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

[Wilson A2000]

This needs to be reposted.

 

Other reasons to feel better about the Bears:

- Looking at Sagarin's ratings, the Bears have the second-best record in the NFL against the top 10 (3-2) and top 16 (6-2) teams (do I even need to mention who was better?).

[Soul]

People should quit trying to find more reasons why the Bears should still be thought of as a bad team, and simply give credit where credit is due. They've done a fantastic job this year.

 

No team has accomplished more this season with more question marks than the Chicago Bears.

[cubweiser03]

Toe has been solid, best DT for the Bears this year. He gets a decent pass rush and blows up some run plays.

I'll be interested to see what type of pass rush the Bears can put together against the Pack, if it sucks like last week and they end up having to play the pack in the playoffs ill be extremely worried.

 

It really is pretty amazing what the Bears offense has done since the bye week. This truly isnt the same team is was early in the season. Cutler, the oline pass and run blocking, Forte all better. Mike Martz =D>

[Wilson A2000]

Toe has been solid, best DT for the Bears this year. He gets a decent pass rush and blows up some run plays.

I'll be interested to see what type of pass rush the Bears can put together against the Pack, if it sucks like last week and they end up having to play the pack in the playoffs ill be extremely worried.

 

It really is pretty amazing what the Bears offense has done since the bye week. This truly isnt the same team is was early in the season. Cutler, the oline pass and run blocking, Forte all better. Mike Martz =D>

 

Is Toenia the three technique? He has been playing well, but I am still seeing too much of Tommie Harris. This isn't the time to see if Harris can get it together.

[rawaction]

Toe has been solid, best DT for the Bears this year. He gets a decent pass rush and blows up some run plays.

I'll be interested to see what type of pass rush the Bears can put together against the Pack, if it sucks like last week and they end up having to play the pack in the playoffs ill be extremely worried.

 

It really is pretty amazing what the Bears offense has done since the bye week. This truly isnt the same team is was early in the season. Cutler, the oline pass and run blocking, Forte all better. Mike Martz =D>

 

Is Toenia the three technique? He has been playing well, but I am still seeing too much of Tommie Harris. This isn't the time to see if Harris can get it together.

 

Toe was the starting 3-tech, but now Harris is starting again and Toe has been backing up Adams at the NT.

[rawaction]

Defensive tackle Matt Toeaina was rewarded with a three-year extension through 2013. The deal reportedly includes $2 million guaranteed. The total deal is worth $6 million

 

The team also signed long-time long snapper Patrick Mannelly to a two-year extension through 2012.

 

 

I like this. Toe has been solid.

 

Yeah. And depending on what happens with Tommie, this could be a nice deal for a D-line guy that could see significant playing time.

 

Definitely. Harris will be out imo. I think within the first 3 picks, the Bears go defense with either a DT or a CB.

 

I wouldn't be surprised if they went both in the first 3 picks, depending on what they do in free agency. However, if they don't go CB in the first or 2nd, I wouldn't bother picking one at all. The Bears have a ton of mid-round CBs on their roster. DB is the one area where they don't have elite talent on defense. A potential elite CB would do wonders for a good defense that still has room to be better.

[cubbyvirus00]

Yeah. And depending on what happens with Tommie, this could be a nice deal for a D-line guy that could see significant playing time.

 

Definitely. Harris will be out imo. I think within the first 3 picks, the Bears go defense with either a DT or a CB.

 

I wouldn't be surprised if they went both in the first 3 picks, depending on what they do in free agency. However, if they don't go CB in the first or 2nd, I wouldn't bother picking one at all. The Bears have a ton of mid-round CBs on their roster. DB is the one area where they don't have elite talent on defense. A potential elite CB would do wonders for a good defense that still has room to be better.

 

I'm intrigued with the possibilities of what they can do in the draft and free agency. With Peppers being such a prize FA, you have to wonder if ownership is going to buy into the free agent process 100%. Is it too early to create a Bears offseason thread?

[TruffleShuffle]

People should quit trying to find more reasons why the Bears should still be thought of as a bad team, and simply give credit where credit is due. They've done a fantastic job this year.

 

No team has accomplished more this season with more question marks than the Chicago Bears.

 

 

the chiefs have.

