Bears game 3: Monday Sep. 27 vs GB on ESPN

[jersey cubs fan]

That's how you debate!

 

That win never happens under previous Bears QBs, or at least most of them. That win was almost all Cutler. Under attack early and often he was the offense. With Grossman, Dallas probably covers the ridiculous 9 point spread that was out there. With Orton, the Bears probably lose by 4. But holy crap on a stick Jay Cutler won that game for the Bears against long odds. And holy crap what a catch by Hester. The defense was spirited, but remained soft via the pass. The bend but don't break thing came into play, although they did break a little.

 

Well, now this Monday night matchup is even more meaningful than previously thought. A win puts them in the improbable position of having the drivers seat for the division title. A loss doesn't negate the 2-0 start, but puts them back into the "not sure about this team" status. This has the looks of a shootout, but GB has been tough vs the pass this year and given up almost all their yards allowed against the run. But the Bears don't run. My guess is they will try real hard. Cutler had a bad reputation in primetime games last year but finished up with a nearly flawless OT win vs Minnesota. If he pulls it off again this week, I think most of the questions about Cutler will stop (but not all until they win a playoff game).

 

Green Bay is a 3 point favorite.

[Banedon]

A loss doesn't negate the 2-0 start, but puts them back into the "not sure about this team" status.

 

I would think this would have a lot to do with exactly how they lose. I think they can lose, and still come out looking like a "for real" team.

 

This has the looks of a shootout, but GB has been tough vs the pass this year and given up almost all their yards allowed against the run. But the Bears don't run. My guess is they will try real hard.

 

I'm guessing a lot of screen plays. The Bears have excelled at running the Martz screen, and Forte is better running in space than inside the tackles. I think that's why the Bears running game looks so weak is because Martz's "rushing" game is the screen pass, so all the stats show up as passing yards.

[Soul]

Just seeing the opening line of 3 points is pretty amazing considering where the discussion was just a couple weeks ago.

 

In terms of this game, I still give the edge to Green Bay. They are playing as expected; dominating lowly teams like the Bills, improving their offensive sync in the early going, and showing just a few chinks in the armor on defense.

 

The Bears will need to find a way to exploit any GB defensive weaknesses, and limit the big plays while being opportunistic on defense, if they hope to hang in this game.

 

Even if the Bears come away with the loss, I'd have to say a 2-1 start for this club is still beyond expectations and puts the Bears in a pretty good position heading to the Giants game -- especially considering Eli & Co.'s poor showing last night in Indy. But I'm greedy. A 3-0 start would be bombastic, and having a game in hand against the division favorites would put the Bears in control of the division; something nobody expected heading into the season.

 

Just having this kind of opportunity has me very excited for this football game.

[jersey cubs fan]

A loss doesn't negate the 2-0 start, but puts them back into the "not sure about this team" status.

 

I would think this would have a lot to do with exactly how they lose. I think they can lose, and still come out looking like a "for real" team.

 

That is probably true. A well played loss should at least keep them out of the bottom third of most people's rankings. One more victory and they tie the Sports Guy's prediction!

[Soul]

That FO ranking is suddenly starting to look more solid.

[soapy]

I'm a helluva lot more excited for this game than I thought I would be. It was great to come away with a road win on a game I (and most) clearly had down as a sure loss. Cutler was great and, as many mentioned in the game 2 thread, Martz made several solid adjustments in-game.

 

I don't expect the Bears to win this game, but I feel like they have a chance if they can win the turnover battle again.

[Magnetic Curses]

i like the fact that we get green bay right after playing dallas, so we're still acclimated to a dynamic 3-4.

 

i also like our d-line to get rodgers a few times, but with rodgers's poise, it often doesn't phase him at all.

 

i think we win by 10.

[David]

Peter King has the Bears 7th, LOL

 

7. Chicago (2-0). Pretty hard to believe Jay Cutler is standing, never mind playing well behind that line. But he is, and he is. That was a mature quarterback who didn't blow his stack when he was getting the tar knocked out of him in the first half at Dallas.

