2012 NFC North/NFL Thread

[Benny B]

There was a football game on last night?!?  Sorry.... I was flipping back and forth between a mind-numbingly boring NLCS Game 7 blowout, and an even more mind-numbing "presidential" debate.

[MerrittsMustache]

That was one of the best games I've ever seen from Cutler in terms of getting rid of the ball quickly, moving smartly in the pocket, and choosing the best times to run.  His numbers may not have been gaudy, but he was doing exactly what he needed to.

Tice still worries me with his playcalling.  He did a great job with Cutler, but the Red Zone offense is bad when you have 2 great backs, and I still feel like he doesn't know how to use Forte.  Forte is one of the best backs in the league in space, yet Tice seemingly runs him up the middle and off tackle too often.  I'd like a few more tosses, RB screens, and the like.  After the Bears went up early, the playcalling felt too predictable.  Like they were perfectly happy being up 10 and playing D.

Tice does seem to make some interesting calls but Cutler is also allowed to audible and, for lack of a better term, call the shots more often, which keeps him happy. Perhaps it's the influence of Jeremy Bates as the QB coach but Cutler appears to really be buying into Tice's system more than he has in the past with Turner and Martz.

The Bears really did appear to have the mindset of "Detroit can't score 2 TDs against us. This one's over."

[SaintPaulWarrior]

I'll give credit to them then, that was another outstanding defensive effort last night. They've given up 6 defensive TD's all season, while scoring 5 (amazing stat).

I am pretty sure that 3 of the 6 defensive TD's they have given up have been drives of less than 10 yards.

[MU B2002]

I am pretty sure that 3 of the 6 defensive TD's they have given up have been drives of less than 10 yards.

Not quite:

Colts 2 TDs (77 & 80 yards)
Packers 2 TDS (80* & 26 yards)
* 1st TD was on a fake FG, so I guess you can hang that on special teams.
Cowboys 2 TDs (80 & 89 yards)
Lions 1 TD (59 yards)

[Jay Bee]

Hi closet Vikings fans! Hop on board and cheer on your NFC North champs-to-be tonight! 7-point favorites to go to 6-2. SKOL VIKINGS

[Hards Alumni]

Hi closet Vikings fans! Hop on board and cheer on your NFC North champs-to-be tonight! 7-point favorites to go to 6-2. SKOL VIKINGS

I took the Bucs +7.

terrible line.

[Dish]

Pound the under tonight. I forgot the stat, but the under has hit on some ridiculous % on Thursday night games.

[Spotcheck Billy]

too bad the Vikings have a terrible record in primetime, something like 1-11 in recent years

In other news, Greg Jennings will have surgery next Tuesday to repair a torn abdominal muscle, they say he will return this season but I'd bet he doesn't return to GB next season.

[Hards Alumni]

Pound the under tonight. I forgot the stat, but the under has hit on some ridiculous % on Thursday night games.

+1

[Dish]

too bad the Vikings have a terrible record in primetime, something like 1-11 in recent years

In other news, Greg Jennings will have surgery next Tuesday to repair a torn abdominal muscle, they say he will return this season but I'd bet he doesn't return to GB next season.

Unless he comes back for the playoffs, probably have seen Jennings for the last time in a Packer uniform. As they've shown recently though, they haven't lost a step without him. Jennings will be an overpaid Dolphin or Jet next year.

[GGGG]

I don't know if he'll get that contract he is looking for.  This well planned effort by his agent to get him more publicity in a contract year may not work out. 

(Although betting on NFL GMs *not* to overpay is never a safe bet.)

[jesmu84]

Unless he comes back for the playoffs, probably have seen Jennings for the last time in a Packer uniform. As they've shown recently though, they haven't lost a step without him. Jennings will be an overpaid Dolphin or Jet next year.

I'd be willing to put some money on Seahawks in the bidding war as well.

[Sir Lawrence]

Pound the under tonight. I forgot the stat, but the under has hit on some ridiculous % on Thursday night games.

Until tonight.

[Dish]

Until tonight.

The moment I wrote it was the kiss of death.

[Sir Lawrence]

The moment I wrote it was the kiss of death.

Who knew?  Doug Martin.  32 touches.  Never heard of him. 

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

Who knew?  Doug Martin.  32 touches.  Never heard of him. 

Got me 33 points for my fantasy team tonight Looks like its back to a two team race for the division. Hopefully the Bears can pull it out.

[wadesworld]

Defensive fill-ins: The Packers should be able to handle the Jaguars' underwhelming offense even with two of their top five defensive backs (Charles Woodson and Sam Shields) sidelined by injuries. Woodson's injury, however, will give us an extended look at rookie Casey Hayward and help us determine if he is playing as well as the statistics indicate. Hayward's four interceptions are tied with two other players for the NFL lead. And according to Pro Football Focus, opponents have completed only 44.8 percent of the passes thrown his way. The resulting 23.7 passer rating on throws in Hayward's direction is the NFL's best. Is Hayward really that good? Let's keep an eye on him Sunday and in the coming weeks.

http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/tag/_/name/final-word-2012-week-8

I'm really excited about this kid.  I said a few games ago that Hayward should be playing more than Sheilds as our #2 cornerback.  With the added playing time due to injuries he is obviously going to regress to the mean and not be as efficient as he has been in his limited roll so far this year, but I love Hayward.  We'll see how it goes.

[jesmu84]

Gross win today. The Bears always play terribly against the Panthers, but they won. Defense stepped up BIG in the 4th.

[GGGG]

Yeah it was a pretty bad effort by the Packers as well.

[jsglow]

Two ugly wins by the Packers and the Bears.  But both get one step closer to the playoffs; always the goal in October.  Long, long way to go.

[GGGG]

Rumors are that Packers are trying to obtain Stephen Jackson.  That would be a real, real nice addition.  Can we give them AJ Hawk in return???

[Hards Alumni]

Rumors are that Packers are trying to obtain Stephen Jackson.  That would be a real, real nice addition.  Can we give them AJ Hawk in return???

Not this year.  He is playing alright, and we are so thin at LB.

[🏀]

Rumors are that Packers are trying to obtain Stephen Jackson.  That would be a real, real nice addition.  Can we give them AJ Hawk in return???

For serious rumors?

Is Blout being discussed?

[Dish]

Tons of RB's on the market. SJax, Felix Jones, Blount, DeAngelo to name a few.

[hairy worthen]

Rumors are that Packers are trying to obtain Stephen Jackson.  That would be a real, real nice addition.  Can we give them AJ Hawk in return???

Love to have Jackson, but Hawk is doing ok this year (except that blatant missed tackle in  open field yesterday) and the linebacker position is already thin.