Week 16: Bears (8-6) @ Eagles (8-6) 7:30 PM NBC

[UMFan83]

5-1 as a game thread starter this year, I'm keeping this going.

 

As I mentioned in the other thread, at the time I'm writing this post (Sunday afternoon), this game could have completely different implications when the Bears kick off depending on how the Lions do in the 2 games they play before this one.

 

Right now:

Bears 8-6

Lions 7-6

 

If the Lions lose twice: With a win the Bears clinch the NFC North. With a loss the Bears still control their own destiny going into week 17 against GB.

 

If the Lions go 1-1: With a win the Bears control their own destiny going into week 17, with a loss the Bears will need a win and Lions loss in week 17 to make the playoffs

 

If the Lions win twice: With a win the Bears are still alive going into week 17, with a loss the Lions win the NFC North and the Bears are eliminated.

 

Eagles might be in a similar desperate frame of mind. With the Cowboys well on their way to winning today, Dallas and Philly will be tied going into week 16. If the Cowboys win next Sunday, the Eagles could also be playing for their playoff lives, as the Cowboys have clinched the tiebreaker over Philly regardless of their game in week 17.

 

So yeah huge game for both teams.

Edited December 15, 2013 by UMFan83

[UMFan83]

One more note about the Eagles/Cowboys. If the Cowboys finish off GB today but lose in Washington next Sunday, the Eagles/Bears game is essentially meaningless for the Eagles chances of making the playoffs. Regardless of whether they beat the Bears or not, Week 17's Cowboys/Eagles game will decide the NFC East. However there would be seeding implications with the NFC North winner so I guess there is some incentive for Philly to win.

[WrigleyField 22]

Can you go update the first part since America's Team [expletive] the bed?

[gscool89]

Eagles open up as 3.5 point favorites

[Wilson A2000]

Someone is putting up fitty next Sunday

[Guest]

#Bears have scored 406 points this season, most since 409 in 1965. Club record 456 from 1985 is in sight. Need 51 points in final 2 games.

 

Uhhh.... wouldn't it 406 be the most since 456 (assuming there hasn't been a season higher than 406 since) in 1985 then?

[Guest]

#Bears have scored 406 points this season, most since 409 in 1965. Club record 456 from 1985 is in sight. Need 51 points in final 2 games.

 

Uhhh.... wouldn't it 406 be the most since 456 (assuming there hasn't been a season higher than 406 since) in 1985 then?

I wonder if they mean through 14 games.

[Splendid Splinter]

#Bears have scored 406 points this season, most since 409 in 1965. Club record 456 from 1985 is in sight. Need 51 points in final 2 games.

 

Uhhh.... wouldn't it 406 be the most since 456 (assuming there hasn't been a season higher than 406 since) in 1985 then?

I wonder if they mean through 14 games.

 

Yep. 1985 Bears had 400 through 14 games then scored 19 and 37.

[BigSlick]

#Bears have scored 406 points this season, most since 409 in 1965. Club record 456 from 1985 is in sight. Need 51 points in final 2 games.

 

Uhhh.... wouldn't it 406 be the most since 456 (assuming there hasn't been a season higher than 406 since) in 1985 then?

Says a lot about that 85 club that even with the greatest defense of the franchise's history they also have the greatest scoring offense in its history.

 

Though i'm sure there were more than their share of defensive scores as well.

[UMFan83]

Stat to wake up to that depresses me....

 

The Ravens are 1-5 on the road this year

[JonJayCutler]

Good news is Baltimore is just as desperate for a win.

 

My gut tells me if Detroit wins tonight they'll end up taking the division. Giants have quit. Although the Vikings at home with Cassel have a fighting chance against Detroit I would think, and hopefully AP comes back for that.

[Banedon]

Good news is Baltimore is just as desperate for a win.

 

My gut tells me if Detroit wins tonight they'll end up taking the division. Giants have quit. Although the Vikings at home with Cassel have a fighting chance against Detroit I would think, and hopefully AP comes back for that.

 

I don't think we can assume any wins for Detroit at this point. They've choked a very easy 2nd half schedule.

[jersey cubs fan]

Still no idea how I'm going to pull off the logistics for attending this game.

[UMFan83]

Good news is Baltimore is just as desperate for a win.

 

My gut tells me if Detroit wins tonight they'll end up taking the division. Giants have quit. Although the Vikings at home with Cassel have a fighting chance against Detroit I would think, and hopefully AP comes back for that.

 

Also with a win Baltimore is 1 game back of the Bengals in the AFC North with week 17 matching those two teams up. With the Ravens already beating the Bengals once this year they would clinch the tiebreaker with a win in that one. They have a ton to play for tonight.

