Game 1 - Indianapolis Colts @ BEARS - 12:00 PM

[Banedon]

It sounds like they'd have kept Price if Omobe hadn't become available. Bad luck again for Price.

[UMFan83]

I think this will be a really close one. The Bears are quite a bit better than the Colts most likely, but its the first game of the year and the Colts have a new head coach, offensive system, defensive system, quarterback, etc. It will take a little bit to feel out what they are trying to do. Lots of Cover 2 and daring Luck to throw over the middle. Meanwhile the offense will start off slow, and lets say a halftime score of 10-7 Bears. Second half, the Bears come out strong, grab a couple of TDs, and hold on for a 27-17 victory.

 

And I predict a Jay to Marshall TD hookup somewhere in the game.

[rawaction]

I think this will be a really close one. The Bears are quite a bit better than the Colts most likely, but its the first game of the year and the Colts have a new head coach, offensive system, defensive system, quarterback, etc. It will take a little bit to feel out what they are trying to do. Lots of Cover 2 and daring Luck to throw over the middle. Meanwhile the offense will start off slow, and lets say a halftime score of 10-7 Bears. Second half, the Bears come out strong, grab a couple of TDs, and hold on for a 27-17 victory.

 

And I predict a Jay to Marshall TD hookup somewhere in the game.

 

I understand you're trying to temper your expectations, but I feel you are way off base here. Lovie has consistently gotten his teams ready to play opening day. The offense hasn't started off slow at all under Cutler. He had his best passing games (yardage wise) for the season on opening day of each of the last 2 years. He was also pretty good in the 09 opener vs. GB.

 

Also think you are off base on the defense. The Bears aren't going to see what the Colts are going to do. They are going to try to dictate what the Colts do. The Colts won't be able to run it. I think they will disguise a lot and even blitz Luck more than you are used to seeing from the Bears. He's still a young QB, and that offensive line is suspect. Especially in long yardage to go situations, I think the Bears blitz Luck, try to trick him into the wrong hot read and create a turnover. The Bears don't play nearly as much Cover 2 as people think they do.

[Guest]

I think this will be a really close one. The Bears are quite a bit better than the Colts most likely, but its the first game of the year and the Colts have a new head coach, offensive system, defensive system, quarterback, etc. It will take a little bit to feel out what they are trying to do. Lots of Cover 2 and daring Luck to throw over the middle. Meanwhile the offense will start off slow, and lets say a halftime score of 10-7 Bears. Second half, the Bears come out strong, grab a couple of TDs, and hold on for a 27-17 victory.

 

And I predict a Jay to Marshall TD hookup somewhere in the game.

 

I understand you're trying to temper your expectations, but I feel you are way off base here. Lovie has consistently gotten his teams ready to play opening day. The offense hasn't started off slow at all under Cutler. He had his best passing games (yardage wise) for the season on opening day of each of the last 2 years. He was also pretty good in the 09 opener vs. GB.

 

Also think you are off base on the defense. The Bears aren't going to see what the Colts are going to do. They are going to try to dictate what the Colts do. The Colts won't be able to run it. I think they will disguise a lot and even blitz Luck more than you are used to seeing from the Bears. He's still a young QB, and that offensive line is suspect. The Bears don't play nearly as much Cover 2 as people think they do.

 

I agree with the point of your post, but he was a disaster that game.

[rawaction]

I think this will be a really close one. The Bears are quite a bit better than the Colts most likely, but its the first game of the year and the Colts have a new head coach, offensive system, defensive system, quarterback, etc. It will take a little bit to feel out what they are trying to do. Lots of Cover 2 and daring Luck to throw over the middle. Meanwhile the offense will start off slow, and lets say a halftime score of 10-7 Bears. Second half, the Bears come out strong, grab a couple of TDs, and hold on for a 27-17 victory.

 

And I predict a Jay to Marshall TD hookup somewhere in the game.

 

I understand you're trying to temper your expectations, but I feel you are way off base here. Lovie has consistently gotten his teams ready to play opening day. The offense hasn't started off slow at all under Cutler. He had his best passing games (yardage wise) for the season on opening day of each of the last 2 years. He was also pretty good in the 09 opener vs. GB.

