Week 3: Bears @ Minnesota - Sunday, Sept. 24th, 12 pm CST

[goonys evil twin]

Peter King gives the Bears some props this week, and so does Chris Collinsworth:

 

Rex Grossman is just the leader the Bears need. The confidence of this guy comes through on every pass. After two weeks he's the NFL's leading passer, with a 128.7 rating. Think of this number: He's attempted 53 passes and has 551 passing yards. That's an amazing 10.4 yards per pass play, almost two yards better than any other quarterback in football. Peyton Manning's at 8.56, Brady at 7.37. And that was no slouchy Lions defense Grossman faced Sunday and riddled for four touchdown passes. "That's my Super Bowl team,'' Cris Collinsworth said Sunday ... the same thing he had said several Sundays before. Right now, who can doubt him, or them?

 

f. That might be my worst division champ pick of all time, Detroit over Chicago.

 

I know it's petty, but it seemed to me that Peter spent more time giving props to the Jets for making it a game than to the Bears for destroying the Lions.

[goonys evil twin]

Looks like the Bears are giving 3 points this weekend, one of 6 road favorites.

[Banedon]

Peter King gives the Bears some props this week, and so does Chris Collinsworth:

 

Rex Grossman is just the leader the Bears need. The confidence of this guy comes through on every pass. After two weeks he's the NFL's leading passer, with a 128.7 rating. Think of this number: He's attempted 53 passes and has 551 passing yards. That's an amazing 10.4 yards per pass play, almost two yards better than any other quarterback in football. Peyton Manning's at 8.56, Brady at 7.37. And that was no slouchy Lions defense Grossman faced Sunday and riddled for four touchdown passes. "That's my Super Bowl team,'' Cris Collinsworth said Sunday ... the same thing he had said several Sundays before. Right now, who can doubt him, or them?

 

f. That might be my worst division champ pick of all time, Detroit over Chicago.

 

I know it's petty, but it seemed to me that Peter spent more time giving props to the Jets for making it a game than to the Bears for destroying the Lions.

 

Well he is in NY. But he mentioned the Bears in the main column, in the fine fifteen, and in his "thoughts"...and pretty much admitted he was wrong in his preseason selection. I'm content.

[Soul]

I don't want this to sound like I think the Bears will lose, because I do think this is a winnable game.

 

But Minny is a pretty good team, and they are at home. We haven't beaten Minnesota in the Metrodome for a long time.

 

The difference between Minnesota and our first two opponents is the line play. The Vikings are solid on both lines, as are the Bears. Brad Johnson gets criticized all the time----that's completely unfounded, he's a Super Bowl winning QB with a ton of experience and one of the sharpest minds in football. If the Bears can get pressure on him, we should be able to limit the output in the passing game. However, the Vikings are an excellent running team as well.

 

This is no easy game, IMO. The Bears can win it, but it will take much more effort than the past two weeks.

[Banedon]

I don't want this to sound like I think the Bears will lose, because I do think this is a winnable game.

 

But Minny is a pretty good team, and they are at home. We haven't beaten Minnesota in the Metrodome for a long time.

 

The difference between Minnesota and our first two opponents is the line play. The Vikings are solid on both lines, as are the Bears. Brad Johnson gets criticized all the time----that's completely unfounded, he's a Super Bowl winning QB with a ton of experience and one of the sharpest minds in football. If the Bears can get pressure on him, we should be able to limit the output in the passing game. However, the Vikings are an excellent running team as well.

 

This is no easy game, IMO. The Bears can win it, but it will take much more effort than the past two weeks.

 

The bolded section is what I disagree with. I think they're a pretty average team, and I don't think they have any real "strength". The defense isn't particularly imposing, and neither is the offense. They manage to do things ok and hang around. Both the Vikings and Bears have played teams that are now 0-2. Minny barely beat both of the teams they played. My personal opinion is that the Vikings are overrated, as it seems they are many years.

[goonys evil twin]

I don't want this to sound like I think the Bears will lose, because I do think this is a winnable game.

