Bears game 1: Sunday, Sep 11 vs ATL, noon on Fox

[jersey cubs fan]

Bears open as 3 point dogs at home. Not a lot to go on historically with these two teams. Chicago lost a couple close ones in Atlanta a few years ago. Atlanta doesn't get to play in its dome, but it's early September in Chicago so weather shouldn't be an issue. Chicago is about even in openers with Lovie, winning some tough matchups. I'd like to say I feel good about this one, but the Bears suck vs the pass, Atlanta is dangerous in the air, and the line remains completely untested.

 

 

 

yay football

[UMFan83]

I have a bad feeling about the start to this season. As one of the announcers pointed out last night, Chicago starts the season playing 3 of the maybe 4 favorites in the NFC. At least 2 are at home.

 

If we could win 2 of the 3, I'd be ecstatic. 1 of 3 would suck but wouldnt be too devistating to the season.

[Banedon]

I have a bad feeling about the start to this season. As one of the announcers pointed out last night, Chicago starts the season playing 3 of the maybe 4 favorites in the NFC. At least 2 are at home.

 

If we could win 2 of the 3, I'd be ecstatic. 1 of 3 would suck but wouldnt be too devistating to the season.

 

You realize that was pretty similar last year?

 

Detroit

@Dallas

GB

@NYG

 

Now granted, Dallas ended up sucking, but that wasn't the perception going into the season.

[UMFan83]

I have a bad feeling about the start to this season. As one of the announcers pointed out last night, Chicago starts the season playing 3 of the maybe 4 favorites in the NFC. At least 2 are at home.

 

If we could win 2 of the 3, I'd be ecstatic. 1 of 3 would suck but wouldnt be too devistating to the season.

 

You realize that was pretty similar last year?

 

Detroit

@Dallas

GB

@NYG

 

Now granted, Dallas ended up sucking, but that wasn't the perception going into the season.

 

I do realize that and mentioned it several times in the past. Just because we went 3-1 last year, doesn't mean this year's schedule is any easier.

[BigSlick]

I have a bad feeling about the start to this season. As one of the announcers pointed out last night, Chicago starts the season playing 3 of the maybe 4 favorites in the NFC. At least 2 are at home.

 

If we could win 2 of the 3, I'd be ecstatic. 1 of 3 would suck but wouldnt be too devistating to the season.

1 of 3 would leave me extremely happy, honestly.

 

The start of this season blows.

[jersey cubs fan]

I have a bad feeling about the start to this season. As one of the announcers pointed out last night, Chicago starts the season playing 3 of the maybe 4 favorites in the NFC. At least 2 are at home.

 

If we could win 2 of the 3, I'd be ecstatic. 1 of 3 would suck but wouldnt be too devistating to the season.

1 of 3 would leave me extremely happy, honestly.

 

The start of this season blows.

 

Extremely? Honestly?

 

I wouldn't panic, but I sure as hell wouldn't be extremely happy. 3-0 would be extremely happy.

[Banedon]

I do realize that and mentioned it several times in the past. Just because we went 3-1 last year, doesn't mean this year's schedule is any easier.

 

Of course not. But every year there's surprises, and I wouldn't be surprised if one of those teams doesn't live up to the hype.

 

I do wish we were playing Atl later in the season, when it was colder in Chicago.

[JonJayCutler]

My bold prediction for the season: Earl Bennett has a breakout year and leads the team in receiving yards.

 

As for this game, I'm going to say Bears by a FG.

[moochpuppy]

Bears 20, Falcons 17 - Gould last second FG.

[Soul]

I do realize that and mentioned it several times in the past. Just because we went 3-1 last year, doesn't mean this year's schedule is any easier.

 

Of course not. But every year there's surprises, and I wouldn't be surprised if one of those teams doesn't live up to the hype.

 

I do wish we were playing Atl later in the season, when it was colder in Chicago.

 

HOOK OR CROOK.

 

Win this thing. Football is back!

[bukie]

Bears 31, Falcons 10. Go big or go home.

 

Plus it'll give a chance for fans on both teams to overreact wildly to a single result.

[UMFan83]

Bears 31, Falcons 10. Go big or go home.

 

Plus it'll give a chance for fans on both teams to overreact wildly to a single result.

 

that's always fun. This board would be hilarious (with me being part of the hilarity) if that score is reversed.

[jersey cubs fan]

Bears 31, Falcons 10. Go big or go home.

 

Plus it'll give a chance for fans on both teams to overreact wildly to a single result.

 

that's always fun. This board would be hilarious (with me being part of the hilarity) if that score is reversed.

 

Yeah, if you want wild overreaction, the Bears need to get bounced.

