We suck, it’s over, lets all give up.

This complaining about the same coach speak everyone uses is ridiculous.

No, we can NOT savalge the season.

The best thing we can do know is to play our young, untested players to see if any of them are worth keeping around. That includes shufffling the O-line around to see if some different configuartions might work better.

I would take satisfaction in beating the Vikings twice; however, that seems like a pipe dream.

Barring an unbelievable turn of events, we can’t slavage the season.

Some people are just too optimistic.

damn people! we are 4-5 not 0-9! the bears have played mediocre at best for most quarters then turn it up late. i think jay becomes more of a……….MANAGER for the rest of the year even he hates throwing picks beleive it or not. why play young players? even if we dont make the playoffs guys like olsen hester bennet and knox can only benefit from playing with cutler……but i do agree a guy like aromashadushould get a shot. and maybe they find a o line combo that works.
philly is a winable game and with us being at home it should give us a edge. minesota twice and baltimore are what really worry me. but i have a gut feeling we steal the one thats in solider field.
Bear down
packers rams and lions are very winnable.

Yes, the Bears can salvage the season – but define what you mean by “salvage”.
If you mean playoffs – no.
If you mean trying to work out problems and outlining needs for next year – yes.
Bears are in a deep hole organization-wise and it will take a lot of thought and work to build things back up. A lot will depend on what the McCaskeys decide to do

We realize the position we’re in right now.

No one could possibly be that optimistic about the rest of the season.

We were in that position last year. It’s basically in our hands right now.

Didn’t the Bears hold their own destiny going into the last game of the year last season? Not only does Tommie not get the physical aspect of the game, but also the mental side as well.

I’m an eternal optimist when it comes to the Bears, but there’s no way in hell they beat the Vikings twice.

But basically every single team ahead of us in the Wild Card chase lost. We are only one game out of the playoffs right now! Yes, there are a lot of teams we have to leap, but there are seven games left.

Now, of course, we have to start improving our play significantly, but that would be true in any “salvage the season” scenario. Right now we are in a lot better position than I would have thought. I am not giving up yet.

and it hurts to say it, but I really dont want to think that they make the playoffs, only to get spanked and bounced out. Lets bow out gracefully (well, as graceful as 8-8 or 6-10 can be) and just enjoy the postseason without any false hopes and bullsh** drama. Just end the season with some dignity, pretending to care about the season, and play like you have a heart. Then just enjoy the great teams in this league while sipping on your mai tais in hawaii or Brazil, where ever overpaid, underskilled athletes go for summer vacation.

What in the name of Dick Butkus have you all seen from this team that makes you think they can go 7-0 or 6-1 the rest of the way and make the playoffs? What? Please, elighten us!!

Do you think that this offensive line is suddenly going to start blocking like the early 90s Cowboys?

Do you think this defense is going to figure out how to stop an offense not named the Cleveland Browns? Because let’s face it, that’s the only offense this D has dominated.

I hope to Mike Ditka that the Bears do win out and make the playoffs. But Walter Payton, what the hell have they shown me this year that makes me think they can actually do it?

I will ALWAYS hope, ALWYS believe there’s a “chance”.

The Bears have been playing a shell game this year:

The are nowhere to be found for the first half of a game, then come to life.
OR, the offense is moving the ball well and socring, but the defense has disappeared.
OR, like in the last game, the defense shows up, but the offense sputters.

I still hope/believe that SOME of our problems are fixable.

For example, all the penalties are a matter of discipline. That can, theoretically, be fixed.
The issues in the red zone COULD improve, if Turner starts showing a little creativity, or if Cutler over-rides him and rolls out.
At the least, I expect Cutler to play a little more conservatively in the red zone, and we settle for more FGs. Fine.
Captain Obvious says: Points are better than turnovers (no points).

Besides the penalties and red zone play, the biggest factor that will have to change is the the DEFENSE.
They need to show up for each and every game. We know they CAN do it, if sufficiently motivated and inspired.
And if the defense plays well, well, then, theoretically, we are in every game. Every game becomes winnable.

That’s the key: the defense needs to show up.

As for the o-line: I’ve pretty much given up on the run game for this year, but using Forte in the short passing game is the next best thing. A close approximation. Not the same clock chewing, punsihing morale destroyer that a good running game is, but it could suffice.
Our o-line actually looked good blocking downfield for Forte. We need to do a whole helluva a lot more of that.

Special teams still has a lot of talent and potential. One or two big plays—something from Knox, Manning or Hester—could decide a game. We need a couple before the year is through.
 
Now, about the games:

Philly is not that great. They lost to the Raiders. Westbrook’s likely out, and we’re at home. However, the fact that it’s a primetime night game does frighten me, given our recent history. But McNabb is fallible. They face a little adversity on the road, and it could be over. Pressure. Pressure is key. Rod’s boys better bring their A game.

But it’s winnable. Can’t say it enough: We need the defense to show up and pressure McNab.
In the last two meetings, we beat them by offense (Orton’s beautiful 98 yard drive in 2 minutes), then by defense (the gorgeous goal line stand).

Both those things should be hung in the Louvre, cause they’re works of freakin’ art.
 
Maybe we can go for the trifecta and beat them with Special Teams this time?! :-)
 
Jay and the offense SHOULD be motivated, after letting everyone down in SF.

We should be motivated for GB, too. And our recent history against Favre is good, although he’s playing at a higher level. But Minny has it’s weaknesses, too. The secondary, for one. Special teams—punting/coverage. APs fumbilitis.
Records can go out the window in divisional match-ups.

Maybe we’ll catch a lucky break with an injury? (Or, more likely with Miniscorta—a suspension…haha).

If we can at least take ONE of those games (at home?), I’ll be happy.
(Damm, I HATE the BiQueens…)

Ravens have been faltering lately. They looked below average against Cleveland last night. If they are edged out of the playoff scene by week 16, we may get an uninspired team.

So, I think it’s poosible. I’m a roaring, raging, blind stupid homer, I admit…but it could be done.

To summarize, 5 steps for playoff hope:

1. Defense has to show up, again, and STAY there. If both sides of the ball play the way they have already shown they can (in flashes this year), in the same game, we can compete with any team.

2. Eliminate/reduce the penalties and turnovers. Those two are huge. Both can be traced back to discipline (and coaching). Cutler has to reign himself in a bit.

3. Smarten up the offense—use Forte in the short passing game, roll Cutler out. Get more creative in the red zone especially. Attack the middle of the field w/ the TEs.

4. Need a few big plays from Special Teams, at key moments.

5. Catch a few lucky breaks within the NFC race…have a few of other potential Wildcarders slip (ATL’s heading in the wrong direction, SF is shaky), maybe an injury or two to key players…

At the least, I’d like to beat GB and Minny once. At the least salvage a little dignity, if not the entire season. I don’t want a whole season of divisonal foes having bragging rights about sweeping us. That’s the LEAST I’m hoping for, anyway.

BEAR DOWN.

NO WAY IN HELL! ;>P