 

But Minny is a pretty good team, and they are at home. We haven't beaten Minnesota in the Metrodome for a long time.

 

The difference between Minnesota and our first two opponents is the line play. The Vikings are solid on both lines, as are the Bears. Brad Johnson gets criticized all the time----that's completely unfounded, he's a Super Bowl winning QB with a ton of experience and one of the sharpest minds in football. If the Bears can get pressure on him, we should be able to limit the output in the passing game. However, the Vikings are an excellent running team as well.

 

This is no easy game, IMO. The Bears can win it, but it will take much more effort than the past two weeks.

 

The bolded section is what I disagree with. I think they're a pretty average team, and I don't think they have any real "strength". The defense isn't particularly imposing, and neither is the offense. They manage to do things ok and hang around. Both the Vikings and Bears have played teams that are now 0-2. Minny barely beat both of the teams they played. My personal opinion is that the Vikings are overrated, as it seems they are many years.

 

I don't know if they are overrated, I mean, they are underdogs at home. And nobody is going gaga over their start. But I agree with your assessment. I think they are a decent team. 9-7 caliber, but might win 10 thanks to the schedule. But they aren't great in any aspect of the game, while the best teams always seem to be great at something.

[hawkeyecub]

Beautiful, isn't it?

 

Or should I say "sexy?"

 

#1 rated QB in the NFL

 

http://home.comcast.net/~davhern2/Grossman.jpg

 

I think you proved how much that means at this point when I see him edging out Batch, Carr, Rivers and Pennington. At most one of those guys will be in the top 5 at the end of the year.

 

Go Vikes! The Bears have looked damn good in the first two games, but this should be their first actual test.

 

The Bears arent going to test the Vikings. When you have a team like the Bears who are clearly better than the Vikings, you dont call that a test. You call that a mismatch.

 

The typical Bears fan. You're right, I don't think the Bears will be tested all year. They're clearly better than everyone in the league. Rex Grossman has to be the favorite to win the MVP.

How about waiting a few weeks to make those calls? You've played the friggin' Packers and Lions. The Packers are either 31 or 32 in the league and the Lions are a 6-10 team.

 

The Bears are the better team at this point and should be favored. But the Vikings are very well-coached and don't resemble any of the recent teams under Tice and even Green. They aren't going to make stupid mistakes and will force you to beat them. They also seem to have a little bit of resiliance and discipline which we haven't seen in years.

Goony was partially right that they don't do anything great at this point, but they also do everything well. Solid offensive line, very good defensive line, very good secondary and better than expected linebackers. The running game is coming along and Johnson has been effective.

 

The Vikes have a chance if they can win the turnover battle and I think that's possible in the dome. Who knows where this team will go. I think they can be a 10-11 win team if they get the running game going and the defense (which has the potential to be very good and has already been solid) continues to come together.

[KaiserCesar]

My local 1:00 televised game is Packers Vs Lions. You guys are jealous arent you? Thought so.

 

I think we got the same feed. I'm not feeling so proud.

[goonys evil twin]

My local 1:00 televised game is Packers Vs Lions. You guys are jealous arent you? Thought so.

 

I think we got the same feed. I'm not feeling so proud.

 

I like my 1:00 feed:

 

• Sunday, September 24, 2006Visiting Team vs. Home Team Time (ET) Channel HD Channel
  Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions 1:00 pm 704 722
  Washington Redskins at Houston Texans 1:00 pm 705 723
  Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings 1:00 pm 706 724
  Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1:00 pm 707 725
  New York Jets at Buffalo Bills 1:00 pm 708 719
  Jacksonville Jaguars at Indianapolis Colts 1:00 pm 709 720
  Tennessee Titans at Miami Dolphins 1:00 pm 710
  Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers 1:00 pm 711 721
  St. Louis Rams at Arizona Cardinals 4:00 pm 712
  Philadelphia Eagles at San Francisco 49ers 4:00 pm 713 726
  New York Giants at Seattle Seahawks 4:00 pm 714 727
  Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns 4:00 pm 715
  

[Banedon]

I don't know if they are overrated, I mean, they are underdogs at home. And nobody is going gaga over their start. But I agree with your assessment. I think they are a decent team. 9-7 caliber, but might win 10 thanks to the schedule. But they aren't great in any aspect of the game, while the best teams always seem to be great at something.

