Divisional Round: Bears vs. Seahawks - Sun Jan 14, 12 pm CST

[Jon]

HECK YES! Man that was intense.

 

Random thoughts:

 

-I was pretty surprised that they were actually selling some tickets at the will call box office. Some guy walked up and was actually able to buy three. Wonder if the word will get out. I hope not.

 

-Boy the defensive and offensive lines sucked. And I mean sucked.

 

-They managed to screw up three TDs today. Unbelivable. Tillman dropping the pick 6 on the first drive (the one that turned into a 9 yard reception), Berrian dropping a TD pass, and a really stupid block in the back on a player that didn't pose a threat to Hester. Despite the defense looking bad and the offensive line looking bad, it's good to know that they really should have done much better.

 

 

Too tired. And hungry. But it's time to start the highlights.

 

Well, I disagree with a couple things. I think the block in the back did make the difference. Hester could have possibly made a move and beat the guy, but the block put him completely out of position. And the offensive line wasn't bad, blocking wise. Did have a few missed reads with blitzers running free on many occassions. They run blocked well and gave Rex time when Seattle brought less than 6.

I'll have to check the replay, but it sure looked like it wasn't going to take much at all to avoid him.

 

I lost count of how many first down runs they had of two yards or less. They just seemed to get worse as the game went on. It really didn't seem like they were doing much to create openings. I can't say I was thrilled with some of the cuts, but there wasn't much going on between the tackles. Tait didn't look that good at all and they didn't seem to close the backside too well when the rest of the line was pulling.

 

They're certainly going to have to do better next week.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Yeah, the block in the back was the right call - they just called it on the wrong Bruin and fixed it. It was on Ricky Manning Jr and was a key play.

 

The OL was great in run blocking, imo. Good on passes on first and second down but just lost it on third down. Could not get the right assignments and the Seahawks blitzed on every 3rd and not-short. I was a bit disappointed at no draws or screens on 3rd and long.

 

The Tillman and Berrian drops were disappointing - Briggs also had a chance at a pick-6 two plays earlier than Tillman but slipped as he went towards the ball (the first Seahawks offensive play).

[Banedon]

I agree with raw on the block in the back...it was pretty clear that it was the only guy that had a chance at Hester.

[Flames24Rulz]

Just got back.

 

Hell of a game to be at. Both coaches made some braindead coaching moves and Hasselbeck didn't make the plays when it mattered the most. The game seemed to have that feeling that the Seahawks were just that one play away from winning the game, but it didn't happen.

 

The Bears D-line got NO pressure on Hasselbeck at all. And he still made some questionable decisions. He had all of the time in the world on the pick he threw, and what does he do? Throws it into double coverage. I just thought that a veteran QB like him wouldn't make as many rookie mistakes as he did.

 

And I'll second the tired/hungry thing.

[Banedon]

I hope the Saints take the Bears lightly.

[rawaction]

Yeah, the block in the back was the right call - they just called it on the wrong Bruin and fixed it. It was on Ricky Manning Jr and was a key play.

 

The OL was great in run blocking, imo. Good on passes on first and second down but just lost it on third down. Could not get the right assignments and the Seahawks blitzed on every 3rd and not-short. I was a bit disappointed at no draws or screens on 3rd and long.

 

The Tillman and Berrian drops were disappointing - Briggs also had a chance at a pick-6 two plays earlier than Tillman but slipped as he went towards the ball (the first Seahawks offensive play).

 

Yeah, Berrian's drop was disappointing, but it was behind him. Still no excuse for not making that one. He coulda walked in, but Rex gets some of the blame. The Bears didn't do a good job with field position. That has gotta change next week. Kick coverage was lacking. Punting was mediocre. When they had good field position, they didn't take advantage. When they had the Seahawks backed up, they didn't take advantage. The one time they did, they made Seattle punt from inside the 10 and had the Hester TD called back and started inside the 30.

[da bears]

Yeah, the block in the back was the right call - they just called it on the wrong Bruin and fixed it. It was on Ricky Manning Jr and was a key play.

 

The OL was great in run blocking, imo. Good on passes on first and second down but just lost it on third down. Could not get the right assignments and the Seahawks blitzed on every 3rd and not-short. I was a bit disappointed at no draws or screens on 3rd and long.

 

The Tillman and Berrian drops were disappointing - Briggs also had a chance at a pick-6 two plays earlier than Tillman but slipped as he went towards the ball (the first Seahawks offensive play).

 

Yeah, Berrian's drop was disappointing, but it was behind him. Still no excuse for not making that one. He coulda walked in, but Rex gets some of the blame. The Bears didn't do a good job with field position. That has gotta change next week. Kick coverage was lacking. Punting was mediocre. When they had good field position, they didn't take advantage. When they had the Seahawks backed up, they didn't take advantage. The one time they did, they made Seattle punt from inside the 10 and had the Hester TD called back and started inside the 30.

 

Bingo. I was very disappointed with the special teams today. They were very mediocre. Hester still scares the crap out of me catching the ball. And the coverage on kick offs has to be better than it was. Starting at the 30 every drive is not good for the defense.

