Tag: Chicago Bears (Page 39 of 49)

      Bears (somehow) keep playoff hopes alive

      December 23, 2008 /

      Kyle OrtonI don’t know whether to laud the Chicago Bears for their incredible come-from-behind victory over the Green Bay Packers Monday night or write how they have a four-leaf clover shoved directly up their ass.

      Somehow the Bears are still alive in the NFC North despite Kyle Orton’s two interceptions, the Packers out-gaining them by 115 total yards, and controlling the ball for almost eight minutes more.

      Green Bay outplayed Chicago for nearly 57 minutes on Monday night. And even when the Bears tied the game at 17-17 with a Matt Forte 3-yard touchdown run with less than three minutes remaining, Chicago still tried to give the game away when Adrian Peterson committed a stupid penalty on the kickoff to give the Packers prime field position.

      But it didn’t matter. In the closing minute of the game the Bears blocked a field goal, won the overtime coin toss when the coin hit off Brian Urlacher’s head (seriously), and won the game on a 38-yard Robbie Gould field goal. Chicago has more magic on Monday Night Football than David Copperfield has on a stage in Vegas. (Just ask Denny Green if the Bears are who we thought they were.)

      So now Bear fans get to ride this roller coaster for another week. If Chicago can beat the Texans next Sunday in Houston and the Vikings lose to the Giants at the Metrodome, Da Bears are NFC North Champions. And if the 2000 NFC Championship Game is any indication of how the Vikings will play on Sunday, the NFC North title is Chicago’s to lose.

      With the way both teams played in Week 16, neither the Vikings nor the Bears look like division champs. And depending on which Wild Card teams make it, there’s a strong case to be made that whichever team wins the North will be bounced in the first round. That said, you have to apperciate that two divisions (the North and South) won’t be won until the final week of the season. That’s what parity does for the game of football and I for one, am glad to have it (parity) around.

      NFL

      Vikings cough up chance to clinch NFC North

      December 21, 2008 /

      Tarvaris JacksonThere are several times throughout a season when a team can look back at and say, “Damn, that’s a game we should have had.”

      Minnesota’s 24-17 loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday was one of those games.

      For all intents and purposes, the Vikings should have beaten the Falcons at the Metrodome. But they fumbled four times – thrice in Atlanta territory – and failed to beat a team they essentially dominated for four quarters.

      Okay, so dominant might be a bit strong. The Falcons still ran the ball well and Matt Ryan played mistake-free despite not doing anything exceptional the entire game. But for Minnesota to do whatever it wanted to offensively and still suffer a home loss has to be demoralizing.

      The Falcons held Adrian Peterson to under 100 yards (76 to be exact), but it helped that AP couldn’t hang onto the ball. He fumbled twice in Atlanta territory and once more late in the fourth quarter, but was fortunate that his teammate hopped onto the loose ball and saved another disastrous situation. And despite having another nice day passing, Tarvaris Jackson (22 of 36 for 233 yards, 2 TDs) fumbled once and had a bad snap whiz by his helmet in the second half, which forced the Vikings to punt deep in their own territory.

      Minnesota essentially shot itself in the foot all day and never recovered, although they did have a shot to at least tie the game in the end by their final drive ended on downs. The Falcons are a nice ball club and they’ll certainly take a win in a tough environment, but the Vikings have to feel like they had a golden opportunity slip through their hands (literally).

      Now the Bears have hope. A win over the Packers on Monday night would put them in a tie with Minnesota for the division, although the Vikings would still own the tiebreaker. That means Chicago has to win its next two games and have Minnesota lose to the Giants next week. The Bears still have to take care of their own business, but the Falcons just gave them life.