 

Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/peter_king/09/19/mmqb/2.html#ixzz105EWF2MI

[Soul]

Peter King has the Bears 7th, LOL

 

7. Chicago (2-0). Pretty hard to believe Jay Cutler is standing, never mind playing well behind that line. But he is, and he is. That was a mature quarterback who didn't blow his stack when he was getting the tar knocked out of him in the first half at Dallas.

 

Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/peter_king/09/19/mmqb/2.html#ixzz105EWF2MI

 

Far from the "petulant child" we heard so much about. Who is this guy, wasn't he supposed to whine and cry his way off the field at the first sign of trouble? I'VE BEEN SOLD A LIE.

[kujay]

Just seeing the opening line of 3 points is pretty amazing considering where the discussion was just a couple weeks ago.

 

I'm still surprised it's only 3 points. But I guess the Bears are at home.

 

It's early in the year, but how huge would this one be.

[Banedon]

One of the Packers boards says the Bears are favored by 3. Gambling sites are blocked for me at work, so I can't check...but he's gotta be full of it...

[Soul]

Just seeing the opening line of 3 points is pretty amazing considering where the discussion was just a couple weeks ago.

 

I'm still surprised it's only 3 points. But I guess the Bears are at home.

 

It's early in the year, but how huge would this one be.

 

I think I heard Lovie call the Dallas game a statement game. I think winning this one would be an even bigger statement.

 

Plus, haven't we fared rather poorly against GB at home recently? Seems like the pound us @ Soldier Field.

[jersey cubs fan]

One of the Packers boards says the Bears are favored by 3. Gambling sites are blocked for me at work, so I can't check...but he's gotta be full of it...

 

The Bears are underdogs right now.

[Banedon]

Plus, haven't we fared rather poorly against GB at home recently? Seems like the pound us @ Soldier Field.

 

Not especially. They beat us by a TD last year in Soldier. The smacked us in 2006 in Soldier and 2004.

 

Before 2004, yeah...they had our number, but since then...it's been more tilted in our favor...even in GB actually.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bears%E2%80%93Packers_rivalry

[jersey cubs fan]

Just seeing the opening line of 3 points is pretty amazing considering where the discussion was just a couple weeks ago.

 

I'm still surprised it's only 3 points. But I guess the Bears are at home.

 

It's early in the year, but how huge would this one be.

 

I think I heard Lovie call the Dallas game a statement game. I think winning this one would be an even bigger statement.

 

Plus, haven't we fared rather poorly against GB at home recently? Seems like the pound us @ Soldier Field.

 

I'm not sure about that. GB won last year in Soldier Field, but that was close late. Chicago won there in 08, and won big in 07. They lost a meaningless game in 06, but won in '05. I'm not sure I'd say GB pounds the Bears. They really haven't since Favre was in his prime.

[bukie]

All of a sudden, the rest of the NFC doesn't look so intimidating. Sure, the Packers (and likely the Saints..we'll see tonight) clearly look better than the Bears, but what about the rest? Minnesota looks bad early, the whole NFC West is garbage, and nobody in the NFC East looks good aside from maybe Philly. Tampa is 2-0, but against Cleveland and Carolina. Atlanta could be good yet. But then that's what, 4 teams?

[Soul]

Just seeing the opening line of 3 points is pretty amazing considering where the discussion was just a couple weeks ago.

 

I'm still surprised it's only 3 points. But I guess the Bears are at home.

 

It's early in the year, but how huge would this one be.

 

I think I heard Lovie call the Dallas game a statement game. I think winning this one would be an even bigger statement.

 

Plus, haven't we fared rather poorly against GB at home recently? Seems like the pound us @ Soldier Field.

 

I'm not sure about that. GB won last year in Soldier Field, but that was close late. Chicago won there in 08, and won big in 07. They lost a meaningless game in 06, but won in '05. I'm not sure I'd say GB pounds the Bears. They really haven't since Favre was in his prime.

