Week 17: Bears at Houston, noon on Fox

[jersey cubs fan]

Any word, thoughts, feelings about the current injury situation coming out of last night's win?

 

Who all got injured? Mike Brown was it right?

 

Brown went off, and Tillman looked like he might have done something to his neck. Hillenmeyer screwed up his ankle, Marcus Hamilton looked like he messed up his knee. And when Olsen started playing more HB/FB I assumed Davis had gotten banged up. Also, Kevin Jones hurt his hammy.

 

 

And I'm curious about all the time Forte spent not playing. I'm hoping they were just resting him for the end. But he was already banged up going in, and with all the wear and tear, who knows how he'll feel Sunday.

[bukie]

I just have the feeling everything is going to set up perfectly for the Bears, and then they'll blow it themselves, on the field.

 

Vikings lose, Cowboys lose, Bears lose.

[jersey cubs fan]

I just have the feeling everything is going to set up perfectly for the Bears, and then they'll blow it themselves, on the field.

 

I had that feeling about yesterday's game, and they almost did it until GB refused to win.

[Brian]

Mike Brown's injury is probably on me, I made a comment in the first quarter about how shocked I was he hadn't gotten his season ending injury yet.

[UMFan83]

BTW, I want to take a minute to recognize the awesomeness that is Robbie Gould. Did anyone have any doubts at all that he was going to nail that kick last night? How about the one the week before. The guy is nails in clutch situations. Never missed a game winning kick in his career to the best of my knowledge. Here are some GW kicks he has made. I'm sure I'm missing a few.

 

2005 @ New Orleans

2006 vs. Tampa Bay

2006 vs. Seattle (playoffs)

2007 vs. Denver

2008 vs. New Orleans

2008 vs. Green Bay

 

NAILS

[Wilson A2000]

Outside the Giants, the only team that really outclasses the Bears is the Eagles.

 

And the Cowboys and the Panthers and the Vikings.

[jersey cubs fan]

BTW, I want to take a minute to recognize the awesomeness that is Robbie Gould. Did anyone have any doubts at all that he was going to nail that kick last night? How about the one the week before. The guy is nails in clutch situations. Never missed a game winning kick in his career to the best of my knowledge. Here are some GW kicks he has made. I'm sure I'm missing a few.

 

It helps when the coach refuses to let him actually attempt difficult kicks.

[jersey cubs fan]

Outside the Giants, the only team that really outclasses the Bears is the Eagles.

 

And the Cowboys and the Panthers and the Vikings.

 

Cowboys? They don't impress me. The Bears outplayed the Panthers in Carolina (albeit with no Smith) and they are very much equal with the Vikings.

[Wilson A2000]

BTW, I want to take a minute to recognize the awesomeness that is Robbie Gould. Did anyone have any doubts at all that he was going to nail that kick last night? How about the one the week before. The guy is nails in clutch situations. Never missed a game winning kick in his career to the best of my knowledge. Here are some GW kicks he has made. I'm sure I'm missing a few.

 

It helps when the coach refuses to let him actually attempt difficult kicks.

 

Highest paid kicker in NFL history. Never attempted a kick over 50 yards. Isn't good at kick offs either. I like him from 49 yards and in, but he is overrated.

 

Maynard, on the other hand, played great last night.

[Wilson A2000]

Outside the Giants, the only team that really outclasses the Bears is the Eagles.

 

And the Cowboys and the Panthers and the Vikings.

 

Cowboys? They don't impress me. The Bears outplayed the Panthers in Carolina (albeit with no Smith) and they are very much equal with the Vikings.

 

The Panthers are a better team now. The Bears are a worse team. The Vikings have more talent in every facet of the game except kick returning.

[jersey cubs fan]

Outside the Giants, the only team that really outclasses the Bears is the Eagles.

 

And the Cowboys and the Panthers and the Vikings.

 

Cowboys? They don't impress me. The Bears outplayed the Panthers in Carolina (albeit with no Smith) and they are very much equal with the Vikings.

 

The Panthers are a better team now. The Bears are a worse team. The Vikings have more talent in every facet of the game except kick returning.

 

I'll give you Carolina, not Minnesota. Their "superb talent" is vastly overrated. They've got a couple fat guys on the DLine and Peterson. Their QBs are nothing, their receivers are unimpressive, the rest of their D hasn't exactly shut down the league. They allowed 48 points to the freaking Bears. They've played the same teams as the Bears and have the same record. They do not outclass the Bears.

