Week 10: Titans at BEARS, noon (CT) on CBS

[rawaction]

I'm so excited for this game, despite the fact I think the Bears are in for a beatdown. The key matchup in this game is St. Clair, Beekman, Kreutz, Garza and Tait vs. Kearse, Haynesworth, Brown, and Vandenbosch. The Titans are going to get pressure. They are top 6-7 in sacks. They are 2nd in the league in INTs (I believe). That's a bad combination for a Rex Grossman led offense. His happy feet combined w/ an opportunistic group of DBs, usually doesn't lead to a favorable result.

 

The Bears defense needs to stay off the field. I'm not worried about the Titans run game as much as I am their short passing game. If the CBs play off, the Titans will short pass them to death on the outside. Also, as fast as Urlacher and Briggs are, they are no match 1-on-1 with the speed of Chris Johnson, Titans RB. I worry about this game looking like a blueprint of the Superbowl game vs. the Colts.

[Banedon]

To continue the backup QB conversation from the other thread, since the Culpepper-Lions thing isn't officially done, think the Bears would get in on that?

[wekse]

it would be too sweet if the bears can beat the titans this week...too bad i don't see it happening.

[UMFan83]

Turner needs to give Grossman the kid gloves for this one. Try to establish a running game (against an admittedly awesome rush d), and check down early and often. We need to win this game by playing better defense then them and taking advantage of any and all opportunities we get. It will be tough, very tough, but its not impossible.

[UMFan83]

Also, just realized the Packers play the Vikings next week, meaning that if we lose, we are guaranteed to lose sole position of first place

[gflore34]

Not being a football expert, I was wondering what is this Cover 2 scheme supposed to "cover"? During the Bears-Lions telecast Fox put up a graphic displaying the Cover 2 and where to attack it, appeared to me as there were openings everywhere.

[bukie]

Also, just realized the Packers play the Vikings next week, meaning that if we lose, we are guaranteed to lose sole position of first place

 

Not if they tie.

[soapy]

probably the toughest match-up so far. bad timing for Rex to be making his first start of the season. Forte will be asked (necessarily) to carry the load for a while and that's likely to be extremely difficult against the Titans defense.

 

if we assume Orton is out four weeks, i'd like to see 2-2 over that stretch with at least one of those wins coming in the division (Packers and/or Vikings).

[rchap24]

I'm so excited for this game, despite the fact I think the Bears are in for a beatdown. The key matchup in this game is St. Clair, Beekman, Kreutz, Garza and Tait vs. Kearse, Haynesworth, Brown, and Vandenbosch. The Titans are going to get pressure. They are top 6-7 in sacks. They are 2nd in the league in INTs (I believe). That's a bad combination for a Rex Grossman led offense. His happy feet combined w/ an opportunistic group of DBs, usually doesn't lead to a favorable result.

 

The Bears defense needs to stay off the field. I'm not worried about the Titans run game as much as I am their short passing game. If the CBs play off, the Titans will short pass them to death on the outside. Also, as fast as Urlacher and Briggs are, they are no match 1-on-1 with the speed of Chris Johnson, Titans RB. I worry about this game looking like a blueprint of the Superbowl game vs. the Colts.

 

I think there defense is just to good. There about even offensively, but there defense has just shut down just about everyone this year and I've got bad feelings about our O-Line against D-Line. When Haynesworth plays they just dominate.

[UMFan83]

Not being a football expert, I was wondering what is this Cover 2 scheme supposed to "cover"? During the Bears-Lions telecast Fox put up a graphic displaying the Cover 2 and where to attack it, appeared to me as there were openings everywhere.

 

Well my understanding is that in the Cover 2, as in all zone defenses, there are holes to exploit. One of the big keys is a pass rush to hurry the QB so that he cannot find those holes. If theres no pass rush, the QB has tons of time to throw and find a receiver.

[moochpuppy]

probably the toughest match-up so far. bad timing for Rex to be making his first start of the season. Forte will be asked (necessarily) to carry the load for a while and that's likely to be extremely difficult against the Titans defense.

 

if we assume Orton is out four weeks, i'd like to see 2-2 over that stretch with at least one of those wins coming in the division (Packers and/or Vikings).

 

Say Orton is out 4 games.....the best thing that could have happened is that 3 of those 4 games are on the road away from Soldier Field where Grossman gets beat up by the fans more than the opposing defense. :roll:

[gflore34]

Not being a football expert, I was wondering what is this Cover 2 scheme supposed to "cover"? During the Bears-Lions telecast Fox put up a graphic displaying the Cover 2 and where to attack it, appeared to me as there were openings everywhere.

