Week 13: BEARS vs. Green Bay Packers @ 1 or something

[raw]

Looking at the current 53-man roster, I'd a conservative estimate it at 19 current players who will have a significant role (starter or key contributor) beyond this season in the NFL. Another 2 are on IR (Patrick, Herbert). 2 more will go on IR today. And of those 17 remaining, 2 are the kicker and punter. Fields, Claypool, Gordon and Brisker will all be questionable to play this week.

 

Any or all of Blasingame, Ebner, St Brown, Harry, Pringle, Pettis, Griffin, Wesco, Leatherwood, Schofield, Mustipher, Eiselen, Carter, Reiff, Pennel, Charlton, Blackson, Watts, Thomas, Adams, Weatherford, Jaylon Jones, Vildor, Layne, Blackwell, Cruikshank, Hicks and Scales could be out of the league for good after 5 more games. And that doesn't include guys like Velus Jones and Borom who will likely have NFL roster spots but insignificant roles, at best.

 

It's not enough to have the least amount of talent in the league. The Bears also have significant injuries across the board. Luckily for them, the Packers suck. Aaron Rodgers is also hurt, though I'd imagine he'll play. Even though the Packers do suck, they suck much less than the Bears. But Justin Fields has proven good enough (and GB defense bad enough historically against QBs that can run) that his availability could singlehandedly change the outcome of this game.

 

If Fields plays, go out and win this game. Draft positioning be damned. If Fields doesn't play, I will enjoy a 2nd stress free Sunday in a row.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Every hit that Fields takes in the next five games is stupid and unnecessary.

 

I'm never a fan of pure tanking going into the season. But I think we've crossed the line at this point where I would personally rather see them lose than win. I'm more worried about Fields' survival than his development at this point, and I hate pretty much every other player on the roster.

[Soul]

Every hit that Fields takes in the next five games is stupid and unnecessary.

 

I'm never a fan of pure tanking going into the season. But I think we've crossed the line at this point where I would personally rather see them lose than win. I'm more worried about Fields' survival than his development at this point, and I hate pretty much every other player on the roster.

Typically I'd say no, I want them to win no matter what. And it's like a reflex - once we get into the game I'm going to cheer for them.

 

But Poles flipped the script when he started trading players away in terms of whether the organization is trying to win. Clearly they aren't, so in a way rooting for the Bears to lose as a fan is also rooting for the Bears' to "win."

[tfarks]

If Fields (fully)/Eddie/Mooney were all healthy I'd have some semblance of optimism for this game. As it stands now, I just want to see them sit Fields through the bye and tank on. The #2 pick is more fun than this team now.

[Soul]

I want Rodgers to play. I'd rather not see Love play in the one game he could succeed, given the Bears' historically bad defense and lack of any kind of pass rush.

[Sammy Sofa]

But Poles flipped the script when he started trading players away in terms of whether the organization is trying to win. Clearly they aren't, so in a way rooting for the Bears to lose as a fan is also rooting for the Bears' to "win."

 

This is the real Chicago Way.

[WrigleyField 22]

Draft positioning rooting interests

 

Patriots over Bills
Steelers over Falcons
Ravens   over Broncos
Jaguars  tie  Lions (or Jags win)
Texans   over Browns
Jets     over Vikings
Giants   over Commanders 
Titans   over Eagles
Rams     over Seahawks
Dolphins over 49ers
Chiefs   over Bengals
Raiders  over Chargers 
Colts    over Cowboys
Saints   over Buccaneers

Packers @ Bears, no comment

[Rex Buckingham]

I want Rodgers to play. I'd rather not see Love play in the one game he could succeed, given the Bears' historically bad defense and lack of any kind of pass rush.

 

Nah, let Love play and hopefully perform well enough to make GB think he's their guy, then hope he tanks next year.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

If Fields (fully)/Eddie/Mooney were all healthy I'd have some semblance of optimism for this game. As it stands now, I just want to see them sit Fields through the bye and tank on. The #2 pick is more fun than this team now.

 

I know it's a long shot but I'm keeping an eye on the Houston scores. mineaswell dream big

[raw]

If Fields (fully)/Eddie/Mooney were all healthy I'd have some semblance of optimism for this game. As it stands now, I just want to see them sit Fields through the bye and tank on. The #2 pick is more fun than this team now.