 

the bears have shown how you can have a really good record without being a great team. win the turnover margin most of the time, have good special teams, play pretty good defense, don't suffer any injuries.

[rawaction]

Yeah. And depending on what happens with Tommie, this could be a nice deal for a D-line guy that could see significant playing time.

 

Definitely. Harris will be out imo. I think within the first 3 picks, the Bears go defense with either a DT or a CB.

 

I wouldn't be surprised if they went both in the first 3 picks, depending on what they do in free agency. However, if they don't go CB in the first or 2nd, I wouldn't bother picking one at all. The Bears have a ton of mid-round CBs on their roster. DB is the one area where they don't have elite talent on defense. A potential elite CB would do wonders for a good defense that still has room to be better.

 

I'm intrigued with the possibilities of what they can do in the draft and free agency. With Peppers being such a prize FA, you have to wonder if ownership is going to buy into the free agent process 100%. Is it too early to create a Bears offseason thread?

 

Yeah, fortunately it is too early! Doesn't mean I'm not working on my mock offseason moves.

[JonJayCutler]

People should quit trying to find more reasons why the Bears should still be thought of as a bad team, and simply give credit where credit is due. They've done a fantastic job this year.

 

No team has accomplished more this season with more question marks than the Chicago Bears.

 

 

the chiefs have.

 

the bears have shown how you can have a really good record without being a great team. win the turnover margin most of the time, have good special teams, play pretty good defense, don't suffer any injuries.

 

Everything you just mentioned with the exception of the injuries is what makes a team great.

 

And how have the Chiefs accomplished more? They're one game worse than the Bears while at the same time playing in an inferior division.

[radarluv1]

People should quit trying to find more reasons why the Bears should still be thought of as a bad team, and simply give credit where credit is due. They've done a fantastic job this year.

 

No team has accomplished more this season with more question marks than the Chicago Bears.

 

 

the chiefs have.

 

the bears have shown how you can have a really good record without being a great team. win the turnover margin most of the time, have good special teams, play pretty good defense, don't suffer any injuries.

 

Everything you just mentioned with the exception of the injuries is what makes a team great.

 

And how have the Chiefs accomplished more? They're one game worse than the Bears while at the same time playing in an inferior division.

the best team they beat was SD in week 1 in the rain. they capitalized on a ridiculously easy schedule.

[BigSlick]

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.

Heres the thing that everyone misses out on:

 

Everyone Is Susceptible To The Short Passing Game.

 

There isn't a team in the league that can stop a really well run west-coast style short passing game akin to what the Patriots and Packers run. The way the game has been legislated and the rules have been enforced, its basically unstoppable. They'll roll up yards and points on you. Its the way the NFL wants it to be. You just do what you can to hold teams to as few points as possible, and try to get your turnovers when you can.

 

The days of a shutdown defense are gone. Pine for those days all you want, but even the best defense in the league can't hold Aaron Rodgers, when he's on, from rolling up 270+ in the air. Its just the way the league is. Hope you can generate a pass rush, hope you can disrupt as many of those underneath passes as you can, but there is no more stonewalling. Those days are over.

 

Now whether or not our corners and secondary are worse than average in stopping the short game is a possibility. We certainly played better at the beginning of the year, of course we also played much worse teams at the beginning of the year as well.

 

With all that said:

 

As scared as I am of a back-to-back playoff scenario vs. the Packers, when I stop and think about it, its not all that scary. We only need to beat them once to stop them (either shut them out of the playoffs at Lambeau, or beat them in the playoffs) Its...just not all that likely, even with a team as strong as the Packers, with a QB as good as Rodgers, to beat a team in back-to-back weeks. Yeah, its not unheard of, but I would take the Bears in at least overcoming them one of these times. As humiliating as it would be, it just probably doesn't happen.

 

Either way everything in this season has been gravy since clinching the North. We've already played beyond our talent level, and we still have a young growing QB. I want to see strides, but I'm not going to be crushed emotionally if we lose in the playoffs, especially with this offensive line. Next year may be the make-or-break year, as our defense isn't getting any younger, and that may be our one window year to contend.

 

Now if we don't pick a minimum of 2-3 lineman in next years draft...then I'll be crushed emotionally.