[Jon]

Forgot to mention that Chris Harris really had some good jumps on deep balls. Too bad Urlacher deflected one interception away from him, although that was amazing downfield coverage for a linebacker. Especially since he was able to turn around and play the ball.

[Banedon]

Late in the fourth quarter, the Bears stacked up Alexander on a third-and-1 for no gain at the Chicago 44, and the Seahawks decided to go for it. But Matt Hasselbeck bobbled the snap and Lance Briggs threw Alexander for a 2-yard loss, turning the ball over to the Bears with just under two minutes to go.

 

"If the snap was smooth I could have run for a TD," Alexander said. "It was definitely the best I felt all season running the ball."

[cubs121]

Late in the fourth quarter, the Bears stacked up Alexander on a third-and-1 for no gain at the Chicago 44, and the Seahawks decided to go for it. But Matt Hasselbeck bobbled the snap and Lance Briggs threw Alexander for a 2-yard loss, turning the ball over to the Bears with just under two minutes to go.

 

"If the snap was smooth I could have run for a TD," Alexander said. "It was definitely the best I felt all season running the ball."

thats what i was also reading right now.. i didnt understand what he meant... "i could've run for a TD" ????

[Balsa]

Late in the fourth quarter, the Bears stacked up Alexander on a third-and-1 for no gain at the Chicago 44, and the Seahawks decided to go for it. But Matt Hasselbeck bobbled the snap and Lance Briggs threw Alexander for a 2-yard loss, turning the ball over to the Bears with just under two minutes to go.

 

"If the snap was smooth I could have run for a TD," Alexander said. "It was definitely the best I felt all season running the ball."

Hahaha. The bartender said over the speakers when that happened, "Laces out, DAN!"

[Andy]

I hope the Saints take the Bears lightly.

I think we're a little past the stage of teams taking their opponents likely.

[Flames24Rulz]

Late in the fourth quarter, the Bears stacked up Alexander on a third-and-1 for no gain at the Chicago 44, and the Seahawks decided to go for it. But Matt Hasselbeck bobbled the snap and Lance Briggs threw Alexander for a 2-yard loss, turning the ball over to the Bears with just under two minutes to go.

 

"If the snap was smooth I could have run for a TD," Alexander said. "It was definitely the best I felt all season running the ball."

thats what i was also reading right now.. i didnt understand what he meant... "i could've run for a TD" ????

 

If it was a good snap, he would've had a first, but a TD? On 4th and 1? I don't know about that.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Alexander is crazy. Briggs blew up that play, he wouldn't have even got the first down, never mind a TD.

[Banedon]

Terrible, terrific ... on Sunday, Grossman was all of the above. He finished 21-for-38 for 282 yards, one touchdown and one interception. That produced a rating of 76.9, which is just below the NFL average. His 68-yard touchdown pass to Bernard Berrian in the first quarter was an absolutely beautiful throw. His 30-yard seam pass to Rashied Davis in overtime -- on third-and-10 -- was the play of the game, non-Gould division.

 

Otherwise, Grossman was mostly awful. He missed open receivers. He threw dumb passes. He lost a fumble when he cocked his arm to throw instead of protecting it under pressure, and toyed with other fumbles by pumping and faking on a cold, icy day. He should have been intercepted on the first drive, throwing a pass that went through cornerback Jordan Babineaux's hands and became a 37-yard gain for Davis.

 

You gotta really be looking to see Grossman as "Otherwise mostly awful".

 

For comparison, here are the other passer ratings in the playoffs so far...

 

Peyton Manning: 39.6

Steve Mcnair: 49.9

Drew Brees: 96.2

Jeff Garcia: 88.2

Matt Hasslebeck: 66.9

 

I missed the articles about Manning, Mcnair, and Hasslebeck being "mostly awful". Grossman had an ok game. That's pretty much all anyone was wanting from him. Leave the guy alone.

[BleedCubbieBlue81]

Alexander is crazy. Briggs blew up that play, he wouldn't have even got the first down, never mind a TD.

Yeah, Briggs, and I think Urlacher already had that hole blocked up. He would've had to pull off something amazing to get by both of them for a first down, let alone a touchdown.

[Banedon]

I hope the Saints take the Bears lightly.

I think we're a little past the stage of teams taking their opponents likely.

 

I didn't say it was likely. :D

[rickrolled]

Terrible, terrific ... on Sunday, Grossman was all of the above. He finished 21-for-38 for 282 yards, one touchdown and one interception. That produced a rating of 76.9, which is just below the NFL average. His 68-yard touchdown pass to Bernard Berrian in the first quarter was an absolutely beautiful throw. His 30-yard seam pass to Rashied Davis in overtime -- on third-and-10 -- was the play of the game, non-Gould division.

 

Otherwise, Grossman was mostly awful. He missed open receivers. He threw dumb passes. He lost a fumble when he cocked his arm to throw instead of protecting it under pressure, and toyed with other fumbles by pumping and faking on a cold, icy day. He should have been intercepted on the first drive, throwing a pass that went through cornerback Jordan Babineaux's hands and became a 37-yard gain for Davis.