 

You're right...I probably overstated it.

[YearofDaCubs]

I have been looking forward to this match up ever since the last game of last year when Brad Johnson was acting the fool against 2nd and 3rd string players. I have never liked Brad Johnson and nothing would satisfy me more than to see him eat dirt next week.

 

It would be really cool if the Bears defenders carried him outside and forced him to eat dirt. That's dominance.

Haha, ok I hope that he eats turf, how's that. ;)

[Soul]

I don't want this to sound like I think the Bears will lose, because I do think this is a winnable game.

 

But Minny is a pretty good team, and they are at home. We haven't beaten Minnesota in the Metrodome for a long time.

 

The difference between Minnesota and our first two opponents is the line play. The Vikings are solid on both lines, as are the Bears. Brad Johnson gets criticized all the time----that's completely unfounded, he's a Super Bowl winning QB with a ton of experience and one of the sharpest minds in football. If the Bears can get pressure on him, we should be able to limit the output in the passing game. However, the Vikings are an excellent running team as well.

 

This is no easy game, IMO. The Bears can win it, but it will take much more effort than the past two weeks.

 

The bolded section is what I disagree with. I think they're a pretty average team, and I don't think they have any real "strength". The defense isn't particularly imposing, and neither is the offense. They manage to do things ok and hang around. Both the Vikings and Bears have played teams that are now 0-2. Minny barely beat both of the teams they played. My personal opinion is that the Vikings are overrated, as it seems they are many years.

 

I don't know if they are overrated, I mean, they are underdogs at home. And nobody is going gaga over their start. But I agree with your assessment. I think they are a decent team. 9-7 caliber, but might win 10 thanks to the schedule. But they aren't great in any aspect of the game, while the best teams always seem to be great at something.

 

I think we're talking semantics. To me a 9-7 or 10-6 ballclub is a pretty good team.

 

I do think Minnesota has shown a top-notch running game---so if you're looking for something Minny would hang their hat on, I'd say that's it. Plus, their blitz packages have looked quite impressive, though I agree their defense shouldn't be considered great.

 

We will definitely find out, because I'm quite sure the Bears are a very good team, so as much as this might be a test for us, it's damn well sure a test for Minny too.

[KaiserCesar]

My local 1:00 televised game is Packers Vs Lions. You guys are jealous arent you? Thought so.

 

I think we got the same feed. I'm not feeling so proud.

 

I like my 1:00 feed:

 

• Sunday, September 24, 2006Visiting Team vs. Home Team Time (ET) Channel HD Channel
  Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions 1:00 pm 704 722
  Washington Redskins at Houston Texans 1:00 pm 705 723
  Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings 1:00 pm 706 724
  Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1:00 pm 707 725
  New York Jets at Buffalo Bills 1:00 pm 708 719
  Jacksonville Jaguars at Indianapolis Colts 1:00 pm 709 720
  Tennessee Titans at Miami Dolphins 1:00 pm 710
  Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers 1:00 pm 711 721
  St. Louis Rams at Arizona Cardinals 4:00 pm 712
  Philadelphia Eagles at San Francisco 49ers 4:00 pm 713 726
  New York Giants at Seattle Seahawks 4:00 pm 714 727
  Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns 4:00 pm 715
  

 

Now, to figure out how to get a satellite feed into a dorm room......

[CP_414]

Tough one this week. I think Minnesota is a possible playoff team, and playoff teams are hard to beat at home. I think the offense will have their toughest test of the season. I'm not all that impressed with Minnesota's offense though.

