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

[Soriano12]

I'm not trying to put Rex in the hall of fame...but he is the best QB this town

has seen in a very very long time.

 

And that's saying A LOT. The competition he had to beat out to get that distinction is fierce.

 

I anticipated that coming.

[da bears]

Man, I was just looking at the schedule, and does anyone else think is weird that the Bears play two straight road games in the same stadium?

 

Yeah I find it very odd. Anyways, I hope that idiot Schlereth (sp?) keeps picking against the Bears. Golic predicted 17-14 the Vikings. Honestly, the more I think about it, the more I like the Bears in this game. I don't care that it's in Minnesota, I really just think the Bears are the better team. I hope they prove it Sunday. Go Bears!

[UMFan83]

See this is starting to bug me....everyone is trying to psyche me out on this game saying how great the Vikings are and how great a home field advantage the Metradome is..... I just don't by either. The Vikings have played one bad team and one decent team without its superstar and barely won both times. The Bears have demolished their opponent both weeks (albeit bad opponents). I am not predicting a blowout, just a good solid convincing win. How about 20-10?

[hawkeyecub]

I just hope if the Bears lose tomorrow, you guys all come back here and aren't full of bad excuses.

 

I love how Bears fans of all people are using that line that "they barely beat a couple of bad or decent teams." Okay, fair enough. But why was it different when the Bears did that last year? There was Detroit, Green Bay (twice), San Francisco, Baltimore, your loss to Cleveland. Yet at that point last year, when you guys were something like 8-9 games into the season and hadn't beaten anyone (when most of those were close games against bad teams) all I heard was "hey, finding a way to win is all that matters."

 

Just be consistent.

[BigbadB]

I'm with Banedon that the Bears have not played that great defensively yet. Not as good as they can be and not as good as they likely will be. Urlacher needs to step up this week if he wants to continue having the label of best LB in the NFL. Because Shawne Merriman is about to pass him.

 

I'm glad you agree with me, as you always should, of course. However, I never said that...USSoccer did...in a post where he was explaining his prediction of a Bears loss...:)

 

Whoops. I agree with USSoccer. I never agree with Banedon.

[cubweiser03]

I just hope if the Bears lose tomorrow, you guys all come back here and aren't full of bad excuses.

 

I love how Bears fans of all people are using that line that "they barely beat a couple of bad or decent teams." Okay, fair enough. But why was it different when the Bears did that last year? There was Detroit, Green Bay (twice), San Francisco, Baltimore, your loss to Cleveland. Yet at that point last year, when you guys were something like 8-9 games into the season and hadn't beaten anyone (when most of those were close games against bad teams) all I heard was "hey, finding a way to win is all that matters."

 

Just be consistent.

 

....and then they went and kicked Carolina' and Atlanta's ass. Ok the score doesnt show it but the defense smoked those guys.

 

Back to what you are saying. I think this year IS different. Last year nobody was saying the Bears are a great all around team that has a legitmate shot at the SB because the games WERE SO CLOSE, and the offense sucked rocks. So it was important to 'just win games'. The weakness last year was the SOS in my eyes as they were barely beating people. This year (so far) they are totally kicking peoples asses and Minny is playing games close to the vest like the Bears were last year.

 

We knew why the Bears were barely beating people. Kyle Orton and the offense. Its that simple. This year Rex makes that offense run completely different. New game.

[Mark Priors Calves]

I just hope if the Bears lose tomorrow, you guys all come back here and aren't full of bad excuses.Just be consistent.

 

As long as you do the same if your team loses.

[UMFan83]

I just hope if the Bears lose tomorrow, you guys all come back here and aren't full of bad excuses.

 

I love how Bears fans of all people are using that line that "they barely beat a couple of bad or decent teams." Okay, fair enough. But why was it different when the Bears did that last year? There was Detroit, Green Bay (twice), San Francisco, Baltimore, your loss to Cleveland. Yet at that point last year, when you guys were something like 8-9 games into the season and hadn't beaten anyone (when most of those were close games against bad teams) all I heard was "hey, finding a way to win is all that matters."

 

Just be consistent.

 

I for one didn't say that. I never truely believed in the dominance of the Bears last year. If they did go to the Super Bowl, it was based on a weak NFC.

