couple of weeks," Hillenmeyer said.

 

Fox-TV's Bruce Wolf had a deal for Hillenmeyer: "I'll take your fiinals for you," Wolf offered, "if you take [Carolina All-Pro receiver] Steve Smith out three times."

As for the weather, weather.com went from saying a high of 38 to a high of 32 for Sunday. However, Tom Skilling is saying a high in the upper 40s. Someone's wrong.

 

No wonder those dudes hang out by NU.

[CheeseHead Cubs Fan]

Ah...for those in argument that cold weather plays a role...

 

Let me introduce to you the Packers vs. Atlanta - Playoff game, Packers almost never lost a playoff game at home. Favre was something like 34-1 in games under the freezing mark. Atlanta was coming up from a dome, Vick liked to run and no way was he going to be able to run in those conditions.

 

We all know the outcome and the beginning of the Packers fall....

 

Carolina could care less about the weather...my pick Panthers 24 Bears 10

 

ah, so you're the type of fan that believes charles martin to be the greatest packer of all time?

 

Absolutely not, in fact I was 6 years old when that play happend and living in Phoenix ...

 

some packer fan told me that at lambeau, and he wasn't even trying to be a jerk or anything. i said, "dude, you're sick." and walked away.

 

I know that some Packer fans are cool and actually neat people to be around. However, I have not met one yet :)

[Jon]

No wonder those dudes hang out by NU.

Makes sense, I suppose. I'd imagine they rank Evanston a tad higher than Lake Forest College.

 

Can't say I've heard of a professional athlete of his caliber going to Kellogg before, though.

[CP_414]

How absurd is the media coverage of this "trash talk" nonsense? First of all, everything the Bears said is true. When did everyone get so freaking sensitive?

 

It doesn't make a difference anyhow. Anyone think the Panthers are going to play harder because Ogunleye says they get too much love from the national media? If it takes something stupid like that to make Carolina play their hardest, I'll take my chances against that team.

 

4 1/2 days to go. I'm ready for this game now.

[BigbadB]

This game may end up being the best of the bunch. In fact, I'm going on record that the winner of this game goes to the Super Bowl to play the hottest team in football, New England. Seattle will have a cake walk with Washington, and won't be prepared for a really good team the next week.

 

I like the Bears because of home field advantage. I'd probably call it a toss up if it was in Carolina. The playoff hungry fans of Chicago will make it difficult on Carolina, and the defense won't need those hungry fans to feed off of. I think Urlacher will have this defense so fired up, Carolina won't get a decent drive going until the 2nd half at the earliest.

 

I am so looking forward to this game. :cheers: that the game is on Sunday instead of Saturday. :cheers: is what I hope to see the officials doing a lot of when the Bears are on offense. :drunken: is what I'll be while I sit in my good friends bar watching this game. He's a huge Carolina fan. I'll be wearing the Ogunleye jersey he had to buy me when the Bears beat Carolina earlier in the year. No bets on this one. Just a lot of trash talking and well respected kudos to whichever team wins this game.

[Butterscup1679666578]

I'll be wearing the Ogunleye jersey he had to buy me when the Bears beat Carolina earlier in the year.

 

Good call on the Ogunleye jersey, I've got my Vasher saved for the big game.

[Magnetic Curses]

It's not impossible to dominate the line of scrimmage as a great running team vs the Bears, weather or no weather. Teams routinely push the smaller guys around, but their quickness allows them to pounce on mistakes, which Pittsburgh did not commit.

 

goony, how can you say that? pittsburgh fumbled FOUR times. guess how many times we recovered the ball? zero. i was literally screaming at the television at this point, jumping up and down.

 

The two biggest plays on the opening TD drive were a long screen and a pass to Ward. They also averaged a start around their own 30, and never inside their own 20 early on, something that was bound to hurt the Bears. The pushing them around thing didn't really start until they were up 14-3 and Bettis ran all over them.

 

they had 70 yards rushing in the first half, plus the screen pass to parker for the long gain. it wasn't like pittsburgh didn't make any mistakes, either. the bears looked like they were on ice skates the entire game. they couldn't capitalize on any of pittsburgh's four fumbles, they got roughed up up front. it was like the steelers were going bobbsledding and the bears were the sled.

