Week 7 Vikings @ Bears Noon CST FOX

[UMFan83]

Hopefully Vasher can pretend like its 2005 because thats the last time he's been any sort of useful.

[rawaction]

I'm not liking this game. That's why last week was so pivotal to me. As I mentioned in the first game thread, I envisioned a scenario where the Bears beat the Colts. I envisioned a scenario where they beat the Eagles. Every other game was easily winnable on paper (and proved to be on the field as well). But this one, I will be extremely pleasantly surprised if the Bears win. I know the Bears have been the better team this year, but I think w/ the mounting injuries, tough luck losses, and talent discrepancy will be too much to overcome. I worry about the Vikings pass rush getting on track and the Bears repeating the TB and ATL performances on the D-line.

 

I haven't predicted a score yet, because I'm usually way off. So, to hope that tradition continues, I'm picking Minnesota 27-13.

[Soul]

The cover 2 isn't working mainly because the front four haven't been getting pressure since we thumped the Colts.

 

You can't win without pressuring the QB.

 

That's absolutely true. The front 4 is pretty vital. Everyone knows there is an exposed pocket between the CB and the S in the Cover 2. Allow the QB time to find that pocket and urine trouble (thanks Moises).

 

True. When's the last time we had a solid pass rush from our front 4 (and only the front 4)? 1st half of '06, plus the two playoff games?

 

In my mind it's pretty hard to continue to justify running this defense as your base when every week your personnel is proving it can't live up to the expectations required to run it.

 

And really, how many teams can do this anyway? Few. Few defenses are out there throwing down loads of pressure based only on their front 4.

 

 

 

....I'm really concerned about this game. Injuries are sucking the life from our defense, especially the pass game. If Peterson is able to carry the rock early for yardage, watch out. We'll have to bring someone up in the box to stop him, and Berrian will run free. He might run free regardless. I don't see our running game going anywhere. The only chance I see is the pass game, but without play action or the threat of the run, Kyle will have to drop back and find receivers when the Vikes know it's coming.

 

Eh, I'm trying to be hopeful because Minny hasn't been good lately. But I'm sensing danger here...

[UMFan83]

With the amount of money we are paying our DLine, its amazing how ineffective we've been.

[jersey cubs fan]

I'm not liking this game. That's why last week was so pivotal to me. As I mentioned in the first game thread, I envisioned a scenario where the Bears beat the Colts. I envisioned a scenario where they beat the Eagles. Every other game was easily winnable on paper (and proved to be on the field as well). But this one, I will be extremely pleasantly surprised if the Bears win. I know the Bears have been the better team this year, but I think w/ the mounting injuries, tough luck losses, and talent discrepancy will be too much to overcome. I worry about the Vikings pass rush getting on track and the Bears repeating the TB and ATL performances on the D-line.

 

I haven't predicted a score yet, because I'm usually way off. So, to hope that tradition continues, I'm picking Minnesota 27-13.

 

This game is all on the d-line and Orton. Harris needs to finally show up and make an impact. A loss here and the hopes of the playoffs turns into striving for .500.

[cubweiser03]

The Dline hasnt been successful in producing sacks thats for sure. But as for run defense they have been blowing up plays in the backfield, i give them points for that. The Bears did a terrible job last week on 3rd and long, they didnt get sacks but at least they had some pressure. Last week i point more to coverage and schemes than on the dlines/blitzing lack of sacks. Without Vasher and Tillman it looks like they drop the press coverage like they were playing earlier in the year with those guys.

 

Mark Anderson. Maybe he can get a sack too.

Im not optimistic they win this one.

[gflore34]

Echoing the thoughts of many here, the D Line must generate a pass rush and if it doesn't start blitzing. It seems that Lovie and his staff have either an unwillingness on inability to adjust their game plan when it isn't working. Last week was a prime example, Ryan sitting back there converting 3rd and longs all day yet, they continue to rush only 4 and get burned - doesn't make sense.

[Handlebar McSkullet]

I think they match up well against the Vikings. I think they win.

[Soul]

The Bears did a terrible job last week on 3rd and long, they didnt get sacks but at least they had some pressure. Last week i point more to coverage and schemes than on the dlines/blitzing lack of sacks. Without Vasher and Tillman it looks like they drop the press coverage like they were playing earlier in the year with those guys.

 

I can't find a way to characterize our QB pressure last week as anything more than an abject failure. I see what you mean about the coverage too -- just too soft, that slant route open all day long. But there were too many drop-backs that didn't yield any pressure too.

 

The one time we dialed up a blitz on Ryan was the one time he made a really big mistake and threw what should have been a pick 6 to M Brown. But he didn't catch it.

