Bears game 12: Sunday, Dec 5 at DET on FOX

[rawaction]

This is not really a scary game in the sense that the Lions are an underrated team. It's more in the sense that they have some really tough matchups for the Bears. Suh is probably the best interior DL in the league right now. Avril back means they should be able to get pressure w/ 4, leaving everyone else to cover.

 

Detroit is actually decent in pass D (18th). Run D sucks, but the Bears can't run the football (3 big runs yesterday not withstanding). I think the Bears D may come out a little too relaxed early (huge primetime effort vs. Miami, followed by chasing Vick down all day yesterday), and we will see a tight game in the first half. But I think when all is said and done, the D will make a play or Shaun Hill will help them out.

[rawaction]

This is why the Cowboys blowing the game against the Saints was so horrible. If the Bears have to rely on a Wild Card, there's a good chance the Saints will beat them for the 5th seed, meaning instead of playing an NFC West team in the first round, we'll have to travel to GB or PHI/NYG.

 

This is true. Heck, I'd almost rather have the 5th seed then win the division with the 3rd seed. Either way you are playing on the first weekend and either way, you are playing on the road in the next round and likely the next 2 rounds. I'd trade a home game against the Saints for a road game against the Rams or Seahawks anyday, and I don't care if both teams have good home records.

 

Eh, I'm not so sure I'd hate to face New Orleans in Chicago in January.

 

Actually, if the Bears are the 3-seed and have to play in the 1st round, they most likely won't be facing NO. They'd get Eagles, Giants, Packers in round 1 and then likely get NO in round 2.

[minnesotacubsfan]

Bears, lets just win out.

 

23-14, Bears win.

[Mark Priors Calves]

The Bears-Pats game in a few weeks is now a 3 pm game on CBS.

[jersey cubs fan]

The Bears-Pats game in a few weeks is now a 3 pm game on CBS.

 

I was wondering about that, and I don't get it. CBS doesn't have an attractive early game other than Pats @ Bears. They already have Miami @ Jets at 4:15, and KC @ SD isn't terrible either. There also isn't a huge Fox early game, unless you count NYG @ MIN.

[JonJayCutler]

This is why the Cowboys blowing the game against the Saints was so horrible. If the Bears have to rely on a Wild Card, there's a good chance the Saints will beat them for the 5th seed, meaning instead of playing an NFC West team in the first round, we'll have to travel to GB or PHI/NYG.

 

This is true. Heck, I'd almost rather have the 5th seed then win the division with the 3rd seed. Either way you are playing on the first weekend and either way, you are playing on the road in the next round and likely the next 2 rounds. I'd trade a home game against the Saints for a road game against the Rams or Seahawks anyday, and I don't care if both teams have good home records.

 

Eh, I'm not so sure I'd hate to face New Orleans in Chicago in January.

 

Actually, if the Bears are the 3-seed and have to play in the 1st round, they most likely won't be facing NO. They'd get Eagles, Giants, Packers in round 1 and then likely get NO in round 2.

 

Don't forget the Bucs. If they can find someway to grab the 6th seed while we take the 3rd, that creates the scenario of a warm-weather Florida team coming up to Chicago in the dead of winter. Now THAT matchup I'd definitely take over playing an NFC West team on the road. But of course this all would involve one of the Packers or Saints missing the playoffs, and I don't see either one missing it.

[Banedon]

The Bears-Pats game in a few weeks is now a 3 pm game on CBS.

 

I was wondering about that, and I don't get it. CBS doesn't have an attractive early game other than Pats @ Bears. They already have Miami @ Jets at 4:15, and KC @ SD isn't terrible either. There also isn't a huge Fox early game, unless you count NYG @ MIN.

 

It's a CBS doubleheader. They won't have national competition from Fox for the 4:15 game. They'll be able to get a huge audience with the Chicago and NE markets with no Fox.

[UMFan83]

Yahoo sports speculates that Smith could be one of the top 4 longest tenured coaches after this season, and in the running for Coach of the Year honors....

