2010-2011 NFC North Division

[Benny B]

Bears secure the #2 seed. Wow. Everything is falling in the Bears lap...

And all Lovie was saying on the news the other night is how they're playing this Sunday like they would any other week and that they're gunning to beat the Packers.

Bullcrap... With a first-round bye locked up and likely nothing to gain (assuming that ATL will have already won), Cutler is in the locker room before the 2nd quarter.  In other words, if you think the Bears are going to pass up the opportunity to knock GB out of the playoffs and simply lay down on Sunday, you'd be exactly right.

[🏀]

And all Lovie was saying on the news the other night is how they're playing this Sunday like they would any other week and that they're gunning to beat the Packers.

Bullcrap... With a first-round bye locked up and likely nothing to gain (assuming that ATL will have already won), Cutler is in the locker room before the 2nd quarter.  In other words, if you think the Bears are going to pass up the opportunity to knock GB out of the playoffs and simply lay down on Sunday, you'd be exactly right.

Did I not say this on Monday? PTMstadamus.

I also knew that Chicos and Company would be jerking each other around for two straight days after Reggie transferred.

[Dish]

I think the Eagles are very vulnerable right now. They were getting destroyed in New York a week ago, came out tonight with everything to gain, extra rest, and the Vikings embarassed them. If I'm a Pack fan, I'd like my chances against the Eagles right now.

I don't doubt Cutler, Urlacher, etc come out and start on Sunday. I think they'll play enough to make a difference, and the way the game is going will probably dictate how much they're out there.

If you would have told me they'd have the 2 seed locked up after week 16, after they lost back to back home games against Seattle and Washington, I'd have been more likely to think Warriors was our nickname again.

[Jay Bee]

SKOL, VIKINGS, LET'S GO!

You punks are lucky the regular season isn't 20 games.

[ChicosBailBonds]

SKOL, VIKINGS, LET'S GO!

You punks are lucky the regular season isn't 20 games.

No kidding...with a 20 game season the NFL might even have the balls to finally suspend Favre as they wouldn't be able to drag it on that long. 

[Jay Bee]

No kidding...with a 20 game season the NFL might even have the balls to finally suspend Favre as they wouldn't be able to drag it on that long. 

Whatever.. Sterger is just like that kid at Southern Miss.. LIAR!

[ATWizJr]

SKOL, VIKINGS, LET'S GO!

You punks are lucky the regular season isn't 20 games.

Yeah, then we'd get 3 wins over the queens.  Punks?

[Moonboots]

Vick kills the Packers.  They can't beat a team with a running QB.  The Bears were a much better matchup.

Got to give Chicago a ton of credit.  While the Packers were throwing away winnable games vs Miami, Wash and Det, the Bears were taking care of business.

Philly is the worst possible first round game for GB.

Are you referring to the Packers' previous issues with Vick? Like, back when Ed Donatell was coordinator?

Quite frankly, I'm not worried about facing any team in the NFC at this point. I'd rather face the Bears than the Eagles in the first round, but if we're peaking and Vick and co. are starting to go downhill, I don't see why we can't beat them in the Linc. again.

Playoff football, with a few notable exceptions (2006 Bears among them), comes down to quarterback play. I'll take my chances with Rodgers in the NFC.

[wadesworld]

This game is hilarious to watch.  Watching Mike McCarthy try to "attack" a Cover 2 is like watching a Tom Creen coached team attack a zone.  It's absolutely comical.  He has no idea how to do it.

Hey Mike, if you'd take your eyes off of your play sheet for about 3 plays you MAY notice that they HAVE NOT GOTTEN OUT OF THE COVER 2 ONCE THIS GAME!  He wants balance in his offense, and then when we COULD run the ball he hands it to BRANDON JACKSON every time.  That man is the worst player in the NFL, and he's our starting halfback.  It's hilarious.  We gave Starks one game to prove himself and he provides the best running game out of anyone on the Packers this whole season, and then we go right back to Brandon Jackson for his 13 yards in the first half.  Really smart.

