2010-2011 NFC North Division

[reinko]

Should be a fun ride down the stretch, I can't believe the Bears are playing as well as they are right now, really tough to believe after losing to Seattle/Washington at home. From what I hear, it's almost a lock either Jets/Bears or Giants/Packers will be flexed to Sunday night in Week 16.

Next week both teams "should" win (Bears/Pack), especially the Pack with the 49ers coming off a short week. Bears will have their hands full at Detroit next week.

Bears then host the Pats, while GB goes to Detroit. Then Bears @ Vikes, Pack @ Pats. No gimmies down the stretch, I'd guess both teams will have the same record going into Week 17.

I still think the Pack are the better team, tough loss for them today.

Dish, GB is scheduled to play the previous Sunday night @ NE, can teams play back to back Sunday night games?

[Dish]

Packers could appear back to back on Sunday Night, no restriction there. Packers are going to either have that game vs the Giants or the game vs the Bears moved to Sunday night. Packers are currently at 5 primetime games, NFL will allow 6 in a year.

It's more likely the Jets/Bears will be that Sunday night game. NFL doesn't allow the Jets and Giants to both play at the same time, and with the Giants/Pack already at 3:15 that day, makes most sense for the Jets/Bears to move to night. This would then allow Bears/Pack to meet the flex requirements for Week 17. That would then mean back to back Sunday night games for the Bears in Weeks 16/17.

[reinko]

Packers could appear back to back on Sunday Night, no restriction there. Packers are going to either have that game vs the Giants or the game vs the Bears moved to Sunday night. Packers are currently at 5 primetime games, NFL will allow 6 in a year.

It's more likely the Jets/Bears will be that Sunday night game. NFL doesn't allow the Jets and Giants to both play at the same time, and with the Giants/Pack already at 3:15 that day, makes most sense for the Jets/Bears to move to night. This would then allow Bears/Pack to meet the flex requirements for Week 17. That would then mean back to back Sunday night games for the Bears in Weeks 16/17.

Thanks.

[wadesworld]

Not NFC north related, but anyone see the fisticuffs between Finnegan and Andre Johnson?  I know the thoughts on Finnegan is that he can be dirty at times, but just wondered what set the scuffle oFf.

First of all they had some previous history with each other.  In 2009 there was a play where Finnegan tried to defend a pass by jumping on Johnson's back (literally looked like he was going in for a piggy back ride) and grabbed Johnson's facemask to pull him down.  They exchanged words on the way back to the line of scrimmage and Finnegan got into a shoving match with essentially the entire Texans team on the sideline.

Then yesterday Johnson was blocking Finnegan and they were pushing back and forth, with Johnson getting in a push maybe slightly after the whistle blew the play dead.  The next play at the snap of the ball Finnegan just went after Johnson's head (it was a running play but Finnegan clearly didn't care, he was just going after Johnson).  They then just started tackling each other, knocking each other's helmets off, and Johnson got Finnegan below him and 2 punches in on Finnegan before they were separated.

Finnegan has already been fined a few times this season, while as far as I know Johnson has no history (besides the 2009 altercation also with Finnegan).  Obviously Johnson should not have reacted as he did, but he clearly just had enough of the guy.  Finnegan seems like a punk.

[MU B2002]

Finnegan appeared to be on the receiving end of a beating he has long deserved.

[LON]

First of all they had some previous history with each other.  In 2009 there was a play where Finnegan tried to defend a pass by jumping on Johnson's back (literally looked like he was going in for a piggy back ride) and grabbed Johnson's facemask to pull him down.  They exchanged words on the way back to the line of scrimmage and Finnegan got into a shoving match with essentially the entire Texans team on the sideline.

Then yesterday Johnson was blocking Finnegan and they were pushing back and forth, with Johnson getting in a push maybe slightly after the whistle blew the play dead.  The next play at the snap of the ball Finnegan just went after Johnson's head (it was a running play but Finnegan clearly didn't care, he was just going after Johnson).  They then just started tackling each other, knocking each other's helmets off, and Johnson got Finnegan below him and 2 punches in on Finnegan before they were separated.

