How Bout Dem Bears?

padraig_f · 11-09-2012 11:09pm

I love the balance of the offense, the threat of Forte running, setting up the play-action pass with Marshall downfield. Defenses have to respect both now, they can't just stack the box, and it gives you a lot of different options.

There was a good description of the Alshon Jeffrey TD from some of the players:

That bomb up the middle to Jeffrey was made possible by the attention placed on Marshall.

That play showcased the new Bears' offense and Cutler's confidence in running it.

"If you look at it, you have to pay attention to what Jay did (on that play)," Marshall said. "Jay made an audible, but the audible was for me to go attract that safety. That's what you expect out of your quarterback, a quarterback like Jay to put guys in position. Jay drew it up perfectly, where he put me on a route to grab the safety, and it freed up the route."

Forte said one of the safeties was playing up to stop him, while the other was on Marshall's adjusted route.

"I saw that the safety was cheating over toward (Marshall), and when I was running my route, I was just looking at the safety the whole time,"

Jeffery said. "Once I saw him turn, I knew it was coming to me then."

Shows the value of Marshall, even when he isn't being targetted (also the extra audible lee-way under Mike Tice).

Ok, the opposition wasn't great. The pass-rush was able to get to Luck without sending too many people. A bit of a concern on the defense was the MLB position, though they troubled Luck a lot, he was still able to throw for 300 yards and a lot of it seemed to be through the middle. I guess Urlacher still isn't 100%. The defense didn't get bad overnight but it's a slight concern heading to Green Bay where the QB is unlikely to throw 3 picks.

I don't think the Packers got bad overnight either, and it'll be a much tougher assignment on Thursday. Quite a big game to be playing this early in the season, but in that case, I prefer to be the road team instead of the home team: it's more of a must-win game for the Packers than the Bears.

Oat23 · 12-09-2012 1:23am

The Alshon TD was highlighted on Tom Thayers Play of the Week on chicagobears.com. The multimedia section of the site is much better now since the revamp. A lot easier to navigate and see the press conferences etc.

padraig_f wrote: »

A bit of a concern on the defense was the MLB position, though they troubled Luck a lot, he was still able to throw for 300 yards and a lot of it seemed to be through the middle. I guess Urlacher still isn't 100%.

Urlacher looked pretty slow and out-of-sorts. But with no pre-season at all that is to be expected. Luck picked up a ton of garbage yards across the middle in the second half, like a lot of QBs do against the Bears when they have a healthy lead. Lovies cover-2 has always been more than happy to give them those yards and wait for a takeaway.

Oat23 · 14-09-2012 3:39pm

Well..

I thought our uniforms looked quite nice

padraig_f · 14-09-2012 5:25pm

I knew a defeat was possible but the manner of it was a bit depressing. The offensive line got beat up so badly, you wonder how fixable it is, and the way they played gave the team no chance to win.

With the lack of pass-protection, Forte going out was a big loss. If they had any chance of winning, it was necessary to have him in there for screen-passes and dump-offs. I think Michael Bush is a good addition to the team, and he did well in what he was asked to do, but he's not the versatile player Forte is.

Trying to be optimistic, this is the 2nd game of the new Tice/Marshall offense, so there are probably things they're still working out. Apart from the offensive-line, I think one thing they need to work on is when Marshall is double-covered, punishing the pass-defense elsewhere. They showed the safety shading over to Marshall the whole night, but they weren't able to exploit the single coverage elsewhere.

I questioned the defense before the game, but they played well and kept them in the game as much as possible. They have 10 days off now to try and fix a few things.

davyjose · 14-09-2012 5:47pm

The good news for you guys is the division is still very winnable. Green Bay don't look to be anything like people thought they were. It's still a very strong division, but more games will be lost by all 3 competitive teams.

hoggy87 · 14-09-2012 9:27pm

padraig_f wrote: »

Apart from the offensive-line, I think one thing they need to work on is when Marshall is double-covered, punishing the pass-defense elsewhere. They showed the safety shading over to Marshall the whole night, but they weren't able to exploit the single coverage elsewhere.

I think given the problems with the O-line, the offense is not allowed to take advantage of the Marshall coverage elsewhere because it's all hands on deck trying to help out that big ball of crap, J'Marcus Webb.

spiralism · 14-09-2012 9:40pm

davyjose wrote: »

The good news for you guys is the division is still very winnable. Green Bay don't look to be anything like people thought they were. It's still a very strong division, but more games will be lost by all 3 competitive teams.