[rawaction]

I just hope if the Bears lose tomorrow, you guys all come back here and aren't full of bad excuses.

 

I love how Bears fans of all people are using that line that "they barely beat a couple of bad or decent teams." Okay, fair enough. But why was it different when the Bears did that last year? There was Detroit, Green Bay (twice), San Francisco, Baltimore, your loss to Cleveland. Yet at that point last year, when you guys were something like 8-9 games into the season and hadn't beaten anyone (when most of those were close games against bad teams) all I heard was "hey, finding a way to win is all that matters."

 

Just be consistent.

 

I for one didn't say that. I never truely believed in the dominance of the Bears last year. If they did go to the Super Bowl, it was based on a weak NFC.

 

Like was mentioned, the Bears had no expectations that year. And nobody was claiming they were as good then as they are claiming Minnesota is now. The Bears had a team that was only capable of winning close low scoring games. This year, they had to improve to be taken seriously. They have. And they are.

[Banedon]

Berman predicted an 9-8 Vikings win...Yeah Boomer, I'm sure 8 points is extremely likely.

[BigbadB]

How often does a team go undefeated for a whole season? Not very.

 

I'm guessing the Bears will lose a few games along the way. I'm not eating crow when it happens. The Bears are a SB caliber team. It's up to them to make that happen, however. I'll be disappointed if they don't make it deep into the playoffs. I think they are that good.

[Fred Hornkohl]

My fearless prediction....... and I hope I'm wrong.........

 

BEARS 17

Viqueens 19

[BigbadB]

Berman predicted an 9-8 Vikings win...Yeah Boomer, I'm sure 8 points is extremely likely.

 

Are we sure that isn't a Twins/White Sox prediction?

[bukie]

My prediction:

 

Bears 20

Vikings 16

 

The Bears defense hasn't been really good, but then again, the Vikings offense hasn't been really good either. The Vikings defense is probably better than Detroit or Green Bay.

[rawaction]

I think the Bears could very easily lose this game. I don't think the Vikings are anything better than an average team, but I think this could go either way. My gut says that under Grossman the Bears have scored at least 16 points in every game since his rookie year, scoring at least 21 in all but his 2 including his 1st game back last year when the Bears could have scored at the end against Atlanta. I don't think this year's version of the Vikings is capable of scoring the 3 or 4 times it would take to beat the Bears the way they've played under Grossman.

 

I agree the defense hasn't played that well yet, but they haven't been broken. I don't think the Vikings offense is that much better than the Packers, other than the fact Johnson won't make stupid passes like Favre.

 

I think Grossman struggles a bit this week. Completion % won't stay at 70%. I think he's closer to 50 this week, but the running game gets going. The Bears win 20-14. Defense and special teams make a big difference.

[Magnetic Curses]

this game worries me because the vikings are more balanced than either the lions or packers. conceivably, the vikings could try to stop both facets of our offense rather than simply stack the line and let rex torch them time and again.

 

however, i think the bears will win due to the fact that few people understand that the bears defense is a warm weather, dome-style defense, it's built on speed, not physicality. i worry about rex and other key players staying healthy on turf, but not much else.

 

the bears defense is faster than the vikings' offense, and that will be the deciding factor. i think the vikings score less than 7 points.

 

bears 20

vikings 6

[Banedon]

I think the Bears could very easily lose this game. I don't think the Vikings are anything better than an average team, but I think this could go either way. My gut says that under Grossman the Bears have scored at least 16 points in every game since his rookie year, scoring at least 21 in all but his 2 including his 1st game back last year when the Bears could have scored at the end against Atlanta. I don't think this year's version of the Vikings is capable of scoring the 3 or 4 times it would take to beat the Bears the way they've played under Grossman.

 

I agree the defense hasn't played that well yet, but they haven't been broken. I don't think the Vikings offense is that much better than the Packers, other than the fact Johnson won't make stupid passes like Favre.

 

I think Grossman struggles a bit this week. Completion % won't stay at 70%. I think he's closer to 50 this week, but the running game gets going. The Bears win 20-14. Defense and special teams make a big difference.