Finnegan has already been fined a few times this season, while as far as I know Johnson has no history (besides the 2009 altercation also with Finnegan).  Obviously Johnson should not have reacted as he did, but he clearly just had enough of the guy.  Finnegan seems like a punk.

It also appears that Finnegan was going after him on purpose...

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/11/29/cortland-finnegan-told-texans-andre-johnson-hit-was-coming/

A moment before Titans cornerback Cortland Finnegan and Texans receiver Andre Johnson fought on the field Sunday, Finnegan told the Texans' sideline to get ready.

According to Richard Justice of the Houston Chronicle, Finnegan looked toward the Texans' sideline and yelled, "Watch this," right before the ball was snapped, and then proceeded to smack Johnson at the start of the play.

Although Johnson was the one who was really landing punches in the ensuing fight, Finnegan's reputation as a dirty player precedes him, while Johnson's reputation as a good player and good guy will probably earn him some points.

And the news that Finnegan told the Texans something was coming before the fight indicates that Finnegan knew exactly what he was starting. Which means Finnegan may be the one who gets hit harder by the league office, even though Johnson was hitting harder on the field.

[wadesworld]

It also appears that Finnegan was going after him on purpose...

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/11/29/cortland-finnegan-told-texans-andre-johnson-hit-was-coming/

A moment before Titans cornerback Cortland Finnegan and Texans receiver Andre Johnson fought on the field Sunday, Finnegan told the Texans' sideline to get ready.

According to Richard Justice of the Houston Chronicle, Finnegan looked toward the Texans' sideline and yelled, "Watch this," right before the ball was snapped, and then proceeded to smack Johnson at the start of the play.

Although Johnson was the one who was really landing punches in the ensuing fight, Finnegan's reputation as a dirty player precedes him, while Johnson's reputation as a good player and good guy will probably earn him some points.

And the news that Finnegan told the Texans something was coming before the fight indicates that Finnegan knew exactly what he was starting. Which means Finnegan may be the one who gets hit harder by the league office, even though Johnson was hitting harder on the field.

Oh yeah, he was definitely trying to get something started.  Definitely a dirty move by Finnegan.

[ZiggysFryBoy]

Finnegan, eh?  Can't fault a young Irishman for fighting now can ye?

[SaintPaulWarrior]

Again not NFC Norris related but the Bills Steve Johnson seems to blame God for dropping a game winning pass in OT in the endzone.

"I PRAISE YOU 24/7!!!!!! AND THIS HOW YOU DO ME!!!!! YOU EXPECT ME TO LEARN FROM THIS??? HOW???!!! ILL NEVER FORGET THIS!! EVER!!! THX THO..."

[MU B2002]

My favorite part..."Thx tho"

[ZiggysFryBoy]

Again not NFC Norris related but the Bills Steve Johnson seems to blame God for dropping a game winning pass in OT in the endzone.

"I PRAISE YOU 24/7!!!!!! AND THIS HOW YOU DO ME!!!!! YOU EXPECT ME TO LEARN FROM THIS??? HOW???!!! ILL NEVER FORGET THIS!! EVER!!! THX THO..."

What can we do to silence these Christian athletes who thank Jesus whenever they win and never mention his name when they lose? Never a word. You never hear them say, "Jesus made me drop the ball," or "The Good Lord tripped me up behind the line of scrimmage." According to these guys, Jesus is undefeated; meanwhile, these assholes are in last place. Must be another one of those "miracles."


--George Carlin, RIP.

[MerrittsMustache]

Packers could appear back to back on Sunday Night, no restriction there. Packers are going to either have that game vs the Giants or the game vs the Bears moved to Sunday night. Packers are currently at 5 primetime games, NFL will allow 6 in a year.

It's more likely the Jets/Bears will be that Sunday night game. NFL doesn't allow the Jets and Giants to both play at the same time, and with the Giants/Pack already at 3:15 that day, makes most sense for the Jets/Bears to move to night. This would then allow Bears/Pack to meet the flex requirements for Week 17. That would then mean back to back Sunday night games for the Bears in Weeks 16/17.