 

Well my understanding is that in the Cover 2, as in all zone defenses, there are holes to exploit. One of the big keys is a pass rush to hurry the QB so that he cannot find those holes. If theres no pass rush, the QB has tons of time to throw and find a receiver.

 

Thanks, after posting the question I thought perhaps, its success is predicated on a pass rush. Given the Bears haven't had a consistent pass rush all season, it seems counter-productive that the Bears would continue to utilize such a scheme. Wouldn't a non-zone scheme which takes away the holes and gives the DL time to get the QB be a better choice for the Bears?

[Magnetic Curses]

don't see it happening.

 

we are going to have to have the greatest game ever to beat these guys. but the packers almost did it, so who knows?

 

i'm just not optimistic.

[dew1679666265]

:ninja:

 

Just checking in. I promise to stay away.

[jersey cubs fan]

Not being a football expert, I was wondering what is this Cover 2 scheme supposed to "cover"? During the Bears-Lions telecast Fox put up a graphic displaying the Cover 2 and where to attack it, appeared to me as there were openings everywhere.

 

Well my understanding is that in the Cover 2, as in all zone defenses, there are holes to exploit. One of the big keys is a pass rush to hurry the QB so that he cannot find those holes. If theres no pass rush, the QB has tons of time to throw and find a receiver.

 

Thanks, after posting the question I thought perhaps, its success is predicated on a pass rush. Given the Bears haven't had a consistent pass rush all season, it seems counter-productive that the Bears would continue to utilize such a scheme. Wouldn't a non-zone scheme which takes away the holes and gives the DL time to get the QB be a better choice for the Bears?

 

The cover 2 is essentially a bend but don't break defense. You don't give up big plays, so you force the offense to make several good short plays in order to succeed. It's also heavily reliant on turnovers. Basically, you don't really care if the opposition hits 7 yard pass plays. Non-zone means man-to-man, which relies on defensive backs covering guys one on one all over the field, and the Bears do not have the personel to handle that type of scheme.

 

It would be nice if they'd stop blitzing all the time because they have clearly gone back to their old ways, running the blitzer, usually Briggs, right into the chest of blockers and getting no extra pressure.

[jersey cubs fan]

Tennessee is currently a 3 point favorite.

 

Two things the Bears have going for them, they are the more desperate team and Tennessee really doesn't know exactly what they must game plan for from the Grossman led Bears offense. There's a school of thought that the team that needs a game more is the team that's going to win. It doesn't really hold up when there are huge disaparities in talent, but Tennessee is not a 2007 New England juggernaut. The worst part for the Bears, ironically, might be that they are playing at home, with fans who boo loudly whenever Grossman throws an incompletion.

 

With Orton behind center I think the Bears keep it close and may have snuck away with a win. With Grossman back, there's a greater chance of a blowout, but there's also some hope that Rex can beat them by throwing deep. Checking down and being conservative with the pass isn't going to work. They need to test Tennessee down the field and go for a few big plays. Turner has done a very good job this year, now he's got to step it up even more and figure a way to get Grossman ready to air it out.

[Handlebar McSkullet]

Tennessee is currently a 3 point favorite.

 

Two things the Bears have going for them, they are the more desperate team and Tennessee really doesn't know exactly what they must game plan for from the Grossman led Bears offense. There's a school of thought that the team that needs a game more is the team that's going to win. It doesn't really hold up when there are huge disaparities in talent, but Tennessee is not a 2007 New England juggernaut. The worst part for the Bears, ironically, might be that they are playing at home, with fans who boo loudly whenever Grossman throws an incompletion.

 

With Orton behind center I think the Bears keep it close and may have snuck away with a win. With Grossman back, there's a greater chance of a blowout, but there's also some hope that Rex can beat them by throwing deep. Checking down and being conservative with the pass isn't going to work. They need to test Tennessee down the field and go for a few big plays. Turner has done a very good job this year, now he's got to step it up even more and figure a way to get Grossman ready to air it out.

 

Turner is going to have to get his 1995 playbook out. Run run run bomb it. run run bomb it or check down......

[dew1679666265]

Tennessee is currently a 3 point favorite.

