Bears game 11: Sunday, Nov 28 vs PHI on FOX

[jersey cubs fan]

Well what do we have here? A contending Bears team in late November. They look pretty pretty pretty good. So do the Eagles. That's why this game is going to be played in the late afternoon slot toward the end of a very lovely and long weekend of football. The playoff picture might look a little clearer by gametime as NYG/PHI, GB/ATL will have happened by then. If GB loses either in Minnesota or Atlanta, the Bears could be in a fantastic position to put themselves in the divisional driver's seat. Gobble gobble. Hmmmm, turkey.

 

Sorry, I was distracted. The running game has managed to improve a little during this winning streak, but they still only managed 3.4 yards per attempt in Miami. Getting out of a road night game on short rest is almost like stealing a win, because they can go into Philly like they are coming off a virtual bye, with more time to rest and prepare. A few years ago I would have expected Urlacher to shutdown Vick fairly easily. They are going to need their linebackers to move all over the field to contain him and they will probably have to hit him hard to really shut him down. If Vick comes out of the Giants game healthy and the Eagles don't lay an egg, I think they will be favored in Chicago. But I do think it is somewhat favorable that Philly plays a Sunday night rivalry game the week before, Chicago gets a little more rest and Philly has to play the Thursday after this Bears game. If they go into December already with 8 wins, I think Chicago will have a chance to at least host a first round playoff game, and maybe fight for a bye.

[UMFan83]

I think we need to win 1 of the next 2 games, either vs. Philly or @ Detroit. If we go 1-1, we'll be 8-4, needing to probably split the "impossible" last quarter of the season against Minnesota (in the terror dome) NE, NYJ and at GB.

 

We can beat Philly if the D shows up, but they are a phenominal team with lots of dynamic play makers. So it's gonna be very tough. Hopefully home field advantage tips the scales on our side.

[Banedon]

Well what do we have here? A contending Bears team in late November. They look pretty pretty pretty good. So do the Eagles. That's why this game is going to be played in the late afternoon slot toward the end of a very lovely and long weekend of football. The playoff picture might look a little clearer by gametime as NYG/PHI, GB/ATL will have happened by then. If GB loses either in Minnesota or Atlanta, the Bears could be in a fantastic position to put themselves in the divisional driver's seat. Gobble gobble. Hmmmm, turkey.

 

Sorry, I was distracted. The running game has managed to improve a little during this winning streak, but they still only managed 3.4 yards per attempt in Miami. Getting out of a road night game on short rest is almost like stealing a win, because they can go into Philly like they are coming off a virtual bye, with more time to rest and prepare. A few years ago I would have expected Urlacher to shutdown Vick fairly easily. They are going to need their linebackers to move all over the field to contain him and they will probably have to hit him hard to really shut him down. If Vick comes out of the Giants game healthy and the Eagles don't lay an egg, I think they will be favored in Chicago. But I do think it is somewhat favorable that Philly plays a Sunday night rivalry game the week before, Chicago gets a little more rest and Philly has to play the Thursday after this Bears game. If they go into December already with 8 wins, I think Chicago will have a chance to at least host a first round playoff game, and maybe fight for a bye.

 

My concern with Vick is that he's learned how to actually pass the ball pretty well since we last played him. I really don't know what to expect defensively from the Bears in this one.

[Butterscup1679666578]

As of right now, I don't see us winning this game, but I don't see us getting dominated either.

[rawaction]

DeSean Jackson scares me more than Vick. He lit the Bears up last year for 8 catches, 107 yards, including a 48-yard TD. Maclin also had 6-64. Vick did have a 34-yard run though in 1 of his 2 plays. But the Bears will be able to gameplan for him more this time as the starter. The blitz schemes they can throw at the OL also worry me, along with the fact that Asante' Samuel can completely take away whichever WR he is covering.

