Week 13: Bears vs. Minnesota - Sunday, Dec 3, 12 pm CST

[thedaymen]

I don't know why everyone is talking up Dallas. They lose this week and they're back in second place. The Giants are getting Short and Umenyoria back this week with Strahan waiting in the wings. They're ready to go on a run, and Romo is about ready to flame out.

[ctcf]

Ok so my listings online have me getting this game, which would be totally awesome, HOWEVER last week it switched at some point (I don't know when) from the Bears - Pats to Giants - Titans during the week. The only game that could possibly replace it due to market issues is the Skins - Falcons. Does anyone know when they'd switch or also, I recall someone having color coded maps of which regions got which games, anything would help.

[goonys evil twin]

Ok so my listings online have me getting this game, which would be totally awesome, HOWEVER last week it switched at some point (I don't know when) from the Bears - Pats to Giants - Titans during the week. The only game that could possibly replace it due to market issues is the Skins - Falcons. Does anyone know when they'd switch or also, I recall someone having color coded maps of which regions got which games, anything would help.

 

http://www.gribblenation.net/nflmaps/

[CuseCubFan69]

Alan Page is going to sack Douglas at least 4 times on Sunday.

[Banedon]

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/cs-061129bearssharper,1,5759451.story?coll=cs-home-headlines

 

Apparently Darren Sharper is going on about how Rex talked trash after the game winning TD during the game in Minny. They played a Rex soundbite on the Score, and he said that some of the Vikings were talking smack the entire game and after the TD, he said he just couldn't help himself. It was actually pretty funny. One thing you can say for Rex, he doesn't dodge questions...he's pretty candid.

 

Grossman is still our best option for the rest of this season. But he's going to have to start to show some consistency before I come around to the idea that he's a franchise quarterback.

[Banedon]

I admit...this surprises me.

 

For his first 18 starts, Grossman has a higher passer rating and better touchdown-to-interception ratio than Peyton Manning did for his first 18. And for the 11 starts in his first full year as the starter, Grossman's numbers compare favorably to Brett Favre's for the same span. Grossman has matched Favre with 18 TD passes and has thrown just one more interception with 14.

 

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/cs-061128bearsbits,1,6348055.story?coll=cs-home-headlines

[TruffleShuffle]

I admit...this surprises me.

 

For his first 18 starts, Grossman has a higher passer rating and better touchdown-to-interception ratio than Peyton Manning did for his first 18. And for the 11 starts in his first full year as the starter, Grossman's numbers compare favorably to Brett Favre's for the same span. Grossman has matched Favre with 18 TD passes and has thrown just one more interception with 14.

 

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/cs-061128bearsbits,1,6348055.story?coll=cs-home-headlines

 

The Manning thing doesn't surprise me - in his first year, Marvin Harrison was still developing, the other receivers were lousy, and the offensive line practically consisted of five turnstiles. Plus, he was thrown right into the fire - didn't get to sit and learn the offense and watch from the sidelines for a while. People forget how bad the Colts back then because they've been really good for a number of years.

[Fred Hornkohl]

The Viqueens are a pretty bad road team, and have been for several years. Even Las Vegas undervalues just how bad they are. In any case...... my fearless prediction:

 

Minnesota   10
BEARS       24

 

This one's a 15 in your confidence pool.

 

Go BEARS !!

[CubColtPacer]

I admit...this surprises me.

 

For his first 18 starts, Grossman has a higher passer rating and better touchdown-to-interception ratio than Peyton Manning did for his first 18. And for the 11 starts in his first full year as the starter, Grossman's numbers compare favorably to Brett Favre's for the same span. Grossman has matched Favre with 18 TD passes and has thrown just one more interception with 14.

 

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/cs-061128bearsbits,1,6348055.story?coll=cs-home-headlines

 

The Manning thing doesn't surprise me - in his first year, Marvin Harrison was still developing, the other receivers were lousy, and the offensive line practically consisted of five turnstiles. Plus, he was thrown right into the fire - didn't get to sit and learn the offense and watch from the sidelines for a while. People forget how bad the Colts back then because they've been really good for a number of years.

 

Yup-Manning actually now holds the record for most consecutive QB starts to begin a career-139, and he is still going on that.

