Week 2 - Chicago Bears vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, 3:15 PM CBS

[Butterscup1679666578]

Bears 27

Steelers 17

[Magnetic Curses]

After watching the Steelers and Bears games last week, I have no idea how anyone can pick the Bears this week. And while Polamalu is a significant injury to their defense, I believe Urlacher's injury is more significant to the Bears defense than Polamalu is to the Steelers defense.

 

I hope the Bears win, but I won't be putting any money on them to win this game. Game films will show that the Titans fed their entire offense off of the tight ends being able to get open, even when Polamalu was in the game. Surely they will be making adjustments for the Bears game since the tight ends are more of a threat than the receivers are.

 

I do hope that the Johnny Knox breakaway catch was more impressive to the Bears coaches than the couple of times he gave up on routes, allowing Cutler to continue utilizing the speedster in 3 wide sets.

 

 

The Bears outplayed GB for most of the game and just basically had a worst case scenario in terms of turnover ratio (and one of the most idiotic plays I've ever seen) and the Steelers looked unimpressive against a Titans team who I don't think is all that great.... Take away any single one of those numerous horrible plays (the interceptions while in position to score, the screwed up routes, the fake punt, etc.) and the Bears could easily have won that game despite screwing up badly. They played better football and then basically blew it multiple times.

 

It's too early to really say but I think GB is a better team than Tennessee... I'm worried about this game, and I expect a loss, but it isn't because of how either team looked in their first games. I didn't really come away impressed with the Steelers based on their first game...

 

yeah, if the bears manage that game right, they win easily. it's tough to turn such a one-sided game into a loss, but it happens occassionally. i love the way the defense looked and i love that bowman is starting in place of vasher. urlacher, we can live without as long as the line gets the kind of pressure they got against the pack. they'll need to hit ben a little harder because he's a big fat tubofguts, but he'll go down just the same.

[chuckywang]

The third-party ticket prices for this game is beyond ridiculous.

[JonJayCutler]

Tomorrow's likely scenario of 0-2 is going to be tough to handle for a whole week, but after that we face the Seahawks, Lions, Falcons, Bengals, Browns, Cardinals, and 49ers all in a row. I see no reason we can't win at least 5 of those 7 games, putting us at 5-4 and very much alive. That said, lets just win tomorrow and give us even more reason for optimism.

[UMFan83]

It's tough because while we are starting out with a tough slate of games, the Packers and Vikings both have easy paths to 3-0 (i'm pretty sure). If the Bears started 0-3 and the Packers and Vikings started 3-0, we're in big trouble and panic might start to set in for the team. There is no Mike Brown on this team to tell the media that we stink.

[RedFlash]

Tomorrow's likely scenario of 0-2 is going to be tough to handle for a whole week, but after that we face the Seahawks, Lions, Falcons, Bengals, Browns, Cardinals, and 49ers all in a row. I see no reason we can't win at least 5 of those 7 games, putting us at 5-4 and very much alive. That said, lets just win tomorrow and give us even more reason for optimism.

 

I like your optimism, but tomorrow (later today as I typed this) is setting up to be a (impersonating Charles Barkley) "turrible day." With the Bears on early afternoon against the Steelers and the Cubs on late against the Cards, I just have a sneaking feeling that the Cubs/Bears fans are going to hit the sauce abit harder or sooner tomorrow then usually. I hope I am wrong, but I could see both the Cubs and Bears losing tomorrow.

Edited September 20, 2009 by RedFlash

[sneakypower]

The Bears outplayed GB for most of the game and just basically had a worst case scenario in terms of turnover ratio (and one of the most idiotic plays I've ever seen) and the Steelers looked unimpressive against a Titans team who I don't think is all that great.... Take away any single one of those numerous horrible plays (the interceptions while in position to score, the screwed up routes, the fake punt, etc.) and the Bears could easily have won that game despite screwing up badly. They played better football and then basically blew it multiple times.

 

It's too early to really say but I think GB is a better team than Tennessee... I'm worried about this game, and I expect a loss, but it isn't because of how either team looked in their first games. I didn't really come away impressed with the Steelers based on their first game...

you're being really homery in your assessment, imo

 

what about the dropped interceptions in the first half, Nelson and Driver's numerous drops, phantom illegal contact call on Harris, etc. it wasn't worst case scenario for turnovers, Cutler could have ended up with 5 or 6 INTs, for sure with the throws he made.