 

You gotta really be looking to see Grossman as "Otherwise mostly awful".

 

For comparison, here are the other passer ratings in the playoffs so far...

 

Peyton Manning: 39.6

Steve Mcnair: 49.9

Drew Brees: 96.2

Jeff Garcia: 88.2

Matt Hasslebeck: 66.9

 

I missed the articles about Manning, Mcnair, and Hasslebeck being "mostly awful". Grossman had an ok game. That's pretty much all anyone was wanting from him. Leave the guy alone.

 

Also, on that first drive, the ball wasn't even close to "going through Babineaux's hands". Babineaux maybe got a finger on it to tip it a little before Davis hauled it in.

[BleedCubbieBlue81]

Terrible, terrific ... on Sunday, Grossman was all of the above. He finished 21-for-38 for 282 yards, one touchdown and one interception. That produced a rating of 76.9, which is just below the NFL average. His 68-yard touchdown pass to Bernard Berrian in the first quarter was an absolutely beautiful throw. His 30-yard seam pass to Rashied Davis in overtime -- on third-and-10 -- was the play of the game, non-Gould division.

 

Otherwise, Grossman was mostly awful. He missed open receivers. He threw dumb passes. He lost a fumble when he cocked his arm to throw instead of protecting it under pressure, and toyed with other fumbles by pumping and faking on a cold, icy day. He should have been intercepted on the first drive, throwing a pass that went through cornerback Jordan Babineaux's hands and became a 37-yard gain for Davis.

 

You gotta really be looking to see Grossman as "Otherwise mostly awful".

 

For comparison, here are the other passer ratings in the playoffs so far...

 

Peyton Manning: 39.6

Steve Mcnair: 49.9

Drew Brees: 96.2

Jeff Garcia: 88.2

Matt Hasslebeck: 66.9

 

I missed the articles about Manning, Mcnair, and Hasslebeck being "mostly awful". Grossman had an ok game. That's pretty much all anyone was wanting from him. Leave the guy alone.

As long as he does enough to give his team a chance to win, I'm alright with how he plays. We're not asking for Joe Montana out there. Just someone that can win a game.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Grossman did miss two slants that would have been huge gains (one to Bradley and one to Berrian, I think) on three step drops. Those are passes he's got to make against tougher opponents. He did throw behind Moose on the pick and behind Berrian as raw said. But the latter two - esp the Berrian one with little defensive coverage near him - are definitely on the receivers.

[Brian]

Late in the fourth quarter, the Bears stacked up Alexander on a third-and-1 for no gain at the Chicago 44, and the Seahawks decided to go for it. But Matt Hasselbeck bobbled the snap and Lance Briggs threw Alexander for a 2-yard loss, turning the ball over to the Bears with just under two minutes to go.

 

"If the snap was smooth I could have run for a TD," Alexander said. "It was definitely the best I felt all season running the ball."

thats what i was also reading right now.. i didnt understand what he meant... "i could've run for a TD" ????

 

If Gould missed that FG, the Seahawks could have won the game.

[da bears]

Terrible, terrific ... on Sunday, Grossman was all of the above. He finished 21-for-38 for 282 yards, one touchdown and one interception. That produced a rating of 76.9, which is just below the NFL average. His 68-yard touchdown pass to Bernard Berrian in the first quarter was an absolutely beautiful throw. His 30-yard seam pass to Rashied Davis in overtime -- on third-and-10 -- was the play of the game, non-Gould division.

 

Otherwise, Grossman was mostly awful. He missed open receivers. He threw dumb passes. He lost a fumble when he cocked his arm to throw instead of protecting it under pressure, and toyed with other fumbles by pumping and faking on a cold, icy day. He should have been intercepted on the first drive, throwing a pass that went through cornerback Jordan Babineaux's hands and became a 37-yard gain for Davis.

 

You gotta really be looking to see Grossman as "Otherwise mostly awful".

 

For comparison, here are the other passer ratings in the playoffs so far...

 

Peyton Manning: 39.6

Steve Mcnair: 49.9

Drew Brees: 96.2

Jeff Garcia: 88.2

Matt Hasslebeck: 66.9

 

I missed the articles about Manning, Mcnair, and Hasslebeck being "mostly awful". Grossman had an ok game. That's pretty much all anyone was wanting from him. Leave the guy alone.

 

Who wrote that? Because whoever wrote it is a moron. Grossman was good today. I thought both Moose's drop and Berrians drop were very catchable balls. They were a little behind, but NFL receivers should make those catches.

[UMFan83]

I always like reading different headlines around the spots sites after games like this....

 

ESPN: Just Bear-ly

SI: Bears, Barely

Sportsline: Bearly Regal

Fox Sports: Good as Gould

[Jon]

After going through the highlights, I think Buck will need a new liver after all the drinking he must have done in the booth during the long periods of silence following Bears' TDs.

[jaydee]

if the AFC ends up being pats colts, we might not hear about the NFC championship game at all.