Sunday Playoff Preview…Ravens/Chiefs & Packers/Eagles
Yesterday, this Chicago Bears blogger went two-for-two in his playoff predictions. Ironically it was the two Super Bowl participants from last season that were eliminated from the playoffs.
Today’s opening game features the surprising Chiefs being visited by the Ravens (never more). Like the Chicago Bears, many experts didn’t think the Chiefs would continue their early season success. The Chargers were always the favorites to win the AFC West but in typical Chargers fashion…didn’t. Meanwhile, the Ravens were projected to be a Super Bowl contender and that could start today.
Ed Reed of the Ravens is dealing with his brother’s disappearance after being involved with a high-speed chase. Reed almost didn’t make the trip to Kansas City. But he did.
I had to turn to my in-house expert (my wife) who likes the Ravens because “their uniforms are cooler”. I’m thinking she’s right on the prediction and I’m indifferent to the uniforms. The Chiefs’ good run ends today.
In the most meaningful match-up of the day from the Chicago Bears standpoint the hated Packers visit the dog killing Eagles (or at least one member of that squad Mr. Mexico oops Vick). The Packers are still being projected by some to win the NFC while no one quite knows what to expect from the Eagles.
Despite the big comeback against the Giants a few weeks earlier, the Eagles haven’t played very well down the stretch cultivated by a Tuesday night loss to the Vikings two weeks earlier. This cost the Eagles any shot at a playoff bye.
Meanwhile, the Packers were in a dog fight (yeah I went there) with the Chicago Bears for the NFC North until the Packers decided to lose at Detroit. The Packers didn’t even know if they were making the playoffs until they beat the Chicago Bears last Sunday. While the game meant nothing to the Bears, Lovie Smith played his starters the whole game. It was a lot closer than the Packers would have liked.
My lovely wife thinks the Eagles will win today because of the home-field advantage, and I’m once again not going to argue. The Packers lack of a consistent running attack and the speed of the Eagles is a lot to handle.
Both teams squared off in week one with the Packers defeating the Eagles at home. This was before Vick was inserted as the starter (he entered because of an injury to Kevin Kolb). The Eagles mounted a comeback in the second half but it wasn’t quite enough. These are different looking teams since that game.
I think the Eagles will be in Chicago next week. Seattle scares me more because they’ve got nothing to lose. That’s a dangerous team. I presented incorrect information in yesterday’s blog when I said Seattle would be in Chicago when they won. They will be here if Green Bay wins which won’t happen. The Jets will travel to the Patriots and the Steelers get the winner of today’s AFC match-up.
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Chicago Bears Schedule 2011
The NFL released what the Chicago Bears schedule will look like if they actually play next season and if the format remains 16 games (there hasn’t even been a discussion of where the two additional teams will come from). The Bears will see the AFC West and the NFC South. Also sprinkled in are the Seattle Seahawks and Philadelphia Eagles.
At home, the Bears will play Green Bay, Minnesota, Detroit, Seattle, Falcons, Panthers, Chiefs and Chargers.
On the road, the Bears will face Green Bay, Minnesota, Detroit, Tampa Bay, New Orleans, Denver and Oakland.
Get ready for a lot of Sunday/Monday/Thursday night affairs. The Chicago Bears get ratings, and this schedule has some made-for-television drama. It would actually be nice to see the Bears play on Thanksgiving this year. It has been a long time and frankly, I think the powers that be may actually recognize that Detroit is a team on the rise and the Chicago Bears get ratings. Plus, you know the hype on Jay Cutler’s return to Denver for a meaningful game will also be hyped.
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Chicago Bears vs. Green Bay Packers Gameday Preview
At nine tomorrow morning, I’ll be on my way to Green Bay. I can’t wait to see a football game at Lambeau Field. Follow my trip on a Twitter at BearsHQ.
However, I’m really beginning to understand why I hate the Packers and their idiotic fans more and more by the day. They still cannot accept the fact that the Chicago Bears are a better football team. They have more excuses than a cheating spouse. Here are the facts…thre Chicago Bears have more wins, more division wins and have even beaten the Green Bay Packers.
Despite being loved by the national media, the Green Bay Packers failed to win the NFC North and may back into the playoffs. Meanwhile, the doubted Chicago Bears clinched the division before any other team from any other division. Kelso can put that in his pipe and smoke it.
