Week 11: Bears @ Packers, Sunday at noon on Fox

[jersey cubs fan]

Here we go. It's all tied up at the top. Minnesota is in Tampa which might give the Bears a chance to regain sole possession of first, although a GB win could make it a 3 way tie at .500. Chicago continues to lead in the points scored vs points against category. They weren't bad on defense this past Sunday, but they weren't as good as they needed to be with Grossman filling in for Orton. Kyle might be back, but I'm guessing he misses this game. The Packers are favored by 5.5, which should mean the Bears can cover again, which I believe they've done in all but 3 games this year.

 

Green Bay is a pass oriented team, which probably bodes well for them against a very weak Bears pass defense. But they are inconsistent through the air. GB and CHI are fairly even in the giveaway/takeaway categories, with the Bears having a few more of each category.

 

It's going to be cold and might even snow, Chicago is probably going to need to play their best game since the first Detroit game to pull out the win. If they have hopes for the playoffs, they'll need it, as the Wild Card is becoming less and less likely.

[Sammy Sofa]

The Packers' pass game is going to shred the Bears with the glut of receivers they can spread i around to.

 

This isn't going to be pretty.

[Butterscup1679666578]

Orton plays, we win.

[Handlebar McSkullet]

Lets do this Flames!!!!!

[rawaction]

Bears will win this game. This is a good matchup for the Bears. Defense should be able to rush the QB. Offense should be able to move the ball. Rex will be better.

[moochpuppy]

Bears will win this game.

 

:beg:

 

This is a good matchup for the Bears.

 

:-k

 

Defense should be able to rush the QB.

 

:lol:

 

Offense should be able to move the ball.

 

:scare:

 

Rex will be better.

 

:banned:

[Flames24Rulz]

Barnett's out for the season after sustaining a knee injury in yesterday's game. Normally, that would be a big deal, but he's had his worst year of his career this year and he has been a big part of why we haven't been able to stop the run this year. Desmond Bishop blew a coverage that resulted in Chester Taylor catching a 50 yard TD pass yesterday, so our pass coverage from our LB's will downgrade a little bit. But he's a better run-stuffer than Barnett is.

 

I really don't know what to expect from this team. We have played much better than our 4-5 record indicates as we have been tied or have had the lead in every game in the 4th quarter this season with the exception of the Cowboys game. McCarthy was a great coach last year in close games but he's been exceptionally bad in just about every single close game we've had this season. I'm sure you guys feel the same way about the Bears and Lovie in close games this season.

 

Our offensive line is going to probably get murdered by your defensive line. Like the Bears last season after their great run the year before, our offensive line hasn't been the same. That solely relies on the veterans Clifton and Tauscher regressing in an enormous way. If Rodgers gets a little bit of time, I think we'll have success throwing the ball. But I expect McCarthy to get very stubborn with the running game against one of the best rush defenses in football, as he usually does. Regardless, the winner of this game will be in the driver's seat for the division and if we win, I think that sets us up very nicely beause our schedule gets progressively easier down the stretch.

[bcl412]

Barnett's out for the season after sustaining a knee injury in yesterday's game. Normally, that would be a big deal, but he's had his worst year of his career this year and he has been a big part of why we haven't been able to stop the run this year. Desmond Bishop blew a coverage that resulted in Chester Taylor catching a 50 yard TD pass yesterday, so our pass coverage from our LB's will downgrade a little bit. But he's a better run-stuffer than Barnett is.

 

I really don't know what to expect from this team. We have played much better than our 4-5 record indicates as we have been tied or have had the lead in every game in the 4th quarter this season with the exception of the Cowboys game. McCarthy was a great coach last year in close games but he's been exceptionally bad in just about every single close game we've had this season. I'm sure you guys feel the same way about the Bears and Lovie in close games this season.

 

Our offensive line is going to probably get murdered by your defensive line. Like the Bears last season after their great run the year before, our offensive line hasn't been the same. That solely relies on the veterans Clifton and Tauscher regressing in an enormous way. If Rodgers gets a little bit of time, I think we'll have success throwing the ball. But I expect McCarthy to get very stubborn with the running game against one of the best rush defenses in football, as he usually does. Regardless, the winner of this game will be in the driver's seat for the division and if we win, I think that sets us up very nicely beause our schedule gets progressively easier down the stretch.

 

Actually, I think McCarthy has always struggled in close games (I think he is a good coach but this is the one thing he struggles with IMO, unfortunatley its a very important aspect), he seems to try to do to much, last year the first half of the year it seemed like we won a lot in spite of him. Luckily for the Bears, Vikings and Packers this division isn't doing so well so it's anyones title to win.