Imo Detroit could be a great shout for winning the division. Everyone's talking about the Bears and Packers but write the Lions off at your peril, especially with a week 17 potential decider between them and the Bears in Ford Field.

UnitedIrishman · 18-09-2012 12:32am

Trouble in the camp?

Most Chicago Bears want nothing to do with talk about Jay Cutler's boorish behavior on the sidelines during Thursday's Green Bay game and his postgame comments, but nickelback D.J. Moore has always had his own mind since joining the team in 2009.

Asked Monday if criticism of Cutler was warranted for pushing LT J'Marcus Webb from behind while hollering following one of the Packers' sacks, Moore didn't let the fact that he plays the other side of the ball get in the way of free thought.

"What did he do?" Moore asked the media sarcastically. "Did he shove the guy?"

"Oh yeah, I think so. I don't think you can act like that though; to make it seem like it's just my fault or whatnot. I think it's just wrong, though honestly. I would feel the same kind of way if he was to do me like that. It would make it seem like, well, the reason I'm having a bad game is because it's what you're doing and not me taking accountability for myself because I'm throwing these type of passes or doing this type of read. So it's just a tough situation."

Quarterbacks often are allowed leeway in such incidents since they're team leaders and under more pressure than most players.

“Sometimes," Moore acknowledged. "But when you act like that, though, with your own teammates on the sideline, it's just something different that you normally wouldn't do. You might say it in the locker room or something, but to do it like he did, that's something different. It's just weird."

"I think it's just him," Moore said. "That's the type of guy he is. He's not going to hold anything back.

"So I mean, if he was to talk to the team I guess you would kind of feel weird about it because it's really not just his thing."

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/blog/nfl-rapidreports/20212811/bears-dj-moore-finds-jay-cutlers-behavior-just-wrong

I did think it was pretty childish behavious from Cutler the last night getting a sly push in the back in whilst he was walking away. By all means lose the plot at your O-line but at least do it man to man on the sideline with helmets off or in the changing room. Just from searching around the web he seems to have the reputation of someone who is pretty immature? (like most Google searches, it can probably be taken with a pinch of salt)

CoachTO · 18-09-2012 1:16am

UnitedIrishman wrote: »

Trouble in the camp?

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/blog/nfl-rapidreports/20212811/bears-dj-moore-finds-jay-cutlers-behavior-just-wrong

I did think it was pretty childish behavious from Cutler the last night getting a sly push in the back in whilst he was walking away. By all means lose the plot at your O-line but at least do it man to man on the sideline with helmets off or in the changing room. Just from searching around the web he seems to have the reputation of someone who is pretty immature? (like most Google searches, it can probably be taken with a pinch of salt)

Cutler is and was always a hot head. A guy who could never keep his mouth shut including his college days. And the cracks are starting to show with him. But I do feel for him as he gets little or no protection in the pocket and as a QB who has dealt with the same thing for many years there will come a time where you blow your lid. Just look at Tom Brady when he gets no protection he gets visibly upset and his game is affected by it.

I honestly do think that this is a case of Oh typical Jay always at his nonsense. Not that his behavior on Sunday was excusable but lets face it the Bears need to sort out the main problem everybody knows they have had for how long now? That offensive line.

To add I like Jay Cutler as a QB and when he came out of Vandy I thought he would do big things but he seems to be always on the end of little or no protection. 1 good season of protection in 6 is bad and no QB should have to put up with 119 sacks in 41 games with one organisation over 3 and a bit seasons.

padraig_f · 18-09-2012 1:18am

UnitedIrishman wrote: »

Trouble in the camp?

Nah, paper talk, the media blow these things up way more than they are. If you're getting your ass kicked on the field, people are going to be arguing with each other, you'd be more worried if they weren't.

Will be a change in the offensive line next week at left-guard:
Bears making a move on the offensive line

Caught a bit of the Rams last night against the Redksins, looked decent enough (offensively anyway), not the pushover they were last year.

themont85 · 18-09-2012 2:29pm

Usual bull**** about Cutler. Cutler stands on the sidelines and chews his mouth piece or camera catches him in the NFC championship game not looking into it for 10 seconds and, he's no leader and he has no passion. He gets annoyed and passionate (with Webb this year, mic catches him cursing Martz last for being duds) and he is immature. He looks disappointed in an interview after a loss and the media pillars him again for being immature/not a leader (insert whichever you want), mainly because he gives them none of the fluff others in the league do. Cutler for several years backed his Oline up in interviews, one slip after a multiple sack game and he doesn't back his guys. There's only so long you can accept the crap on the line which he has.