 

The Bears D matches up well vs. Vick though. The front 4 generally does a good job of staying in their lanes and pursuing down the line. Peppers and Melton are more athletic than most DL that Vick will face. Plus, the Eagles have some small skill players. I think if you lay some good solid hits on Vick, Jackson, Maclin and McCoy they can be hurt and/or slowed down.

 

I'm hoping the Eagles beat the Giants this week, which (for the time being) would make this game for a potential bye week in the playoffs. Can't believe I'm actually saying that.

[jersey cubs fan]

I'm hoping the Eagles beat the Giants this week, which (for the time being) would make this game for a potential bye week in the playoffs. Can't believe I'm actually saying that.

 

Really? I'm thinking I want NYG to win, because the Bears already lost to them and if they have to compete for a Wild Card spot they are screwed.

[UMFan83]

I'm hoping the Eagles beat the Giants this week, which (for the time being) would make this game for a potential bye week in the playoffs. Can't believe I'm actually saying that.

 

Really? I'm thinking I want NYG to win, because the Bears already lost to them and if they have to compete for a Wild Card spot they are screwed.

 

Exactly my thoughts. As much as a bye week and all that stuff would be awesome, I am just rooting for any and all ways to get in.

[rawaction]

I'm hoping the Eagles beat the Giants this week, which (for the time being) would make this game for a potential bye week in the playoffs. Can't believe I'm actually saying that.

 

Really? I'm thinking I want NYG to win, because the Bears already lost to them and if they have to compete for a Wild Card spot they are screwed.

 

That's another way to look at it. Especially since the Giants and Eagles play twice. Best case scenario would be one of those teams sweeping the season series.

[cubweiser03]

Vick will need to nickel and dime his way down the field vs this Bears defense. Not his strong suit. The safties for the Bears really havent been challenged over the top this year, this will be a good test for them. Zone defense is a good defense for mobile qbs, i don't like the how the Bears oline matches up against the birds defense and blitz schemes.

[UMFan83]

This is extremely unscientific, but I was trying to break down the Bears and Packers remaining schedules, and while the Bears schedule is supposedly much harder, a closer look shows they might be closer than you'd expect.

 

What I did was just try to match up a Bears game with a similar Packers game remaining on the schedule (exclusing the Bears-Packers game).

 

Bears - Packers - Adv

1. @ DET - @ DET - Even

2. @ MIN - @ MIN - Even

3. NE - @ NE - Bears

4. NYJ - @ ATL - Bears

5. PHI - NYG - Probably Even

6. SF - @ MIA (already won) - Bears

[Soul]

I think PHI is probably a bit too tall an order for us, but we'll have to see.

 

Practice practice. I like how this team has been improving. Next week will be a big test of how far they've really come.

[rawaction]

This is extremely unscientific, but I was trying to break down the Bears and Packers remaining schedules, and while the Bears schedule is supposedly much harder, a closer look shows they might be closer than you'd expect.

 

What I did was just try to match up a Bears game with a similar Packers game remaining on the schedule (exclusing the Bears-Packers game).

 

Bears - Packers - Adv

1. @ DET - @ DET - Even

2. @ MIN - @ MIN - Even

3. NE - @ NE - Bears

4. NYJ - @ ATL - Bears

5. PHI - NYG - Probably Even

6. SF - @ MIA (already won) - Bears

 

Yeah, I considered the Pack's schedule harder for a few weeks now. At NE and ATL while the Bears have tough teams at home is in the Bears favor. Whoever has the hardest game of PHI/NYG is probably determined by this Sunday's game. NY has some injuries and could really start to fade, making that a much easier game for GB. But you also have to consider that GB/Bears play head-to-head in GB which gives GB that advantage also.

[JonJayCutler]

I'm hoping the Eagles beat the Giants this week, which (for the time being) would make this game for a potential bye week in the playoffs. Can't believe I'm actually saying that.

 

Really? I'm thinking I want NYG to win, because the Bears already lost to them and if they have to compete for a Wild Card spot they are screwed.