[Wilson A2000]

Outside the Giants, the only team that really outclasses the Bears is the Eagles.

 

And the Cowboys and the Panthers and the Vikings.

 

Cowboys? They don't impress me. The Bears outplayed the Panthers in Carolina (albeit with no Smith) and they are very much equal with the Vikings.

 

The Panthers are a better team now. The Bears are a worse team. The Vikings have more talent in every facet of the game except kick returning.

 

I'll give you Carolina, not Minnesota. Their "superb talent" is vastly overrated. They've got a couple fat guys on the DLine and Peterson. Their QBs are nothing, their receivers are unimpressive, the rest of their D hasn't exactly shut down the league. They allowed 48 points to the freaking Bears. They've played the same teams as the Bears and have the same record. They do not outclass the Bears.

 

Those couple of fat guys are Pro Bowlers who lead maybe the best run defense in the league. Adrian Peterson is the best back in the league. That outclasses the Bears. Plus they have one of the best pass rushers in the league with Allen. Right now Jackson is a better QB than Orton. Their receivers are unimpressive, but still head and shoulders above the Bears. The Vikes are a different team now. Yeah they lost last week, but that's because Peterson couldn't hold onto the ball. That won't happen again.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Outside the Giants, the only team that really outclasses the Bears is the Eagles.

 

And the Cowboys and the Panthers and the Vikings.

 

Cowboys? They don't impress me. The Bears outplayed the Panthers in Carolina (albeit with no Smith) and they are very much equal with the Vikings.

 

The Panthers are a better team now. The Bears are a worse team. The Vikings have more talent in every facet of the game except kick returning.

 

I'll give you Carolina, not Minnesota. Their "superb talent" is vastly overrated. They've got a couple fat guys on the DLine and Peterson. Their QBs are nothing, their receivers are unimpressive, the rest of their D hasn't exactly shut down the league. They allowed 48 points to the freaking Bears. They've played the same teams as the Bears and have the same record. They do not outclass the Bears.

 

Those couple of fat guys are Pro Bowlers who lead maybe the best run defense in the league. Adrian Peterson is the best back in the league. That outclasses the Bears. Plus the actually have a n actual pass rusher. Right now Jackson is a better QB than Orton. Their receivers are unimpressive, but still head and shoulders above the Bears. The Vikes are a different team now. Yeah they lost last week, but that's because Peterson couldn't hold onto the ball. That won't happen again.

 

It's been happening a lot lately.

[UMFan83]

BTW, I want to take a minute to recognize the awesomeness that is Robbie Gould. Did anyone have any doubts at all that he was going to nail that kick last night? How about the one the week before. The guy is nails in clutch situations. Never missed a game winning kick in his career to the best of my knowledge. Here are some GW kicks he has made. I'm sure I'm missing a few.

 

It helps when the coach refuses to let him actually attempt difficult kicks.

 

Highest paid kicker in NFL history. Never attempted a kick over 50 yards. Isn't good at kick offs either. I like him from 49 yards and in, but he is overrated.

 

Maynard, on the other hand, played great last night.

 

He has tried a couple, he's missed one and had one blocked IIRC. Who cares? I will take a kicker that can hit everything from under 50 yards but nothing over, than a kicker that can hit occasionally over 50 yards but is less accurate from under 50.

 

The guy has missed maybe 6 kicks over the last 3 seasons that weren't blocked. I realize getting blocked is partially the kickers fault, but it just shows how amazing the guy is in terms of getting the football through the uprights in all conditions.

[Illini Iceman]

Crazy scenario...there's a decent chance that if the Bears win the division, their road to the Super Bowl could involve a home January game vs. Tampa, a road game against a #2 seed Atlanta team, and a home NFC championship game with Carolina.

 

This scenario could play out if Tampa beats Oakland, Atlanta beats St. Louis, and Carolina loses at NO.

 

Tampa can't get in unless Dallas loses.

[bukie]

Crazy scenario...there's a decent chance that if the Bears win the division, their road to the Super Bowl could involve a home January game vs. Tampa, a road game against a #2 seed Atlanta team, and a home NFC championship game with Carolina.

 

This scenario could play out if Tampa beats Oakland, Atlanta beats St. Louis, and Carolina loses at NO.

 

Tampa can't get in unless Dallas loses.

Yeah, meant to mention Dallas losing at Philly. All four are favored results.