Oat23 · 18-09-2012 6:08pm

Jay Cutler Show is on atm and he's discussing everything that happened. I expect just about everything he says to be scrutinised and taken out of context, as it is with most quotes from a Bear.

padraig_f · 27-09-2012 12:38am

Great to see Matt Forte practiced today, I wasn't that optimistic about winning in Dallas without him. I don't think Dallas are great, but the Bears' offense sucked pretty badly again versus the Rams. The defense were great though and they'll give the team a chance. Hopefully Forte plays and the offense can perform competently.

mayordenis · 07-10-2012 9:41am

There's no gimmies but today is about as close as we can get, I quite like the Jaguars but they're not quite where then need to be yet.

We have a chance to put good confidence building back to back road victories together, I will actually be crushed if we don't get a win today.

Oat23 · 07-10-2012 1:18pm

mayordenis wrote: »

There's no gimmies but today is about as close as we can get, I quite like the Jaguars but they're not quite where then need to be yet.

We have a chance to put good confidence building back to back road victories together, I will actually be crushed if we don't get a win today.

This.

Also, I could use another Cutty to Marshall hookup for my fantasy team. Really need a big day from them!

The Jags only have 2 sacks this season so far, and I think I read that they haven't had one in the last 9 quarters of football, but i could be wrong on that. Hopefully Cutler will get time to throw, the running game can do some work and it will be a confidence boost for the O-line.

padraig_f · 07-10-2012 3:42pm

I said in the betting thread I think the Jags are one of the worst teams in the league, they seem to have gone backwards defensively and look very one-dimensional on offense with so much going through MJD. Should be a good matchup for the Bears with how well the front-seven is playing, but games aren't won on paper, still need to go out and do it.

Good improvements in the offensive-line against Dallas, it's probably never going to be brilliant but with a combination of better blocking, help from tight-end/backs, and having hot-passes available when things broke down, made it look pretty good. I liked seeing them open things up a bit more against Dallas than they did against the Rams, with some more deep passes.

Hope to see that progress continue, and would like to see Jeffery/Davis get involved more in the passing game, just to give defenses more to think about. Marshall did well out of the slot last week, good to see that versatility.

padraig_f · 08-10-2012 1:18am

Good win, just a pity our main rivals for the NFC North, the Minnesota Vikings, won as well

mayordenis · 24-10-2012 5:48pm

Still motoring quietly along, 2 very winnable games, and then our real run starts, we have to go into that run 7-1 imo.

baddebt · 25-10-2012 11:41am

mayordenis wrote: »

Still motoring quietly along, 2 very winnable games, and then our real run starts, we have to go into that run 7-1 imo.

Amen to that ,

still don't think we should be fearing the tougher teams ( our defence is one absolute fire )

padraig_f · 25-10-2012 4:57pm

Good to get the win, gotta win those home divisional games.

Defense was great, pass-rush made Stafford look like a rookie at times. Great one-on-one job by Tillman on Calvin Johnson as well.

Offense isn't playing good enough. 13 points (and 3 were a gift with the muffed punt), 1 touchdown at home. Was hoping it'd be better out of the bye week.

Marshall and Forte are doing well, but need better production out of others. Offensive-line gave up 5 sacks and a bunch of penalties. Got almost nothing from the tight-ends (I guess partly because they're helping out blocking), and not much from the other receivers. Pity Jeffery got that injury in Jacksonville, he'd got his 2nd touchdown and would've benefited a lot from the bye-week. Hopefully Hester & Bennett can step up, because it looks like he'll be out for another few weeks.

Pro-Football Focus have an article today on how Calvin Johnson was defended: Covering the Uncoverable

Badabing · 13-11-2012 7:55pm

7-2 with the 49ers away on sunday, big 5 weeks coming up winning 5 would be great espcially beating Green Bay but at least making the Playoffs quickly is the job.