 

Why? Sure if they tie each other the Giants will get the nod, but if they lose tomorrow the Bears will be a full game ahead of them. I rather fight the Giants for a Wildcard than the Eagles, one because I don't see us beating the Eagles next week, and two because the Eagles have a much easier remaining schedule than the Giants. Basically you root for the Giants if you have faith in the Bears next week, and the Eagles if you don't.

 

Therefore I'm rooting for an Eagles win tomorrow, because I don't see us winning four in a row. Hope I'm wrong though.

[jersey cubs fan]

I'm hoping the Eagles beat the Giants this week, which (for the time being) would make this game for a potential bye week in the playoffs. Can't believe I'm actually saying that.

 

Really? I'm thinking I want NYG to win, because the Bears already lost to them and if they have to compete for a Wild Card spot they are screwed.

 

Why? Sure if they tie each other the Giants will get the nod, but if they lose tomorrow the Bears will be a full game ahead of them. I rather fight the Giants for a Wildcard than the Eagles, one because I don't see us beating the Eagles next week, and two because the Eagles have a much easier remaining schedule than the Giants. Basically you root for the Giants if you have faith in the Bears next week, and the Eagles if you don't.

 

Therefore I'm rooting for an Eagles win tomorrow, because I don't see us winning four in a row. Hope I'm wrong though.

 

Why is because a tie is very realistic. Both teams could finish 10-6 or 9-7 and second place in their division and the Bears would be on the outside if it's the Giants. Plus I think the Bears have a realistic shot against Philly. They typically play them well and have won in upset fashion in 2 of the last 3 seasons. I'm not begging for a Giants win, but that is how I'm leaning. Part of that would also be about taking a little air out of Philly after their two recent big wins. Not that it would matter in the game itself but I'd like to see that Philly isn't as good as they were last week, because if they are, the Bears are toast.

[JonJayCutler]

There are definitely positives and negatives to each team winning Sunday night. I think if we're counting on winning the division, it's better if the Eagles win so we could be in line for a first-round bye with a win next week like Raw said.

 

As for a Wildcard, sure it's better to see the Giants win Sunday assuming we beat the Eagles, but I just don't think we will. Comparing the remaining schedules of the Giants and Eagles looks something like this. After Sunday's game against each other...

 

Giants:

vs JAC

vs WAS

@ MIN

vs PHI

@ GB

@ WAS

 

Eagles:

@ CHI

vs HOU

@ DAL

@ NYG

vs MIN

vs DAL

 

Maybe the Giants schedule isn't that much more difficult, but their two Washington games I think are slightly more difficult than the Eagles' two Dallas games. I think the Jags game is slightly more difficult than the Houston game, but it's close. The big difference, however, is that the Giants have to play the Vikes in the dome while Philly gets them at home. The Giants then have to play at Green Bay while the Eagles play at Chicago, but this scenario is dependent on the Eagles beating the Bears so the latter game is irrelevant.

 

I think we can hold a one-game lead on the Giants should they lose Sunday. They've been known for their late-season collapses anyway. My concern is that if the Giants win Sunday but we lose to the Eagles next week, it's going to make it difficult for even a Wild Card. I don't see us finishing a game ahead of Philly with that schedule they have. On second thought, why don't we just make sure to stay within a game of Green Bay and go win ourselves a division in Week 17? Or better yet win the division outright before then.

[rawaction]

If we're talking about wildcard, I don't think it matters that much Giants or Eagles. You only have to beat out 1 of them or the Saints. You'll have a game lead on the loser this week, and even w/ the Saints.

[jersey cubs fan]

If we're talking about wildcard, I don't think it matters that much Giants or Eagles. You only have to beat out 1 of them or the Saints. You'll have a game lead on the loser this week, and even w/ the Saints.

 

Tampa might be there.

[UMFan83]

We do tend to play Philly really well the last few years. I know every team every year is different, but there are many players that are the same, and the coaches are certainly the same on both sides, which is a key measuring stick in situations like this.

 

You could argue that the Eagles were conisidered the better team between them and the Bears before each game the last 3 years we played them.

