11/20 Chicago Bears vs. Carolina Panthers

[TruffleShuffle]

The Texans' offensive line is a disgrace; it doesn't matter who they put at QB until they figure out a way to protect the guy back there. Doesn't help that Andre Johnson has been out most of the year and the rest of the receiving corps is trash.

[Andy]

I don't know what to make of this game really. If Carolina plays like they have the last 3 games (3-0 with a +72 point differential) then the Bears have no chance in hell of winning. But if they regress even a little bit, there's the chance that the Bears could catch a break or two and steal this one. Also, you have the cold-weather factor. Granted, Carolina's last cold-weather game was their NFC title game victory in 2003, but it has been a long time since they played in the cold and that could affect them.

 

I do think, though, that Carolina wins this one relatively easily.

 

Panthers 20

Bears 10

[burnt out cubbie fan]

Why are you talking about the Texans and Packers in a BEARS game thread?

[TruffleShuffle]

I will say that I have more respect for the Bears than I did earlier in the year, especially their defense... but, I think Carolina wins this game fairly easily. Carolina is the best team in the NFC... not that that's saying much.

[cubweiser03]

Reminder: Carolina had to pull one out of their ass to beat the Lions a couple weeks ago. The Detroit Lions people.

[TruffleShuffle]

Reminder: Carolina had to pull one out of their ass to beat the Lions a couple weeks ago. The Detroit Lions people.

 

Uh, this really isn't the best argument to use, being as the Bears needed an intercepted Jeff Garcia pass to beat the Bears less than 3 weeks ago.

[cubweiser03]

Reminder: Carolina had to pull one out of their ass to beat the Lions a couple weeks ago. The Detroit Lions people.

 

Uh, this really isn't the best argument to use, being as the Bears needed an intercepted Jeff Garcia pass to beat the Bears less than 3 weeks ago.

 

Uh, So the Bears barely beat the lions and the Panthers barely beat the lions.....sounds close to me. Lotsa people on TV and radio are making these guys to be bad asses and SB favorites of the NFC. Bad asses dont just barely beat the lions.

[Andy]

Reminder: Carolina had to pull one out of their ass to beat the Lions a couple weeks ago. The Detroit Lions people.

 

Uh, this really isn't the best argument to use, being as the Bears needed an intercepted Jeff Garcia pass to beat the Bears less than 3 weeks ago.

 

Uh, So the Bears barely beat the lions and the Panthers barely beat the lions.....sounds close to me. Lotsa people on TV and radio are making these guys to be bad asses and SB favorites of the NFC. Bad asses dont just barely beat the lions.

Badasses do, though, have bad weeks once in a while. I can't believe you chose the Lions argument over a more obvious one, such as "they needed three red-zone interceptions just to beat the Cardinals" and "they lost to the Saints at home".

 

Carolina is weird. If they don't fumble the ball late in the 1st half against the Saints and Delhomme doesn't throw a pick late in the 4th against the Dolphins, they're probably 9-0 right now. On the other hand, if Chris Weinke doesn't lead a miracle drive to beat Detroit and any of those three red-zone interceptions against Arizona is not made, Carolina is probably 5-4.

 

I think the team of the last few weeks would qualify as "badass", however.

[goonys evil twin]

I think Carolina is going to win and cover the spread. This isn't a good matchup for the Bears. Although I would still think Chicago could win the central, and possibly win their first playoff game, as it would be at home against a wild card team.

 

 

That being said, Chicago could pull this one off, and if they do, I think it vaults them to the top of the discussion list for NFC teams. They'd probably need a defensive or special teams score to pull it off, and Orton would have to be near mistake free. Either way, I'm really looking forward to an exciting game, but I'm all over the place in my menu selections. Ribfest, chili, wings galore? I don't know.

[David]

I think Carolina is going to win and cover the spread. This isn't a good matchup for the Bears. Although I would still think Chicago could win the central, and possibly win their first playoff game, as it would be at home against a wild card team.

 

Somehow, I don't think that'll be happening. :wink:

[Brian]

ugh Desipio giving me hope for a victory.

 

The collective records of the Bears’ opponents is 33-48. Oh, that’s not good.

