Are You Ready for Some FOOTBALL! - Week 14

[Sava]

Originally posted by Jaguar
It could win a Superbowl provided that it had a mediocre offense, and that the Colts weren't in the league.

The Colt's need to get to the Super Bowl first.

But don't get me wrong. I think the Colts will win it this year.

[Donegeal]

Crap. Well, at least I got my pick right...

[-Jrabbit]

Hats off to the Steelers. They made the Bears their b1tches today.

Another tough test against the Falcons next week.

[Frozzy]

Hm. Jacksonville seem a tad clasless. On one drive, Del Rio challenges a play by launching his flag at an official. Two plays later, Mike Peterson hits Reggie Wayne while he's down. Then, next play, John Henderson shoves Edgerrin James' helmet into the turf.

All draw 15 yard penalties. Why?

[Donegeal]

Frustration?

[asleepathewheel]

Originally posted by Kalius
Hm. Jacksonville seem a tad clasless. On one drive, Del Rio challenges a play by launching his flag at an official. Two plays later, Mike Peterson hits Reggie Wayne while he's down. Then, next play, John Henderson shoves Edgerrin James' helmet into the turf.

All draw 15 yard penalties. Why?

Del Rio is a dope, I'm amazed that he's a head coach in the NFL. Jacksonville is a very misleading 9-4, and likely to finish 12-4. They might survive the first playoff round, but will lose to either Denver or Indy.

[MOBIUS]

Ha, the Bears play a decent team and lose...

[-Jrabbit]

They lost on the road to an equally strong, more experienced, very motivated team. No shame in that.

Home vs. the resurgent Falcons next week should be a great matchup.

[Sava]

Originally posted by MOBIUS
Ha, the Bears play a decent team and lose...

And they beat two in a row the two weeks before the Green Bay game. Your point?

[MOBIUS]

Carolina and Tampa Bay have ***** offences - basically the Bears haven't beaten any truly decent offensive teams this year so far...

Hey, maybe your defence is overrated - how's that for a newsflash?

[-Jrabbit]

Maybe they were due for a so-so performance against a team in do-or-die situation.

Carolina, BTW, is currently 9th in the NFL in scoring.

But whatever. You can only play the teams on your schedule, eh?

[Sava]

Carolina was averaging 27.4 points per game before the Bears game.

Delholmme had a QB rating above 90 before that game.

Steve Smith is the NFL's leading receiver.

Also, the Bears offense outgained the Cincinatti offense in the Bears/Bengals game earlier this year.

BTW, this defense, best in the NFL in nearly every category, also around 20% in red zone efficiency, is one of the best in NFL history to this point in the season. Troy Aikman has a new rating that takes into account many factors in team defense. It's a bit like QB rating, but for team defenses. This Bears team ranks above 100 (however I have not seen it updated for after the Pittsburgh game). The 85 Bears, 2000 Ravens, 2002 Bucs are all in the mid 90's on Aikman's rating.

oh BTW, the Bears, with their Red Zone efficiency in the 20% range, lead the NFL...

nobody else in the NFL is below 40%

[-Jrabbit]

Tonights GB-Det game is one of the worst in Sunday night football memory.

The officials letting Sherman talk them out of a safety against GB by claiming Gado was passing outside the pocket and therefore couldn't be guilty of grounding -- is one of the most buzarre rulings in history. Especially since they also called holding on the play, but decided it must not have happened in the end zone, so again -- no safety. Despite the fact the play started inside the one yd line. Replay showed a very obvious hold 3 yds deep in the end zone.

"They" (the league? the ref? -wish I knew...) SO want the Pack to win this game. It's patently obvious, to the point of being offensive.

My guess? The ref has Green Bay and gave the points.

[ixnay]

I'll take a Packers win.

It doesn't mean much at this point in the season, but anyways, who needs Reggie Bush when you've got Samkon Gado ?

[-Jrabbit]

Originally posted by asleepathewheel
To anyone else with a pulse, it has been obvious for some time that the bears are one and done in the playoffs unless something happens. Who knows, maybe Grossman will come back and put it together (finally).

Anyone with a shred of a relationship with NFL reality also knows that this is a team that (even with Grossman) was ticketed for mediocrity at best. Anyone who seriously believes that a rusty Rex Grossman is going to suddenly create a passing offense in mid-December is simply delusional. It's grasping at straws. It would be nice if it was true, but we're talking about a guy who hasn't seen action since Game 3 of 2004, has never had a 3 TD game, has less than 6 games of NFL experience and all of 2 victories.

The hard truth is that this team will live and die with their defense, and no QB on the Chicago roster (and frankly, Jeff Blake might be their best) is likely to change that. This is a horse you ride as long and hard as you can. Super Bowl dreams are unrealistic with the personnel available.

This Bears team was built to contend next year, and the whole defense (save one) is ounder contract for next year. if they're healthy, that will be their time.