Guffy · 13-11-2012 11:23pm

Seriously doubt we will get 5... 4 would be a push with Cutler (any word on him by the way?). We need to win at least 3 looking at the two v min and seattle, who aren't as impressive away from home. A win against either SF or GB would be a great boost and the GB game Should be a w at home But I also like us on Sunday at SF as well, that's just a gut feeling though, so we will prob loose one with min. We need to beat seattle for the wild card tie break.

But anyway back on point. 3 wins in our next 5 will put us on 10-4 with two very winnable games to finish schedule 12-4.... wild card. I think GB will also finish 12-4 but will beat us on tie the break. Really our season is in the same situation as last year? how long will cutler be out for?

padraig_f · 14-11-2012 12:36am

Yeah a lot of big games coming up. 49ers...potential NFC tie-breaker, Vikings...need to at least split those 2 games for the division, Seahawks...potential wildcard tie-breaker, and then Green Bay, having lost once to them, would be a must-win for the division title.

Would like to win them all, but the 3 home games (Vikings, Seahawks, Packers) are the big ones, @ Vikings would be a bonus. If Cutler is out this week, I don't think there's any real chance of beating the 49ers. Their run-defense is so good, it puts weaker QBs into really tough spots. The teams with weaker QBs they've totally crushed...e.g. 34-0 vs. Jets, 24-3 vs. Cardinals.

They shouldn't rush Cutler back though if he's not ready, when you look at those 5 games, I think the 49ers game is the least important (in the sense that the main priority is winning the division, and second priority would be securing the wild-card), and would also be very difficult to win even if Cutler was playing. If there's a doubt, they should keep him out, and get him right for the more important ones.

gufc21 wrote: »

how long will cutler be out for?

Don't think anything's been confirmed, hard to predict with the concussions. Some players like RG3 came back the following week, others missed one week. Don't think too many have missed more than one week though.

Guffy · 14-11-2012 4:50am

padraig_f wrote: »

The teams with weaker QBs they've totally crushed...e.g. 34-0 vs. Jets, 24-3 vs. Cardinals.

They shouldn't rush Cutler back though if he's not ready, when you look at those 5 games, I think the 49ers game is the least important (in the sense that the main priority is winning the division, and second priority would be securing the wild-card), and would also be very difficult to win even if Cutler was playing. If there's a doubt, they should keep him out, and get him right for the more important ones.

I agree but don't see the 9ers getting anything like that with smith out. Kap is a decent enough player but he could be facing the best d# in the NFL, possibly ever. It will certainly be tight and I wonder will he have the wits to get them through. A loss for them should see Seattle who the title though

Dohnny Jepp · 14-11-2012 10:40am

gufc21 wrote: »

Kap is a decent enough player but he could be facing the best d# in the NFL, possibly ever.

I think you's have the best scoring D, but I don't think you's have the best D in the NFL not mind ever.

Johnny_Fontane · 14-11-2012 11:12am

it could a hilarious matchup this week with kaepernick vs jason campbell.

the stat lines for both qb's could be miserable. Kaepernick at least though is interesting to watch...

Badabing · 20-11-2012 4:29pm

Next 2 games now masssive v Vikings and Seahawks , Will Cutler be back?

Realt Dearg Sec · 20-11-2012 5:55pm

Badabing wrote: »

Next 2 games now masssive v Vikings and Seahawks , Will Cutler be back?

He can't come back fast enough. I stayed up for this to watch it with my brother, a 49ers fan. It was horrible. The performance of the offense was fairly awful, and it couldn't be blamed entirely on the QB. He got no protection at all, all evening. The running game was utterly stifled. And the D? So much for best in the league. They haven't proven themselves against any top level team, and while the 9ers were brilliant, I couldn't watch beyond the 3rd quarter. Have the Bears flattered up to now? Are we now seeing the real nature of the team? Hopefully not, and hopefully next week a win will get the momentum back.

matthew8 · 20-11-2012 6:56pm

Is it safe to say now Cutler is better than his stats would indicate?

Realt Dearg Sec · 20-11-2012 8:07pm

matthew8 wrote: »

Is it safe to say now Cutler is better than his stats would indicate?

The way the wheels come off the wagon when he's not around indicates that, for all the hard time he gets over his supposed attitude (and he can't win: one day he's criticised for not seeming to care - based on nothing but vague impressions about his body language- and if he gets mad about bad performances, he's accused of negativity and blah de blah), the team's mode of play is very dependent on him. If he isn't back this week I'd be very worried alright.