Anyhow, how are the Bears good?  Their offensive line is absolutely terrible.  They have a good running back, a good tight end, and a very good defense, but not good wideouts and an average at best quarterback.  I have a hard time seeing either of these teams winning in the playoffs, especially once other teams see the video of this game and see how to stop the Packers offense if they get in (sit in a Cover 2...don't worry about the running game at all, there is absolutely none...you'll stop it with your 3 man pass rush, so play every down like it's 3rd and 9).

[GGGG]

This game is hilarious to watch.  Watching Mike McCarthy try to "attack" a Cover 2 is like watching a Tom Creen coached team attack a zone.  It's absolutely comical.  He has no idea how to do it.

By my count, McCarthy does better with the Cover 2 than Martz does the 3-4.

[wadesworld]

By my count, McCarthy does better with the Cover 2 than Martz does the 3-4.

Very true.  As I said, that O line for the bears STINKS

[Shaka Shart]

This game is hilarious to watch.  Watching Mike McCarthy try to "attack" a Cover 2 is like watching a Tom Creen coached team attack a zone.  It's absolutely comical.  He has no idea how to do it.

Hey Mike, if you'd take your eyes off of your play sheet for about 3 plays you MAY notice that they HAVE NOT GOTTEN OUT OF THE COVER 2 ONCE THIS GAME!  He wants balance in his offense, and then when we COULD run the ball he hands it to BRANDON JACKSON every time.  That man is the worst player in the NFL, and he's our starting halfback.  It's hilarious.  We gave Starks one game to prove himself and he provides the best running game out of anyone on the Packers this whole season, and then we go right back to Brandon Jackson for his 13 yards in the first half.  Really smart.

Anyhow, how are the Bears good?  Their offensive line is absolutely terrible.  They have a good running back, a good tight end, and a very good defense, but not good wideouts and an average at best quarterback.  I have a hard time seeing either of these teams winning in the playoffs, especially once other teams see the video of this game and see how to stop the Packers offense if they get in (sit in a Cover 2...don't worry about the running game at all, there is absolutely none...you'll stop it with your 3 man pass rush, so play every down like it's 3rd and 9).

The Bears O-line was at its worst in weeks. I do not think it reflected past performance of at least the second half of the season at all. That being said, we have to hope for the NFC North's respect that both teams find a way to run the ball in the next week or two.

(O-line is still only average when playing at its very best though)

[wadesworld]

The Bears O-line was at its worst in weeks. I do not think it reflected past performance of at least the second half of the season at all. That being said, we have to hope for the NFC North's respect that both teams find a way to run the ball in the next week or two.

Fair enough.  I'll admit that I haven't watched the Bears much recently, but my roommate is from Chicago and says they stink too.

Forte is really good.  He'll be fine running the ball and catching it out of the backfield.  The problem is that the wideouts are not good either.  I remember only 1 catch from any of the wideouts for the Bears today.  81 (can't remember his name, but I know he was a backup in for a guy resting his ankle) did a nice job but I think he was a tight end?  Otherwise the offense was all Forte, both out of the backfield and on the receiving end.

What gives the Bears a chance to win in the playoffs is their special teams are the best in the NFL and they have a really good defense.  If they can keep games close with their defense and Hester can break one they can sneak a game out, but I STILL don't think they're very good (you are what your record shows though, so apparently they are good).

[Shaka Shart]

Fair enough.  I'll admit that I haven't watched the Bears much recently, but my roommate is from Chicago and says they stink too.

Forte is really good.  He'll be fine running the ball and catching it out of the backfield.  The problem is that the wideouts are not good either.  I remember only 1 catch from any of the wideouts for the Bears today.  81 (can't remember his name, but I know he was a backup in for a guy resting his ankle) did a nice job but I think he was a tight end?  Otherwise the offense was all Forte, both out of the backfield and on the receiving end.

What gives the Bears a chance to win in the playoffs is their special teams are the best in the NFL and they have a really good defense.  If they can keep games close with their defense and Hester can break one they can sneak a game out, but I STILL don't think they're very good (you are what your record shows though, so apparently they are good).

There are a variety of synonyms that one can use to describe the bear's O line but I prefer to view it as the difference from the beginning of the season which is a source of delusional comfort I guess. On the bright side, championships are won with a strong defense. The display by both teams today gives me at least a tiny shred of hope for Chicago if Cutler regains his ability to see in color. As with Green Bay, Woodson looked unstoppable (see Definition: blocking ineptitude, not to take away any credit) and the secondary shut down the fast bears wide receivers. Both teams should not be discounted.