[erik316wttn]

People should quit trying to find more reasons why the Bears should still be thought of as a bad team, and simply give credit where credit is due. They've done a fantastic job this year.

 

No team has accomplished more this season with more question marks than the Chicago Bears.

 

They have had a great season, and have been better than a lot of people (myself included) thought they ever would be.

[JonJayCutler]

As scared as I am of a back-to-back playoff scenario vs. the Packers, when I stop and think about it, its not all that scary. We only need to beat them once to stop them (either shut them out of the playoffs at Lambeau, or beat them in the playoffs) Its...just not all that likely, even with a team as strong as the Packers, with a QB as good as Rodgers, to beat a team in back-to-back weeks. Yeah, its not unheard of, but I would take the Bears in at least overcoming them one of these times. As humiliating as it would be, it just probably doesn't happen.

 

And considering Philly has to win both of their remaining games for this scenario to even happen, it makes it even more unlikely. Also, you'd have to think the Packers would be in danger of a flat performance at Soldier coming off two emotional playoff-clinching victories at home, but we'll see.

 

I'm pissed that the re-seeding deal couldn't have happened this year, because the Bears would be looking at either a bye or a first-round matchup at home vs the Rams/Seahawks.

[erik316wttn]

As scared as I am of a back-to-back playoff scenario vs. the Packers, when I stop and think about it, its not all that scary. We only need to beat them once to stop them (either shut them out of the playoffs at Lambeau, or beat them in the playoffs) Its...just not all that likely, even with a team as strong as the Packers, with a QB as good as Rodgers, to beat a team in back-to-back weeks. Yeah, its not unheard of, but I would take the Bears in at least overcoming them one of these times. As humiliating as it would be, it just probably doesn't happen.

 

And considering Philly has to win both of their remaining games for this scenario to even happen, it makes it even more unlikely. Also, you'd have to think the Packers would be in danger of a flat performance at Soldier coming off two emotional playoff-clinching victories at home, but we'll see.

 

I'm pissed that the re-seeding deal couldn't have happened this year, because the Bears would be looking at either a bye or a first-round matchup at home vs the Rams/Seahawks.

 

I don't get all the talk about re-seeding. The playoffs are fine as-is. One 8-8 team slips into the playoffs (which has happened before) and everyone gets their panties in a wad. The system isn't perfect. Deal with it. (This isn't directed at anyone in particular)

[JonJayCutler]

As scared as I am of a back-to-back playoff scenario vs. the Packers, when I stop and think about it, its not all that scary. We only need to beat them once to stop them (either shut them out of the playoffs at Lambeau, or beat them in the playoffs) Its...just not all that likely, even with a team as strong as the Packers, with a QB as good as Rodgers, to beat a team in back-to-back weeks. Yeah, its not unheard of, but I would take the Bears in at least overcoming them one of these times. As humiliating as it would be, it just probably doesn't happen.

 

And considering Philly has to win both of their remaining games for this scenario to even happen, it makes it even more unlikely. Also, you'd have to think the Packers would be in danger of a flat performance at Soldier coming off two emotional playoff-clinching victories at home, but we'll see.

 

I'm pissed that the re-seeding deal couldn't have happened this year, because the Bears would be looking at either a bye or a first-round matchup at home vs the Rams/Seahawks.

 

Then again, in that scenario the Saints could beat out the Bears for the 3rd seed and we'd be playing GB as the 4th and 5th seeds anyway lol.

[Wilson A2000]

Anyone interested in Champ Bailey in the offseason? He is 32, but still better than what the Bears have right now.

[BigSlick]

yeah i'm not as irate over the nfc west division winner being (possibly) sub-.500 as some people are, its a freak occurrence and the first time its happened since the inception of divisions.

 

if the nfl wants to do the nba thing and reseed it so wild cards can host home games, fine by me, but I can go either way with it.

[Magnetic Curses]

Anyone interested in Champ Bailey in the offseason? He is 32, but still better than what the Bears have right now.

 

i'd rather draft a big zone corner that fits lovie's scheme.

[TruffleShuffle]

People should quit trying to find more reasons why the Bears should still be thought of as a bad team, and simply give credit where credit is due. They've done a fantastic job this year.

