Re: Bears game 10: Thursday Nov. 18 at MIA on NFLN

[JonJayCutler]

I definitely lament the Washington game more, but I feel like we let the Seattle game slip away too. But that game can't be whittled down to a touchdown that was left unchalleneged and was instead a turnover at the 1 yard line. It was more the defense having probably its worst game of the year, and the offense still in the "We're gonna make Martz's system work or die trying" mode. Still Seattle came into the game 3-18 in their last 21 road games. There was no reason we should have lost to them.

 

True that on paper we should have beat Seattle, but they outplayed us that game and deserved to win. In fact, it was 23-13 until Hester's punt return TD at the end, so the game shouldn't have even ended up as close as it did.

 

Washington on the other hand tried to give us that game on multiple occasions and we took advantage of none of them. We shouldn't have even needed that goal-line call as we had plenty of other chances to put the game away.

[UMFan83]

Traditionally the Thursday night games are fairly sloppy for the first quarter, sometimes the entire first half until teams start to get into a rhythm. That's the scary thing about the game because anything can happen.

 

I almost feel that works in the Bears favor, because under normal circumstances I hate their chances in Miami. I hate travelling on a short week. I hate primetime games. I hate going to Miami. Everything about this game begs for disappointment. But if they can win, that would be a huge shift in the potential final record, as much like the Dallas game, I've been penciling this in as a loss all along.

 

Agreed on both. Last year, was the San Francisco trip on a short week. I chalked that up as a loss to start the season, but the Bears had every chance to win that game and would have if you take away any of the 5 Cutler INTs. UGH!

 

That was the worst game ever to watch. We also had a Thursday night game against the Redskins, during the fallout of the Sean Taylor tragedy. In that game, none other than Todd Collins destroyed us (15-20, 224 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT, 144.6 QB rating in about 3 quarters of play). If it wasn't for our Thursday night win over the Saints in 2008, I'd assume we were just cursed on Thursdays.

[jersey cubs fan]

If it wasn't for our Thursday night win over the Saints in 2008, I'd assume we were just cursed on Thursdays.

 

I think it has more to do with travelling on a short week versus playing at home rather than being cursed. Chicago never matches up well with Washington or San Francisco either. Same with Miami. (at least in my mind).

[UMFan83]

There's an article on ESPN.com suggesting that Henne might actually start for the Dolphins on Thursday. Thigpen is still the most likely starter. But Henne's injury isn't as bad as first thought.

 

They also said Pennington's injury is "career threatening". Isn't this like the 5th career threatening injury he's had in his career?

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=5809215

 

Long and Wake's status for the game is still unknown.

[Soul]

I heard that he might be available, but not that he would start. Who knows? They obviously aren't going to broadcast what they'll do if they don't have to.

[Mark Priors Calves]

There's an article on ESPN.com suggesting that Henne might actually start for the Dolphins on Thursday. Thigpen is still the most likely starter. But Henne's injury isn't as bad as first thought.

 

They also said Pennington's injury is "career threatening". Isn't this like the 5th career threatening injury he's had in his career?

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=5809215

 

Long and Wake's status for the game is still unknown.

 

I was pulling for Pennington to win his third comeback player of the year award this season. Disappointing.

[cubweiser03]

A lot of talk has been about the offensive struggles and the oline in particular, all fair by me. But the defense improvement really seems to have gone unnoticed. I didnt have a lot of expectations in the defense but they are playing really well. Im not going to give total credit to Marinelli but he deserves some. The dline play has improved, they arent giving up the big plays anymore and are getting off the field on 3rd down much better than last year (32 compared to 41).

 

I feel pretty good about this game, especially how the defense stacks up against the fins. If the oline can be average and hold off a pass rush they should do fine. Cutler can avoid sacks if its one player, but if the whole pocket collapses the offense is doomed. I like seeing him move around and scramble for yards, this could loosen up defenses a bit. Oh and that first play of the game the Eagles ran last night, how bout they put that play in and run it with knox or Hester, Cutler can throw bombs, just needs some time.