 

i just hate these scenarios when twelve things break one teams way and you can still say "oh if we had just one or two things go our way we we'd have won!"

[JonJayCutler]

Tomorrow's likely scenario of 0-2 is going to be tough to handle for a whole week, but after that we face the Seahawks, Lions, Falcons, Bengals, Browns, Cardinals, and 49ers all in a row. I see no reason we can't win at least 5 of those 7 games, putting us at 5-4 and very much alive. That said, lets just win tomorrow and give us even more reason for optimism.

 

I like your optimism, but tomorrw (later today as I typed this) is setting up to be a (impersonating Charles Barkley) "turrible day." With the Bears on early afternoon against the Steelers and the Cubs on late against the Cards, I just have a sneaking feeling that the Cubs/Bears fans are going to hit the sauce abit harder or sooner tomorrow then usually. I hope I am wrong, but I could see both the Cubs and Bears losing tomorrow.

 

I'd feel a lot better if the Bears didn't have the injuries they have. We really need to find a way to be 2-2 going into our bye in week 5. Then hopefully we'll get healthy and have players like Pisa and Clark back no later than week 6 which happens to be the start of a winnable and very crucial stretch in our schedule (Falcons, Bengals, Browns, Cardinals, 49ers).

 

As for the Cubs, not sure about anyone else, but what they do doesn't really affect my mood anymore, even if they are playing the Cardinals.

[Flames24Rulz]

The Bears outplayed GB for most of the game and just basically had a worst case scenario in terms of turnover ratio (and one of the most idiotic plays I've ever seen) and the Steelers looked unimpressive against a Titans team who I don't think is all that great.... Take away any single one of those numerous horrible plays (the interceptions while in position to score, the screwed up routes, the fake punt, etc.) and the Bears could easily have won that game despite screwing up badly. They played better football and then basically blew it multiple times.

 

It's too early to really say but I think GB is a better team than Tennessee... I'm worried about this game, and I expect a loss, but it isn't because of how either team looked in their first games. I didn't really come away impressed with the Steelers based on their first game...

you're being really homery in your assessment, imo

 

what about the dropped interceptions in the first half, Nelson and Driver's numerous drops, phantom illegal contact call on Harris, etc. it wasn't worst case scenario for turnovers, Cutler could have ended up with 5 or 6 INTs, for sure with the throws he made.

 

i just hate these scenarios when twelve things break one teams way and you can still say "oh if we had just one or two things go our way we we'd have won!"

 

Not to mention a couple of deep balls that Rodgers (who is usually very accurate with his deep passes) overthrew his receivers. The Packers easily get more than 21 points if Allen Barbre isn't a turnstile at right tackle and letting Ogunleye get into the backfield almost every single play. You can play the 'what if' game both ways.

[Sosa21MVP]

The Bears can find a way to win tomorrow. The Steelers are the masters of winning ugly so at the very least the game will stay close.

[Guest]

The Bears outplayed GB for most of the game and just basically had a worst case scenario in terms of turnover ratio (and one of the most idiotic plays I've ever seen) and the Steelers looked unimpressive against a Titans team who I don't think is all that great.... Take away any single one of those numerous horrible plays (the interceptions while in position to score, the screwed up routes, the fake punt, etc.) and the Bears could easily have won that game despite screwing up badly. They played better football and then basically blew it multiple times.

 

It's too early to really say but I think GB is a better team than Tennessee... I'm worried about this game, and I expect a loss, but it isn't because of how either team looked in their first games. I didn't really come away impressed with the Steelers based on their first game...

you're being really homery in your assessment, imo

 

what about the dropped interceptions in the first half, Nelson and Driver's numerous drops, phantom illegal contact call on Harris, etc. it wasn't worst case scenario for turnovers, Cutler could have ended up with 5 or 6 INTs, for sure with the throws he made.

 

i just hate these scenarios when twelve things break one teams way and you can still say "oh if we had just one or two things go our way we we'd have won!"

 

Not to mention a couple of deep balls that Rodgers (who is usually very accurate with his deep passes) overthrew his receivers. The Packers easily get more than 21 points if Allen Barbre isn't a turnstile at right tackle and letting Ogunleye get into the backfield almost every single play. You can play the 'what if' game both ways.