According to The Trib...

Bears-Pats on Dec. 12 has been moved to 3:15 kickoff.

Bears-Jets on Dec. 26 has been locked in at noon.

Bears-Packers on Jan. 2 could still potentially be moved to Sunday night

[Moonboots]

According to The Trib...

Bears-Pats on Dec. 12 has been moved to 3:15 kickoff.

Bears-Jets on Dec. 26 has been locked in at noon.

Bears-Packers on Jan. 2 could still potentially be moved to Sunday night

And if it has division implications by week 17, I don't think there's any doubt that it will be.

[MerrittsMustache]

Drew Stanton will start at QB for the Lions this weekend. Absolutely no reason for the Bears not be 9-3 by this time on Sunday.

[🏀]

Drew Stanton will start at QB for the Lions this weekend. Absolutely no reason for the Bears not be 9-3 by this time on Sunday.

Except they got flexed into the 3:15 slot, right?

[MerrittsMustache]

Except they got flexed into the 3:15 slot, right?

I'm expecting the Lions to forfeit after seeing the Bears warm-up.

Actually, the December 12 game vs NE got flexed to 3:15.

[🏀]

I'm expecting the Lions to forfeit after seeing the Bears warm-up.

Actually, the December 12 game vs NE got flexed to 3:15.

My bad then.

[Dish]

I think the Trib is right, I heard CBS used two of it's five protected games as Pats/Bears and Jets/Bears. If true, Jets/Bears will stay an noon, unless Giants/Pack gets moved to Sunday night, then Jets/Bears would be 3:15.

[MU B2002]

Did favre finally get benched?

[reinko]

Got knocked with a wrist injury.

[LON]

I was at the Packers game so I didn't see the Bears/Lions but on the SNF game lines during halftime it says the Bears "were helped by another controversial call..."

What was that about?

[jesmu84]

Suh was flagged for unneccessary roughness on a Cutler scramble.  He appeared to hit Cutler in the back of the helmet with his forearms, which by the rules is illegal. Questionable on whether he hit the helmet or the shoulder pads or what.

Following the foul, Bears had first and goal from the 7 and scored the next play.  

I'm not sure it made all that much difference - if the flag wasn't thrown it was 2nd and 2 from the 14. Not like the flag bailed out a 4th down.

[LON]

Suh was flagged for unneccessary roughness on a Cutler scramble.  He appeared to hit Cutler in the back of the helmet with his forearms, which by the rules is illegal. Questionable on whether he hit the helmet or the shoulder pads or what.

Following the foul, Bears had first and goal from the 7 and scored the next play. 

I'm not sure it made all that much difference - if the flag wasn't thrown it was 2nd and 2 from the 22. Not like the flag bailed out a 4th down.

Thanks.

At least they applied the hit-to-the-head on QB rule...Rodgers seems to take a hit to the head every game but never is it called.  Tommy Brady gets those calls, but that's because he's pounding the ground like 2-year old.

They missed one last night against Ben Rape-lessberger as well.  He was definitely a mouth-breather after that one...although, he probably always was.

[Hards Alumni]

Thanks.

At least they applied the hit-to-the-head on QB rule...Rodgers seems to take a hit to the head every game but never is it called.  Tommy Brady gets those calls, but that's because he's pounding the ground like 2-year old.

They missed one last night against Ben Rape-lessberger as well.  He was definitely a mouth-breather after that one...although, he probably always was.

It was a BS call because Cutler was running the ball, like any other RB or WR.  He wasn't dropped back to pass, and therefore shouldn't have been protected.

[jesmu84]

It was a BS call because Cutler was running the ball, like any other RB or WR.  He wasn't dropped back to pass, and therefore shouldn't have been protected.

I'm pretty sure about this... but according to the rule, it doesn't matter if it's a QB, RB, WR, TE, whoever. A shot to the head like Suh's is illegal no matter the runner.