 

That 1998 Colts team? They were certainly better than the 1997 team, who lost their first 10 games and went on to be 3-13. They were really young, and they struggled a great deal, especially early in the season. The 98 team was also 3-13, but they started to be in ballgames by midseason because of Manning. His first 5 games were awful, and then he started to get a little better:

 

1st 5 games: 4 TD, 13 INT

Last 11: 22 TD, 15 INT

 

He had no receivers at the time (Harrison was pretty good in 98 until he separated his shoulder and missed the last 4 games-then Manning was throwing to a rookie Jerome Pathon and Torrence Small, I know those names strike fear into your heart:D)

 

Now, saying all this and defending Manning:D, I think you have to continue to go with Grossman and hope this year. I know there is a legitimate argument that you might be better with Griese this year, although there is certainly a legitimate argument the other way as well.

Grossman is your QB of the future though-if you pull him this year because you're in a playoff race, then what do you do next year when you're right back in the same playoff race? He has to be developed sometime-it might as well be this year. Besides, he's been good in most of his games. I only worry about him because the playoffs requires you to be good in all of your games, and he might have 2 great games and then a horrible one. At the same time though, the lumps have to be taken if you want him to be the next great QB in this league, and there's no sense in delaying it further.

[jjgman21]

Alan Page is going to sack Douglas at least 4 times on Sunday.

 

I was thinking Alan Page would sack Tommy Kramer 4 times.

[Chocolate Milk]

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/cs-061129bearssharper,1,5759451.story?coll=cs-home-headlines

 

Apparently Darren Sharper is going on about how Rex talked trash after the game winning TD during the game in Minny. They played a Rex soundbite on the Score, and he said that some of the Vikings were talking smack the entire game and after the TD, he said he just couldn't help himself. It was actually pretty funny. One thing you can say for Rex, he doesn't dodge questions...he's pretty candid.

 

Grossman is still our best option for the rest of this season. But he's going to have to start to show some consistency before I come around to the idea that he's a franchise quarterback.

 

Awesome.

[Chocolate Milk]

"That's the problem with the NFL. Everybody always issues threats through the media. No one ever really does anything about it, so that's something I'm kind of tired of. I've been here nine years and everybody's always talking tough in the media, but there's never any fights. If you're going to talk tough, I mean, go fight somebody."

 

:lol:

[Jon]

The suspension didn't come at a bad time for Manning Jr. His wife gave birth to a baby boy two weeks ago. Maybe that was part of the reason to not appeal, especially since his family lives in California.

 

ChicagoBears.com[/url]"]Health update: All three Bears on the injury report were held out of practice Wednesday. Linebacker Leon Joe (hamstring) is doubtful, Todd Johnson (ankle) is questionable and running back Thomas Jones (groin) is probable.

 

Ten Vikings are on the injury list. CB Cedric Griffin (neck), G Artis Hicks (ankle), G Steve Hutchinson (knee), T Marcus Johnson (foot), RB Chester Taylor (wrist), TE Jermaine Wiggins (knee) and DT Pat Williams (knee) are questionable; and WR Marcus Robinson (ankle), LB Napoleon Harris (wrist) and S Dwight Smith (shoulder) are probable.

[Soul]

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/cs-061129bearssharper,1,5759451.story?coll=cs-home-headlines

 

Apparently Darren Sharper is going on about how Rex talked trash after the game winning TD during the game in Minny. They played a Rex soundbite on the Score, and he said that some of the Vikings were talking smack the entire game and after the TD, he said he just couldn't help himself. It was actually pretty funny. One thing you can say for Rex, he doesn't dodge questions...he's pretty candid.

 

Grossman is still our best option for the rest of this season. But he's going to have to start to show some consistency before I come around to the idea that he's a franchise quarterback.

 

Awesome.

 

Yeah, I think most Chicagoans have the wrong impression of Rex. They think he's quiet and shy. And that's just dead wrong. He's actually pretty cocky.

 

Hilarious that Sharper is crying about Rex trash talking, considering that's all Darren ever does.

[goonys evil twin]

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/cs-061129bearssharper,1,5759451.story?coll=cs-home-headlines

 

Apparently Darren Sharper is going on about how Rex talked trash after the game winning TD during the game in Minny. They played a Rex soundbite on the Score, and he said that some of the Vikings were talking smack the entire game and after the TD, he said he just couldn't help himself. It was actually pretty funny. One thing you can say for Rex, he doesn't dodge questions...he's pretty candid.

 

Grossman is still our best option for the rest of this season. But he's going to have to start to show some consistency before I come around to the idea that he's a franchise quarterback.