 

It's a choice. You either lay back with inexperienced/subpar/half-injured DBs and hope they can cover and the D line will get pressure, or you gamble on targeted blitzes. And worse -- it's got to be a game-by-game decision. One I'm not really sure this coaching staff can reliably make (certainly not from last week, where I strongly disagree with the soft coverage approach we used all game).

[gflore34]

The Bears did a terrible job last week on 3rd and long, they didnt get sacks but at least they had some pressure. Last week i point more to coverage and schemes than on the dlines/blitzing lack of sacks. Without Vasher and Tillman it looks like they drop the press coverage like they were playing earlier in the year with those guys.

 

I can't find a way to characterize our QB pressure last week as anything more than an abject failure. I see what you mean about the coverage too -- just too soft, that slant route open all day long. But there were too many drop-backs that didn't yield any pressure too.

 

The one time we dialed up a blitz on Ryan was the one time he made a really big mistake and threw what should have been a pick 6 to M Brown. But he didn't catch it.

 

It's a choice. You either lay back with inexperienced/subpar/half-injured DBs and hope they can cover and the D line will get pressure, or you gamble on targeted blitzes. And worse -- it's got to be a game-by-game decision. One I'm not really sure this coaching staff can reliably make (certainly not from last week, where I strongly disagree with the soft coverage approach we used all game).

 

I don't believe they can, it applies to offense as well, so far, we've seen McKie get the ball and fail miserably in key short yardage situations. Should the situation arise again I'm not so certain McKie won't get the ball again.

[Soul]

I'm fine with McKie diving into the middle of the line in short yardage situations.

 

 

....as a blocker for Forte or Jones.

[jersey cubs fan]

Not sure if it's been mentioned, but Sam Rosen is doing the Bears game again, along with Tim Ryan.

[Balsa]

I'm not optimistic about how good our team is, but I think the Vikings are worse.

 

I'm seeing a win here, as they BARELY beat Detroit.

[minnesotacubsfan]

I'm convinced, barring injury, the Bears are on the verge of being very good. I should say, barring injury and Babich, who I cant stand.

[Fred Hornkohl]

Fearless prediction........

 

Minnesota     17
BEARS         24

[Soul]

I'm convinced, barring injury, the Bears are on the verge of being very good. I should say, barring injury and Babich, who I cant stand.

 

I wish we could neutralize the fact that we have a bad DC, and go an entire season with no injuries. Sadly, this isn't a realistic expectation.

[minnesotacubsfan]

I'm convinced, barring injury, the Bears are on the verge of being very good. I should say, barring injury and Babich, who I cant stand.

 

I wish we could neutralize the fact that we have a bad DC, and go an entire season with no injuries. Sadly, this isn't a realistic expectation.

 

dont ruin my dream

[rawaction]

And in a kick to the groin of all the questionable players that will be involved in the Vikings pass game. Berrian and Sidney Rice will play. Vasher, Tillman, and D. Manning will all watch.

[Jon]

And in a kick to the groin of all the questionable players that will be involved in the Vikings pass game. Berrian and Sidney Rice will play. Vasher, Tillman, and D. Manning will all watch.

At least McBride can go...

[Fred Hornkohl]

And in a kick to the groin of all the questionable players that will be involved in the Vikings pass game. Berrian and Sidney Rice will play. Vasher, Tillman, and D. Manning will all watch.

At least McBride can go...

 

Oh, this is not good.

[UMFan83]

And in a kick to the groin of all the questionable players that will be involved in the Vikings pass game. Berrian and Sidney Rice will play. Vasher, Tillman, and D. Manning will all watch.

 

I don't know how badly Vasher is hurt, but his lingering injuries and inability to play when expected to over the past 2 years really ticks me off.

[Jon]

6 rookies will be playing on ST this week. Hopefully they don't blow the game in the third phase.

[Balsa]

Wow. Defense better get pressure up front big-time or we're screwed. They're ALL out? :bye:

[UMFan83]

6 rookies will be playing on ST this week. Hopefully they don't blow the game in the third phase.

 

This is reminding me of the Lions game in Detroit last year, when we were so banged up, that we're just not going to have much of a chance.

[UMFan83]

Thought this was interesting:

 

Adam Teicher, of the Kansas City Star, reports Kansas City Chiefs WR Mark Bradley will receive his first playing time with the team in Week 7. The team has been impressed with Bradley's speed and ability to run good routes. "He's got good speed and runs really good routes," QB Brodie Croyle said. "He's had pretty good hands so far. It's kind of tough to see why Chicago got rid of him. We're all kind of scratching our heads wondering why you'd get rid of a guy like that."