 

Two things the Bears have going for them, they are the more desperate team and Tennessee really doesn't know exactly what they must game plan for from the Grossman led Bears offense. There's a school of thought that the team that needs a game more is the team that's going to win. It doesn't really hold up when there are huge disaparities in talent, but Tennessee is not a 2007 New England juggernaut. The worst part for the Bears, ironically, might be that they are playing at home, with fans who boo loudly whenever Grossman throws an incompletion.

 

With Orton behind center I think the Bears keep it close and may have snuck away with a win. With Grossman back, there's a greater chance of a blowout, but there's also some hope that Rex can beat them by throwing deep. Checking down and being conservative with the pass isn't going to work. They need to test Tennessee down the field and go for a few big plays. Turner has done a very good job this year, now he's got to step it up even more and figure a way to get Grossman ready to air it out.

 

I know I said I'd stay away and I plan to, but this is truly the best way to attack the Titan defense. If the line can block long enough, the Titans are very susceptible to the deep ball (hence why the Colts worry me so much when we play them) because of the tight man coverage they play.

 

In that regard, if Grossman can keep from turning the ball over, he might be a better option than Orton because of his great ability to throw the ball deep.

 

Now I'll go away. :D

[wekse]

i believe the titans win by 14+...at least that's what i'm telling all my co-workers hoping they take it easy on me if they do indeed blow the bears out.

[Butterscup1679666578]

i really liked our chances in this game, but that was until orton went down. i have no confidence in grossman having the ability to move the ball consistently without turning it over. forte would have to dominate all game long, and i don't think that'll happen.

[rawaction]

Tennessee is currently a 3 point favorite.

 

Two things the Bears have going for them, they are the more desperate team and Tennessee really doesn't know exactly what they must game plan for from the Grossman led Bears offense. There's a school of thought that the team that needs a game more is the team that's going to win. It doesn't really hold up when there are huge disaparities in talent, but Tennessee is not a 2007 New England juggernaut. The worst part for the Bears, ironically, might be that they are playing at home, with fans who boo loudly whenever Grossman throws an incompletion.

 

With Orton behind center I think the Bears keep it close and may have snuck away with a win. With Grossman back, there's a greater chance of a blowout, but there's also some hope that Rex can beat them by throwing deep. Checking down and being conservative with the pass isn't going to work. They need to test Tennessee down the field and go for a few big plays. Turner has done a very good job this year, now he's got to step it up even more and figure a way to get Grossman ready to air it out.

 

Exactly. The Titans have proven vulnerable deep. Their LBs are too good and CBs are too ball hungry to continue to attack them short. Plus, it doesn't play into Grossman's strengths. The key to getting the ball downfield though, is having a QB who is willing to stand in there when the pocket is collapsing. With Orton, the Bears had a legit chance. With Grossman, I think the Bears have to rely on a team that doesn't make mistakes to make them in order to win.

[rawaction]

Dominic Rhodes and Ryan Grant have run the ball decently against the Titans the last 2 weeks (80 ish yards, 4 ypc). Neither Indy or GB was running it particularly well before facing the Titans either. I think there will be some running room, but likely to the outside, as I don't trust Garza/Kreutz to be able to handle Haynesworth, sometimes even w/ a double team. But should be some room to the outside if you get a T/TE on Vandenbosch or run inside on Kearse when he gets up the field.

[kujay]

The Bears need to commit to running the ball and run quick passing routes. Don't give Grossman time to do anything stupid or start dancing around in the pocket.

 

That said, Turner will probably have him roll out on every down.

[jersey cubs fan]

The Bears need to commit to running the ball and run quick passing routes. Don't give Grossman time to do anything stupid or start dancing around in the pocket.

 

That said, Turner will probably have him roll out on every down.

 

They'd be much better off keeping one or two extra guys in to block and sending a couple guys deep than going with the quick routes option. And no, Turner isn't going to have Rex roll out. I don't get the over the top criticism that Turner takes. He's not horrible. He disappointed me last year, but he's done a tremendous job this season getting a productive unit out of what everybody considered weak QB, WR and line situations and questionable RB.

[bukie]

So, after tonight's game, there will only be 4 teams in the NFL with fewer losses than the Bears (Tennessee, NY Giants, Carolina, Wash/Pit winner). That seems amazing to me, considering how mediocre they've played so far and how they let 3 winnable games get away.

 

Of course, there are also only 4 teams below .500 in the NFC, so a lot of teams are tightly bunched this year.