Bears game 16: January 2 @ GB, 3:15 on Fox

[jersey cubs fan]

The Pack is a 5 point favorite right, and I'm guessing that is subject to change depending on the outcome of Monday and Tuesday night football. This game could mean a hell of a lot, or absolutely nothing. Hope it's nothing because a 2 seed could be huge. I'm hoping Chicago gets to host the Saints in late January.

[rawaction]

That's my hope too. Regardless of what happens though, I'd like to see the Bears play their starters for at least a half. If the Eagles lose tomorrow, the Bears will have a bye week to rest their players. I don't really want to see them essentially getting 2 weeks off. That doesn't seem to turn out well very often (colts last year exception).

 

I think the Bears can beat the Packers straight up, but the Bears D has been playing like a unit that knew the last few weeks when they weren't in a must win situation. They knew the Packers lost to Detroit and played like they had a free game vs. NE. They knew they were in a win-and-in game vs. Minnesota, and they showed up then. They also knew they were division winners and didn't show vs. the Jets for most of the game. I can't see the defense getting motivated enough to beat the Packers this week, because in all reality it means a lot less to the Bears than it does to the Packers. The offense at least has the "everyone doubts us" mentality to fall back on.

[minnesotacubsfan]

PACKER WEEK

 

just kill them

[SouthSideRyan]

I hope we don't lose again like we did last Packer game.

[jersey cubs fan]

I hope we don't lose again like we did last Packer game.

 

The good thing is it's really hard to beat a team three times in the same season.

[Banedon]

Let the Packer love from the media begin! or...continue...whatever.

[Formerly Snayke]

I haven't really paid attention...what adjustments or improvements has Chicago's offense made to start scoring so many points? Has Martz done enough where he might get a shot at being head coach again?

[jersey cubs fan]

I haven't really paid attention...what adjustments or improvements has Chicago's offense made to start scoring so many points? Has Martz done enough where he might get a shot at being head coach again?

 

They've done a better job protecting Cutler, they have made the running game at least competent when Forte is in, if not really a weapon. But most importantly Jay and the receivers now have almost a full season in the system.

 

I doubt Martz is going to be highly sought after as an NFL head coach right now, unless the offense rolls through to the Super Bowl.

[Banedon]

I haven't really paid attention...what adjustments or improvements has Chicago's offense made to start scoring so many points? Has Martz done enough where he might get a shot at being head coach again?

 

Receivers are more comfortable with routes. O-line is doing better, and Martz is calling shorter drops when necessary, along with quick passes. Running game has been getting stronger, which has helped too.

 

I don't think Martz is gonna be getting head coach offers this season. He still has a rep that I dont' think he's shed yet.

[rawaction]

I haven't really paid attention...what adjustments or improvements has Chicago's offense made to start scoring so many points? Has Martz done enough where he might get a shot at being head coach again?

 

Calling very few 7 step drops. Cutler is getting rid of the ball quicker. The OL is also 100x better than it was early in the season. Whether it is continuity or whatever, I don't know, but they know their assignments and are getting the job done much more than they were early. Run game has become a factor.

 

Martz will not be a head coach again. He's failed as a head coach, he's been successful as an OC. He's too old for a team to think he can change a be a good head coach the next time around.

[Banedon]

they have made the running game at least competent when Forte is in, if not really a weapon.

 

The difference between Forte and Taylor right now is massive. Taylor is just completely unable to get anything going. I'm starting to wonder if they'll keep him, with the money they're shelling out for him.

[jersey cubs fan]

they have made the running game at least competent when Forte is in, if not really a weapon.

 

The difference between Forte and Taylor right now is massive. Taylor is just completely unable to get anything going. I'm starting to wonder if they'll keep him, with the money they're shelling out for him.

 

I'm assuming he's gone.

[jersey cubs fan]

Martz will not be a head coach again. He's failed as a head coach, he's been successful as an OC. He's too old for a team to think he can change a be a good head coach the next time around.

 

I agree with you, with a couple caveats. There may be huge turnover in NFL coaching staffs this year. It's possible that 9 or 10 spots may open up. Everybody wants the next big thing or a proven Super Bowl winner, but there are only a couple of those. And while he is 59 and older than the trend. Every season seems to bring a franchise or two that hires some old retread that nobody thought would get a job. I don't think many people predicted Norv Turner and Chan Gailey would get another chance. Wade Phillips shouldn't have been hired four years ago by Dallas.

 

I think if Chicago's offense does well in the playoffs, and enough spots open up, there is an outside chance that somebody looking for an offensive spark would take Martz.

 

But I don't think that happens.

[jersey cubs fan]

This freaking pass defense still scares the piss out of me. I get being susceptible to the short passing game. But there have been too many breakdowns in coverage deep to try and pretend everything is fine. I really fear what a quality NFL QB can do against them in the playoffs.

[bukie]

This freaking pass defense still scares the piss out of me. I get being susceptible to the short passing game. But there have been too many breakdowns in coverage deep to try and pretend everything is fine. I really fear what a quality NFL QB can do against them in the playoffs.