[UMFan83]

Good reddit post that puts together every clinching scenario for every team the last 2 weeks of the season (and tonight). For the Bears there are 3 paths into the playoffs. Only 1 of them doesn't involve beating GB to get in:

 

Chicago Bears, 8-6 (currently 4th seed)

Clinch division if:

*Beat PHI and GB AND DET loses to one or more of BAL, NYG, and MIN

*Beat GB AND DET loses to two of BAL, NYG, and MIN

*Beat PHI AND GB loses to PIT AND DET loses to two of BAL, NYG, and MIN

Otherwise eliminated

 

For the Lions:

 

Detroit Lions, 7-6 (currently out of playoffs)

Win division if:

*Beat BAL, NYG, and MIN

*Beat two of BAL, NYG, and MIN AND CHI beats GB but loses to PHI

*Beat two of BAL, NYG, and MIN AND GB beats CHI but loses to PIT

Otherwise eliminated

 

Packers:

 

Green Bay Packers, 7-6-1 (currently out of playoffs)

Clinch division if:

*Beat PIT and CHI AND DET loses to one or more of BAL, NYG, and MIN

*Beat CHI AND CHI loses to PHI AND DET loses to two or more of BAL, NYG, and MIN

Otherwise eliminated

[Banedon]

So it's a possible scenario that the Bears could go into Sunday night's game looking to clinch.

[apete6]

So it's a possible scenario that the Bears could go into Sunday night's game looking to clinch.

 

Yes. And if that happens, there will be a LOT of beers consumed during that game. Would be so unexpectedly awesome.

[Banedon]

Trestman just said that Tillman won't be available in the playoffs. His recovery hasn't progressed enough. Trestman wouldn't say if Tillman had surgery, saying that it's a privacy issue.

 

Briggs will practice this week. Optimistic he'll play.

 

Jay's headset wasn't working for about 6 plays yesterday, one of which was the first INT.

[Guest]

Emery will be on the Score at 4:05 pm today.

[UMFan83]

Trestman just said that Tillman won't be available in the playoffs. His recovery hasn't progressed enough. Trestman wouldn't say if Tillman had surgery, saying that it's a privacy issue.

 

Briggs will practice this week. Optimistic he'll play.

 

Jay's headset wasn't working for about 6 plays yesterday, one of which was the first INT.

 

That sucks about Tillman but he wouldn't have been allowed to come back until the 2nd round anyways. Plus I haven't seen any major issues with Bowman/Frey. Obviously Tillman would help but it's not the biggest concern at the moment.

[Guest]

#Bears have scored 406 points this season, most since 409 in 1965. Club record 456 from 1985 is in sight. Need 51 points in final 2 games.

 

Uhhh.... wouldn't it 406 be the most since 456 (assuming there hasn't been a season higher than 406 since) in 1985 then?

Says a lot about that 85 club that even with the greatest defense of the franchise's history they also have the greatest scoring offense in its history.

 

Though i'm sure there were more than their share of defensive scores as well.

 

Not only defensive scores, but the defense giving the offense great field position for easy scores on turnovers and downs.

[Banedon]

There's some parallels that could be drawn here with McCown.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Todd_Collins_(quarterback)

 

On March 14, 2006, Collins was signed by the Washington Redskins to a two-year, $2.5 million contract. Collins was brought in because of offensive coordinator Al Saunders having knowledge of Collins and knowing Collins could assist as a signal caller and backup.

 

On December 6, 2007, Collins replaced Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell, who was injured. Taking charge of a team depleted by injuries and drained by the shooting death of safety Sean Taylor nine days earlier, Collins completed 15 of 20 passes for 224 yards and two touchdowns, leading the Redskins to a 24–16 victory. Collins won NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors for his performance against the Chicago Bears. Coach Joe Gibbs was particularly pleased with the performance, saying "I don't know that I've ever had a better performance coming off the bench. Ever."[5]

 

Following the victory over the Chicago Bears (which improved the Redskins to 6-7), Collins led the Redskins to three more consecutive victories to close out the regular season. Those victories were over the New York Giants, the Minnesota Vikings, and a 27–6 win over the Dallas Cowboys in the season finale. The Redskins' four straight victories at the end of the season left them with a 9-7 record, securing the Redskins' bid for a wild card playoff berth against the Seattle Seahawks. Collins finished the season with a quarterback rating of 106.4. Following completion of the regular season, he was voted NFC Offensive Player of the Month for December.

In the wild card playoff game against the Seahawks, Collins completed 29 of 50 passes for 266 yards and two touchdowns. He also threw two interceptions in the fourth quarter, both of which were returned for touchdowns by the Seahawks defense. These were Collins' first interceptions since the 1997 season. The Redskins lost the game by a score of 35–14, eliminating them from further postseason competition.

 

In 2008 and 2009, Collins again backed up Jason Campbell. On February 29, 2008, despite interest from the Jacksonville Jaguars, Collins was re-signed by the Redskins. His three-year contract was worth an estimated $9 million.[6] Collins took no snaps in the 2008 season. In the 2009 season he saw action in three games as a backup, throwing 12 for 23 for 144 yards. On March 4, 2010, Collins was released by the Redskins.

[Guest]

Maybe the Bears should have signed Collins. Oh, wait.

[Guest]

8...and 6. How'd we ever win 8

[Banedon]

8...and 6. How'd we ever win 8

 

2nd most points scored in the NFL helps.