 

I mean look at how how tough the Panthers’ schedule has been, the teams on their schedule have put up an impressive 30-51 mark.

 

Oh, wait. That’s worse. Huh.

 

OK, that’s not to say there isn’t something that looks like a bad omen for the Bears. The Bears’ defense has allowed a league low 106 points. That’s good. The Bears offense has only scored 156 points. The Panthers have scored 250.

 

But Carolina isn’t immune to losing to teams with pop-gun offenses. Their losses have been to the Saints (142 points scored) and Miami (162), teams with a combined record of 5-13.

 

GO BEARS!!

[BigbadB]

I think Carolina is going to win and cover the spread. This isn't a good matchup for the Bears. Although I would still think Chicago could win the central, and possibly win their first playoff game, as it would be at home against a wild card team.

 

Somehow, I don't think that'll be happening. :wink:

 

I still do that too. By the way, last week was the first time all NFC North teams won on the same weekend since the inception of the NFC North.

 

Scary!

[Andy]

ugh Desipio giving me hope for a victory.

 

The collective records of the Bears’ opponents is 33-48. Oh, that’s not good.

 

I mean look at how how tough the Panthers’ schedule has been, the teams on their schedule have put up an impressive 30-51 mark.

 

Oh, wait. That’s worse. Huh.

 

OK, that’s not to say there isn’t something that looks like a bad omen for the Bears. The Bears’ defense has allowed a league low 106 points. That’s good. The Bears offense has only scored 156 points. The Panthers have scored 250.

 

But Carolina isn’t immune to losing to teams with pop-gun offenses. Their losses have been to the Saints (142 points scored) and Miami (162), teams with a combined record of 5-13.

 

GO BEARS!!

[rant] That's one thing I hate about all of this. Teams getting made to look worse after they play teams that are at full strength at the time, then they sustain injuries, suck for a while, and no one takes it seriously.

 

Example. Panthers beat Patriots 27-17. The only injured Pat at the time? Bruschi. Soon after that, Seymour and Harrison went down along with a bunch of other players. The Patriots team Carolina beat was much better than the 5-4 patchwork team now in assembly.

 

It's the same thing as Notre Dame/Michigan basketball. ND lost to what was then a very good Michigan team on the road by one point. The Wolverines then watched a bunch of players injured, Daniel Horton get suspended for beating his girlfriend, and UM ended up one of the worst teams in the country, destroying ND's RPI rating and helping them get passed over for March Madness. [/rant]

 

Carolina has to play 6-3 Atlanta twice, 6-3 Tampa once and 6-3 Dallas once in their final 5 games. You'll learn a lot about the team in those four games (as well as this one).

[burnt out cubbie fan]

ugh Desipio giving me hope for a victory.

 

The collective records of the Bears’ opponents is 33-48. Oh, that’s not good.

 

I mean look at how how tough the Panthers’ schedule has been, the teams on their schedule have put up an impressive 30-51 mark.

 

Oh, wait. That’s worse. Huh.

 

OK, that’s not to say there isn’t something that looks like a bad omen for the Bears. The Bears’ defense has allowed a league low 106 points. That’s good. The Bears offense has only scored 156 points. The Panthers have scored 250.

 

But Carolina isn’t immune to losing to teams with pop-gun offenses. Their losses have been to the Saints (142 points scored) and Miami (162), teams with a combined record of 5-13.

 

GO BEARS!!

[rant] That's one thing I hate about all of this. Teams getting made to look worse after they play teams that are at full strength at the time, then they sustain injuries, suck for a while, and no one takes it seriously.

 

Example. Panthers beat Patriots 27-17. The only injured Pat at the time? Bruschi. Soon after that, Seymour and Harrison went down along with a bunch of other players. The Patriots team Carolina beat was much better than the 5-4 patchwork team now in assembly.

 

It's the same thing as Notre Dame/Michigan basketball. ND lost to what was then a very good Michigan team on the road by one point. The Wolverines then watched a bunch of players injured, Daniel Horton get suspended for beating his girlfriend, and UM ended up one of the worst teams in the country, destroying ND's RPI rating and helping them get passed over for March Madness. [/rant]

 

Carolina has to play 6-3 Atlanta twice, 6-3 Tampa once and 6-3 Dallas once in their final 5 games. You'll learn a lot about the team in those four games (as well as this one).

