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

[UMFan83]

According to this article, don't be so quick to pencil Briggs into the starting lineup Sunday:

 

Much like the Chicago Bears' path to the NFC North title, Lance Briggs controls his own destiny.

 

The decision to play Briggs on Sunday night against the Philadelphia Eagles now rests solely in the hands of the seven-time Pro Bowler, after head coach Marc Trestman announced on Friday that Briggs has received the necessary medical clearance from team doctors to return to action for the first time since he fractured his shoulder on Oct. 10.

 

Trestman has been quoted on the record multiple times in the past couple of days saying he is “optimistic” that Briggs will be active against the Eagles, especially after the veteran linebacker had full participation in Friday’s practice inside the Walter Payton Center.

 

But Trestman stopped short of guaranteeing that Briggs will take the field against Chip Kelly's high-powered offense.

 

Why?

 

Though the odds seem favorable that Briggs will test out the shoulder Sunday night, likely on a limited snap count, it’s hardly a slam dunk.

 

The average NFL fracture takes six weeks to heal. Briggs himself originally declared that he would miss only three-to-four around the time the injury occurred. But three-to-four weeks turned into eight weeks and seven missed games as Briggs experienced unexpected complications with the shoulder.

 

“Initially (I thought I’d be back sooner),” Briggs said on Thursday. “And then you get to the point where you get tested and your strength and everything isn’t where it’s supposed to be, or my bone is not healing the way it’s supposed to. There was some talk of going on IR, but that didn’t happen, and I’m here now. Now, I just want to play football.”

 

Whenever a player contemplates going on injured reserve, that means the injury, in his mind, is serious enough to where it affects his ability to perform up to par on the football field. The fact Briggs strongly considered shutting it down for the season should not be overlooked.

 

Then there is the fear of re-injuring the shoulder.

 

Let’s not be naïve. Briggs is a business man. His contractual spats with the Bears have been highly publicized over the years. We all see the writing on the wall: the Bears are about to overhaul the defense in the offseason. Briggs, 33, is under contract with the Bears in 2014 for a total salary of $5.5 million, but the last thing any older veteran player wants is to enter an offseason hurt or in need of surgery.

 

The Bears aren’t exactly sentimental when it pertains to contract negotiations or shaping the future roster -- see Brian Urlacher.

 

So Briggs has plenty of motivation to ensure that his shoulder is completely healed when the offseason rolls around.

 

However, it’s obviously in the best interest of the Bears if Briggs plays on Sunday.

 

In the end, Briggs probably opts to knock off the rust and play a certain amount of snaps in Week 16.

 

But that decision could have far-reaching consequences.

 

Don’t think for a second Briggs is blind to that.

[Banedon]

I think they're only hedging bets based on how much Sunday night's game means. If it's meaningful, he'll play. If it's not, he'll be the first guy they rest.

[jersey cubs fan]

I think they're only hedging bets based on how much Sunday night's game means. If it's meaningful, he'll play. If it's not, he'll be the first guy they rest.

 

On his show the other night when asked directly, "if you are cleared to play, will you play?" he did not answer in the affirmative.

[Soul]

Interesting. Doesn't "medically cleared to play" also mean that he's not in any abnormal danger of re-injury? If so, then I don't see how they can argue that Briggs wouldn't play because he wants to protect that shoulder.

 

I understand the mental thing, and the potential for feeling weaker (and as a result, less capable).

[JonJayCutler]

From ESPN: GM praises Cutler, franchise tag an option

[Guest]

From ESPN: GM praises Cutler, franchise tag an option

 

of course it's been an option, it's always been an option. no team in their right mind would let a QB like Cutler walk away without a better option already in hand.

[sweetpeteman]

From ESPN: GM praises Cutler, franchise tag an option

 

of course it's been an option, it's always been an option. no team in their right mind would let a QB like Cutler walk away without a better option already in hand.

 

 

They have a better option. His name is Jeff McCowan.

 

/Facebook

[Omar]

http://www.thedrawplay.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/2013-12-19-NFCNorth.png

[BigSlick]

Does...does... his jersey read "Sexy Rexy" on it?

[rawaction]

Super excited about this game. I like the Steelers chances today against the Packers, so this game will be huge for the Bears.

 

A lot is being made about the #1 rush offense against the last ranked run defense. But this game also features a highly ranked pass offense against the 2nd worst pass D. And I'd rather be the team with the advantage in the air vs. the ground. If the Bears can put up points, it will hopefully make Philly abandon the run a little.

 

The Eagles run a lot of read option looks on offense, but Nick Foles is not really a threat to run the ball. This actually plays into the Bears hands, because the DEs have been terrible at holding the edge and like to crash down inside against the run (looking at you McClellin, as were the Browns when the abused you with the wildcat last week). The LBs have also been slow to scrape over the top and cover the outside. So, Foles not being a threat should help as long as the Bears can make tackles, which is easier said than done.

 

Also, I like the Bears pass D in this one. DeSean Jackson had a couple big games against the Bears early in his career, but in the 2 games he's faced Tim Jennings, he's been shut down to the tune of 2 catches each time for 26 and 16 yards, respectively. Jennings is coming off of strong games vs. Dez Bryant and Josh Gordon, so he should be pretty confident going into this one. Though, Jackson won't be dogging it in the cold like the other two looked like they were. Bowman vs. Cooper isn't a bad matchup either.