[sneakypower]

Im not going to give total credit to Marinelli but he deserves some.

he deserves hiv

[rawaction]

A lot of talk has been about the offensive struggles and the oline in particular, all fair by me. But the defense improvement really seems to have gone unnoticed. I didnt have a lot of expectations in the defense but they are playing really well. Im not going to give total credit to Marinelli but he deserves some. The dline play has improved, they arent giving up the big plays anymore and are getting off the field on 3rd down much better than last year (32 compared to 41).

 

I feel pretty good about this game, especially how the defense stacks up against the fins. If the oline can be average and hold off a pass rush they should do fine. Cutler can avoid sacks if its one player, but if the whole pocket collapses the offense is doomed. I like seeing him move around and scramble for yards, this could loosen up defenses a bit. Oh and that first play of the game the Eagles ran last night, how bout they put that play in and run it with knox or Hester, Cutler can throw bombs, just needs some time.

 

I think the personnel changes have made more of a difference than anything.

 

Ogunleye, Hillenmeyer, Afalava, and Kevin Payne have combined for 0 tackles, 0 turnovers this year because they are either out of the league or on IR. They all were starters on the 09 Bears defense. In their places, the Bears are starting Manning, Chris Harris, Peppers and Urlacher. Urlacher and Peppers are probowl players. Manning is in a new position and has matured as a player. Harris isn't that good, but he's miles better than Afalava/Payne at FS. And now Major Wright is getting time there. Those are huge upgrades across the board.

[Soul]

They are definitely getting off the field on 3rd down more. I hope we didn't just jinx them, but that has really been a key improvement.

 

DJ Moore has been a standout -- kind of like Vasher was when he first came into the league. He's become the vacuum cleaner for turnovers, though I'm not sure if what I'm looking at is good fortune or good ability. Time will tell.

 

Good to see Major Wright out there now.

 

Peppers is receiving criticism for not having a ton of sacks, but his presence has been felt in more than the pass defense. Urlacher is having a solid year now that he's healthy. Having Briggs/Urlacher as a tandem again has been great for us.

[SpongeWorthy]

I wish Peppers would have more sacks but I'm usually pretty pleased with his performance right after the games finish, including the Minnesota game.

[Guest]

Don't forget the improvement of Idonije as a contributing factor, as well.

[SpongeWorthy]

Idonije's been nice and the rotation at DT has been pretty stout against the run but we're still not generating much of a pass rush. I wonder if Marinelli has Peppers more focused on stopping the run instead of purely going after the QB because he's been spectacular at that so far.

[rawaction]

Don't forget the improvement of Idonije as a contributing factor, as well.

 

I chalk that up more to Julius Peppers being on the other side of him. Also, he's always been a factor on the defense. He's just on the field a ton more than he was in the past.

[JonJayCutler]

Let's not forget Henry Melton either who I've been impressed with. Him and Idonije stepping up has been huge for the defense.

[Guest]

Don't forget the improvement of Idonije as a contributing factor, as well.

 

I chalk that up more to Julius Peppers being on the other side of him. Also, he's always been a factor on the defense. He's just on the field a ton more than he was in the past.

Well, people questioned how we were going to fill the other DE position without Ogun or Alex Brown. I think Idonije has stepped up nicely to fill in as well as either of those guys would have played.

[UMFan83]

Since we're bringing up everyone, I'd also attribute some to Pisa T. being on the field this year. He's been quiet in terms of big plays and mentions on broadcasts, but I always see him being a factor in almost every play on his side of the field.

[JonJayCutler]

There's an article on ESPN.com suggesting that Henne might actually start for the Dolphins on Thursday. Thigpen is still the most likely starter. But Henne's injury isn't as bad as first thought.

 

From season's over to playing 4 days after the injury? I won't believe it until I see it. I'm almost positive we'll see Thigpen the entire game unless he gets hurt as well.

[jersey cubs fan]

Ronnie Brown will play more QB than any of them.

[DivineBovine]

Bears remaining schedule is absolutely insane.