 

Barbre being a turnstyle right tackle isn't something you can say "what if" about. Rodgers missing wide open receivers is, so I will agree that the Bears shouldn't be labeled as clear winners in that game if you factor in all fair "what ifs".

 

It was pretty much a toss up game from where I was sitting. And I thought the Steelers played a pretty strong game, hitting Miller on short routes and using several receivers to spread the field. They blitzed with their LB's and got solid pressure on the Titans QB. The Titans exposed the Steelers defense by constantly finding Scaife and Crumpler. I think the Steelers defense will be keying on Olson and Forte since they watched Cutler toss 4 interceptions, mostly towards inexperienced receivers.

 

I hope the Bears win, but I'm not liking this one as much as I liked us against Green Bay.

[JonJayCutler]

The Bears outplayed GB for most of the game and just basically had a worst case scenario in terms of turnover ratio (and one of the most idiotic plays I've ever seen) and the Steelers looked unimpressive against a Titans team who I don't think is all that great.... Take away any single one of those numerous horrible plays (the interceptions while in position to score, the screwed up routes, the fake punt, etc.) and the Bears could easily have won that game despite screwing up badly. They played better football and then basically blew it multiple times.

 

It's too early to really say but I think GB is a better team than Tennessee... I'm worried about this game, and I expect a loss, but it isn't because of how either team looked in their first games. I didn't really come away impressed with the Steelers based on their first game...

you're being really homery in your assessment, imo

 

what about the dropped interceptions in the first half, Nelson and Driver's numerous drops, phantom illegal contact call on Harris, etc. it wasn't worst case scenario for turnovers, Cutler could have ended up with 5 or 6 INTs, for sure with the throws he made.

 

i just hate these scenarios when twelve things break one teams way and you can still say "oh if we had just one or two things go our way we we'd have won!"

 

Not to mention a couple of deep balls that Rodgers (who is usually very accurate with his deep passes) overthrew his receivers. The Packers easily get more than 21 points if Allen Barbre isn't a turnstile at right tackle and letting Ogunleye get into the backfield almost every single play. You can play the 'what if' game both ways.

 

Lol. You don't think Cutler missed some receivers as well? Just admit you were outplayed the entire game until the end. I don't see how you can be proud of winning a game by six points at home while also winning the turnover battle 4-0. You're supposed to win those games by at least 20 points.

[JonJayCutler]

I hate waiting until 3 PM for football. :(

[Careless]

The Bears outplayed GB for most of the game and just basically had a worst case scenario in terms of turnover ratio (and one of the most idiotic plays I've ever seen) and the Steelers looked unimpressive against a Titans team who I don't think is all that great.... Take away any single one of those numerous horrible plays (the interceptions while in position to score, the screwed up routes, the fake punt, etc.) and the Bears could easily have won that game despite screwing up badly. They played better football and then basically blew it multiple times.

 

It's too early to really say but I think GB is a better team than Tennessee... I'm worried about this game, and I expect a loss, but it isn't because of how either team looked in their first games. I didn't really come away impressed with the Steelers based on their first game...

you're being really homery in your assessment, imo

 

what about the dropped interceptions in the first half, Nelson and Driver's numerous drops, phantom illegal contact call on Harris, etc. it wasn't worst case scenario for turnovers, Cutler could have ended up with 5 or 6 INTs, for sure with the throws he made.

 

i just hate these scenarios when twelve things break one teams way and you can still say "oh if we had just one or two things go our way we we'd have won!"

 

Not to mention a couple of deep balls that Rodgers (who is usually very accurate with his deep passes) overthrew his receivers. The Packers easily get more than 21 points if Allen Barbre isn't a turnstile at right tackle and letting Ogunleye get into the backfield almost every single play. You can play the 'what if' game both ways.

"if this guy who sucks didn't suck" is a much different game than "if this guy didn't have by far the worst game of his career"

[David]

I have a hard time with "should have been intercepted." DBs are DBs and they're not receivers for a reason. They're not very good at catching the football. Drops by defensive players happen pretty frequently and I think it's hilarious when people say things like so and so "should've thrown x picks."

 

I'm sure there's a % of those that should be expected to be caught and a %age that should be expected to be dropped. I'm not sure what it is, but I'm guessing the drops are nowhere near a rarity. The Bears had a dropped pick or two themselves in that game.