[Handlebar McSkullet]

Bears will win this game.

 

I hope

 

This is a good matchup for the Bears.

 

It is.

 

Defense should be able to rush the QB.

 

Especially the interior dline.

 

Offense should be able to move the ball.

 

Correct

 

Rex will be better.

 

Correct

 

Fixed

[Handlebar McSkullet]

Barnett's out for the season after sustaining a knee injury in yesterday's game. Normally, that would be a big deal, but he's had his worst year of his career this year and he has been a big part of why we haven't been able to stop the run this year. Desmond Bishop blew a coverage that resulted in Chester Taylor catching a 50 yard TD pass yesterday, so our pass coverage from our LB's will downgrade a little bit. But he's a better run-stuffer than Barnett is.

 

I really don't know what to expect from this team. We have played much better than our 4-5 record indicates as we have been tied or have had the lead in every game in the 4th quarter this season with the exception of the Cowboys game. McCarthy was a great coach last year in close games but he's been exceptionally bad in just about every single close game we've had this season. I'm sure you guys feel the same way about the Bears and Lovie in close games this season.

 

Our offensive line is going to probably get murdered by your defensive line. Like the Bears last season after their great run the year before, our offensive line hasn't been the same. That solely relies on the veterans Clifton and Tauscher regressing in an enormous way. If Rodgers gets a little bit of time, I think we'll have success throwing the ball. But I expect McCarthy to get very stubborn with the running game against one of the best rush defenses in football, as he usually does. Regardless, the winner of this game will be in the driver's seat for the division and if we win, I think that sets us up very nicely beause our schedule gets progressively easier down the stretch.

 

Are the Packers done if they lose this game?

[Flames24Rulz]

Barnett's out for the season after sustaining a knee injury in yesterday's game. Normally, that would be a big deal, but he's had his worst year of his career this year and he has been a big part of why we haven't been able to stop the run this year. Desmond Bishop blew a coverage that resulted in Chester Taylor catching a 50 yard TD pass yesterday, so our pass coverage from our LB's will downgrade a little bit. But he's a better run-stuffer than Barnett is.

 

I really don't know what to expect from this team. We have played much better than our 4-5 record indicates as we have been tied or have had the lead in every game in the 4th quarter this season with the exception of the Cowboys game. McCarthy was a great coach last year in close games but he's been exceptionally bad in just about every single close game we've had this season. I'm sure you guys feel the same way about the Bears and Lovie in close games this season.

 

Our offensive line is going to probably get murdered by your defensive line. Like the Bears last season after their great run the year before, our offensive line hasn't been the same. That solely relies on the veterans Clifton and Tauscher regressing in an enormous way. If Rodgers gets a little bit of time, I think we'll have success throwing the ball. But I expect McCarthy to get very stubborn with the running game against one of the best rush defenses in football, as he usually does. Regardless, the winner of this game will be in the driver's seat for the division and if we win, I think that sets us up very nicely beause our schedule gets progressively easier down the stretch.

 

Are the Packers done if they lose this game?

 

We'd be on life support.

[moochpuppy]

Bears will win this game.

 

I hope

 

This is a good matchup for the Bears.

 

It is.

 

Defense should be able to rush the QB.

 

Especially the interior dline.

 

Offense should be able to move the ball.

 

Correct

 

Rex will be better.

 

Correct

 

Fixed

 

Doesn't mean it's right.

 

The D-line has had trouble pressuring the QB all season and I do not see this changing on Sunday. Plus what has Grossman shown to make anyone think he will be better? The Packers will stack the box and force the Bears to beat them through the air. With Grossman at the helm and a lack of a deep threat the Bears will again be held to three scores or less. With the way the Bears defense has been playing (minus Lance Briggs) the Bears will lose.

 

How big do those two boneheaded losses to the Bucs and Falcons look now? ](*,)

[GoCubsGo1679625768]

Bears will win this game. This is a good matchup for the Bears. Defense should be able to rush the QB. Offense should be able to move the ball. Rex will be better.

 

While I appreciate the optimism, I'm not quite sure what this is based on other than pure hope? The Lions have a putrid Oline and we let Orlovski(sp?, who caers..the other white guy who sucks at QB) have all day to throw the ball. We haven't generated a pass rush against statues such as Brian Griese, Gus Frerrote, and Kerry Collins. Now we go against a QB Rogers who can really move around in the pocket? It is going to be quick slants to Jennings and Driver all day.

 

Rex will be better, and by better I mean stashed away on the bench. The only thing we have going for us is Orton starting and some crazy hex Lovie has on Green Bay.

[rawaction]

Bears will win this game. This is a good matchup for the Bears. Defense should be able to rush the QB. Offense should be able to move the ball. Rex will be better.