 

Meh...you USSoccer thought the Lions would be a tough game....:wink:

[USSoccer]

I think the Bears could very easily lose this game. I don't think the Vikings are anything better than an average team, but I think this could go either way. My gut says that under Grossman the Bears have scored at least 16 points in every game since his rookie year, scoring at least 21 in all but his 2 including his 1st game back last year when the Bears could have scored at the end against Atlanta. I don't think this year's version of the Vikings is capable of scoring the 3 or 4 times it would take to beat the Bears the way they've played under Grossman.

 

I agree the defense hasn't played that well yet, but they haven't been broken. I don't think the Vikings offense is that much better than the Packers, other than the fact Johnson won't make stupid passes like Favre.

 

I think Grossman struggles a bit this week. Completion % won't stay at 70%. I think he's closer to 50 this week, but the running game gets going. The Bears win 20-14. Defense and special teams make a big difference.

 

Meh...you USSoccer thought the Lions would be a tough game....:wink:

 

If Detroit doesn't play stupid football and rack up a ton of penalties the score looks a lot different.

 

And again, reverse jinx.

[jjgman21]

I think the Bears could very easily lose this game. I don't think the Vikings are anything better than an average team, but I think this could go either way. My gut says that under Grossman the Bears have scored at least 16 points in every game since his rookie year, scoring at least 21 in all but his 2 including his 1st game back last year when the Bears could have scored at the end against Atlanta. I don't think this year's version of the Vikings is capable of scoring the 3 or 4 times it would take to beat the Bears the way they've played under Grossman.

 

I agree the defense hasn't played that well yet, but they haven't been broken. I don't think the Vikings offense is that much better than the Packers, other than the fact Johnson won't make stupid passes like Favre.

 

I think Grossman struggles a bit this week. Completion % won't stay at 70%. I think he's closer to 50 this week, but the running game gets going. The Bears win 20-14. Defense and special teams make a big difference.

 

Meh...you USSoccer thought the Lions would be a tough game....:wink:

 

If Detroit doesn't play stupid football and rack up a ton of penalties the score looks a lot different.

 

And again, reverse jinx.

 

both teams had 2 first downs by penalty. that means that Detroit's panalties came on offense, which is what I recall. that being the case, you can't say that the Bears would have scored significantly fewer points. so the question is whether the Lions would have scored more, and considering the Bears defense and all cover 2's play their best football when defending a shorter field, saying the Lions would have scored more is nothing other than speculation.

 

both the Bears and the anti-Bears sentiments are being a little hypocritical, but the thing is, I don't recall many Bears fans last year saying just squeeking by is all that matters. what I recall is Bears fans having alot of reservations at the way the Bears were winning games and saying the offense has to improve if they are going anywhere.

 

and that is the difference between the Bears of last year. Vikings fans this year are saying 'if we just sustain, we might make the playoffs.' Bears fans last year were saying 'this isn't going to get it done.' turns out, those Bears fans were wrong.

 

as for the Bears offense, sure it was GB and Detroit, but I don't think any unbiased observer can honsestly say the Bears offense hasn't looked considerable better this year, but the Vikings will pose a bigger challenge. even so, the Vikings defense should have reason for consern. their DBs are making all their tackles. stacking the box against the Bears offense these first two games has turned out to be a huge mistake. the Vikings defense won't be facing an incapable Washington O-line or a Steve Smith-less Delhomme.

 

Bears 23

Vikings 13 - at least three of which comes on an a turn over by the Bears.

 

my biggest consern in this game is the knee eatting Metrodome turf.

[TruffleShuffle]

my biggest consern in this game is the knee eatting Metrodome turf.

 

hey, at least the Vet is gone... that Wendell Davis injury was awful

[Jon]

I personally don't give a hoot about who picks who to win. The media is full of morons, anyways, so morons who think highly of the Bears doesn't mean much to me. The only thing I want the media to do is actually show some game highlights from time to time, but I could care less if they ignore the Bears the rest of the year. All I care about is that we finally have an offense capable of big plays and scoring drives (not to mention a good special teams) to go along with a very good defense. That means this season is going to be fun.

 

Since there are 22 hours and 40 minutes until kickoff to kill, this can kill two of those minutes.