 

 

EDIT - And I'm guessing the percentage of the time that a fat DLman makes a one handed catch while falling down is pretty damn low... Pretty nice to have one of those happen right by the goal line.

Edited September 20, 2009 by David

[David]

The Bears outplayed GB for most of the game and just basically had a worst case scenario in terms of turnover ratio (and one of the most idiotic plays I've ever seen) and the Steelers looked unimpressive against a Titans team who I don't think is all that great.... Take away any single one of those numerous horrible plays (the interceptions while in position to score, the screwed up routes, the fake punt, etc.) and the Bears could easily have won that game despite screwing up badly. They played better football and then basically blew it multiple times.

 

It's too early to really say but I think GB is a better team than Tennessee... I'm worried about this game, and I expect a loss, but it isn't because of how either team looked in their first games. I didn't really come away impressed with the Steelers based on their first game...

you're being really homery in your assessment, imo

 

what about the dropped interceptions in the first half, Nelson and Driver's numerous drops, phantom illegal contact call on Harris, etc. it wasn't worst case scenario for turnovers, Cutler could have ended up with 5 or 6 INTs, for sure with the throws he made.

 

i just hate these scenarios when twelve things break one teams way and you can still say "oh if we had just one or two things go our way we we'd have won!"

 

 

 

I still think the Bears lose this game. I was just making the case for them and, to be honest, I just wouldn't at all be shocked if the Bears won.

[Careless]

I have a hard time with "should have been intercepted." DBs are DBs and they're not receivers for a reason. They're not very good at catching the football. Drops by defensive players happen pretty frequently and I think it's hilarious when people say things like so and so "should've thrown x picks."

 

I'm sure there's a % of those that should be expected to be caught and a %age that should be expected to be dropped. I'm not sure what it is, but I'm guessing the drops are nowhere near a rarity. The Bears had a dropped pick or two themselves in that game.

 

 

EDIT - And I'm guessing the percentage of the time that a fat DLman makes a one handed catch while falling down is pretty damn low... Pretty nice to have one of those happen right by the goal line.

And let's not forget that it's only possible to throw one interception per possession. Cutler almost threw three INTs in a row. He couldn't have actually thrown 3 in a row.

[UMFan83]

I hate waiting until 3 PM for football. :(

 

I know, only one 12pm Bears game in the first 5 weeks of the season.

[Keener98]

Any word on the weather in Chicago? Raining and cold here in Central Illinois, and Im kinda hoping for the same in Chicago. Pitts run game sucks, so Id like to see some wet footballs for Big Ben to throw.

[UMFan83]

It's partly cloudy and warm here in Chicago, although I do remember hearing about rain later today. We haven't had any sort of rain in Chicago in over 3 weeks so we're certainly due.

 

I've analyzed this game all week and thought about all the angles. I think there will be a desperation for the Bears here considering the fact that everyone is writing them off after the Urlacher injury, and the fact that they can't start out 0-2 with the Vikings and Packers probably starting 2-0.

 

That said, I'm going with my head and predicting a Steelers win, 17-13.

 

Cutler 18-30 187 yards 1 TD

Forte 22 carries, 74 yards, 3 rec, 26 yards

 

I really hope I'm wrong though.

[David]

For whatever it's worth, Cutler's stats from the last time he faced the Steelers...

 

22/29 248 3 TD 2 INT 106.7 rating

[Keener98]

Im being told that the crowd is about 50/50 right now...UGH I really hope thats not the case for this game

[UMFan83]

Im being told that the crowd is about 50/50 right now...UGH I really hope thats not the case for this game

 

Sounds about right for a Steelers road game even in Chicago. The secondary market for tickets seemed high even for a Bears home opener?

[Keener98]

Im being told that the crowd is about 50/50 right now...UGH I really hope thats not the case for this game

 

Sounds about right for a Steelers road game even in Chicago. The secondary market for tickets seemed high even for a Bears home opener?

 

Yea I know Pitt has a really good following in Chicago, but Id really think Bears fans would have gobbled up the tickets. Cutler home debut, facing Super Bowl Champs, and season opening home game. Ill be disappointed if the Bears fans dont dominate the stadium.

[manbearcub]

Im being told that the crowd is about 50/50 right now...UGH I really hope thats not the case for this game

road fans always enter the stadium earlier