Guffy · 27-11-2012 4:49pm

Packers loss was massive on sun night. We need to beat Seattle this week but things are looking good with Cutler back.

mayordenis · 03-12-2012 11:57am

Well that was fairly heartbreaking, Cutler did basically everything he could, horrible call to not take the 3 points in the 1st quarter, fairly poor defence for most of the game. Russell Wilson had his way with us.

Huge 4 game coming up, 3 divisional ties, no idea which way this will go.

Realt Dearg Sec · 03-12-2012 12:27pm

http://www.playoffstatus.com/nfl/nfcstandings.html

Probably will still make the playoffs, if you are a believer in these kinds of stats.

I'm not such a believer. Certainly the division looks like it might be beyond us.

kennyb3 · 03-12-2012 12:41pm

Good write up here. Kinda sums up the defence really.

padraig_f · 04-12-2012 2:38am

I think disaster is overstating it, the Seahawks are a good team and Russell Wilson presents some different challenges. I thought the defense played well, with 57 mins gone, they'd held them to 10 points. It's up to the offense to put more than 14 on the board at home. When a team is using all 4 downs at the end of the game, they're hard to stop. The Broncos have a great defense, they gave up a big 4th quarter drive to the Bucs (but they won because they had a 15-point lead). 49ers gave up a 4th quarter lead to the Rams as well.

Bennett going off injured didn't help, with Hester and Jeffery already out. Marshall had a great game, but couldn't get anything out of any other receivers. Run-game wasn't great, partly on the o-line, e.g. the failed 4th-down attempt was on them.

Don't think there's too much wrong, and the Vikings and Packers have their own problems, so I'm still fairly optimistic about winning the division. Were always gonna have to win the next 2 games. Just hope these injuries aren't mounting up. Jennings and Urlacher also went off injured, haven't heard anything about them today.

kennyb3 · 04-12-2012 9:38am

padraig_f wrote: »

I think disaster is overstating it, the Seahawks are a good team and Russell Wilson presents some different challenges. I thought the defense played well, with 57 mins gone, they'd held them to 10 points. It's up to the offense to put more than 14 on the board at home. When a team is using all 4 downs at the end of the game, they're hard to stop. The Broncos have a great defense, they gave up a big 4th quarter drive to the Bucs (but they won because they had a 15-point lead). 49ers gave up a 4th quarter lead to the Rams as well.

Bennett going off injured didn't help, with Hester and Jeffery already out. Marshall had a great game, but couldn't get anything out of any other receivers. Run-game wasn't great, partly on the o-line, e.g. the failed 4th-down attempt was on them.

Don't think there's too much wrong, and the Vikings and Packers have their own problems, so I'm still fairly optimistic about winning the division. Were always gonna have to win the next 2 games. Just hope these injuries aren't mounting up. Jennings and Urlacher also went off injured, haven't heard anything about them today.

I agree disaster is probably a bit strong but it was a real case of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.

Badly need Urlacher to be fit for next week.

Badabing · 05-12-2012 12:22pm

kennyb3 wrote: »

I agree disaster is probably a bit strong but it was a real case of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.

Badly need Urlacher to be fit for next week.

Urlacher out for 2-4 weeks so will miss rest of regular season. Read on NFL.com

kennyb3 · 05-12-2012 12:24pm

Badabing wrote: »

Urlacher out for 2-4 weeks so will miss rest of regular season. Read on NFL.com

Thanks, thats a bummer

Oat23 · 07-12-2012 12:35am

I am really hating seeing all the talk about 'Lach having possibly played his last game as a Bear

.

He HAS to come back next year. He and Pat Mannelly are the only players left that were on the team when I started watching.

padraig_f · 09-12-2012 6:44pm

Excited to see Jeffery back today, really need more receiving options. Hope he can stay healthy now for the run-in.

padraig_f · 10-12-2012 1:53am

Bad day, but that guy Rosenbloom's a clown: You can fire Lovie right now

The team he's calling a bad team with a 'kid quarterback' won 58-0 today. I also disagree that it's on the defense. Loss today was on the offense.

The two interceptions and the dropped passes killed them. The play-call for the 2nd interception was horrible. 2nd-and-5 mid-way through the 3rd, for some reason Armando Allen comes in for his first snap, fails to get the first down. 3rd-and-1, they attempt a 15-yard pass downfield. Why are you going for that when you need 1 yard for the first down? They throw it to Marshall in triple coverage, Cutler overthrew it but the real problem was the play-call. Where are your short-yardage plays there?