 

While I appreciate the optimism, I'm not quite sure what this is based on other than pure hope? The Lions have a putrid Oline and we let Orlovski(sp?, who caers..the other white guy who sucks at QB) have all day to throw the ball. We haven't generated a pass rush against statues such as Brian Griese, Gus Frerrote, and Kerry Collins. Now we go against a QB Rogers who can really move around in the pocket? It is going to be quick slants to Jennings and Driver all day.

 

Rex will be better, and by better I mean stashed away on the bench. The only thing we have going for us is Orton starting and some crazy hex Lovie has on Green Bay.

 

Green Bay is not that good. Their OL has been porous this season. They've given up back-to-back 4 sack games. Granted those were to Tennessee and Minnesota. Still, Aaron Rodgers has been pressured and/or knocked down several times this season. The Bears haven't rushed the passer well for most of this year, but Tennessee has the best OL in the NFL. Tampa has been the 4th best at protecting the QB. Atlanta and Carolina have also been very good.

 

I have faith that the Bears coaching staff will do more with the pass rush to help the struggling DBs. Whether it's schemes or blitzes, the Bears will put heat on Rodgers.

[kujay]

I have faith that the Bears coaching staff will do more with the pass rush to help the struggling DBs. Whether it's schemes or blitzes, the Bears will put heat on Rodgers.

 

They have to. I mean, it's really the worst of everything at this point. You can't blitz because your secondary sucks, and your secondary sucks because you can't blitz. Ugh.

 

I think Grossman will play better, but I also think Jennings and Driver will go insane. Pack by 3.

[Soul]

Unfortunately the Packers' strength on O speaks directly to our weakness on D.

[jersey cubs fan]

It's a shame Favre isn't in this game, the Bears could count on him handing over the game the past few years.

 

Chicago can't blitz. They aren't good at it and never have been. Their blitzes get picked up with relative ease and QBs have no trouble dumping it off.

[SpongeWorthy]

Am I crazy for thinking Rex might do better on the road? It really looked like he had zero confidence at Solider Field.

[jersey cubs fan]

Am I crazy for thinking Rex might do better on the road? It really looked like he had zero confidence at Solider Field.

 

I wouldn't call you crazy, but I also wouldn't count on it. I was concerned the boo birds would be out in full force but it didn't seem to me that the fans were unfair with Rex on Sunday. Rex sucked because he's inaccurate, can't handle pressure and short. I'm not sure getting out of Chicago is going to help that this week.

[SpongeWorthy]

I completely agree that the fans were well within their rights to boo Rex like they did. I'm not expecting him to make every throw but when he sails 10 yard out pattners to wide oopen receivers it's grating. Maybe he'll hit the easy patterns this week.

[Butterscup1679666578]

I didn't even think the fans were that bad, all things considered. Obviously they are going to have a short leash with Rex, so when he makes awful throws that miss wide open receivers he's going to get booed, but I was anticipating a lot worse.

[jersey cubs fan]

I didn't even think the fans were that bad,

 

That was my point. It was as if they tried their hardest not to boo.

[kujay]

I didn't even think the fans were that bad, all things considered. Obviously they are going to have a short leash with Rex, so when he makes awful throws that miss wide open receivers he's going to get booed, but I was anticipating a lot worse.

 

Same here. The guy made some absolutely terrible throws, and a bunch of them happened to be on third down. So when he's moping off the field, again, it's not surprising the fans will give him the business.

[ELCABALLO45]

I agree with alot with what flames said about Barnett and Bishop and this game.

 

We are better then what the record says but.. you are what you are. 4-5.

 

Its not a must win, but its pretty close.

 

We can't stop the run. So look for Forte to have a big game.

 

We have been running the ball alot better the past 2 weeks with Grant avg. around 4.6 ypc.

 

This is the Bears 1st look at Rodgers, and you will notice he hangs onto the ball WAY to long sometimes so that is part of the reason for the high sack total.

 

Harris has not allowed a catch on him since he came back 2 weeks ago, and Woodson is playing like the best corner in the league right now so that is another reason why I see the Bears running alot (and because green bay.. you know cant stop it).

 

Either way this should be a fun game, and I know the rules.. I wont come here during the game. And we can all agree on this when I say GO TAMPA.

[weatherdood]

Should be a high scoring game, IMO. Forte should have a really nice day against the Packers run defense, while Rodgers should be able to shred apart the Bear pass defense.

 

Can Rex/Orton make a few big plays through the air to make a difference?

 

My gut feeling is that this will come down to a key turnover or a big special teams play.

 

Devin Hester, it's your time.

 

Bears 31-28