 

In 2007, we went to Philly with Griese as our QB, I think this was the week after AP ran for 203290593 yards against us and we beat them on a last second drive.

 

In 2008, Philly came here for SNF on the 4th game of the season, after the Bears beat the Colts and losing to TB and Carolina. I think the Eagles were 2-1 (after a bye) and were the highest scoring per game team in the league to that point (and this Philly team eventually made the NFC Champ game) and we beat them after a goal line stand late in the game to secure victory.

 

In 2009 we were in the midst of a horrible 2-8 stretch with our only victories being over the Rams and Browns, and in the last 3 week had been blown out horribly by the Bengals (45-10 I think) and Cardinals (41-21. The Eagles came in with a good offense and the clearly better team. Everyone expected another 40+ point collapse by the defense but instead the Bears were in it all game and actually led 20-17 until about 5:30 left in the 4th. They also had the ball at midfield with about a minute left in the game down 4 and Cutler threw a pick.

[UMFan83]

Also, the offensive line has done ridiculously better the last 3 weeks. I mean its been night and day. While by no means is it a good or even average or even below average offensive line, the improvement has been noticable.

 

2 thoughts pop into my head:

 

1) Was Angelo right (even a little bit) when he said the line needed continuity and it would be fine?

 

2) Will this improvement, considering it continues or at least stays at this level, combined with a playoff appearance cause Angelo to ignore improving the O-line yet again for next year?

[jersey cubs fan]

Also, the offensive line has done ridiculously better the last 3 weeks. I mean its been night and day. While by no means is it a good or even average or even below average offensive line, the improvement has been noticable.

 

2 thoughts pop into my head:

 

1) Was Angelo right (even a little bit) when he said the line needed continuity and it would be fine?

 

2) Will this improvement, considering it continues or at least stays at this level, combined with a playoff appearance cause Angelo to ignore improving the O-line yet again for next year?

 

I don't think it could be night and day and still not qualify as at least below average.

 

Angelo was right, to an extent. Time was going to help. But he is wrong that you don't need talent, just time, to turn lines into positives for the team. They still can't run the ball and it's not like Cutler can drop back into the pocket and pick defenses apart. They have adapted, but that is it.

 

As for question 2, I'm not sure he was going to improve it either way.

[Magnetic Curses]

Also, the offensive line has done ridiculously better the last 3 weeks. I mean its been night and day. While by no means is it a good or even average or even below average offensive line, the improvement has been noticable.

 

2 thoughts pop into my head:

 

1) Was Angelo right (even a little bit) when he said the line needed continuity and it would be fine?

 

2) Will this improvement, considering it continues or at least stays at this level, combined with a playoff appearance cause Angelo to ignore improving the O-line yet again for next year?

 

LT and RT should be our top priorities in the offseason.

[Soul]

Also, the offensive line has done ridiculously better the last 3 weeks. I mean its been night and day. While by no means is it a good or even average or even below average offensive line, the improvement has been noticable.

 

2 thoughts pop into my head:

 

1) Was Angelo right (even a little bit) when he said the line needed continuity and it would be fine?

 

2) Will this improvement, considering it continues or at least stays at this level, combined with a playoff appearance cause Angelo to ignore improving the O-line yet again for next year?

 

LT and RT should be our top priorities in the offseason.

 

On question #2, I have little doubt that a playoff appearance will completely and totally confirm Angelo's philosophy in his mind, and the OLine will receive no more attention in the draft than it has in Angelo's previous drafts.

[DivineBovine]

Vick scares the crap out of me. If it were Kolb, I'd say the Bears are winning for sure. With Vick, I see a probable loss.

[BigSlick]

thought that came to mind thinking about this game: the messy homefield conditions are really a nice equalizer for us, more slipping for their receivers and completely equalizing their speed at wide receiver and quarterback

 

start tearing the field up more please

[JonJayCutler]

It would really help the Bears' Wild Card chances if both the Seahawks and 49ers win this afternoon.