JonJayCutler

I remember Urlacher, Briggs, and Tillman were all disappointed when Jauron got canned. What are they supposed to say? I'm sure they are somewhat genuinely disappointed considering Lovie's reputation for defense, but they'll get over it. Although I wouldn't be surprised if Urlacher walks away now. Lovie will go down as a decent coach in Bears history, but one that just fell short of getting this team where it needed to be.

The more I think about it the more I'm convinced that Lovie will be retained. I understand that his record is what it is and that given the number of times he's missed the playoffs, it's grounds for termination. But I'm pretty sure no one blames him for last year. Blame the management, JA, or whoever for not getting a better backup than Caleb [expletive] Hanie. Great year in 2010, but got beat by GB in the NFCCG who was rolling through everyone once they made it in. 2007-2009 were uninspiring, although they played above their heads in 2008 IMO and almost made it in. This year was more on Lovie, although we ran into teams like Seattle and Minnesota who both proceeded to play out of their minds after beating us. Green Bay always beats us. Like others have already said, we never lost to a team worse than 10-6. Now of course, if we're a good team we should be able to beat other good teams, especially at home, but we lost three straight there to close the season. Just for kicks though, the combined record of the opponents we lost to is: 66-29-1. All three of the divisions we had to play entirely this year: the AFC South, NFC West, and our own, all have two playoff teams a piece. Now I know that good teams or not, it still doesn't excuse the anemic offense and all the BS that happened, but those things are more likely to occur when you're playing those teams. I don't want to conclude that we were simply victims of playing a crapload of great teams all in a row, especially when we were so close to winning a couple of them, but it's something that I can't ignore. I do agree with those who are saying that they can hire a new coach without having to completely rebuild. I also understand that the goal is (or should be) to create an offense that can score on anybody, good team or not. And because of that, I'd be more than fine with letting Lovie go. I just don't see it happening.

Sucks right now, but probably better than being humiliated at SF. No way in hell this offense scores on them. Plus there's a better chance Lovie gets canned now. Draft OL and LB please.

Yeah, I see no big changes needed on the defense other than drafting Urlacher's replacement. Maybe some depth at safety. I like the D-Line how it is.

Whether relevant or not, Cutler's three games with the Bears at Ford Field: 22/36, 276 yards, 4 TD, 0 INT, 122.0 Rating 21/26, 234 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT, 117.0 Rating 28/38, 249 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT, 99.6 Rating

Have you seen the Lions play lately?

Go Pack Go :-&

One thing you forgot, if SF loses to Arizona and Seattle beats the Rams in Seattle next week, Seattle wins the division and also the tiebreaker with GB for the second seed if they lose against the Vikings. Refs come back to haunt GB. Although there's not a chance in hell SF loses to Arizona so that likely won't matter. But yeah, if the Packers lose, it's extremely unlikely that they'll hang onto the second seed, as they would need both a SF and Seattle loss. Therefore they are pretty much faced with a "win=bye, lose=no bye" scenario next week. Good news for the Bears. Seattle winning tonight also means that it's now impossible for the Bears to play at GB in the first round. They'd either be going into SF or SEA, most likely SF. Also worth noting, if the Vikings win next week, they'll almost certainly turn around and play GB again in the first round.

Forte has already said he's playing next week against Detroit.

I don't see how having the chance to play one less game in the playoffs would disinterest a team.

Only if Dallas loses today, which they're down 7 right now. One Giants loss would also work. MIN has to lose next week either way, unless Seattle loses their final two, as unlikely as that is.

Totally the Texans fault. Nothing to do with going 1-5 over the last 6 and the absolutely horrible coaching/game planning the majority of the season Of course it's our own fault, but it would still be nice to get some help when we need it.

Yeah Houston can go [expletive] themselves. Kept us out of the playoffs in 08, and will lose to both GB and MIN while beating us, keeping us out again. Can't wait until they get demolished by NE or DEN in the playoffs.

Yeah Minnesota has to lose one regardless. GB will still be playing for a 1st round bye next week, but I don't like their chances of going into that dome in a playoff atmosphere and winning. Hope I'm wrong. The one time we want them to win, they'll of course lose.

Haha, and just like that all the teams we need to lose are now winning by 6 or more.

Until Christian Ponder predictably leads Minnesota by throwing for 75 yards on a 91 yard scoring drive. I can't wait until we win our final two but don't get in because GB loses in the Metrodome next week.

Good start to scoreboard watching as Dallas, Washington, and Minnesota all trail. Very early of course.

On the other hand, he is likely going to beat the record by a good 100-150 yards, which negates at least some of that garbage time yardage.

I pretty much agree with Gruden that the record is somewhat tainted because of all the garbage yards, and that it was obtained largely through a 7-game losing streak during a lost season. Also throw in the terrible TD total. It's not Bonds-esque or anything, and in 20 years most people will probably forget how bad the Lions were this year. Hats off nonetheless. Guy is pretty much the only reason I watched this game. But how do you even gain that many yards with only 5 TDs?

Only if we get in a shootout or are trailing big, neither of which are likely to happen. I'm going to go with 205 yards, 2 TDs and 1 INT. He needs to average 185 in each of these last two games to reach 3,000 yards on the season. Should be able to do that barring injury. Forte needs to average 49 rush yards in each game to reach 1,000.

One small detail that I didn't see mentioned above and realized thanks in part to the playoff machine... Even if the Bears win the final two, and we get a loss from both Washington and Minnesota, we still miss the playoffs if the Giants and Cowboys both go 2-0, which would actually give Dallas the division and put the Giants in a WC tie with the Bears, in which the Giants would be given the final playoff spot. Because of the Giants losing in Atlanta, there is actually no possible way left that we tie alone with Dallas for the WC at 10-6 (and thus win the tiebreaker). It's still possible at 9-7 but extremely unlikely as it would require either Giants/Washington, as well as Minnesota going 0-2, as has already been mentioned. Anyway, what this means is that the Ravens vs. Giants game is extremely important. If the Giants win that game, our chances for playoffs would decrease immensely, as they would need to lose vs Philly the following week. If they don't, our only other way in would be for either Dallas or Washington to lose this week with the team that loses winning the Week 17 game. Both losing this week works too of course. But if they both win, then their matchup next week is for the division with the WC spot going to the Giants providing they go 2-0. And of course Minnesota has to lose one of their remaining two as well. If the Ravens win against New York, then yeah, all the Bears have to do is win their remaining two and get one loss from Minnesota and they're in. This is by far the easiest path in. I'm not even sure why I'm putting this much thought into it, as it's almost certainly better for our long-term future if we miss the playoffs. This team isn't catching fire and getting three road playoff wins.

Hester needs to break the return drought today. I'm guessing it will take that or a defensive TD to win this one.

RG3 is out for Washington tomorrow. As has already been discussed, Cleveland can really help the Bears' playoff hopes with a win.

Hayward and House have been much better than Woodson was this year. Shields has also had a pretty good year, when he's actually been able to play. Oh okay, you're right. My bad. Packers 72 Bears 0

When did that happen?