[Dish]

Interesting game today, leads me to believe if these teams meet up again, I'd love the Bears chances at Soldier Field in an NFC title game. Both defenses owned this game today, more impressive effort by the Bears than anything else, considering how explosive the Pack offense consistently can be.

Good luck to the Pack next week, I still think that's a game they have to like their chances with. Would be a tough road for them to get to the Super Bowl, having to win @ Philly, @ Atlanta, and then either @ Chicago or @ New Orleans.

[Sir Lawrence]

MUDish, were you not sort of surprised Cutler played the entire game?  The way he was getting beaten up, I don't understand the risk vs. reward analysis. 

[reinko]

Dish,
Sorry, another question.  Will playoff schedules for next weekend be annouced tonight, or tomorrow? Thanks!

[DJO's Pump Fake]

Tonight

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs/2010/news/story?id=5981573

[Moonboots]

Talk about sweating bullets. Not sure about the wisdom of leaving the starters in the entire game, but I respect Lovie for keeping his word. At the very least, the Packers can say they actually beat the Bears, and not some disinterested group of second and third stringers.

For as much hell as I've given the Bears this year, they're playing good football at this point. May have been given a few gift wins earlier in the year, but that doesn't matter, it's how you're playing in January.

My issues with McCarthy's play calling in this game are strictly based on the few drives where he went to the big five and dialed up way too many passes. There's no issue with calling running plays, just issues with executing them. And as far as throwing deep on 3rd and 2... the Bears cover 2 scheme plays the inside shoulder of Jennings and won't allow inside breaking routes, so the adjustment is to head down the sidelines. It's on Rodgers to be disciplined enough to not take the low percentage option on 3rd and short, and look to the other side of the field.  Luckily, he hit Jennings on the same adjustment to get to the 1 right before the TD. The Bears' defense matches up very, very well with our current offense. With Finley? Maybe not so much. But that's not the case right now.

As far as the Packers' chances... I feel more confident than I did last year. We probably saw the two best defenses in the NFC today, and I'd even go so far as to give the Packers the edge.

Most impressive thing from today, and the second half of this season? The ability of Capers to plug and play in the 3-4, so long as Woodson, Matthews and Tramon Williams (and in the last 4 weeks, BJ Raji) are always in the lineup.  Getting contributions from Shields, Peprah and Erik Walden? Who would have thought. I'm just glad to be in the tournament.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Congrats to the Packers.  I would hate to play you guys in the playoffs.  Dangerous dangerous team.

[MerrittsMustache]

Talk about sweating bullets. Not sure about the wisdom of leaving the starters in the entire game, but I respect Lovie for keeping his word. At the very least, the Packers can say they actually beat the Bears, and not some disinterested group of second and third stringers.

Lovie proved a few years ago on NYE that he really doesn't care all that much about beating GB once his team is in the playoffs. That's just something he said when hired to appease the meathead fans.

Honestly, I don't think that Lovie expected to play the starters the entire game. I think he was expecting to run a simplistic gameplan so as to not show too much to future opponets and once they fell behind by a couple scores to a fired-up Packers squad who was playing for their playoff lives, he'd pull the plug. Instead, the Bears dominated defensively and probably should have won the game (unfortunately "Bad Jay" made a couple appearances which isn't very reassuring for the playoffs).

Oh well. It always sucks to lose to the Packers but at least it cost the Bears nothing. Kudos to GB for doing what they had to do...and Go Eagles!

[Hards Alumni]

The best thing that the Packers and Bears have going for them is that all of the other NFC playoff teams look just as bad.

[GGGG]

BTW, if the Bears scored a TD at the end there, I am pretty sure they would have gone for two.  How nerve-wracking would that have been?

[MU B2002]

I think the Falcons have looked good lately, but yea everybody else looks rough.  And you gotta love the 7-9 NFC West Champ Seahawks.

[MerrittsMustache]

BTW, if the Bears scored a TD at the end there, I am pretty sure they would have gone for two.  How nerve-wracking would that have been?

I was REALLY hoping for that. What an amazing way to potentially end a team's season!