 

Awesome.

 

Yeah, I think most Chicagoans have the wrong impression of Rex. They think he's quiet and shy. And that's just dead wrong. He's actually pretty cocky.

 

Hilarious that Sharper is crying about Rex trash talking, considering that's all Darren ever does.

 

Sharper's words reak of a veteran desperate to inspire his wholly unimpressive team. Compared to Jason Taylor, who was pissed about being an afterthought and came ready to kill, this stuff is just silly nonsense.

[Chocolate Milk]

I's going to be cold on Sunday. Not that I buy into "Bears Weather," but the Vikings stink like hot garbage playing out of the dome in December.

[goonys evil twin]

The suspension didn't come at a bad time for Manning Jr. His wife gave birth to a baby boy two weeks ago. Maybe that was part of the reason to not appeal, especially since his family lives in California.

 

ChicagoBears.com[/url]"]Health update: All three Bears on the injury report were held out of practice Wednesday. Linebacker Leon Joe (hamstring) is doubtful, Todd Johnson (ankle) is questionable and running back Thomas Jones (groin) is probable.

 

With Jones a little banged up, this could be the time when Lovie starts looking like a genius for holding back Benson. He's got a chance to get a relatively fresh Cedric some serious carries down the stretch, and he can also rest up Jones for later.

[Burtonbell]

 

With Jones a little banged up, this could be the time when Lovie starts looking like a genius for holding back Benson. He's got a chance to get a relatively fresh Cedric some serious carries down the stretch, and he can also rest up Jones for later.

 

I'll believe it when I see it. They have been saying all year they would bring Benson in the gameplan more, and it hasn't happened. I would love to see Cedric in there. His ability to make the defender miss the tackle or blow him up are impressing me the most this year.

 

The Vikes "D" is pretty good against the run this year and terrible against the pass, right?

[goonys evil twin]

I'll believe it when I see it. They have been saying all year they would bring Benson in the gameplan more, and it hasn't happened.

 

The point is they've said that all year, but haven't done it, and looked kind of silly for holding him back. But with Jones banged up, they could look pretty darn smart for having a healthy and fresh Benson available.

[Soul]

 

With Jones a little banged up, this could be the time when Lovie starts looking like a genius for holding back Benson. He's got a chance to get a relatively fresh Cedric some serious carries down the stretch, and he can also rest up Jones for later.

 

I'll believe it when I see it. They have been saying all year they would bring Benson in the gameplan more, and it hasn't happened. I would love to see Cedric in there. His ability to make the defender miss the tackle or blow him up are impressing me the most this year.

 

The Vikes "D" is pretty good against the run this year and terrible against the pass, right?

 

Yes, they are 31st against the pass. And according to some of my Vikings fan friends, their pass rush is marginal at best.

 

Might be the perfect time to give Ced an increased role. Maybe even a few more passing downs. I question whether TJ is the right back against the Vikings' DLine anyhow.

[Magnetic Curses]

i think the bears are going to gash the vikings for 175 yards rushing.

 

that's my prediction.

[Soul]

i think the bears are going to gash the vikings for 175 yards rushing.

 

that's my prediction.

 

That would be incredible. The Vikes have been stuffing everyone. They have the #1 run D in the NFl.

[oldstyle81]

The suspension didn't come at a bad time for Manning Jr. His wife gave birth to a baby boy two weeks ago. Maybe that was part of the reason to not appeal, especially since his family lives in California.

 

ChicagoBears.com[/url]"]Health update: All three Bears on the injury report were held out of practice Wednesday. Linebacker Leon Joe (hamstring) is doubtful, Todd Johnson (ankle) is questionable and running back Thomas Jones (groin) is probable.

 

Ten Vikings are on the injury list. CB Cedric Griffin (neck), G Artis Hicks (ankle), G Steve Hutchinson (knee), T Marcus Johnson (foot), RB Chester Taylor (wrist), TE Jermaine Wiggins (knee) and DT Pat Williams (knee) are questionable; and WR Marcus Robinson (ankle), LB Napoleon Harris (wrist) and S Dwight Smith (shoulder) are probable.

 

 

those are some pretty big names on the vikings injury list

[Balsa]

Reverse the Curse prediction:

 

Bears 14

Vikings 17

[CaliforniaRaisin]

http://bearscast.com/images/bearsgiants.jpg

 

Awesome.