The other play that killed them was Hester's dropped pass, which was a certain touchdown if he didn't take his eye off the ball.

Very frustrating game, beaten by a team with less talent. AP's a beast but you shouldn't let one player beat you, which is effectively what they did.

Badabing · 10-12-2012 6:00pm

6th seeds at the moment for play offs with 3 games left 1 at home 2 away v Cardinals and Detroit. Win 2 and lose 1 will that do us? hoping we beat the Packers obviously

padraig_f · 10-12-2012 6:27pm

Badabing wrote: »

6th seeds at the moment for play offs with 3 games left 1 at home 2 away v Cardinals and Detroit. Win 2 and lose 1 will that do us? hoping we beat the Packers obviously

Division is out of our hands now, even if we beat the Packers, the Packers have a better divisional record, so they'd need to lose another game.

Still strong favourites to make the playoffs I think. Will definitely beat the Cardinals, which would mean a 9-7 record at least. That might be enough on its own, wildcard rivals are the Seahawks (8-5), Redskins (7-6), Cowboys (7-6), and Vikings (7-6). Have the tie-breaker over the Cowboys, 10-6 would secure it, I think.

Still haven't given up on the division. Watched the Packers against the Lions last night and they're not that good. Lions had a chance to beat them, if it wasn't for some stupid stuff. Next week's game is still huge, because the Packers could still slip up with two games against the Titans and Vikings. Also need it for the division-record tie-breaker against the Vikings (currently 2-2, Vikings are 3-2).

Realt Dearg Sec · 10-12-2012 7:46pm

padraig_f wrote: »

Division is out of our hands now, even if we beat the Packers, the Packers have a better divisional record, so they'd need to lose another game.

Still strong favourites to make the playoffs I think. Will definitely beat the Cardinals, which would mean a 9-7 record at least. That might be enough on its own, wildcard rivals are the Seahawks (8-5), Redskins (7-6), Cowboys (7-6), and Vikings (7-6). Have the tie-breaker over the Cowboys, 10-6 would secure it, I think.

Still haven't given up on the division. Watched the Packers against the Lions last night and they're not that good. Lions had a chance to beat them, if it wasn't for some stupid stuff. Next week's game is still huge, because the Packers could still slip up with two games against the Titans and Vikings. Also need it for the division-record tie-breaker against the Vikings (currently 2-2, Vikings are 3-2).

Yeah the Packers got lucky for the touchdown after Stafford mishandled the ball, it was a weather-based victory. I'm gonna be in Chicago next week, would LOVE to be there for a win over the Packers. But the current run is very worrying. I think going on percentages the Bears are about 60% likely to be a wildcard, but I'm still shocked at just how dependent the D is on Brian Urlacher. The offense is far too one-dimensional, although if the weather stays as it is (and it will) then I would fancy Marshall against the Packers D. I just don't know if our D can stop Rodgers when his receivers are able to take down ball the way Cobb did last night. So I dunno. Packers overrated, but the Bears looking increasingly shaky as the schedule got tougher during the season.

kennyb3 · 12-12-2012 2:42pm

I think your being far too fair.

4 losses out of 5 isn't it? It seems when other teams are get going the Bears are doing the opposite.

There were dropped passes and poor defence the game before too, good sides don't make so many mistakes.

Anyway i hope they re-bound this weekend, i really do but i'm not so sure.

padraig_f wrote: »

Bad day, but that guy Rosenbloom's a clown: You can fire Lovie right now

The team he's calling a bad team with a 'kid quarterback' won 58-0 today. I also disagree that it's on the defense. Loss today was on the offense.

The two interceptions and the dropped passes killed them. The play-call for the 2nd interception was horrible. 2nd-and-5 mid-way through the 3rd, for some reason Armando Allen comes in for his first snap, fails to get the first down. 3rd-and-1, they attempt a 15-yard pass downfield. Why are you going for that when you need 1 yard for the first down? They throw it to Marshall in triple coverage, Cutler overthrew it but the real problem was the play-call. Where are your short-yardage plays there?

The other play that killed them was Hester's dropped pass, which was a certain touchdown if he didn't take his eye off the ball.

