Divisional Round: Bears vs Rams Sunday at 5:30 on NBC

[NorthsideAvenger]

Alex Smith seems to think that the Rams will drop 50 on the Bears. If that happens, it's because it's a shoot out. I think the game will be more like the Bears/Packers, something 31-28 type game. 

[minnesotacubsfan]

If the oline gets rolling, I could see this being like the Eagles game. The cold will wear out a D, and more importantly the Bears D seems like it is getting healthy at just the right time (outside of Edwards). Last year this same D was 13th in the league, if the D can play at that level we will have a pretty good shot at the NFCC

[Soul]

Bears must score 30+ to have a shot in this one.  I also think we will need the run game to establish long clock eating drives.  Having the TOP advantage will be important.

[BigSlick]

1 hour ago, NorthsideAvenger said:

Alex Smith seems to think that the Rams will drop 50 on the Bears. If that happens, it's because it's a shoot out. I think the game will be more like the Bears/Packers, something 31-28 type game. 

I just really don't think the conditions are conducive to a 40 or 50 point effort from either offense. There'll be too many dropped balls or too much running the ball for that to happen. I think you're right.

So excited for Sunday. No nerves or anything. I'd just love to see them play a complete 60 minute game, put their best foot forward, and come what may. 

[minnesotacubsfan]

17 minutes ago, Soul said:

Bears must score 30+ to have a shot in this one.  I also think we will need the run game to establish long clock eating drives.  Having the TOP advantage will be important.

I want to see them win 16-15 on a last-second TD throw just to irritate the haters. Not for my heart, because it's f-ed at this point, but to drag the haters to hell with me

[jersey cubs fan]

3 hours ago, BigSlick said:

I just really don't think the conditions are conducive to a 40 or 50 point effort from either offense. There'll be too many dropped balls or too much running the ball for that to happen. I think you're right.

So excited for Sunday. No nerves or anything. I'd just love to see them play a complete 60 minute game, put their best foot forward, and come what may. 

The one condition that may supersede weather is the Bears defense facing a very good offense. I really don’t think cold by itself eliminates the potential for points 

[We Got The Whole 9]

Do you put Jaylon on Adams and Tyrique on Puka? I don't trust Kyler or Jaylon trying to stick with him. Tyrique could get physical with him and knock him off his game maybe just enough to limit his impact. 

[NorthsideAvenger]

Does it matter if dome teams are 1-15 when playing on the road in 40 degree or colder over the last 10 years?

Does it matter that Matt Stafford is pretty much a blah QB in weather 20 degree or colder?

Will either stat matter when the game starts? Probably not. So anybody expecting a shootout is probably going to be disappointed. 

 

[Geographyhater8888]

If anyone knows of another 2 seeded team who were 4 point underdogs at home I’d love to know.

Edited January 15 by Geographyhater8888

[Geographyhater8888]

10 hours ago, BigSlick said:

I just really don't think the conditions are conducive to a 40 or 50 point effort from either offense. There'll be too many dropped balls or too much running the ball for that to happen. I think you're right.

So excited for Sunday. No nerves or anything. I'd just love to see them play a complete 60 minute game, put their best foot forward, and come what may. 

Stafford’s rocket balls will feel like catching bricks in the bitter cold. That’s our hope but it applies to Caleb too.

[Geographyhater8888]

12 hours ago, minnesotacubsfan said:

If the oline gets rolling, I could see this being like the Eagles game. The cold will wear out a D, and more importantly the Bears D seems like it is getting healthy at just the right time (outside of Edwards). Last year this same D was 13th in the league, if the D can play at that level we will have a pretty good shot at the NFCC

Losing Ozzy hurts. The offense became a lot more explosive once he became the starter with the pass protection holding up for long developing plays. 152 completed air yard average with Ozzy vs 117 completed air yards average without.

Edited January 15 by Geographyhater8888

[Soul]

Run baby, run.

[gflore34]

2 hours ago, Geographyhater8888 said:

Losing Ozzy hurts. The offense became a lot more explosive once he became the starter with the pass protection holding up for long developing plays. 152 completed air yard average with Ozzy vs 117 completed air yards average without.

Is the difference in the run game, Benedet vs. Ozzy, as big?

[Geographyhater8888]

11 minutes ago, gflore34 said:

Is the difference in the run game, Benedet vs. Ozzy, as big?

It’s more balanced but I don’t have the exact data. Benedet is a downgrade though.

[gflore34]

22 minutes ago, Geographyhater8888 said:

It’s more balanced but I don’t have the exact data. Benedet is a downgrade though.

Thanks and agreed.  Crappy thing about Ozzy is his injury maybe career ending, just too bad.  Appears he was starting to develop into a solid OL then, the bottom falls out from beneath him.  I guess the only positive is Ozzy was drafted and developed by this coaching staff, think they'll be able to do it again.  However, they'll probably have to spend a higher pick that could have been better served going to the defense.

Edited January 15 by gflore34

[Geographyhater8888]

20 minutes ago, gflore34 said:

Thanks and agreed.  Crappy thing about Ozzy is his injury maybe career ending, just too bad.  Appears he was starting to develop into a solid OL then, the bottom falls out from beneath him.  I guess the only positive is Ozzy was drafted and developed by this coaching staff, think they'll be able to do it again.  However, they'll probably have to spend a higher pick that could have been better served going to the defense.

He also was left on an island allowing more receivers to run routes. It’s no coincidence Caleb suddenly found his deep ball when he took over. Like you said one less pick that can be used for defense. I trust Ben’s talent evaluation though. 

Edited January 15 by Geographyhater8888

[bjam12]

I think Ben goes really run heavy in this game and it will work. Theo is also a better at run blocking than he is in pass protection. 

[mul21]

Anybody else going to the game?  I think I'm gonna grab a ticket and head up Saturday afternoon.

[WrigleyField 22]

17 minutes ago, mul21 said:

Anybody else going to the game?  I think I'm gonna grab a ticket and head up Saturday afternoon.

Just gonna do a watch party at a brewery

 

 

Stay warm! 

[Banedon]

Apparently Johnson took away heaters from the Bears for practice.

[We Got The Whole 9]

Can we stop their run game without blitzing? 

[Soul]

5 minutes ago, We Got The Whole 9 said:

Can we stop their run game without blitzing? 

Probably not.  The biggest difference I saw in the Packer game between the first and second half was DA sending an extra person.  Stafford is a crafty vet though.  Love isn't.  It seems likely Stafford will be better at seeing those coming.

It's vitally important that we limit the Rams TOP with long drives.  I don't think air attack / shootout is a great strategy.  We've got cold weather, Trapilo gone, Rams offense to contend with and a bad defense.

[Banedon]

CJGJ is back.

[Brian707]

2 hours ago, mul21 said:

Anybody else going to the game?  I think I'm gonna grab a ticket and head up Saturday afternoon.

Im going. Picked up a heated vest. Going to hit up Franklin tap pregame and take their shuttle.  Too cold to tailgate.  

Im hoping for a game like the Eagles game. Get a couple turnovers and get ready to host the 9ers or go to Seattle 

Edited January 15 by Brian707

[David]