 

I know it's a long shot but I'm keeping an eye on the Houston scores. mineaswell dream big

 

Houston's impossible to catch. With that tie, the Texans have to win 3 more times if the Bears lose out. They end with Jacksonville and the Colts, but have Browns (Watson revenge factor), Cowboys, Chiefs and Titans in the next 4.

[Bertz]

Every hit that Fields takes in the next five games is stupid and unnecessary.

 

I'm never a fan of pure tanking going into the season. But I think we've crossed the line at this point where I would personally rather see them lose than win. I'm more worried about Fields' survival than his development at this point, and I hate pretty much every other player on the roster.

 

I think Fields can clearly still use reps so I wouldn't shut him down for the year. And our division mates all have fairly weak defenses so I'm not worried about him getting killed.

 

Against the Bills and Eagles though? I'd look to either hold Justin out with pretenditis or hand the ball off 35-40 times.

[UMFan83]

Rams better win some horsefeathering games. Would piss me off to see the Lions get a top 3 pick from them, not to mention our own concerns with staying ahead of them

[WrigleyField 22]

If Fields (fully)/Eddie/Mooney were all healthy I'd have some semblance of optimism for this game. As it stands now, I just want to see them sit Fields through the bye and tank on. The #2 pick is more fun than this team now.

 

I know it's a long shot but I'm keeping an eye on the Houston scores. mineaswell dream big

 

Houston's impossible to catch. With that tie, the Texans have to win 3 more times if the Bears lose out. They end with Jacksonville and the Colts, but have Browns (Watson revenge factor), Cowboys, Chiefs and Titans in the next 4.

Actually I think they only need two more W if Bears lose out. That tie basically acts like a half win doesn't it?

[Soul]

Rams better win some horsefeathering games. Would piss me off to see the Lions get a top 3 pick from them, not to mention our own concerns with staying ahead of them

 

I was looking into this yesterday and I believe the Rams are on track to be the worst Super Bowl Champion the following year. It's between them, the 1981 Raiders, and the 2013 Ravens.

 

The '81 Raiders were coming of the magical run of Jim Plunkett, resulting in the Raiders winning the SB as a wild card team for the first time in history. I don't remember a lot of people expecting that to happen, and so certainly the Raiders dismal '81 wasn't a surprise.

 

The '13 Ravens, everyone knows what the deal was with Flacco. He had an unbelievable few games, the Ravens felt obligated to re-sign him, and he proceeded to suck. Many people (if not all) expected it.

 

With the Rams, it seemed reasonable to expect they'd be good this year. I also read that the Rams have one of the easiest SOS for a returning SB champion too.

[CubinNY]

I want Rodgers to play. I'd rather not see Love play in the one game he could succeed, given the Bears' historically bad defense and lack of any kind of pass rush.

 

Nah, let Love play and hopefully perform well enough to make GB think he's their guy, then hope he tanks next year.

Pretty much everyone in GB already thought that after .5 quarters in a preseason game before the start of this season.

[raw]

 

I know it's a long shot but I'm keeping an eye on the Houston scores. mineaswell dream big

 

Houston's impossible to catch. With that tie, the Texans have to win 3 more times if the Bears lose out. They end with Jacksonville and the Colts, but have Browns (Watson revenge factor), Cowboys, Chiefs and Titans in the next 4.

Actually I think they only need two more W if Bears lose out. That tie basically acts like a half win doesn't it?

 

Yeah, you're right. I'm thinking in terms of wins instead of in terms of losses.

 

Bears would be 3-14 if they lose out. Texans 3-13-1 if they win 2 more. So Bears would get the #1 pick.

[champaignchris]

Starting to look at draft scenarios.

 

As the standings sit right now, the Bears would have #2, the Lions would have #3 and #13 and the Seahawks would have #4 and #16.

 

Geno Smith is an UFA after this year and probably not a long term solution anyway. Goff has 2 years left on his contract, but I don’t think any of it is guaranteed, and he’s obviously not a long term solution. Both teams will likely be looking at QBs in the draft.

 

So the Bears could be looking at a scenario where they could trade down to #3 or #4, pick up the extra pick, and still have the choice of the best non-qb option in the draft.

[Rex Buckingham]

Starting to look at draft scenarios.