Very frustrating game, beaten by a team with less talent. AP's a beast but you shouldn't let one player beat you, which is effectively what they did.

padraig_f · 13-12-2012 1:51am

kennyb3 wrote: »

I think your being far too fair.

4 losses out of 5 isn't it? It seems when other teams are get going the Bears are doing the opposite.

There were dropped passes and poor defence the game before too, good sides don't make so many mistakes.

Anyway i hope they re-bound this weekend, i really do but i'm not so sure.

I don't think I'm sugar-coating it, when they were 7-1, people were saying they were one of the best teams in the league, and I was saying they're not as good as they look.

Now they've lost a few games and people are saying they're awful, and they need to sack the coach, and I'm saying they're not that bad. My opinion of the team hasn't changed much over the season (10-11 win team, whose ceiling this year is probably reaching the NFC championship game). You see people in the press doing complete U-turns, and they're either totally overreacting or there are other agendas at play.

I think there was one properly bad game in the last 5, at the 49ers. Cutler was out for that (but I think they would've still lost had he played).

Other games...
vs. Texans: would've won I think if Cutler doesn't get concussed.
vs. Seahawks: overtime loss against an excellent team, could've gone either way.
vs. Vikings: had they played smarter they would've won. Started slow which cost them badly (plus first interception was a slip by Jeffery), but outplayed the Vikings for most of the game, finished up with 438 yards vs. 248 yards.

In general play, I'm not seeing a big difference between the performances now and earlier in the season.

And I see problems with the Packers. The Giants destroyed them a couple of weeks go. And they had problems in several areas....the pass-protection was bad, the run-defense was bad. I think the Bears can get at them in those areas on Sunday. The Bears' run-blocking hasn't been good, but I think against this weak run-defense, they can get something going there.

I'm also hoping to see better games from Jeffery and Hester, probably a bit rusty against the Vikings, having been out.

Interview with Marshall on today NFL.com: Brandon Marshall throws fuel on Bears-Packers rivalry. Sounds like he's fired up for it.

Guffy · 13-12-2012 11:02am

padraig_f wrote: »

I don't think I'm sugar-coating it, when they were 7-1, people were saying they were one of the best teams in the league, and I was saying they're not as good as they look.

Now they've lost a few games and people are saying they're awful, and they need to sack the coach, and I'm saying they're not that bad. My opinion of the team hasn't changed much over the season (10-11 win team, whose ceiling this year is probably reaching the NFC championship game). You see people in the press doing complete U-turns, and they're either totally overreacting or there are other agendas at play.

I think there was one properly bad game in the last 5, at the 49ers. Cutler was out for that (but I think they would've still lost had he played).

Other games...
vs. Texans: would've won I think if Cutler doesn't get concussed.
vs. Seahawks: overtime loss against an excellent team, could've gone either way.
vs. Vikings: had they played smarter they would've won. Started slow which cost them badly (plus first interception was a slip by Jeffery), but outplayed the Vikings for most of the game, finished up with 438 yards vs. 248 yards.

In general play, I'm not seeing a big difference between the performances now and earlier in the season.

And I see problems with the Packers. The Giants destroyed them a couple of weeks go. And they had problems in several areas....the pass-protection was bad, the run-defense was bad. I think the Bears can get at them in those areas on Sunday. The Bears' run-blocking hasn't been good, but I think against this weak run-defense, they can get something going there.

I'm also hoping to see better games from Jeffery and Hester, probably a bit rusty against the Vikings, having been out.

Interview with Marshall on today NFL.com: Brandon Marshall throws fuel on Bears-Packers rivalry. Sounds like he's fired up for it.

Agree with most of that but I don't think many we're sayin they were the best team more they had the best d, which has taken a slump over last 3 games.

They are lacking on the offensive side of the ball. Marshall is a quality receiver but lacking a second option for Cutler. Hopefully Jeffery can prove to be the consistent second option but its early days yet and injury didn't help. The line was awful early on but they seem to have gotten through lie worst of it.

Hoping we can do a number on the pack this week and wouldn't be surprised with a w tbh.

kennyb3 · 13-12-2012 4:31pm

padraig_f wrote: »

I don't think I'm sugar-coating it, when they were 7-1, people were saying they were one of the best teams in the league, and I was saying they're not as good as they look.

Now they've lost a few games and people are saying they're awful, and they need to sack the coach, and I'm saying they're not that bad. My opinion of the team hasn't changed much over the season (10-11 win team, whose ceiling this year is probably reaching the NFC championship game). You see people in the press doing complete U-turns, and they're either totally overreacting or there are other agendas at play.

