Week 16: Bears vs. Vikings, Mon. 7:30 P.M., ESPN

[UMFan83]

Both teams had tons of chances to win this game but didn't. Vikings missed an XP, Gould straight up missed a FG which seriously never happens (sportscenter guy said "ive never seen Robbie Gould miss a FG in my life" lol), Bears dropped 1 game ending INT and got hands on another, Vikings could have stopped the Bears returners on special teams, Bears could have stopped the Vikings on 4th and game, etc.

 

I enjoyed watching the game despite the fact that it was meaningless for the Bears. It was good to see that dancing hick Brett Favre possibly denied of a bye week by the Bears.

 

Still wanna argue the Vikings are more legit of a SB Contender than anyone but the Colts and Saints hawkeye?

[Butterscup1679666578]

Great game. The Bears won and it was exciting to watch. Those two have occurred only once this season as far as I can remember (Pittsburgh).

 

My thoughts:

 

1. This is what Cutler can do with a decent line. I think Allen's name was only called once. Ron Turner finally opened up the playbook a little, partly due to the great performance of the line. It was about time that the Bears started chipping Allen too.

 

2. Why the pooch/line drive kick to start the second half?

 

3. Pretty good pressure from the line all night.

 

4. Why was Manning not returning the kickoff in the overtime? I don't like the selective use of Manning. Give him every stinking kick off. I remember when another great returner the Bears had whose productivity dropped when he wasn't given opportunities. Hester will never be a great receiver, and now he might not be a great returner again.

 

wasnt manning hurt?

[bukie]

Great game. The Bears won and it was exciting to watch. Those two have occurred only once this season as far as I can remember (Pittsburgh).

 

My thoughts:

 

1. This is what Cutler can do with a decent line. I think Allen's name was only called once. Ron Turner finally opened up the playbook a little, partly due to the great performance of the line. It was about time that the Bears started chipping Allen too.

 

2. Why the pooch/line drive kick to start the second half?

 

3. Pretty good pressure from the line all night.

 

4. Why was Manning not returning the kickoff in the overtime? I don't like the selective use of Manning. Give him every stinking kick off. I remember when another great returner the Bears had whose productivity dropped when he wasn't given opportunities. Hester will never be a great receiver, and now he might not be a great returner again.

 

wasnt manning hurt?

No, Tillman was hurt, so Manning was on the field playing D the whole 4th quarter.

[Wilson A2000]

Manning had the time between the 4th quarter and overtime to get his legs back. I think he should have been out there, especially considering the night he was having.

[hawkeyecub]

Still wanna argue the Vikings are more legit of a SB Contender than anyone but the Colts and Saints hawkeye?

 

First, I don't think I said "more legit" I said "as legit" which is an important distinction. My point was, outside of those two teams no one had really distinguished themselves clearly, especially in the NFC. I would put the Chargers ahead of them but depending on this weekend I don't know if I would change that. The NFC is completely wide open. IF the Vikings get homefield I like their chances better than anyone but the Saints. If the Eagles get homefield, then no, the Vikings don't have nearly as good of a chance as Philly.

[Magnetic Curses]

i think that the nfc is pretty much wide open.

[hawkeyecub]

Honest question, how do you guys really feel about that win if it helps save Lovie's job? I've heard a lot of speculation that if Lovie wins these last two he's more likely to return than not.

[ELCABALLO45]

i think that the nfc is pretty much wide open.

 

Exactly. All 6 teams have a legit chance to make it to the Superbowl this year, playoffs should be fun.

[minnesotacubsfan]

Honest question, how do you guys really feel about that win if it helps save Lovie's job? I've heard a lot of speculation that if Lovie wins these last two he's more likely to return than not.

 

i dont mind Lovie, I'm not convinced he's the issue

[Wilson A2000]

Honest question, how do you guys really feel about that win if it helps save Lovie's job? I've heard a lot of speculation that if Lovie wins these last two he's more likely to return than not.

 

I don't think the game at Detroit really matters. Stafford is out (right?), and Detroit is just terrible. Tonight's win probably helped Lovie's cause. I think he should be fired, but I don't think he will. But the availability of two very good coaches might tempt the McCaskeys.

[UMFan83]

They're more legit as a Super Bowl contender than anyone outside of the Saints and Colts.

 

The "more" is the part that I disagreed with so strongly. As for "as", I would agree because of the position they are in, they have as good of a chance as the rest of the teams in the NFC. My original point was that I didn't think the Vikings were as good as their 10-1 record, and while they aren't as bad as the 1-3 they've put up since then, I think they are a slight notch below the elite in football.