 

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=AvIwL29YPtehjNrfdEVV44tDubYF?slug=cr-winnersandlosers112810

 

That article annoys me because they imply that Lance Briggs (and Urlacher) is not an elite LB.

 

Marinelli’s motivational tactics and Smith’s defensive play-calling have worked wonders with a cast of good-but-arguably-not-elite veterans – including cornerback Charles Tillman(notes) and linebackers Lance Briggs(notes) and Brian Urlacher(notes) – and one All-Pro level player, defensive end Julius Peppers(notes).

[jersey cubs fan]

The Bears-Pats game in a few weeks is now a 3 pm game on CBS.

 

I was wondering about that, and I don't get it. CBS doesn't have an attractive early game other than Pats @ Bears. They already have Miami @ Jets at 4:15, and KC @ SD isn't terrible either. There also isn't a huge Fox early game, unless you count NYG @ MIN.

 

It's a CBS doubleheader. They won't have national competition from Fox for the 4:15 game. They'll be able to get a huge audience with the Chicago and NE markets with no Fox.

 

Sure, but they already have Miami @ Jets and KC @ SD. Plus Fox does have 2 late games that will take away in certain markets. They could dominate 1 and 4, but now their 1 games won't compete with FOX's games. It seems like they are putting all their eggs in the 4pm basket instead of taking both.

[UMFan83]

Also its annoying how the big story of the game seems to be "the Bears FINALLY" got a win over a legit team, basically pretending that the Packers are garbage. Everyone respects the Packers and some still put them ahead of us in their rankings (which I'm fine with), but like I said earlier, the record of the teams the Bears beat and the Packers beat is even, except for the fact that Chicago's extra (8th) win is over the 1-10 Panthers.

[Banedon]

Yahoo sports speculates that Smith could be one of the top 4 longest tenured coaches after this season, and in the running for Coach of the Year honors....

 

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=AvIwL29YPtehjNrfdEVV44tDubYF?slug=cr-winnersandlosers112810

 

That article annoys me because they imply that Lance Briggs (and Urlacher) is not an elite LB.

 

Marinelli’s motivational tactics and Smith’s defensive play-calling have worked wonders with a cast of good-but-arguably-not-elite veterans – including cornerback Charles Tillman(notes) and linebackers Lance Briggs(notes) and Brian Urlacher(notes) – and one All-Pro level player, defensive end Julius Peppers(notes).

 

Yeah...Marinelli and Smith are mostly just lucky that those guys have managed to stay healthy.

[Banedon]

Also its annoying how the big story of the game seems to be "the Bears FINALLY" got a win over a legit team, basically pretending that the Packers are garbage. Everyone respects the Packers and some still put them ahead of us in their rankings (which I'm fine with), but like I said earlier, the record of the teams the Bears beat and the Packers beat is even, except for the fact that Chicago's extra (8th) win is over the 1-10 Panthers.

 

It's the college football mentality. Your recent wins (or losses) are more important than ones way back at the beginning of the season.

 

They forget that, unlike college football, the championship game isn't determined by a glorified Power Rankings.

[jersey cubs fan]

Yahoo sports speculates that Smith could be one of the top 4 longest tenured coaches after this season, and in the running for Coach of the Year honors....

 

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=AvIwL29YPtehjNrfdEVV44tDubYF?slug=cr-winnersandlosers112810

 

That article annoys me because they imply that Lance Briggs (and Urlacher) is not an elite LB.

 

Marinelli’s motivational tactics and Smith’s defensive play-calling have worked wonders with a cast of good-but-arguably-not-elite veterans – including cornerback Charles Tillman(notes) and linebackers Lance Briggs(notes) and Brian Urlacher(notes) – and one All-Pro level player, defensive end Julius Peppers(notes).

 

That's kind of dumb. They are a little older, but not old. And it's essentially the same personel that accounted for what was easily the most talented defense in the league in 2006, plus Peppers. The defense has plenty of talent to work with. Briggs, Urlacher and Peppers match up favorably with most top threes in the league.

[Banedon]

The Bears-Pats game in a few weeks is now a 3 pm game on CBS.