 

A couple of interesting things that could help decide this game are the Eagles motivation and the Bears return game. I don't see the Eagles going all out if the Cowboys win early today. I think we see much more Bryce Brown than McCoy on the ground (though watch for McCoy in the pass game, as they'll have no qualms about getting him in the open field even if not going all out in the gameplan). And maybe a few fewer exotic blitzes. In the kick game, the Eagles allowed 2 return TDs to the Lions in the snow game. So, last week they squib kicked all game away from Cordarelle Patterson (league's leading KO returner). The Eagles top 2 special teams tacklers will miss this game, so their already porous coverage will be even weaker. The Vikes started 4 post-kickoff drives outside of the 34 last week. The Eagles' kicker has one of the league's worst touchback percentages. And with the wind, they may not want to risk a big return.

 

Should be an entertaining game, at least. First team to 30 wins.

[Soul]

Curious why you like PIT's chances. Seems like GB has the advantage in that one, even without Rodgers.

[JonJayCutler]

Well let's see, Big Ben lit it up in the snow two weeks ago against a much better defense, so there's hope there. Flynn is facing a better defense than ATL and DAL, not sure what the weather will do to him. GB does have the advantage in the running game though, so we'll see what happens.

 

PIT is 6-4 since their bye, they're rolling along a bit better than they were when we got them.

[rawaction]

Curious why you like PIT's chances. Seems like GB has the advantage in that one, even without Rodgers.

 

GB's defense has been really bad lately. They are 2nd worst run D over the 6-8 weeks (Bears obviously the worst). Their pass D isn't much better. Plus, I just really don't like Matt Flynn. At some point, it's going to fall apart for him (again). And just like I did when the Bears were starting McCown, I have a hard time putting faith in a QB that has such a terrible recent history. Flynn was cut twice this year, benched a few times and traded all in the last 2 years. Every time he wins a big game, it's going to be a surprise to me.

[Guest]

Sounds like the weather in Green Bay is going to impact the the play calling. I like Pittsburgh's short game over Green Bay's.

[UMFan83]

Predictions:

 

Washington 23 Dallas 20

Detroit 27 New York 17

Pittsburgh 20 Green Bay 13

Philadelphia 31 Chicago 28

 

Hope I'm wrong on 2 of them. I think the Bears Eagles game could go either way. If Dallas wins I might change Bears score.

[rawaction]

All 5 guys on NFL Network picked Pittsburgh over Green Bay. Of course all but 1 picked the Eagles. Sll cited the Eagles running all over the Bears, but no acknowledgement of the Bears potential to throw all over them.

[UMFan83]

Just got last minute tickets to Bengals-Vikings. Only said yes after I realized that GB and Detroit games were late games. Need to be glued to the TV from 3:30 (CST) - 11:30

[Careless]

Henry Melton was arrested Saturday night for assault and public intoxication, according to police in Grapevine, Texas, stemming from an altercation with a bartender at Chill Sports Bar & Grill.

[BigSlick]

Just got last minute tickets to Bengals-Vikings. Only said yes after I realized that GB and Detroit games were late games. Need to be glued to the TV from 3:30 (CST) - 11:30

God this sucks, barely any of the noon games have any bearing on the Bears chances (ho ho ho) except for, kinda, the Dallas-Washington game.

[Guest]

Just got last minute tickets to Bengals-Vikings. Only said yes after I realized that GB and Detroit games were late games. Need to be glued to the TV from 3:30 (CST) - 11:30

God this sucks, barely any of the noon games have any bearing on the Bears chances (ho ho ho) except for, kinda, the Dallas-Washington game.

 

Carolina-NO is interesting in a way, since the odds are high one of them would be the Bears likely opponent in the first round if the Bears make it.

[UMFan83]

Henry Melton was arrested Saturday night for assault and public intoxication, according to police in Grapevine, Texas, stemming from an altercation with a bartender at Chill Sports Bar & Grill.

 

What is Emerys stance against players with troubles? I imagine if the Bears have an interest in resigning him, this will lower his value a bit but it would come with him probably not being available for the first 4 games next year.

[Guest]

Henry Melton was arrested Saturday night for assault and public intoxication, according to police in Grapevine, Texas, stemming from an altercation with a bartender at Chill Sports Bar & Grill.

 

What is Emerys stance against players with troubles? I imagine if the Bears have an interest in resigning him, this will lower his value a bit but it would come with him probably not being available for the first 4 games next year.

 

Twitter seems to be indicating he might not be at fault and was attacked by bouncers.

[Soul]

Henry Melton was arrested Saturday night for assault and public intoxication, according to police in Grapevine, Texas, stemming from an altercation with a bartender at Chill Sports Bar & Grill.

 

What is Emerys stance against players with troubles? I imagine if the Bears have an interest in resigning him, this will lower his value a bit but it would come with him probably not being available for the first 4 games next year.

 

Twitter seems to be indicating he might not be at fault and was attacked by bouncers.

 

He's got a newly repaired knee -- I'm having trouble picturing him going wild attacking people right now.

[Soul]

All 5 guys on NFL Network picked Pittsburgh over Green Bay. Of course all but 1 picked the Eagles. Sll cited the Eagles running all over the Bears, but no acknowledgement of the Bears potential to throw all over them.

 

Yeah, looks like the world expects GB to lose.

 

I do think the Eagles have the advantage. Hoping for something to override that running game mismatch, but I'm pretty worried about it.

[UMFan83]

Ugh. Cowboys are choking. I shouldn't be surprised I guess.