Michigan never had a really good basketball team last year...

[Mark_R]

You're giving both (crappy) offenses a lot of credit.

 

Panthers 17

Bears 13

That's true.

 

Vikings 21

Packers 14

 

Two of the Vikings touchdowns are scored on special teams. Either way, my money is on the Packers losing.

 

You should be rooting for the Packers.

 

I know I'm rooting against them. I want that number one pick, REAL badly. Trade down for someone who is desperate enough for Matt Leinart and hopefully get Reggie Bush...

There is no way I would ever root for the Packers to win. I am fine with them tying up a ton of cap space in a first overall pick.

 

Reading is a skill.

[CP_414]

Who else is ready for this game to start? I havn't been this pumped for a Bears game since the playoff game with Philly a few years back. I know all the "experts" are saying the Bears running game will be shut down by the great Panthers defense, but don't believe them. We heard the same thing leading up to the Baltimore game. I'm not saying the Bears will win, but I think it's foolish to write them off. It will be a great matchup between one of the NFL's best offense's, and the NFL's best defense. If the Bears front four can put some pressure on Delhomme, there is a great chance of forcing some interceptions. That will be the key to this game.

 

By the way, I'm cheering for a tie on MNF, since I can't let myself want the Packers to win.

[Andy]

Bears rush defense: 1st

Panthers rush defense: 2nd

 

Carolina's QB: Jake Delhomme, Mr. Clutch, 8 game winning drives in 2003, one NFC title, damn near beat possibly the best of all the Pats' 3 Super Bowl teams

Chicago's QB: Kyle Orton, known for grossly overthrowing or underthrowing wide open receivers downfield, 5 INTs vs Cincinnati's D who is not much better than Carolina's if at all

 

Yes, I'm biased, but the advantage seems to point Carolina's way.

[CP_414]

Bears rush defense: 1st

Panthers rush defense: 2nd

 

Carolina's QB: Jake Delhomme, Mr. Clutch, 8 game winning drives in 2003, one NFC title, damn near beat possibly the best of all the Pats' 3 Super Bowl teams

Chicago's QB: Kyle Orton, known for grossly overthrowing or underthrowing wide open receivers downfield, 5 INTs vs Cincinnati's D who is not much better than Carolina's if at all

 

Yes, I'm biased, but the advantage seems to point Carolina's way.

 

Someone on this board believes in "clutch"? Nevermind, don't want to open that can of worms in a thread dedicated to the greatness of the 1st place Bears.

 

Is Delhomme better than Orton right now, yes. Absolutly. However, despite Orton's craptacular game against the Bengals, he and Delhomme have the same number of interceptions thrown this season (10). Of course Delhomme has had 20 more attempts. But all of that is apples and oranges anyway. The offensive stlyles of these two teams could not be more different. The Bears want to run 40 times a game and the Panthers want to pass until they are inside the 5, and then give it to Stephen Davis. Anyway, it'll be a tough one, but....

 

Bears 17

Panthers 16

[Careless]

Bears rush defense: 1st

Panthers rush defense: 2nd

 

Carolina's QB: Jake Delhomme, Mr. Clutch, 8 game winning drives in 2003, one NFC title, damn near beat possibly the best of all the Pats' 3 Super Bowl teams

Chicago's QB: Kyle Orton, known for grossly overthrowing or underthrowing wide open receivers downfield, 5 INTs vs Cincinnati's D who is not much better than Carolina's if at all

 

Yes, I'm biased, but the advantage seems to point Carolina's way.

aS I said before, there's a huge range in the quality of game orton could have. Most likely, he's no good and the bears lose by a significant margin.

I don't think anyone is saying the bears are the favorite here. Vegas certainly isn't.

[Careless]

 

Someone on this board believes in "clutch"? Nevermind, don't want to open that can of worms in a thread dedicated to the greatness of the 1st place Bears.

I suspect that the anti-clutch sentiment doesn't extend to football. Is there any sort of SAFR?