 

I was wondering about that, and I don't get it. CBS doesn't have an attractive early game other than Pats @ Bears. They already have Miami @ Jets at 4:15, and KC @ SD isn't terrible either. There also isn't a huge Fox early game, unless you count NYG @ MIN.

 

It's a CBS doubleheader. They won't have national competition from Fox for the 4:15 game. They'll be able to get a huge audience with the Chicago and NE markets with no Fox.

 

Sure, but they already have Miami @ Jets and KC @ SD. Plus Fox does have 2 late games that will take away in certain markets. They could dominate 1 and 4, but now their 1 games won't compete with FOX's games. It seems like they are putting all their eggs in the 4pm basket instead of taking both.

 

They probably feel like they want that one really big number to be able to brag about. But of course, that's purely speculation.

[rawaction]

 

Briggs, Urlacher and Peppers match up favorably with most top threes in the league.

 

Was thinking about this recently. I think if you include front 7's there's only a couple teams close to matching those 3. If you include all 11, there's more.

[Flames24Rulz]

This is why the Cowboys blowing the game against the Saints was so horrible. If the Bears have to rely on a Wild Card, there's a good chance the Saints will beat them for the 5th seed, meaning instead of playing an NFC West team in the first round, we'll have to travel to GB or PHI/NYG.

 

This is true. Heck, I'd almost rather have the 5th seed then win the division with the 3rd seed. Either way you are playing on the first weekend and either way, you are playing on the road in the next round and likely the next 2 rounds. I'd trade a home game against the Saints for a road game against the Rams or Seahawks anyday, and I don't care if both teams have good home records.

 

Eh, I'm not so sure I'd hate to face New Orleans in Chicago in January.

 

Getting to play GB two weeks in a row would be interesting as well....especially if both games were meaningful.

 

I've seen that script before with Arizona. I'll pass.

 

I have always wanted to see a Packers-Bears playoff game, but I'd rather wait until the NFC Championship Game for that.

[Guest]

Hey Raw, I wonder if you still think the bears should be looking D-line with the first pick in the draft? They're looking like they're going to be pick much further back in the first round at this point, and D-line looks like it's developing into one of the more solid areas of the team. Getting an OT should be a more reasonable pick with them drafting further back, don't you think?

 

Yes. I think DE is good, because Peppers and Izzy have been wonderful all year. You still have Wootton who you hope can contribute next year and Melton has flipped over there at times this year. At DT: Adams is a FA, Harrison is a candidate to be cut, Harris is overpaid and a candidate to get cut also. That leaves Melton and Toeina at DT. Even if you bring back Harris, I think you need a body at DT, and a top tier talent.

 

Also, OL is still the #1 priority, but I still think interior OL is a bigger need than OT, and starting caliber interior OL can be had in the 2nd and 3rd rounds.

 

Say what you want about Webb and Omiyale, but the team likes what Omiyale has done, and Webb is still just 22. And if any of them fail, you still have Chris Williams who's 24. Interior, you have Kreutz who's going to be gone. Garza who's up there in age. And Williams playing out of position. Backups are an undrafted guy and a converted college TE.

 

If I go DT 1st, I'd probably go OG 2nd and OC 3rd or 4th. And wait til 1st round next year for a legit OT, because I really don't like this class of tackles.

 

It depends on who is there when they pick but I would prefer going OL in the first round. The offensive line is still bad enough that I'd like to see them pull a 49ers and go OL with their first 2 picks.

 

You also have to consider WR if they can get a big guy who can get separation - a guy like Baldwin or Blackmon might fall to them in the first round or a guy like Hankerson in the 2nd.

[JonJayCutler]

I agree that Urlacher is no longer elite, but I'm failing to see how Briggs isn't an elite LB. In fact, I dare someone to name five LBs in the NFL who are currently head and shoulders better than him. James Harrison, DeMarcus Ware, Ray Lewis, Clay Matthews? Who else is there?

[Banedon]

I've seen that script before with Arizona. I'll pass.

 

I have always wanted to see a Packers-Bears playoff game, but I'd rather wait until the NFC Championship Game for that.

 

Well sure, if I get to pick a perfect scenario.