They've been playing that ridiculous soft zone with the safeties 25 yards deep ever since it worked like a charm in the Philly game. When the opposing QB makes mistakes, it works like a charm (see Minnesota game). When the opposing QB is patient and has time to throw, and doesn't make mistakes, it doesn't work at all (NE/NYJ games, first half). Sanchez had probably the best game of his career yesterday, and ate up the pass D in the second quarter.

 

It's almost as if the Bears are defending like they'll have time to recover on holes in the zone, and not realizing that with the weather conditions as they have been the last 3 weeks, they can't unless the QB throws poorly (which happened a lot in Minnesota, and in the second half of the Jets game).

[Formerly Snayke]

Martz will not be a head coach again. He's failed as a head coach, he's been successful as an OC. He's too old for a team to think he can change a be a good head coach the next time around.

 

Well, that's overstating it. Martz was 6-10 when the Rams fired him, before that they were 8-8, 12-4, 7-9 and 14-2. The Rams' downfall was a horrible front office with horrible ownership and they made a concerted effort to force him out. Coaches worse than him (Gary Kubiak) will probably get another head coaching gig in this league, so I don't see why Martz shouldn't get his.

[JonJayCutler]

I can see why they do it though. It stems from confidence (perhaps too much) in their front 4, while the secondary retreats into a "bend don't break" style of defense. The deep safeties leave the middle of the field ridiculously open at times, which having an aging and slower Urlacher doesn't help.

 

This defense is almost 100% dependent on the front 4 generating pressure, and for they most part this year they have. When they haven't (NE and NYJ), the results have been horrible to say the least.

[jersey cubs fan]

This defense is almost 100% dependent on the front 4 generating pressure, and for they most part this year they have. When they haven't (NE and NYJ), the results have been horrible to say the least.

 

Might as well add the Seattle game in there, and they didn't do much against Washington either.

[bukie]

I can see why they do it though. It stems from confidence (perhaps too much) in their front 4, while the secondary retreats into a "bend don't break" style of defense. The deep safeties leave the middle of the field ridiculously open at times, which having an aging and slower Urlacher doesn't help.

 

This defense is almost 100% dependent on the front 4 generating pressure, and for they most part this year they have. When they haven't (NE and NYJ), the results have been horrible to say the least.

I'm also curious how much the field conditions contribute to both sides of failure: the front 4 can't get to the QB, and the defensive backfield can't recover in time to close the holes in the zone that passes are thrown to.

 

The Bears should get to installing field turf today, to get it ready in time for the playoff game.

[Banedon]

This defense is almost 100% dependent on the front 4 generating pressure, and for they most part this year they have. When they haven't (NE and NYJ), the results have been horrible to say the least.

 

Granted on NE, but is giving up 27 points horrible? It's certainly not great, but I think horrible is overstating it.

[bukie]

This defense is almost 100% dependent on the front 4 generating pressure, and for they most part this year they have. When they haven't (NE and NYJ), the results have been horrible to say the least.

 

Granted on NE, but is giving up 27 points horrible? It's certainly not great, but I think horrible is overstating it.

When Sanchez was throwing correctly, it was horrible. In the second half, Sanchez was off with his throws, and a couple of WR drops saved some possessions for the D.

[JonJayCutler]

I can see why they do it though. It stems from confidence (perhaps too much) in their front 4, while the secondary retreats into a "bend don't break" style of defense. The deep safeties leave the middle of the field ridiculously open at times, which having an aging and slower Urlacher doesn't help.

 

This defense is almost 100% dependent on the front 4 generating pressure, and for they most part this year they have. When they haven't (NE and NYJ), the results have been horrible to say the least.

I'm also curious how much the field conditions contribute to both sides of failure: the front 4 can't get to the QB, and the defensive backfield can't recover in time to close the holes in the zone that passes are thrown to.

 

The Bears should get to installing field turf today, to get it ready in time for the playoff game.

 

I think you're onto something there. Most, if not all of the games where the Bears struggled to get pressure on the QB were home games.

[JonJayCutler]

This defense is almost 100% dependent on the front 4 generating pressure, and for they most part this year they have. When they haven't (NE and NYJ), the results have been horrible to say the least.

 

Granted on NE, but is giving up 27 points horrible? It's certainly not great, but I think horrible is overstating it.

 

Giving up 27 points at home to an offense that is far from elite is pretty bad.

[jersey cubs fan]

This defense is almost 100% dependent on the front 4 generating pressure, and for they most part this year they have. When they haven't (NE and NYJ), the results have been horrible to say the least.

 

Granted on NE, but is giving up 27 points horrible? It's certainly not great, but I think horrible is overstating it.

 

They couldn't stop Mark Sanchez and the Jets offense. NYJ have been shut out this year and scored 3 and 6 in recent losses. Sanchez is easily a bottom half of the league QB and might be the worst one in this year's playoffs.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

How long before Lovie gets a 4-year extension based on this season?