 

Also think you are off base on the defense. The Bears aren't going to see what the Colts are going to do. They are going to try to dictate what the Colts do. The Colts won't be able to run it. I think they will disguise a lot and even blitz Luck more than you are used to seeing from the Bears. He's still a young QB, and that offensive line is suspect. The Bears don't play nearly as much Cover 2 as people think they do.

 

I agree with the point of your post, but he was a disaster that game.

 

Yeah, I was thinking of a different game I guess. That was the 4 INT game.

[UMFan83]

I think this will be a really close one. The Bears are quite a bit better than the Colts most likely, but its the first game of the year and the Colts have a new head coach, offensive system, defensive system, quarterback, etc. It will take a little bit to feel out what they are trying to do. Lots of Cover 2 and daring Luck to throw over the middle. Meanwhile the offense will start off slow, and lets say a halftime score of 10-7 Bears. Second half, the Bears come out strong, grab a couple of TDs, and hold on for a 27-17 victory.

 

And I predict a Jay to Marshall TD hookup somewhere in the game.

 

I understand you're trying to temper your expectations, but I feel you are way off base here. Lovie has consistently gotten his teams ready to play opening day. The offense hasn't started off slow at all under Cutler. He had his best passing games (yardage wise) for the season on opening day of each of the last 2 years. He was also pretty good in the 09 opener vs. GB.

 

Also think you are off base on the defense. The Bears aren't going to see what the Colts are going to do. They are going to try to dictate what the Colts do. The Colts won't be able to run it. I think they will disguise a lot and even blitz Luck more than you are used to seeing from the Bears. He's still a young QB, and that offensive line is suspect. Especially in long yardage to go situations, I think the Bears blitz Luck, try to trick him into the wrong hot read and create a turnover. The Bears don't play nearly as much Cover 2 as people think they do.

 

You make some good points there, and I will concede I was probably wrong about assuming the Bears will wait to see how Colts will play. I was thinking they would treat Luck as more of a veteran because he's looked really good thus far, but what am I thinking, this is still his first NFL game. It makes sense that they would blitz a lot and try to force him into mistakes. However if they are unable to get much pressure on Luck with their blitzing, he's gonna be able to pick the Bears apart and gain confidence as the game goes on.

 

As far as Opening Day, Cutler has been pretty good on opening day (except the GB game), but the Bears have been hit or miss the last few years in the first game. Last year they dominated a good Falcons team, the year before they needed a controversial call to beat a 6-10 Lions team at home (mostly because they were unable to score from 1 yard out) , the year before that they lost a tough game in GB.

 

2008: Surprisingly beat a good Colts team on the road to open their new stadium

2007: Scored 3 points in losing to a good Chargers team in SD

2006: Shut out GB in GB

2005: Lost an ugly 9-7 game to the Redskins

2004: Lost a close game to a bad Lions team

 

That's 4-4 overall in the Lovie era. I don't think there's any sort of pattern that suggests the Bears, as a whole, play better in week 1, but your point about Cutler stands. I just happen to think the offense will start out slow. Cutler admitted there were communication issues during the Giants preseason game, and while I tend to ignore just about everything in the preseason, that comment suggested to me that he's not in sync with the offense just yet. Maybe they've gotten more in tune during the last 2 weeks of practice, who knows.

 

Anyways, thank you for respectfully disagreeing with me, it is much appreciated.

[Banedon]

Urlacher, Paea, and Conte all practiced yesterday.

[Sosa21MVP]

Bears by 20+. :hello:

[jersey cubs fan]

at one time since the 2005 season we had Peanut, Good Vasher, and M Brown. that was easily the best defensive secondary the Bears have had since the days of Doug [expletive] Plank. we've been messing with DB's since, and the defense has yet to really miss a beat.

 

How can you possibly say this? They went from an elite defense to just about average in a hurry. Then they ticked a bit higher again but are still not close to elite. They very much did miss several beats. They are very susceptible to the pass and have been for a few years after once being virtually impossible to throw against since you wouldn't get much yardage or would turn it over anyway.

[Magnetic Curses]

at one time since the 2005 season we had Peanut, Good Vasher, and M Brown. that was easily the best defensive secondary the Bears have had since the days of Doug [expletive] Plank. we've been messing with DB's since, and the defense has yet to really miss a beat.