 

As the standings sit right now, the Bears would have #2, the Lions would have #3 and #13 and the Seahawks would have #4 and #16.

 

Geno Smith is an UFA after this year and probably not a long term solution anyway. Goff has 2 years left on his contract, but I don’t think any of it is guaranteed, and he’s obviously not a long term solution. Both teams will likely be looking at QBs in the draft.

 

So the Bears could be looking at a scenario where they could trade down to #3 or #4, pick up the extra pick, and still have the choice of the best non-qb option in the draft.

 

4 and 16 from Seattle would be awesome if we could manage that. Maybe we'd have to swap 3rds or something, but that would likely give us our choice of whoever remains between Anderson and Carter and an OT, then we could maybe go WR (Addison?) with 16.

[We Got The Whole 9]

Man am I crazy for saying I would roll with Geno until the wheels fall off? He's gonna be half as expensive as top tier QBs. He's thrown 450 passes with Seattle and has basically been amazing. INT% is minuscule, QBR is solid, his rating has been fantastic. He's still sort of young too.

[champaignchris]

Man am I crazy for saying I would roll with Geno until the wheels fall off? He's gonna be half as expensive as top tier QBs. He's thrown 450 passes with Seattle and has basically been amazing. INT% is minuscule, QBR is solid, his rating has been fantastic. He's still sort of young too.

 

He’s a free agent. They could franchise him, which would make him no longer inexpensive, and still leave them with no long-term solution and thus likely still wanting to draft a qb. Otherwise he hits the open market and who knows?

[We Got The Whole 9]

Man am I crazy for saying I would roll with Geno until the wheels fall off? He's gonna be half as expensive as top tier QBs. He's thrown 450 passes with Seattle and has basically been amazing. INT% is minuscule, QBR is solid, his rating has been fantastic. He's still sort of young too.

 

He’s a free agent. They could franchise him, which would make him no longer inexpensive, and still leave them with no long-term solution and thus likely still wanting to draft a qb. Otherwise he hits the open market and who knows?

 

I was thinking he might get some 2/40-2/50 offers. Seems like a reasonable risk.

[WrigleyField 22]

Man am I crazy for saying I would roll with Geno until the wheels fall off? He's gonna be half as expensive as top tier QBs. He's thrown 450 passes with Seattle and has basically been amazing. INT% is minuscule, QBR is solid, his rating has been fantastic. He's still sort of young too.

 

He’s a free agent. They could franchise him, which would make him no longer inexpensive, and still leave them with no long-term solution and thus likely still wanting to draft a qb. Otherwise he hits the open market and who knows?

Non exclusive franchise wouldn't be that expensive as a one year bridge deal.

[WrigleyField 22]

Man am I crazy for saying I would roll with Geno until the wheels fall off? He's gonna be half as expensive as top tier QBs. He's thrown 450 passes with Seattle and has basically been amazing. INT% is minuscule, QBR is solid, his rating has been fantastic. He's still sort of young too.

 

He’s a free agent. They could franchise him, which would make him no longer inexpensive, and still leave them with no long-term solution and thus likely still wanting to draft a qb. Otherwise he hits the open market and who knows?

 

I was thinking he might get some 2/40-2/50 offers. Seems like a reasonable risk.

2/50 with 30 guaranteed, easy, if he hits market IMO.

[raw]

Man am I crazy for saying I would roll with Geno until the wheels fall off? He's gonna be half as expensive as top tier QBs. He's thrown 450 passes with Seattle and has basically been amazing. INT% is minuscule, QBR is solid, his rating has been fantastic. He's still sort of young too.

 

He’s a free agent. They could franchise him, which would make him no longer inexpensive, and still leave them with no long-term solution and thus likely still wanting to draft a qb. Otherwise he hits the open market and who knows?

 

I was thinking he might get some 2/40-2/50 offers. Seems like a reasonable risk.

 

Bridgewater signed 3/63M with Carolina a couple years ago. With contracts increasing again, I think it would take closer to that 2/50M for Geno. They can guarantee him a little more than the franchise tag (~31M), create an out after the year if necessary, and Geno gets his big payday and everyone should be happy with that.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

No team would be stupid enough to to give up a haul just to move up to 2 for a QB that the team at 2 doesn't want and will probably fall to them anyway