 

Yeah, I have to remember that we've actually played the Packers well the past couple seasons regardless of venue. Those bad primetime losses to Favre stick out in my mind, but those were awhile ago now.

[rawaction]

Martz has been absolutely brillant this season, other than short yardage play calls. The Bears haven't had an OC in so long (forever is a really long time), and it is so refreshing to have one that can make in-game adjustments and put his team in the best position to win. He still has his flaws in philosophy, but he is getting everything anyone could possibly get out of this offense right now.

 

Like I said in the other thread....get a win at home vs. Green Bay, and the Bears are going to be a playoff team barring disaster.

 

But a loss isn't the end of the world. The next 5 are @ NYG, @ Carolina, v. Seattle, v. Washington, @ Canada/Buffalo. Four of those 5 teams looked like bottom 5-6 teams in the NFL this week.

[Banedon]

But a loss isn't the end of the world. The next 5 are @ NYG, @ Carolina, v. Seattle, v. Washington, @ Canada/Buffalo. Four of those 5 teams looked like bottom 5-6 teams in the NFL this week.

 

Funny how a couple weeks can change your perspective on the schedule difficulty...I'm trying not to jump to conclusions here, but there are a lot of games that look a lot more winnable this morning.

[jersey cubs fan]

The NFC East was overrated from the start, they almost always are. They usually don't have a really bad team (but not always) and historically provide tough matchups for each other regardless of who is best that year. The division's strength is in it's lack of an obvious weakness, not that all the teams are all that great. Chicago has played Philly fairly well for a few years now, they've struggled against the Redskins, and really haven't played the other two all that often. Usually their best team is still somewhat flawed.

 

I think GB and NO are in the drivers seat, and the rest of the conference is wide open (with the possible excepction of the obvious 13 win season Tampa is about to have).

[jersey cubs fan]

But a loss isn't the end of the world. The next 5 are @ NYG, @ Carolina, v. Seattle, v. Washington, @ Canada/Buffalo. Four of those 5 teams looked like bottom 5-6 teams in the NFL this week.

 

Funny how a couple weeks can change your perspective on the schedule difficulty...I'm trying not to jump to conclusions here, but there are a lot of games that look a lot more winnable this morning.

 

The Giants game was the only won that looked potentially intimidating, but there wasn't any reason to assume the Giants were world beaters even before this week.

[Banedon]

Gonna be glad to get done with these couple of nationally televised games and get back to noon games. Though I suppose if they have some success, they'll probably get flexed a couple times.

[rawaction]

But a loss isn't the end of the world. The next 5 are @ NYG, @ Carolina, v. Seattle, v. Washington, @ Canada/Buffalo. Four of those 5 teams looked like bottom 5-6 teams in the NFL this week.

 

Funny how a couple weeks can change your perspective on the schedule difficulty...I'm trying not to jump to conclusions here, but there are a lot of games that look a lot more winnable this morning.

 

The Giants game was the only won that looked potentially intimidating, but there wasn't any reason to assume the Giants were world beaters even before this week.

 

I picked the Giants last in the NFC East. It's crazy how fast their OL and defense went from top 5 in the league to the bottom 1/3.

[Mark Priors Calves]

If the Bears win this game, then I'm on board. I'm cautiously optimistic right now but still excited in beating the Cowboys.

[Banedon]

But a loss isn't the end of the world. The next 5 are @ NYG, @ Carolina, v. Seattle, v. Washington, @ Canada/Buffalo. Four of those 5 teams looked like bottom 5-6 teams in the NFL this week.

 

Funny how a couple weeks can change your perspective on the schedule difficulty...I'm trying not to jump to conclusions here, but there are a lot of games that look a lot more winnable this morning.

 

The Giants game was the only won that looked potentially intimidating, but there wasn't any reason to assume the Giants were world beaters even before this week.

 

The Vikings and Eagles both look a lot less scary than they did before the season started, imo.