 

How can you possibly say this? They went from an elite defense to just about average in a hurry. Then they ticked a bit higher again but are still not close to elite. They very much did miss several beats. They are very susceptible to the pass and have been for a few years after once being virtually impossible to throw against since you wouldn't get much yardage or would turn it over anyway.

 

If you're judging their pass defense from last year, it was actually pretty good. Teams passed a ton on them, mostly because rushing was futile, but they held opposing QBs to a 79 rating. This all considering they played Rodgers and Stafford twice, Brees, Rivers, Newton, and Vick once.

[Soul]

Urlacher, Paea, and Conte all practiced yesterday.

 

Certainly good news.

 

I actually liked that Urlacher was honest about his knee. I'd rather hear that up front, right from him.

[Guest]

Cutler show on Waddle and Silvy is better than I expected

[jersey cubs fan]

at one time since the 2005 season we had Peanut, Good Vasher, and M Brown. that was easily the best defensive secondary the Bears have had since the days of Doug [expletive] Plank. we've been messing with DB's since, and the defense has yet to really miss a beat.

 

How can you possibly say this? They went from an elite defense to just about average in a hurry. Then they ticked a bit higher again but are still not close to elite. They very much did miss several beats. They are very susceptible to the pass and have been for a few years after once being virtually impossible to throw against since you wouldn't get much yardage or would turn it over anyway.

 

If you're judging their pass defense from last year, it was actually pretty good. Teams passed a ton on them, mostly because rushing was futile, but they held opposing QBs to a 79 rating. This all considering they played Rodgers and Stafford twice, Brees, Rivers, Newton, and Vick once.

 

Their pass and overall defense in general the past 5 years compared to the couple years where they were elite. They missed beats, they've missed multiple beats.

[Guest]

at one time since the 2005 season we had Peanut, Good Vasher, and M Brown. that was easily the best defensive secondary the Bears have had since the days of Doug [expletive] Plank. we've been messing with DB's since, and the defense has yet to really miss a beat.

 

How can you possibly say this? They went from an elite defense to just about average in a hurry. Then they ticked a bit higher again but are still not close to elite. They very much did miss several beats. They are very susceptible to the pass and have been for a few years after once being virtually impossible to throw against since you wouldn't get much yardage or would turn it over anyway.

 

If you're judging their pass defense from last year, it was actually pretty good. Teams passed a ton on them, mostly because rushing was futile, but they held opposing QBs to a 79 rating. This all considering they played Rodgers and Stafford twice, Brees, Rivers, Newton, and Vick once.

 

Their pass and overall defense in general the past 5 years compared to the couple years where they were elite. They missed beats, they've missed multiple beats.

 

Wait, did you just imply that their defense has not been elite recently?

 

http://footballoutsiders.com/stats/teamdef

[KingCubsFan]

at one time since the 2005 season we had Peanut, Good Vasher, and M Brown. that was easily the best defensive secondary the Bears have had since the days of Doug [expletive] Plank. we've been messing with DB's since, and the defense has yet to really miss a beat.

 

How can you possibly say this? They went from an elite defense to just about average in a hurry. Then they ticked a bit higher again but are still not close to elite. They very much did miss several beats. They are very susceptible to the pass and have been for a few years after once being virtually impossible to throw against since you wouldn't get much yardage or would turn it over anyway.

 

If you're judging their pass defense from last year, it was actually pretty good. Teams passed a ton on them, mostly because rushing was futile, but they held opposing QBs to a 79 rating. This all considering they played Rodgers and Stafford twice, Brees, Rivers, Newton, and Vick once.

 

Their pass and overall defense in general the past 5 years compared to the couple years where they were elite. They missed beats, they've missed multiple beats.

 

Wait, did you just imply that their defense has not been elite recently?

 

http://footballoutsiders.com/stats/teamdef

Just taking a quick look at this, it seems pretty obvious that the Bears would have ranked highly in that system given that more weight was given to the late-season games (when the Bears were playing mostly terrible teams) as opposed to the beginning of the year.

[Guest]

 

Wait, did you just imply that their defense has not been elite recently?

 

http://footballoutsiders.com/stats/teamdef

Just taking a quick look at this, it seems pretty obvious that the Bears would have ranked highly in that system given that more weight was given to the late-season games (when the Bears were playing mostly terrible teams) as opposed to the beginning of the year.

 

The system is adjusted for opponent.

 

And they were 4th in unweighted.