 

@Dolphins

Eagles

@Lions

Patriots

@Vikings

Jets

@Packers

 

The easiest games are Vikings and Lions, both on the road. They will be underdogs in every other game. Hate to be a spoil sport but 0-7 is not out of the question. Hope not, just saying. And if we did 0-7, we'll still get screwed on the draft pick since we played such a tough schedule.

[UMFan83]

Bears remaining schedule is absolutely insane.

 

@Dolphins

Eagles

@Lions

Patriots

@Vikings

Jets

@Packers

 

The easiest games are Vikings and Lions, both on the road. They will be underdogs in every other game. Hate to be a spoil sport but 0-7 is not out of the question. Hope not, just saying. And if we did 0-7, we'll still get screwed on the draft pick since we played such a tough schedule.

 

A couple of points

 

1) Unless the Vikings completely give up the next few weeks, I'd have to think the Vikings will still be favored in the dome against us. Especially if we go 0-4 or 1-3 in the games leading up to that game to have a 7-6 or 6-7 record.

2) We won't go 0-7. Even if the team just collapses, its hard to lose all 7 of those games. People have to understand that while supremely flawed, the Bears collectively are a talented enough team to be where they are.

3) While these 7 games are tough, I think I heard that we've played the easiest schedule in the NFL so far this season in terms of opponent record. The teams we've played are 2-7, 2-7, 6-3, 6-3, 1-8, 5-4, 4-5, 1-8, 3-6. Only 3 winning records, and we've played 4 of the 5 NFL teams that have 2 or less wins this year (Cincinnati is the only one we haven't played). What this hypothetically is, is an evening of the schedule. But even still it's not horrific. 5-4, 6-3, 2-7, 7-2, 3-6, 7-2, 6-3. It's hard but not impossible. We'll be playing 4 of the top 10 teams in the

[jersey cubs fan]

Bears remaining schedule is absolutely insane.

 

@Dolphins

Eagles

@Lions

Patriots

@Vikings

Jets

@Packers

 

The easiest games are Vikings and Lions, both on the road. They will be underdogs in every other game. Hate to be a spoil sport but 0-7 is not out of the question. Hope not, just saying. And if we did 0-7, we'll still get screwed on the draft pick since we played such a tough schedule.

 

Not sure how they would be screwed on a draft pick. 6-10 is going to give them an upper echelon pick, but not a top 5 that will be a contract hindrance.

[Banedon]

Bears remaining schedule is absolutely insane.

 

@Dolphins

Eagles

@Lions

Patriots

@Vikings

Jets

@Packers

 

The easiest games are Vikings and Lions, both on the road. They will be underdogs in every other game. Hate to be a spoil sport but 0-7 is not out of the question. Hope not, just saying. And if we did 0-7, we'll still get screwed on the draft pick since we played such a tough schedule.

 

0-7 isn't happening. The Lions just lost to the Bills. They're aren't as good as some people on the board would have you believe. I think we'll take the Miami game, and the Vikings game. There's no telling what will happen with the Packers game since it may or may not mean anything for either team. The Jets have struggled with some really middling teams...and the Patriots haven't exactly been dominant. I'm not saying it's not a tough schedule, but I also think we'll stand a fighting chance in each game.

[jersey cubs fan]

Other points are none of those teams is flawless. Jets and Patriots can be beat, and they are home games. Vick is doing great but he doesn't have a strong history against the Bears and Chicago has been playing Philly tough for the most part, winning as underdogs on a few occasions. They won't go 0-7. Odds are they will win 1 that everybody thought was a loss, and lose a game they should have won. I think 3-4 is a strong possiblity but if they beat Miami this Thursday, a 10-11 win season remains a strong possibility.

[SpongeWorthy]

The question is whether we have to win the North to make the playoffs. Glancing at the schedules of the teams in the South and the East it kind of looks that way. It'll be hard to knock Philly, NYG, Atlanta, or NO out of the wild card spots. Even Tampa Bay's schedule is pretty easy from here on out.