[jersey cubs fan]

He has tried a couple, he's missed one and had one blocked IIRC. Who cares? I will take a kicker that can hit everything from under 50 yards but nothing over, than a kicker that can hit occasionally over 50 yards but is less accurate from under 50.

 

The guy has missed maybe 6 kicks over the last 3 seasons that weren't blocked. I realize getting blocked is partially the kickers fault, but it just shows how amazing the guy is in terms of getting the football through the uprights in all conditions.

 

He doesn't miss because he doesn't try long ones. He's not all that impressive. He's 8/11 from 40-49 this year, but so what, others are just as good or better from that distance. I think it hurts the Bears that the 35 yard line is not scoring territory for them. Whether or not his misses are blocks is meaningless. He does miss from inside 49 and never attempts anything longer, so that props up his percentage.

[Wilson A2000]

From what you have seen, doesn't Robbie have the leg to kick a 50+ yarder?

[17 Seconds]

Outside the Giants, the only team that really outclasses the Bears is the Eagles.

 

And the Cowboys and the Panthers and the Vikings.

 

Cowboys? They don't impress me. The Bears outplayed the Panthers in Carolina (albeit with no Smith) and they are very much equal with the Vikings.

 

The Panthers are a better team now. The Bears are a worse team. The Vikings have more talent in every facet of the game except kick returning.

 

I'll give you Carolina, not Minnesota. Their "superb talent" is vastly overrated. They've got a couple fat guys on the DLine and Peterson. Their QBs are nothing, their receivers are unimpressive, the rest of their D hasn't exactly shut down the league. They allowed 48 points to the freaking Bears. They've played the same teams as the Bears and have the same record. They do not outclass the Bears.

 

Those couple of fat guys are Pro Bowlers who lead maybe the best run defense in the league. Adrian Peterson is the best back in the league. That outclasses the Bears. Plus they have one of the best pass rushers in the league with Allen. Right now Jackson is a better QB than Orton. Their receivers are unimpressive, but still head and shoulders above the Bears. The Vikes are a different team now. Yeah they lost last week, but that's because Peterson couldn't hold onto the ball. That won't happen again.

 

Then how did they lose the other 5 games?

[Wilson A2000]

Outside the Giants, the only team that really outclasses the Bears is the Eagles.

 

And the Cowboys and the Panthers and the Vikings.

 

Cowboys? They don't impress me. The Bears outplayed the Panthers in Carolina (albeit with no Smith) and they are very much equal with the Vikings.

 

The Panthers are a better team now. The Bears are a worse team. The Vikings have more talent in every facet of the game except kick returning.

 

I'll give you Carolina, not Minnesota. Their "superb talent" is vastly overrated. They've got a couple fat guys on the DLine and Peterson. Their QBs are nothing, their receivers are unimpressive, the rest of their D hasn't exactly shut down the league. They allowed 48 points to the freaking Bears. They've played the same teams as the Bears and have the same record. They do not outclass the Bears.

 

Those couple of fat guys are Pro Bowlers who lead maybe the best run defense in the league. Adrian Peterson is the best back in the league. That outclasses the Bears. Plus they have one of the best pass rushers in the league with Allen. Right now Jackson is a better QB than Orton. Their receivers are unimpressive, but still head and shoulders above the Bears. The Vikes are a different team now. Yeah they lost last week, but that's because Peterson couldn't hold onto the ball. That won't happen again.

 

Then how did they lose the other 5 games?

 

Jackson stuck at the beginning of the year. The Vikes aren't perfect, just better.

[UMFan83]

He has tried a couple, he's missed one and had one blocked IIRC. Who cares? I will take a kicker that can hit everything from under 50 yards but nothing over, than a kicker that can hit occasionally over 50 yards but is less accurate from under 50.

 

The guy has missed maybe 6 kicks over the last 3 seasons that weren't blocked. I realize getting blocked is partially the kickers fault, but it just shows how amazing the guy is in terms of getting the football through the uprights in all conditions.

 

He doesn't miss because he doesn't try long ones. He's not all that impressive. He's 8/11 from 40-49 this year, but so what, others are just as good or better from that distance. I think it hurts the Bears that the 35 yard line is not scoring territory for them. Whether or not his misses are blocks is meaningless. He does miss from inside 49 and never attempts anything longer, so that props up his percentage.

