Call me crazy, but

by kuech on Sep 20, 2007 2:29 AM CDT

I don't think that Lovie really tries that hard to beat AFC teams. I do think he tries REALLY hard to beat any NFC team. I think the real season begins this weekend and by the end of the next 4 weeks, we'll know exactly what we've got for this year. Right now it's unsure if we will go 2-2, 4-0 or what, but my guess is 3-1 or better. The last 2 weeks have just been an extension of and a little more intense version of the preseason. That's my take, FWIW.

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You Crazy!

by Adam T on Sep 20, 2007 7:44 AM CDT reply actions

heh, maybe

Let me expand on this a little.

Last year, 2-2 against the AFC, 11-0 against NFC until meaningless last game.
The team can't be sky high for every game. A good coach will try to manage what games his team needs to be up for. The priorities are:

1. division
2. NFC teams competing with us for playoff spots and seeds( tiebreakers )
3. bad nfc teams (tiebreakers again)
4. Afc - only affect overall record

The bye comes late this year - week 9
Tougher NFC schedule
Maybe Bears peaked too early last year, but that was understandable because they wanted to prove they were good. This year I think their focus is winning SB.

I think we see a much better effort this week

by kuech on Sep 20, 2007 9:32 AM CDT up reply actions

Sorry...

The Bears have were 2-2 against the AFC because the AFC is better, not because they don't try as hard to win those games.

Every game in the NFL is important, regardless of conference.

visit the mindful mission.

by big_lowitzki on Sep 20, 2007 9:56 AM CDT up reply actions

Agreed.

by tyger1147 on Sep 20, 2007 11:00 AM CDT up reply actions

I sort of agree

but I do think teams hold back certain plays and certain looks until they play a "must-win" game. Belichek and the Pats are famous for this. I wouldn't be suprised if the lack of the deep ball was a conscious effort by the Bears.

That being said, they should hopefully run the ball down the Cowboys throats. Tough to stop the run in a 3-4 with a sub-par nose tackle.

Visit The Cub Reporter (mvn.com/mlb-cubs)

by thecubreporter on Sep 20, 2007 12:58 PM CDT up reply actions

I got news for you

Jay Ratliff is the best player in the NFL nobody has ever heard of, obviously including you if you think he's sub par. You'll find out Sunday night when benson will be lucky to get 3 yds a carry.

Tank Johnson won't beat him out when his suspension is over, thats for sure.

by Terry @ Windy City Gridiron on Sep 20, 2007 2:38 PM CDT up reply actions

i believe

we sat some key players for our games against AFC teams last year. i think that there is a bit more emphasis on beating NFC teams as they play a bigger role in playoff rankings, but i would be shocked if Lovie didn't try as hard to beat them. in a 16 game season, every game matters.

by cookding @ Windy City Gridiron on Sep 21, 2007 7:22 AM CDT reply actions

It's the games, not the coach

Last year the Bears destroyed Buffalo at home, but lost to Miami at home a few weeks later. Why? Miami was a far superior team. Jason Taylor is better than any Buffalo player.

The Bears subsequently defeated the Jets 10-0 and then lost to NE the following week 17-13 on the same road-trip. There's no rhyme nor reason for that, but NE was a better ballclub and the Bears were still on the road.

Meanwhile, losing to SD on the road and then beating KC at home makes perfect sense. It wouldn't strain the bounds of reality if the Bears beat SD in Soldier Field and then lost to KC in Arrowhead.

The Miami game is probably the biggest aberration. Playing in New England at the end of a 3-game road-trip and opening the season at San Diego are two of the toughest games that any team in the NFL has had to play in the last two seasons.

by Larry @ Windy City Gridiron on Sep 22, 2007 4:38 AM CDT reply actions