[Andy]

Bears rush defense: 1st

Panthers rush defense: 2nd

 

Carolina's QB: Jake Delhomme, Mr. Clutch, 8 game winning drives in 2003, one NFC title, damn near beat possibly the best of all the Pats' 3 Super Bowl teams

Chicago's QB: Kyle Orton, known for grossly overthrowing or underthrowing wide open receivers downfield, 5 INTs vs Cincinnati's D who is not much better than Carolina's if at all

 

Yes, I'm biased, but the advantage seems to point Carolina's way.

aS I said before, there's a huge range in the quality of game orton could have. Most likely, he's no good and the bears lose by a significant margin.

I don't think anyone is saying the bears are the favorite here. Vegas certainly isn't.

When I made my NFL picks this week, I was marveling at the fact that two division leaders (Cincy and Chicago) are home dogs this week. You almost never see that this late in the season.

[adamb0719]

Bears rush defense: 1st

Panthers rush defense: 2nd

 

Carolina's QB: Jake Delhomme, Mr. Clutch, 8 game winning drives in 2003, one NFC title, damn near beat possibly the best of all the Pats' 3 Super Bowl teams

Chicago's QB: Kyle Orton, known for grossly overthrowing or underthrowing wide open receivers downfield, 5 INTs vs Cincinnati's D who is not much better than Carolina's if at all

 

Yes, I'm biased, but the advantage seems to point Carolina's way.

aS I said before, there's a huge range in the quality of game orton could have. Most likely, he's no good and the bears lose by a significant margin.

I don't think anyone is saying the bears are the favorite here. Vegas certainly isn't.

When I made my NFL picks this week, I was marveling at the fact that two division leaders (Cincy and Chicago) are home dogs this week. You almost never see that this late in the season.

 

Two division leaders as dogs, or Cincy and Chicago as those teams? :D

[Andy]

Bears rush defense: 1st

Panthers rush defense: 2nd

 

Carolina's QB: Jake Delhomme, Mr. Clutch, 8 game winning drives in 2003, one NFC title, damn near beat possibly the best of all the Pats' 3 Super Bowl teams

Chicago's QB: Kyle Orton, known for grossly overthrowing or underthrowing wide open receivers downfield, 5 INTs vs Cincinnati's D who is not much better than Carolina's if at all

 

Yes, I'm biased, but the advantage seems to point Carolina's way.

aS I said before, there's a huge range in the quality of game orton could have. Most likely, he's no good and the bears lose by a significant margin.

I don't think anyone is saying the bears are the favorite here. Vegas certainly isn't.

When I made my NFL picks this week, I was marveling at the fact that two division leaders (Cincy and Chicago) are home dogs this week. You almost never see that this late in the season.

 

Two division leaders as dogs, or Cincy and Chicago as those teams? :D

Both! :D

[Careless]

Bears rush defense: 1st

Panthers rush defense: 2nd

 

Carolina's QB: Jake Delhomme, Mr. Clutch, 8 game winning drives in 2003, one NFC title, damn near beat possibly the best of all the Pats' 3 Super Bowl teams

Chicago's QB: Kyle Orton, known for grossly overthrowing or underthrowing wide open receivers downfield, 5 INTs vs Cincinnati's D who is not much better than Carolina's if at all

 

Yes, I'm biased, but the advantage seems to point Carolina's way.

aS I said before, there's a huge range in the quality of game orton could have. Most likely, he's no good and the bears lose by a significant margin.

I don't think anyone is saying the bears are the favorite here. Vegas certainly isn't.

When I made my NFL picks this week, I was marveling at the fact that two division leaders (Cincy and Chicago) are home dogs this week. You almost never see that this late in the season.

You might well see it next week, assuming no surprises. NY at seattle and denver at dallas.

If chicago wins, you could see them favored over TB.

[CP_414]

 

Someone on this board believes in "clutch"? Nevermind, don't want to open that can of worms in a thread dedicated to the greatness of the 1st place Bears.

I suspect that the anti-clutch sentiment doesn't extend to football. Is there any sort of SAFR?

 

I dunno. Maybe Troy Aikman can invent it. He could be the Bill James of Football between that and his system for ranking offenses, and defenses.