 

His misses:

 

2008:

Missed from 49 yards

Blocked from 42

Blocked from 48

 

2007:

Blocked from 52

Missed from 39

Missed from 40

Blocked from 48

Missed from 53

 

2006:

Missed from 37

Missed from 49

Blocked from 45

Missed from 37

 

So of his 12 missed FGs in the last 3 seasons, 5 were blocked. Other than those 5 blocks, he is 88-95. I think that's a pretty good mark. I think we'll have to agree to disagree because of your point that the Bears aren't in scoring territory from 35, and its valid. I don't think he's worth the contract, but in terms of the amount of praise he receives, I think he is rated properly and deserves his props for being rock solid from inside 50

[Handlebar McSkullet]

Outside the Giants, the only team that really outclasses the Bears is the Eagles.

 

And the Cowboys and the Panthers and the Vikings.

 

and the Packers and the Falcons and the Bucs

[rawaction]

He has tried a couple, he's missed one and had one blocked IIRC. Who cares? I will take a kicker that can hit everything from under 50 yards but nothing over, than a kicker that can hit occasionally over 50 yards but is less accurate from under 50.

 

The guy has missed maybe 6 kicks over the last 3 seasons that weren't blocked. I realize getting blocked is partially the kickers fault, but it just shows how amazing the guy is in terms of getting the football through the uprights in all conditions.

 

He doesn't miss because he doesn't try long ones. He's not all that impressive. He's 8/11 from 40-49 this year, but so what, others are just as good or better from that distance. I think it hurts the Bears that the 35 yard line is not scoring territory for them. Whether or not his misses are blocks is meaningless. He does miss from inside 49 and never attempts anything longer, so that props up his percentage.

 

His misses:

 

2008:

Missed from 49 yards

Blocked from 42

Blocked from 48

 

2007:

Blocked from 52

Missed from 39

Missed from 40

Blocked from 48

Missed from 53

 

2006:

Missed from 37

Missed from 49

Blocked from 45

Missed from 37

 

So of his 12 missed FGs in the last 3 seasons, 5 were blocked. Other than those 5 blocks, he is 88-95. I think that's a pretty good mark. I think we'll have to agree to disagree because of your point that the Bears aren't in scoring territory from 35, and its valid. I don't think he's worth the contract, but in terms of the amount of praise he receives, I think he is rated properly and deserves his props for being rock solid from inside 50

 

You can't take out the blocks though. The reason those kicks get blocked is because he hits them low trying to get distance, which helps to show he doesn't have the strongest leg.

[UMFan83]

He has tried a couple, he's missed one and had one blocked IIRC. Who cares? I will take a kicker that can hit everything from under 50 yards but nothing over, than a kicker that can hit occasionally over 50 yards but is less accurate from under 50.

 

The guy has missed maybe 6 kicks over the last 3 seasons that weren't blocked. I realize getting blocked is partially the kickers fault, but it just shows how amazing the guy is in terms of getting the football through the uprights in all conditions.

 

He doesn't miss because he doesn't try long ones. He's not all that impressive. He's 8/11 from 40-49 this year, but so what, others are just as good or better from that distance. I think it hurts the Bears that the 35 yard line is not scoring territory for them. Whether or not his misses are blocks is meaningless. He does miss from inside 49 and never attempts anything longer, so that props up his percentage.

 

His misses:

 

2008:

Missed from 49 yards

Blocked from 42

Blocked from 48

 

2007:

Blocked from 52

Missed from 39

Missed from 40

Blocked from 48

Missed from 53

 

2006:

Missed from 37

Missed from 49

Blocked from 45

Missed from 37

 

So of his 12 missed FGs in the last 3 seasons, 5 were blocked. Other than those 5 blocks, he is 88-95. I think that's a pretty good mark. I think we'll have to agree to disagree because of your point that the Bears aren't in scoring territory from 35, and its valid. I don't think he's worth the contract, but in terms of the amount of praise he receives, I think he is rated properly and deserves his props for being rock solid from inside 50

 

You can't take out the blocks though. The reason those kicks get blocked is because he hits them low trying to get distance, which helps to show he doesn't have the strongest leg.

 

Oh I know, I said in a previous post that those are partially his fault too. I'm saying in terms of accuracy, he's a damn reliable kicker.

[jersey cubs fan]

Oh I know, I said in a previous post that those are partially his fault too. I'm saying in terms of accuracy, he's a damn reliable kicker.

 

And that is primarily because he never tries the harder kicks, which would lower his percentage as they lower everybody else's.