 

I've been wrong before and I'll be wrong again, just my opinion.

[JonJayCutler]

Too bad Devin A was tied to the bench most of the season

 

That should be asked immediately asked after this game. Why the hell didn't he get a chance to play earlier?

 

According to the Bears, he had an injury very early in the season that kept him off the field for most of the season.

 

 

What a great win. Sure it means nothing for us in terms of this season, but Cutler finally put together a solid game for the first time in months. Now we have a chance to finish the season at 7-9 and end on a good note. Props to the defense for not folding in OT after the missed FG. I actually thought Forte was okay today, he had a few tough runs which is more than I could say for him all year. Nice games by Harris and Hillenmeyer as well as Bowman, although he should have had two picks. Aromashodu is pretty good, I hope he stays around next year.

 

All that said, I still think some or all of the coaching staff minus Toub needs to go. At least get rid of Turner.

[UMFan83]

Honest question, how do you guys really feel about that win if it helps save Lovie's job? I've heard a lot of speculation that if Lovie wins these last two he's more likely to return than not.

 

I really don't have the heart to root for my team to lose even if it hurts us in the long term. Lovie isn't a great coach and has really messed up this team and we certainly could be much better coached, but despite all the bitching I'll do if they keep him I can live with it.

[UMFan83]

According to the Bears, he had an injury very early in the season that kept him off the field for most of the season.

 

How freaking convenient. An injury that was not mentioned all season randomly is disclosed once he starts to do good and people wonder why he wasn't in earlier. Someone should have told Cutler that Devin A. was hurt when he was pining to the media for him to play more midway through the season.

[Sammy Sofa]

Getting invited to go to this game I figured I was in for a long, miserable evening in the stands. Glad I was wrong. That was a lot of fun to see in person.

[UMFan83]

Tillman fractured what looks like multiple ribs. At least he should be ok as far as his personal health. As for his status in Detroit, I'd have to say highly doubtful. Edited December 29, 2009 by UMFan83

[UMFan83]

BTW, hawkeye major props for showing up in a huge pro-Bears thread after a pretty difficult loss for your guys.

[17 Seconds]

i think that the nfc is pretty much wide open.

 

i think the nfl is pretty much wide open

[minnesotacubsfan]

Tillman fractured what looks like multiple ribs. At least he should be ok as far as his personal health. As for his status in Detroit, I'd have to say highly doubtful.

 

 

"highly doubtful"? pack it up CT, get ready for next year

[Flames24Rulz]

i think that the nfc is pretty much wide open.

 

i think the nfl is pretty much wide open

 

No question, but all six teams in the NFC will have a shot at making it to the Super Bowl. I think three teams (at most) in the AFC have a shot at going that far.

[Butterscup1679666578]

Great game. The Bears won and it was exciting to watch. Those two have occurred only once this season as far as I can remember (Pittsburgh).

 

My thoughts:

 

1. This is what Cutler can do with a decent line. I think Allen's name was only called once. Ron Turner finally opened up the playbook a little, partly due to the great performance of the line. It was about time that the Bears started chipping Allen too.

 

2. Why the pooch/line drive kick to start the second half?

 

3. Pretty good pressure from the line all night.

 

4. Why was Manning not returning the kickoff in the overtime? I don't like the selective use of Manning. Give him every stinking kick off. I remember when another great returner the Bears had whose productivity dropped when he wasn't given opportunities. Hester will never be a great receiver, and now he might not be a great returner again.

 

wasnt manning hurt?

No, Tillman was hurt, so Manning was on the field playing D the whole 4th quarter.

 

i knew Tillman was hurt but i thought the guys on the radio said something about manning getting hurt too as i was on my way to driving into a ditch instead of driving to work. guess i just made it up

[JonJayCutler]

I still think the Saints win the NFC.

[JonJayCutler]

Oh I forgot to give props to Chris Williams. Outstanding work on Allen the entire game.

[hawkeyecub]

BTW, hawkeye major props for showing up in a huge pro-Bears thread after a pretty difficult loss for your guys.

 

Eh, I've yet to find a decent Vikings board. Bears fans on here are pretty good and it helps with the venting. Plus I hear B&B every afternoon and see a good portion of Bears games so I have some idea what's going on there.

[17 Seconds]

i think that the nfc is pretty much wide open.

 

i think the nfl is pretty much wide open

 

No question, but all six teams in the NFC will have a shot at making it to the Super Bowl. I think three teams (at most) in the AFC have a shot at going that far.

 

i don't know. the colts choke in the playoffs almost every year, and norv turner and the chargers aren't much different. depending on which teams win the wc, i think the afc is wide open too.