[kujay]

Bears 31, Falcons 10. Go big or go home.

 

Plus it'll give a chance for fans on both teams to overreact wildly to a single result.

 

that's always fun. This board would be hilarious (with me being part of the hilarity) if that score is reversed.

 

I was thinking it probably will be. 38-20 Falcons.

[Banedon]

Bears 31, Falcons 10. Go big or go home.

 

Plus it'll give a chance for fans on both teams to overreact wildly to a single result.

 

that's always fun. This board would be hilarious (with me being part of the hilarity) if that score is reversed.

 

Part of it? You'd be the Commander in Chief of it!

[UMFan83]

Bears 31, Falcons 10. Go big or go home.

 

Plus it'll give a chance for fans on both teams to overreact wildly to a single result.

 

that's always fun. This board would be hilarious (with me being part of the hilarity) if that score is reversed.

 

Part of it? You'd be the Commander in Chief of it!

 

Depends on whether CubbieVirus or Lo Pan decide to spend their Sunday afternoon on NSBB. Or if someone decides to rip on the safety of the turf at Gopher Stadium in early December.

[Careless]

Just saw Grantland is doing a 4 part NFL preview. One part for teams they think have no shot of competing, teams that they expect to decline, those they expect to improve, and those they expect to compete for the title. Guess which of the groups the Bears fall into

 

 

the first

 

[jersey cubs fan]

Just saw Grantland is doing a 4 part NFL preview. One part for teams they think have no shot of competing, teams that they expect to decline, those they expect to improve, and those they expect to compete for the title. Guess which of the groups the Bears fall into

 

 

the first

 

That does not surprise me in the least given the complete football stupidity of the boss there, and I really have no idea how they couldn't put them in the next group over.

 

 

Simmons was saying things like "We think the Bears are terrible, right?" the whole time they were winning games last year. I have no issue with somebody who doubts the Bears, but to think they are terrible is just silly.

[UMFan83]

Lovie's best coaching skill is being able to convince his players they are being disrespected. Keep it coming.

[UMFan83]

How much do you want to bet that at least 1 of those teams in the first column makes at least the 2nd round of the playoffs?

 

The teams are:

Chicago

Tennessee

Miami

Jacksonville

Buffalo

Cincinnati

Washington

[UMFan83]

Listening to Simmons podcast with Lombardi. Simmons mentions 6 contending NFC teams, including the Rams and not including Bears. Lombardi points out he does t even mention the Bears who won 11 games last year. His response was "well we can all see the writing on the wall there right?" Lombardi said he didn't think they'd win 11 last year but had an easy schedule and caught teams at the right time,etc but got better as te year went along. That said they haven't looked impressive at all in the summer.

[jersey cubs fan]

Listening to Simmons podcast with Lombardi. Simmons mentions 6 contending NFC teams, including the Rams and not including Bears. Lombardi points out he does t even mention the Bears who won 11 games last year. His response was "well we can all see the writing on the wall there right?" Lombardi said he didn't think they'd win 11 last year but had an easy schedule and caught teams at the right time,etc but got better as te year went along. That said they haven't looked impressive at all in the summer.

 

Lombardi seemed to have a reasonable view of the Bears last year, which I think proved correct in the end.

 

 

Simmons just wants to take an extreme viewpoint just so he can claim he had it right all along if it works out, or brush it off as "what do I know" if he's wrong.

[Banedon]

The Bears were 7-3 in games decided by a touchdown or less, and that includes a mostly meaningless loss to the Packers in Week 17. Winning close games at that rate is not a product of talent.

 

Steelers were 6-2 in games decided by a touchdown or less last year. I wonder if that will be mentioned?

[UMFan83]

Another thing I love is he picks the Rams as one of those teams and later mentions how difficult it's going to be for the Eagles to win in St. Louis in week 1. Then 2 minutes later he makes a joke about how Seattle could start out 5-6 and have a 2 game lead in the division.

[rawaction]

I'm feeling pretty good about this game. The Falcons have not been able to run the ball either of the last couple times they have played. Both teams are mostly the same (Falcons add Julio Jones, lost Dahl; Bears have Peppers and different safeties) from the last time they played 2 seasons ago.

 

That makes the Falcons 1-dimensional. From what I've seen this preseason, the Falcons D looks just like it did in the playoffs last year. The Steelers really lit them up in Week 3, which is the telling week of the preseason. Not that I'm putting a ton of stock into that, but the last 2 times they've gameplanned, the Falcons have given up 580 passing yards in 6 quarters.

 

Plus, the Bears usually come out pretty strong defensively to start the season when everyone is healthy. I think the Bears take this one. Not sure about the 2 after that.