[frostwyrm]

Carolina is now 7-2 on the road. Vegas is only spotting the Bears 2.5 points, down from 3 a few days ago. The unseasonably warm weather is probably scaring the oddsmakers, and I can't blame them. As big a Bears fan as I am, I wouldn't bet a penny on this game even if the spread were 0.

[Banedon]

An interesting comment in the foxsports.com/football outsiders Power Rankings:

 

The interesting thing about the Chicago defense is that it is only slightly above average against starting wide receivers, but completely shuts down slot receivers, tight ends, and passes to running backs. The Carolina defense is the exact opposite: top five against starting wide receivers, but susceptible to passes to slot receivers, tight ends, and running backs. Mr. Jones, put a little wiggle in your stride.

[Banedon]

The Chicago Bears signed defensive end Jamaal Green to the active roster Tuesday to replace defensive back Brandon McGowan, who went on injured reserve with a knee injury.

McGowan appeared in eight games and had 31 tackles - 23 solo. Green had been on the Bears' practice squad since Oct. 19.

[BigbadB]

I'll be wearing the Ogunleye jersey he had to buy me when the Bears beat Carolina earlier in the year.

 

Good call on the Ogunleye jersey, I've got my Vasher saved for the big game.

 

I thought the better call was taking him up on that bet. :wink: :D

 

And I actually wanted an Alex Brown jersey, but he couldn't find one. Carolina sure knows who Alex Brown is. That was arguably Alex's best game of the season.

[goonys evil twin]

It's not impossible to dominate the line of scrimmage as a great running team vs the Bears, weather or no weather. Teams routinely push the smaller guys around, but their quickness allows them to pounce on mistakes, which Pittsburgh did not commit.

 

goony, how can you say that? pittsburgh fumbled FOUR times. guess how many times we recovered the ball? zero. i was literally screaming at the television at this point, jumping up and down.

 

I was mostly talking about INTs. But those 4 fumbles that were not recovered also shows that this wasn't a case of the Bears getting pushed around because of weather, rather that the Bears didn't capitalize on their chances (whether that was a tackle at the line or a fumble not recovered) and lost due to the things they are susceptible to in every game, regardless of weather.

[wiumike]

Any advice on where to tailgate?

 

I have heard that there is an RV and trailer show at the McCormick center and a lot of the good tailgating spots will be reserved for that on sunday. Has anyone heard of this, or know of any other good places to hangout before the game?

 

Thanks

[Magnetic Curses]

I was mostly talking about INTs. But those 4 fumbles that were not recovered also shows that this wasn't a case of the Bears getting pushed around because of weather, rather that the Bears didn't capitalize on their chances (whether that was a tackle at the line or a fumble not recovered) and lost due to the things they are susceptible to in every game, regardless of weather.

 

nice recovery.

 

but those fumbles can be just as attributable to the bears being unable to swarm to the ballcarrier as much due to increment weather conditions and being blown off the line of scrimmage.

[frostwyrm]

I was mostly talking about INTs. But those 4 fumbles that were not recovered also shows that this wasn't a case of the Bears getting pushed around because of weather, rather that the Bears didn't capitalize on their chances (whether that was a tackle at the line or a fumble not recovered) and lost due to the things they are susceptible to in every game, regardless of weather.

 

nice recovery.

 

but those fumbles can be just as attributable to the bears being unable to swarm to the ballcarrier as much due to increment weather conditions and being blown off the line of scrimmage.

 

I saw the game. The Bears were exceptionally unlucky on the fumbles. After the 3rd fumble Darrryl Johnston (IIRC) remarked that it seemed every ball had bounced the Steelers' way and predicted the next loose ball would also go to the Steelers because it was just one of those days. The announcers had a good laugh when the 4th fumble bounced right to a Steeler.

[Magnetic Curses]

I was mostly talking about INTs. But those 4 fumbles that were not recovered also shows that this wasn't a case of the Bears getting pushed around because of weather, rather that the Bears didn't capitalize on their chances (whether that was a tackle at the line or a fumble not recovered) and lost due to the things they are susceptible to in every game, regardless of weather.

 

nice recovery.

 

but those fumbles can be just as attributable to the bears being unable to swarm to the ballcarrier as much due to increment weather conditions and being blown off the line of scrimmage.

 

I saw the game. The Bears were exceptionally unlucky on the fumbles. After the 3rd fumble Darrryl Johnston (IIRC) remarked that it seemed every ball had bounced the Steelers' way and predicted the next loose ball would also go to the Steelers because it was just one of those days. The announcers had a good laugh when the 4th fumble bounced right to a Steeler.