I think there was one properly bad game in the last 5, at the 49ers. Cutler was out for that (but I think they would've still lost had he played).

Other games...
vs. Texans: would've won I think if Cutler doesn't get concussed.
vs. Seahawks: overtime loss against an excellent team, could've gone either way.
vs. Vikings: had they played smarter they would've won. Started slow which cost them badly (plus first interception was a slip by Jeffery), but outplayed the Vikings for most of the game, finished up with 438 yards vs. 248 yards.

In general play, I'm not seeing a big difference between the performances now and earlier in the season.

And I see problems with the Packers. The Giants destroyed them a couple of weeks go. And they had problems in several areas....the pass-protection was bad, the run-defense was bad. I think the Bears can get at them in those areas on Sunday. The Bears' run-blocking hasn't been good, but I think against this weak run-defense, they can get something going there.

I'm also hoping to see better games from Jeffery and Hester, probably a bit rusty against the Vikings, having been out.

Interview with Marshall on today NFL.com: Brandon Marshall throws fuel on Bears-Packers rivalry. Sounds like he's fired up for it.

Agree with most of what you're saying there actually, the 7-1 flattered them, they havent become a bad team ( yet anyway - the next few games will tell a lot) overnight and calls for sackings are crazy - it sells papers we know the score there - but at the same time there is no point sugar coating the D was prettyy poor at the end of the Seahwks game and at the start of the Vikings game.

As GUFC21 points out we really need Jeffrey & Hesten to step up - too much is on Marshall's shoulders. Cutler went for hime 3/4 times with double coverage and a couple were hopeful at best.

Anyway hopefully things will turn around Sunday, definitely need a good running game and the other receivers to step up

padraig_f · 14-12-2012 12:00am

gufc21 wrote: »

Agree with most of that but I don't think many we're sayin they were the best team more they had the best d, which has taken a slump over last 3 games.

Yeah maybe not much on here, but I did hear it said, Colin Cowherd tipped them for the Super Bowl, Bill Barnwell, who's stuff I normally like, ranked them the #1 team in the NFL in week 6. And I was reading some articles in the Chicago Tribune during the 7-1 run, and I was surprised at the lack of criticism, when there were obvious offensive problems.

kennyb3 wrote: »

Agree with most of what you're saying there actually, the 7-1 flattered them, they havent become a bad team ( yet anyway - the next few games will tell a lot) overnight and calls for sackings are crazy - it sells papers we know the score there - but at the same time there is no point sugar coating the D was prettyy poor at the end of the Seahwks game and at the start of the Vikings game.

I think there's some grounds for optimism here. Sides the defense has struggled against: 49ers, Seahawks, Vikings, all very run-oriented teams. When you look at the numbers, the Bears are 22nd in yards-per-rushing-attempt allowed, but 3rd in yards-per-pass-attempt allowed. So much better at defending the pass than the run. The Packers aren't going to beat you running the ball, and the Bears defended them pretty well at Lambeau. Hope Tim Jennings is back though, just checking his latest status there: 'Bears coach Lovie Smith said Tim Jennings is getting much better, but didn't practice today.'

kennyb3 wrote: »

As GUFC21 points out we really need Jeffrey & Hesten to step up - too much is on Marshall's shoulders. Cutler went for hime 3/4 times with double coverage and a couple were hopeful at best.

Anyway hopefully things will turn around Sunday, definitely need a good running game and the other receivers to step up

Yeah Marshall is having an awesome season but you can't win going to one player so much. I agree - need to run the ball, and need to get the other receivers involved. I'm thinking Jeffery could be a big factor in the game if Marshall is drawing double coverage.

kennyb3 · 16-12-2012 8:27pm

Well that was a massive momentum changer there. We've been awful offensively so far - only 2 real notable plays - the 22 yard run from forte and the TD from Marshall. Throwing way too many picks lately and again, so far, not using other receivers. Has Cutler even aimed for Jeffrey yets? The defence playing well enough as usual but just under too much pressure and it tells eventually.

Hopefully improve in the second half offensively but can easily see another interception as Cutler looks for Marshall long a couple of time.

Couldnt have started the game any better in lot of ways and still down at half time - disappointing.

How Bout Dem Bears?

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