      Fantasy Football, NFL

      NFL Week 16 Primer Late Games

      December 19, 2008 /

      Here’s a quick Week 16 preview for all of the late games with playoff implications in the NFL this week:

      Tarvaris JacksonFalcons at Vikings, 4:15PM ET
      Who would have thought this game would have so much meaning when the season started? Minnesota needs just one more victory to win the NFC North and put the Chicago Bears out of their misery. They’ll start Tarvaris Jackson again at quarterback this week as Gus Frerotte continues to recovery from a back injury. With a lot of help from Adrian Peterson and the running game, Jackson has been absolutely outstanding since subbing for Frerotte two weeks ago and has thrown five touchdown passes in the last six quarters. The Vikings’ defense took a hit this week when it was discovered that run-stuffer Pat Williams would miss the next 2-6 weeks due to injury. That should help Michael Turner and the Falcons’ dynamic running game stay on track, although they’ll still need a huge contribution from rookie quarterback Matt Ryan, who struggled last week against Tampa. Atlanta needs to win out and hope Dallas or Tampa lose one of their two remaining games. And considering they host the Rams next week, their playoff hopes may reside in beating the Vikings. Can the Falcons’ defense contain Peterson and force Jackson to beat them through the air? Or will the Vikings continue to build momentum as they make a playoff push?

      Jets at Seahawks, 4:05PM ET CBS
      The Jets are clinging to a slim lead in the AFC East as they currently hold tie-breakers over the Dolphins and Patriots in the division. However, they’re 0-3 on the West Coast this year and a trip to Seattle is never fun for any team come December. This game will also mark Mike Holmgren’s final home game, so you can expect the Seahawks to be ready to play. Still, this is a team the Jets should beat, especially if they consider themselves a legit playoff squad. Seattle’s defense has been brutal this year and as long as Brett Favre can keep from turning the ball over, NY should come up with a big road win.

      Bills at Broncos, 4:05PM ET CBS
      All the Broncos have to do is win and they clinch the AFC West crown. They won’t have the fortune of facing J.P. Losman, though, as Trent Edwards will resume his starting quarterback duties after missing the past couple weeks due to injury. Denver has been consistently inconsistent this season, especially at home where they currently post a 4-3 record. Buffalo is a disaster, but they did give the Jets a game last week at the Meadowlands and Edwards might (emphasis on might) give the offense a boost. But as long as Denver’s run defense can contain Marshawn Lynch, they should (emphasis on should) be fine.

      Eagles at Redskins, 4:15PM ET FOX
      The Redskins were officially eliminated from playoff contention last week after an embarrassing loss to the Bengals but you’re crazy if you don’t think they would love to play spoiler. Led by quarterback Donovan McNabb and a stingy defense, the Eagles have played inspired football over the past month and proved two weeks ago in New York that they could win a huge road game. Philly needs to win their final two games to have a shot at a postseason berth and it won’t come easy. After playing in Washington this Sunday, they host the Cowboys next week, who will also be fighting for their playoff lives. If Jim Zorn continues to play things tight to the vest with his play calling, Philly defensive coordinator Jim Johnson might have a field day calling blitzes and confusing quarterback Jason Campbell. But first and foremost, the Eagles have to stop the run or else the passing game will open up and it might allow Zorn to get more creative than he has been of late. Washington’s defense has been solid all year but can anyone slow down McNabb and Brian Westbrook? As long as the Redskins are motivated to ruin the Eagles’ postseason dreams, this should be a great game.

      Panthers at Giants, 8:15PM NBC
      The battle for the No. 1 seed in the NFC is on the line this week in East Rutherford as the G-Men host the suddenly Super Bowl-caliber Panthers. These are two teams heading in opposite directions as the Giants have lost two straight while Carolina is winners of two in a row. The Panthers have been dominating opponents with their running game over the past two weeks, but they’ll get a huge test this Sunday against a stingy New York front seven. Still, the Giants’ offense has struggled without Plaxico Burress and a healthy Brandon Jacobs, so losing three in a row isn’t out of the question. They need to do a better job of protecting Eli Manning or else the road to the Super Bowl in the NFC will run through Carolina this year. Jacobs is expected to play so that should help, but it remains to be seen how effective he’ll be. And can anyone stop the Panthers’ Steve Smith?

      Fantasy Football, NFL

      When NFL coaches get too cute with their play calling

      December 12, 2008 /

      Sean PaytonThere’s an epidemic that continues to grow every year among NFL head coaches called, “cuteplaycallingitis”. I thought maybe the strain had subsided, but after watching the Bears’ 27-24 overtime win last night over the Saints, I realize the disease continues to grow.

      In short, “cuteplaycallingitis” is when an NFL head coach decides to get cute with his play calling and/or approach within a game. There were several examples of this Thursday night.