[Flames24Rulz]

I agree that Urlacher is no longer elite, but I'm failing to see how Briggs isn't an elite LB. In fact, I dare someone to name five LBs in the NFL who are currently head and shoulders better than him. James Harrison, DeMarcus Ware, Ray Lewis, Clay Matthews? Who else is there?

 

He is. I think Briggs might be one of the more underappreciated players I've seen. He's been the Bears best LB for quite some time now.

[tfarks]

I agree that Urlacher is no longer elite, but I'm failing to see how Briggs isn't an elite LB. In fact, I dare someone to name five LBs in the NFL who are currently head and shoulders better than him. James Harrison, DeMarcus Ware, Ray Lewis, Clay Matthews? Who else is there?

 

Patrick Willis

[Banedon]

I agree that Urlacher is no longer elite, but I'm failing to see how Briggs isn't an elite LB. In fact, I dare someone to name five LBs in the NFL who are currently head and shoulders better than him. James Harrison, DeMarcus Ware, Ray Lewis, Clay Matthews? Who else is there?

 

Just an opinion of course, but...

 

http://fantasyfootball.fanhouse.com/2010/11/25/week-12-idp-rankings-linebackers/

 

That's more fantasy related though....

[JonJayCutler]

I agree that Urlacher is no longer elite, but I'm failing to see how Briggs isn't an elite LB. In fact, I dare someone to name five LBs in the NFL who are currently head and shoulders better than him. James Harrison, DeMarcus Ware, Ray Lewis, Clay Matthews? Who else is there?

 

Patrick Willis

 

Whoops. I was going division-by-division in my head and when I got to the NFC West I just passed it by without thinking much of it lol.

[jersey cubs fan]

I agree that Urlacher is no longer elite, but I'm failing to see how Briggs isn't an elite LB. In fact, I dare someone to name five LBs in the NFL who are currently head and shoulders better than him. James Harrison, DeMarcus Ware, Ray Lewis, Clay Matthews? Who else is there?

 

Urlacher is no longer defensive player of the year material, but he's an elite linebacker. His issue has been staying healthy and playing. When he's healthy, which he is, he's terrific.

[rawaction]

Hey Raw, I wonder if you still think the bears should be looking D-line with the first pick in the draft? They're looking like they're going to be pick much further back in the first round at this point, and D-line looks like it's developing into one of the more solid areas of the team. Getting an OT should be a more reasonable pick with them drafting further back, don't you think?

 

Yes. I think DE is good, because Peppers and Izzy have been wonderful all year. You still have Wootton who you hope can contribute next year and Melton has flipped over there at times this year. At DT: Adams is a FA, Harrison is a candidate to be cut, Harris is overpaid and a candidate to get cut also. That leaves Melton and Toeina at DT. Even if you bring back Harris, I think you need a body at DT, and a top tier talent.

 

Also, OL is still the #1 priority, but I still think interior OL is a bigger need than OT, and starting caliber interior OL can be had in the 2nd and 3rd rounds.

 

Say what you want about Webb and Omiyale, but the team likes what Omiyale has done, and Webb is still just 22. And if any of them fail, you still have Chris Williams who's 24. Interior, you have Kreutz who's going to be gone. Garza who's up there in age. And Williams playing out of position. Backups are an undrafted guy and a converted college TE.

 

If I go DT 1st, I'd probably go OG 2nd and OC 3rd or 4th. And wait til 1st round next year for a legit OT, because I really don't like this class of tackles.

 

It depends on who is there when they pick but I would prefer going OL in the first round. The offensive line is still bad enough that I'd like to see them pull a 49ers and go OL with their first 2 picks.

 

You also have to consider WR if they can get a big guy who can get separation - a guy like Baldwin or Blackmon might fall to them in the first round or a guy like Hankerson in the 2nd.

 

I'm not a big fan of Baldwin. I know he has QB issues, but a legit #1 WR should take over games in college against a weak Big East. He doesn't demand the ball. He doesn't get good separation. He's a tall possession WR. There hasn't been too many successful 6'5" possession WRs.