[UMFan83]

I personally don't give a hoot about who picks who to win. The media is full of morons, anyways, so morons who think highly of the Bears doesn't mean much to me. The only thing I want the media to do is actually show some game highlights from time to time, but I could care less if they ignore the Bears the rest of the year. All I care about is that we finally have an offense capable of big plays and scoring drives (not to mention a good special teams) to go along with a very good defense. That means this season is going to be fun.

 

Since there are 22 hours and 40 minutes until kickoff to kill, this can kill two of those minutes.

 

I agree. All that matters is what happens between noon and 3:15 PM tomorrow. I haven't been this confident about a sports team in a long time, so for me I would be pretty disapointed if we lost. Yes I know teams don't go undefeated, and this Bears team will take its share, but I don't see it happening tomorrow with division control at stake. Too much motivation to win.

[Soul]

and that is the difference between the Bears of last year. Vikings fans this year are saying 'if we just sustain, we might make the playoffs.' Bears fans last year were saying 'this isn't going to get it done.' turns out, those Bears fans were wrong.

 

Really? I'm probably the most hopeless Bear fan on the planet. But what exactly did we win last year? I'm certainly not satisfied with a division championship and a quick, unceremonious exit from the playoffs.

 

The deficiencies of the Bears last year eventually caught up with us, and we lost. Turns out, those Bear fans were right, IMO.

 

Good to see we have some offense this year, because if we play Carolina with this offense? We don't go 3-and-out every possession of the 1st quarter and get down 13 points before we can blink. And the secondary....jury's still out, but I like our position at safety and our depth overall better now. Hopefully that all plays out and we continue with those strengths-----put teams down early and dare them to try and come back against our defense. That's more of a formula for Super Bowl success than last year's "we can't score, but neither can you" philosophy. Believe me.

 

Because good teams in big games? Often times, yes they will score. And sometimes you just have to be able to match fire with fire when that happens.

[Jehrico]

and that is the difference between the Bears of last year. Vikings fans this year are saying 'if we just sustain, we might make the playoffs.' Bears fans last year were saying 'this isn't going to get it done.' turns out, those Bears fans were wrong.

 

Really? I'm probably the most hopeless Bear fan on the planet. But what exactly did we win last year? I'm certainly not satisfied with a division championship and a quick, unceremonious exit from the playoffs.

 

The deficiencies of the Bears last year eventually caught up with us, and we lost. Turns out, those Bear fans were right, IMO.

 

Good to see we have some offense this year, because if we play Carolina with this offense? We don't go 3-and-out every possession of the 1st quarter and get down 13 points before we can blink. And the secondary....jury's still out, but I like our position at safety and our depth overall better now. Hopefully that all plays out and we continue with those strengths-----put teams down early and dare them to try and come back against our defense. That's more of a formula for Super Bowl success than last year's "we can't score, but neither can you" philosophy. Believe me.

 

Because good teams in big games? Often times, yes they will score. And sometimes you just have to be able to match fire with fire when that happens.

Ironically enough, we didn't lose because of those deficiencies. We lost because our defense picked the wrong game to lay an egg.

[jjgman21]

and that is the difference between the Bears of last year. Vikings fans this year are saying 'if we just sustain, we might make the playoffs.' Bears fans last year were saying 'this isn't going to get it done.' turns out, those Bears fans were wrong.

 

Really? I'm probably the most hopeless Bear fan on the planet. But what exactly did we win last year? I'm certainly not satisfied with a division championship and a quick, unceremonious exit from the playoffs.

 

 

look at the context of my statement and put 2 and 2 together. I for one didn't think the Bears would make the playoffs until after beating Tampa on the road, despite beating Carolina the week before. I think alot of Bears fans would have agreed. and I am having a difficult time reconciling your statements. are you a hopeless Bears fan or are you an unsatisfied Bears fan? if you thought the Bears were hopeless, shouldn't you at least be somewhat satisfied with winning the division? or is it just a case of wanting to bitch no matter what happens?

 

for clarification, the difference is Bears fans didn't think their 'make no mistake' quarterback play was going to get them to the playoffs until late in the season. thus, most Bears fans were wrong as the Bears did in fact get into the post season, with the second best record in the NFC. the fact that you consider the division championship irrelevant or apparently 'not getting it done' has nothing to do with my point, and your interjection inexplicable.