 

No team has accomplished more this season with more question marks than the Chicago Bears.

 

 

the chiefs have.

 

the bears have shown how you can have a really good record without being a great team. win the turnover margin most of the time, have good special teams, play pretty good defense, don't suffer any injuries.

 

Everything you just mentioned with the exception of the injuries is what makes a team great.

 

And how have the Chiefs accomplished more? They're one game worse than the Bears while at the same time playing in an inferior division.

 

did you read the original comment?

 

No team has accomplished more this season with more question marks

[Banedon]

Anyone interested in Champ Bailey in the offseason? He is 32, but still better than what the Bears have right now.

 

i'd rather draft a big zone corner that fits lovie's scheme.

 

Hey, hey...no talking about the offseason yet. We still have season left to play.

[Soul]

People should quit trying to find more reasons why the Bears should still be thought of as a bad team, and simply give credit where credit is due. They've done a fantastic job this year.

 

No team has accomplished more this season with more question marks than the Chicago Bears.

 

 

the chiefs have.

 

the bears have shown how you can have a really good record without being a great team. win the turnover margin most of the time, have good special teams, play pretty good defense, don't suffer any injuries.

 

Everything you just mentioned with the exception of the injuries is what makes a team great.

 

And how have the Chiefs accomplished more? They're one game worse than the Bears while at the same time playing in an inferior division.

 

did you read the original comment?

 

No team has accomplished more this season with more question marks

 

Arguably the Chiefs, but they do have one more loss.

[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.

Heres the thing that everyone misses out on:

 

Everyone Is Susceptible To The Short Passing Game.

 

There isn't a team in the league that can stop a really well run west-coast style short passing game akin to what the Patriots and Packers run. The way the game has been legislated and the rules have been enforced, its basically unstoppable. They'll roll up yards and points on you. Its the way the NFL wants it to be. You just do what you can to hold teams to as few points as possible, and try to get your turnovers when you can.

 

The days of a shutdown defense are gone.

 

What are you even talking about? The Steelers have had a pretty damn good shutdown defense for several years. The Jets were a fantastic shutdown defense last year. Baltimore from time to time has been shutdown. You can't live on great defense for years and years of success. But shutdown defenses do exist in the NFL. There are 16 teams in the NFL that give up fewer passing yards per game than the Bears. That is bothersome to me, especially since their offense is not a consistent force.

[rawaction]

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.

Heres the thing that everyone misses out on:

 

Everyone Is Susceptible To The Short Passing Game.

 

There isn't a team in the league that can stop a really well run west-coast style short passing game akin to what the Patriots and Packers run. The way the game has been legislated and the rules have been enforced, its basically unstoppable. They'll roll up yards and points on you. Its the way the NFL wants it to be. You just do what you can to hold teams to as few points as possible, and try to get your turnovers when you can.

 

The days of a shutdown defense are gone.

 

What are you even talking about? The Steelers have had a pretty damn good shutdown defense for several years. The Jets were a fantastic shutdown defense last year. Baltimore from time to time has been shutdown. You can't live on great defense for years and years of success. But shutdown defenses do exist in the NFL. There are 16 teams in the NFL that give up fewer passing yards per game than the Bears. That is bothersome to me, especially since their offense is not a consistent force.

 

To be fair, the Bears offense has been much more consistent since the bye. Also, the Bears will be playing their 9th game this Sunday vs. a team in the top 12 in passing offense (4 against the bottom 12). So, they have played some very pass heavy teams. In comparison, the #1 pass defense of the Chargers have played 5 games vs. the top 12 and 8 vs. the bottom 12.

 

That's not to say that I'm not concerned about the pass D. It's also not to say that this is anywhere near a shutdown defense.

[jersey cubs fan]

To be fair, the Bears offense has been much more consistent since the bye.

 

I don't know about that. They've been more dangerous, but not all that consistent. They scored 7 against New England. Cutler's struggled to get 200 passing yards, and the team has struggled to get 300 total. To be fair, they are always a threat to score, which is something the Bears generally never are. They have won the only 2 real shoot outs they have been in this year, and I'm not saying I have no hope for the playoffs or anything. This team can beat anybody in the league, and that still includes New England.