 

i saw the game as well, and was simply answering the statement goony made about pitt making no mistakes. and i remember a couple of those fumbles being on the ground without many bears in sight.

[Andy]

How absurd is the media coverage of this "trash talk" nonsense? First of all, everything the Bears said is true. When did everyone get so freaking sensitive?

 

It doesn't make a difference anyhow. Anyone think the Panthers are going to play harder because Ogunleye says they get too much love from the national media? If it takes something stupid like that to make Carolina play their hardest, I'll take my chances against that team.

 

4 1/2 days to go. I'm ready for this game now.

Personally, if my offense was virtually incapable of putting more than 20 points on the board, I would be nervous about this game, no matter how good my defense was.

[Magnetic Curses]

How absurd is the media coverage of this "trash talk" nonsense? First of all, everything the Bears said is true. When did everyone get so freaking sensitive?

 

It doesn't make a difference anyhow. Anyone think the Panthers are going to play harder because Ogunleye says they get too much love from the national media? If it takes something stupid like that to make Carolina play their hardest, I'll take my chances against that team.

 

4 1/2 days to go. I'm ready for this game now.

Personally, if my offense was virtually incapable of putting more than 20 points on the board, I would be nervous about this game, no matter how good my defense was.

 

"virtually incapable"? this offense is a different creature with grossman under center.

 

plus, if the panthers can't score more than 3 points, i like the bears' chances.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

How absurd is the media coverage of this "trash talk" nonsense? First of all, everything the Bears said is true. When did everyone get so freaking sensitive?

 

It doesn't make a difference anyhow. Anyone think the Panthers are going to play harder because Ogunleye says they get too much love from the national media? If it takes something stupid like that to make Carolina play their hardest, I'll take my chances against that team.

 

4 1/2 days to go. I'm ready for this game now.

Personally, if my offense was virtually incapable of putting more than 20 points on the board, I would be nervous about this game, no matter how good my defense was.

 

"virtually incapable"? this offense is a different creature with grossman under center.

 

plus, if the panthers can't score more than 3 points, i like the bears' chances.

 

This is a different Panthers team than the last time they met, but it's also a different Bears team. I think the Panthers put up more than 3, and I also think Chicago puts up more than 20.

 

My pick: Chicago 24 Carolina 16.

[Magnetic Curses]

How absurd is the media coverage of this "trash talk" nonsense? First of all, everything the Bears said is true. When did everyone get so freaking sensitive?

 

It doesn't make a difference anyhow. Anyone think the Panthers are going to play harder because Ogunleye says they get too much love from the national media? If it takes something stupid like that to make Carolina play their hardest, I'll take my chances against that team.

 

4 1/2 days to go. I'm ready for this game now.

Personally, if my offense was virtually incapable of putting more than 20 points on the board, I would be nervous about this game, no matter how good my defense was.

 

"virtually incapable"? this offense is a different creature with grossman under center.

 

plus, if the panthers can't score more than 3 points, i like the bears' chances.

 

This is a different Panthers team than the last time they met, but it's also a different Bears team. I think the Panthers put up more than 3, and I also think Chicago puts up more than 20.

 

My pick: Chicago 24 Carolina 16.

 

i don't buy that this is a different panthers team. well, maybe "different", but not exactly "better". the panthers were tearing up the NFC before their last meeting. so i have a hard time believing that just because they lost to the bears in week 11 after winning 6 straight that they were somehow a worse team way back then.

[Banedon]

Some comments from John Foxafter today's practice.

 

And some from Delhomme.

Edited January 11, 2006 by Banedon

[Ding Dong Johnson]

i don't buy that this is a different panthers team. well, maybe "different", but not exactly "better". the panthers were tearing up the NFC before their last meeting. so i have a hard time believing that just because they lost to the bears in week 11 after winning 6 straight that they were somehow a worse team way back then.

 

I don't even really know what that means -- "different Panthers team". Anywho, I don't know that Delhomme will quite get the same pressure as last game (what, 8 sacks? now THAT was an impressive performance). I think Carolina will have more success in moving the ball than last time. The Bears D hasn't been looking quite as strong as they did back then. Maybe the week off helps, I don't know. Aside from Atlanta (and I'm not counting Minnesota), they gave up a boat load of yards down the stretch. I'll still go with 24-16.