As we all know, the Chicago Bears are the two seed and can still get the one if the Atlanta Falcons lose to the Carolina Panthers at home. So at worst, the Chicago Bears are home in two weeks with a bye.
Meanwhile, the Green Bay Packers have to beat the Bears or hope the New York Giants lose to the Washington Redskins and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers lose to the New Orleans Saints.
So the idiots to the north assume that they’ll win tomorrow. However, they won’t. I’m saying the Packers season ends tomorrow. The Giants will be the final wild card team. Then imagine the bitching and excuse making from the Packers fans.
Chicago Bears 34 Green Bay Packers 20
This includes the chance the Bears rest their regulars. How do you like that prediction! I’m spite predicting!
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Chicago Bears Get Pounded By the New England Patriots 36-7
All I can say about this game was that it was “no harm no foul” in the NFC North thanks to the Detroit Lions defeating the Green Bay Packers earlier in the day 7-3. In fact, a Bears win and a Packers loss next week means an NFC North title for the Chicago Bears. The Packers have the pleasure of traveling to New England with Aaron Rodgers’ status up in the air. Meanwhile, the Chicago Bears play a homeless Minnesota Vikings squad.
There’s really not a whole lot to be taken away from today’s game. The Patriots proved why they’re the best team in football. The Chicago Bears just weren’t ready to play.
On a positive note, the Chicago Bears left this game relatively healthy.
More to come on this one. But for now, the sky isn’t falling. The Patriots have been doing this to other good teams too.
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Chicago Bears Monday Morning Quarterback
The Chicago Bears won yesterday 24-20 over a Detroit Lions team that I felt they should have dominated.
So does this mean it’s a bad win? Not at all…but I wouldn’t be fair if I said it was impressive.
In the first half, the Chicago Bears forgot how to tackle. Lions players were gaining way too many yards after contact. At the end of the first half, the Chicago Bears gave up two long plays leading to a touchdown. The scoring play was an exploited mismatch with DJ Moore covering Calvin Johnson.
While Moore has been solid this year, he isn’t the defensive player I want on Johnson. For those that don’t think Lovie Smith doesn’t show emotions on the sideline, he looked as if he wanted to kill somebody. Moore, to his credit, made some huge plays in the game including a sack of Drew Stanton, a pass break-up on fourth down and several key tackles.
Football is a game of adjustments, and credit needs to go to the coaches. The defense shored things up in the second half. When Jay Cutler fumbled on his own nine yard line on the second play of the half, the defense held the Lions to a field goal. This was the turning point for the defense. From that point forward, they held the Lions scoreless.
Offensively, the line had issues once again. While they were able to move the ball, Cutler took way too many hits. The play selection was consistently even between running and pass, so the commitment to the run didn’t waiver even when playing from behind. I’m a fan of running the damn football.
Earl Bennett is becoming a player. Not only is he catching passes, his blocking is as good as any receiver in the league. Kudos also go to my target Greg Olsen. His blocking was much better yesterday. Once again, Jay Cutler did a solid job of taking what the defense gave him. He made some good throws and was a solid field general. Brandon Manumaleuna finally is showing his value as a blocker. In a new twist he’s becoming a reliable short-yardage guy.
On special teams, kudos to the Lions for containing kickoffs. However, they decided to punt to Devin Hester. He almost broke it. While he just missed setting the all-time punt return for touchdown mark, he gave the Bears good enough field position for Robbie Gould to nail a 54-yard field goal. It was a thing of beauty.
Brad Maynard continued his strong season and consistently put the Lions deep in their own territory. The Chicago Bears had some lapses in tackling on returns, but shored things up as the game moved along.
With the Green Bay Packers winning, the Chicago Bears maintain a one-game lead in the division. The Detroit Lions proved to everyone they’re hoping to play spoiler. With the New England Patriots coming to town this week and the Packers heading to Detroit, this is the week the Packers are hoping to make their move. The Patriots have an emotional game tonight with the Jets, so we’ll know more about the boys from the Boston area tomorrow.
Follow me on Twitter at BearsHq and BlueDemonsLair. For the latest DePaul Blue Demons new s and more, check out www.bluedemonslair.com. Please show me the love for the Big East’s Biggest Fan at www.mybigeastvolvo.com.