 

Early Prediction: Bears 17-13

 

This is a huge game, with Seattle coming to Chicago the next week. After this week Minnesota plays Buffalo and Detroit, so if the Bears lose, it is quite possible the Vikings are going to be 5-0.

[Butterscup1679666578]

As of right now, we're getting the Bears-Viks game here. But that'll probably change. They told me at this time two weeks ago that we'd get the Bears-Packers game, but then they showed the Cowboys.

[Banedon]

Tough one this week. I think Minnesota is a possible playoff team, and playoff teams are hard to beat at home. I think the offense will have their toughest test of the season. I'm not all that impressed with Minnesota's offense though.

 

Early Prediction: Bears 17-13

 

This is a huge game, with Seattle coming to Chicago the next week. After this week Minnesota plays Buffalo and Detroit, so if the Bears lose, it is quite possible the Vikings are going to be 5-0.

 

Buffalo's no pushover this year.

[cubweiser03]

Brad Johnson is good at finding the short and intermediate soft spots of the defense and cover 2. Thats what im worried about. Last years whooping was with Culpepper and not BJ at QB. BJ wont give the game away.

[radarluv1]

As of right now, we're getting the Bears-Viks game here. But that'll probably change. They told me at this time two weeks ago that we'd get the Bears-Packers game, but then they showed the Cowboys.

 

how can i find this information? if they show the bears game in columbia, i'm guessing KC might get it too.

[Banedon]

As of right now, we're getting the Bears-Viks game here. But that'll probably change. They told me at this time two weeks ago that we'd get the Bears-Packers game, but then they showed the Cowboys.

 

how can i find this information? if they show the bears game in columbia, i'm guessing KC might get it too.

 

http://www.tvguide.com/listings is a pretty good place to go for customized tv listings, and should tell you what game you'll get on Sunday. Make sure you choose to Edit Location though, and it will ask you for your zip code and cable provider.

 

EDIT: Hahaha...it figures...it shows "Teams TBA" on mine...

[radarluv1]

As of right now, we're getting the Bears-Viks game here. But that'll probably change. They told me at this time two weeks ago that we'd get the Bears-Packers game, but then they showed the Cowboys.

 

how can i find this information? if they show the bears game in columbia, i'm guessing KC might get it too.

 

http://www.tvguide.com/listings is a pretty good place to go for customized tv listings, and should tell you what game you'll get on Sunday. Make sure you choose to Edit Location though, and it will ask you for your zip code and cable provider.

 

EDIT: Hahaha...it figures...it shows "Teams TBA" on mine...

 

it says bears at vikes on fox here, but the cbs game says TBA. i wonder if they'll actually show two games at the same time. might not get much done that day.

[Milli1306]

I'm not a huge Brad Johnson fan myself, but he is a smart QB and Chester Taylor is a solid RB running behind 2 exceptional offensive linemen on the left side, LT Bryant McKinnie and LG Steve Hutchinson...all that said, I'm taking the Bears, 20-13

[KaiserCesar]

I think the Vikes will get a few sustained drives, ending in FG, maybe a turnover will help them out a little, but the running game will come to life a little more and Rex will be solid.

 

Bears 27 Vikings 16

[Jon]

Erasmus James is out for the year with a torn ACL for Minnesota.

[Banedon]

As of right now, we're getting the Bears-Viks game here. But that'll probably change. They told me at this time two weeks ago that we'd get the Bears-Packers game, but then they showed the Cowboys.

 

how can i find this information? if they show the bears game in columbia, i'm guessing KC might get it too.

 

http://www.tvguide.com/listings is a pretty good place to go for customized tv listings, and should tell you what game you'll get on Sunday. Make sure you choose to Edit Location though, and it will ask you for your zip code and cable provider.

 

EDIT: Hahaha...it figures...it shows "Teams TBA" on mine...

 

it says bears at vikes on fox here, but the cbs game says TBA. i wonder if they'll actually show two games at the same time. might not get much done that day.

 

Most Sundays I get an early game on both Fox and CBS.

[NCCubFan]

Bears many points, Vikings few points. :D