[bukie]

 

Wait, did you just imply that their defense has not been elite recently?

 

http://footballoutsiders.com/stats/teamdef

Just taking a quick look at this, it seems pretty obvious that the Bears would have ranked highly in that system given that more weight was given to the late-season games (when the Bears were playing mostly terrible teams) as opposed to the beginning of the year.

 

The system is adjusted for opponent.

 

And they were 4th in unweighted.

And played the toughest schedule in the NFL.

[minnesotacubsfan]

at one time since the 2005 season we had Peanut, Good Vasher, and M Brown. that was easily the best defensive secondary the Bears have had since the days of Doug [expletive] Plank. we've been messing with DB's since, and the defense has yet to really miss a beat.

 

How can you possibly say this? They went from an elite defense to just about average in a hurry. Then they ticked a bit higher again but are still not close to elite. They very much did miss several beats. They are very susceptible to the pass and have been for a few years after once being virtually impossible to throw against since you wouldn't get much yardage or would turn it over anyway.

 

I'd make the argument that Tommie Harris and Mile brown were the biggest differences, but overall since 2007, the defense hasn't fallen as much as you seem to think. See David's post above

Edited September 4, 2012 by minnesotacubsfan

[scarey]

at one time since the 2005 season we had Peanut, Good Vasher, and M Brown. that was easily the best defensive secondary the Bears have had since the days of Doug [expletive] Plank. we've been messing with DB's since, and the defense has yet to really miss a beat.

 

How can you possibly say this? They went from an elite defense to just about average in a hurry. Then they ticked a bit higher again but are still not close to elite. They very much did miss several beats. They are very susceptible to the pass and have been for a few years after once being virtually impossible to throw against since you wouldn't get much yardage or would turn it over anyway.

 

If you're judging their pass defense from last year, it was actually pretty good. Teams passed a ton on them, mostly because rushing was futile, but they held opposing QBs to a 79 rating. This all considering they played Rodgers and Stafford twice, Brees, Rivers, Newton, and Vick once.

 

Their pass and overall defense in general the past 5 years compared to the couple years where they were elite. They missed beats, they've missed multiple beats.

 

Not really.

 

In terms of weighted defensive efficiency, they were the best defense in the league last year. Their only bad year in recent history was 2009 where they ranked 21st. Here's the last five years and the ranks they had.

 

2011: 1

2010: 5

2009: 21

2008: 7

2007: 10

 

Now granted, 2005 and 2006 they ranked 2nd both seasons, but I would contend that staying in the top 10 defenses for 6 of the last 7 years is hardly "missing multiple beats". Especially when you consider the injury woes of 2009.

[Banedon]

Yeah, 2009 was when Urlacher missed the season with the wrist injury.

[JonJayCutler]

Yeah there's certainly a chance that the Colts will hang with the Bears all game, but I don't think it's a very good one. They went 0-8 on the road last year, the defense is bad, the o-line is bad, Luck will likely make some plays, but he'll throw his picks as well. Tillman shouldn't have any problem with an aging Wayne. I agree that the Bears offense probably won't come out lighting up the score board, but I think they force some turnovers which lead to points. Luck can scramble, but I don't see him giving us the fits that Newton did last year.

[jersey cubs fan]

Now granted, 2005 and 2006 they ranked 2nd both seasons, but I would contend that staying in the top 10 defenses for 6 of the last 7 years is hardly "missing multiple beats". Especially when you consider the injury woes of 2009.

 

That would be a really strange argument to try and make. They were elite and they took a significant step back from elite. They missed beats. Why would anybody try to pretend otherwise?

[Guest]

Now granted, 2005 and 2006 they ranked 2nd both seasons, but I would contend that staying in the top 10 defenses for 6 of the last 7 years is hardly "missing multiple beats". Especially when you consider the injury woes of 2009.

 

That would be a really strange argument to try and make. They were elite and they took a significant step back from elite. They missed beats. Why would anybody try to pretend otherwise?

 

And then they signed Peppers and have been elite since.

[Banedon]

Found someone to pick the Bears to win the Super Bowl. As a bonus, he picked Cutler as MVP....

 

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/NFL-expert-predictions-2012-season

[Guest]

I don't think it's a coincidence that the dip coincided with our lack of an elite pass rusher (Tommie's injury in 2007 until the Peppers signing).