      The first example came in the fourth quarter with nine minutes remaining in the game and the Bears up 21-17. On a fourth and four from the Saints’ 47-yard line, Lovie Smith decided to fake a punt instead of pinning New Orleans deep in their own territory and forcing them to drive the length of the field. Adrian Peterson dropped the fake punt pass (which was more controversial than it should have been) and the Saints got the ball back at the 47-yard line and began to drive.

      Of course, that’s when Sean Payton caught “cuteplaycallingitis” and decided to run a freaking sweep with Pierre Thomas on a fourth and one from the Bears’ 38-yard line. Why would you ever run a sweep wide against the Bears’ defense on fourth and one? Or any defense for that matter? How many examples do coaches need that a play like that doesn’t work before they stop running it? Payton has one of the most complex passing games in all of football, yet he decided to run wide with Thomas (who the Bears completely stuffed for a five-yard loss)? Okay, maybe he doesn’t put it in the air in that situation. There are still several better play calls than a sweep on fourth and one. It might have been the worst play call of the year.

      But of course, that play didn’t wind up dooming the Saints because Lovie and his coaching staff caught the strain again on the Bears’ next possession. Instead of trying to run out the rest of the 5:29 remaining on the clock, Chicago decided to get cute and put the ball in the air on first and second down. The first play netted in an incomplete pass, which of course stopped the clock…the last thing the Bears needed up four points in the fourth quarter…while second down resulted in a Kyle Orton interception. The Saints eventually went down the field, scored the go ahead touchdown and then spent the rest of the game choking away a much-needed win.

      Hey, I get it. If Peterson hangs onto the ball on the fake put, Lovie looks like a genius. If Thomas picks up the first down on the sweep, Payton looks like…well no, Payton would still have been a moron. But if Orton doesn’t throw the pick, the Bears might be applauded for staying aggressive late in the game. It’s easy to play Friday morning quarterback but even at the time, it appeared that both coaches got way too cute when they didn’t need to.

      NFL

      Saints could start living up to expectations Thursday in Chicago

      December 11, 2008 /

      Sean PaytonIt’s essentially now or never for the New Orleans Saints. After a season in which some thought they would make a deep postseason run, the Saints need a victory to keep their slim playoff hopes alive in the NFC.

      Tonight the holy men are in Chicago to do battle with a Bears team that is in desperate need of a win themselves. The Bears remain one game behind the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC North and considering the Vikes are likely to start backup Tarvaris Jackson at quarterback on Sunday against Arizona, a win over New Orleans could leave Chicago tied for first in the division by Sunday evening.

      But nobody outside of Chicago expected too much from the Bears this year. The same cannot be said for the Saints.

      In the offseason, New Orleans made a great effort to rebuild their beleaguered defense by adding LB Jonathan Vilma (trade/Jets), DT Sedrick Ellis (draft/first round) and CB Randall Gay (free agent/Patriots). The moves were supposed to be enough to keep opponents in check while the explosive Saints’ offense put up 30 points a game. But while the offense has done its part (No. 1 in the NFL in total yards), the defense has yielded just over 25 points a game and ranks in the bottom half of the league in stopping the run (20th) and pass (26th).

      Part of the issue this year has been injuries as both Mike McKenzie and Charles Grant, two starters, have missed more than half the season. But the main issue for the Saints has been a lack of consistency – on both sides of the ball. The defense has done a decent job of loading the box and taking away the run at times, but then leaves itself vulnerable to opponents’ passing attacks. And up until last week when they beat the Falcons, head coach Sean Payton has been publicly criticized for abandoning the run and not having enough offensive balance.

      A win tonight in Chicago would go a long way in saving the Saints’ season. It won’t be easy – Solider Field is a tough environment to play in December – but the Bears have only beaten one quality opponent in their last seven games (Week 7 vs. the Vikings) and have struggled mightily with consistency themselves. The key will be weather or not Payton will show the patience to stick with the run against a Bears’ defense that has been solid in taking away opponents’ rushing games. If they can, Chicago has proven that its not afraid to give up the sideline route and has had issues all season putting opponents away when they have a lead. And can the New Orleans defense force Kyle Orton to make mistakes? If they load up to stop Mike Forte, they better get pressure on Orton because he’s had success throwing vertically this season.

      Should be a good one.

      Fantasy Football, NFL

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