Week 11 Preview: Eagles (5-4) @ Bears (4-5)
by SackMan on Nov 20, 2009 3:15 PM CST
in Game Preview
42 comments
The Bears get to "show off" once again on national TV Sunday night vs the Eagles. Maybe the rest of the country will learn from last Thursday night's ugliness, and watch something else.
Week 11 Recap
The Eagles: Donovan McNabb threw for an incredible 450 yards, but the Eagles were trading field goals for touchdowns and lost on the road to San Diego 31-23. That's the second trip Philly has made coast-to-coast this year, and they've lost both contests (losing also to the terrible Raiders in week 6). With McNabb completing 35 of 55 throws... Jason Avant (8), DeSean Jackson (8), Jeremy Maclin (6) and Brent Celek (6) each caught at least 6 passes. Neither defense had much of an impact in this game, as both McNabb and his counterpart Phillip Rivers (20/25, 231, 131.8 QB rating) had plenty of time to throw. The biggest news of the game was Brian Westbrook's second concussion in recent weeks, which could threaten to end his season.
The Bears: Jay Cutler and company embarrassed themselves on prime time television again... this time in an ugly 10-6 road loss to the 49ers on Thursday night. The Bears defense actually put up a very strong effort, holding the 49ers to just 216 yards of total offense. But, Jay Cutler threw 5 friggin interceptions, including one in the end zone with time expiring, failing at chance to win the game. As if the game wasn't bad enough, there were 19 penalties called between the two teams, giving viewers plenty of time to complain about the previous Cutler interception. One of the lone bright spots was Zachary Bowman, who had his 3rd INT in his last 5 games... however, he left the game with abdominal injury and never returned.
Quick Numbers:
- 17: Jay Cutler INTs on the year.
- 194: Receiving yards for Matt Forte in the last two weeks.
- 46: Receptions for TE Brent Celek, leading the Eagles in that category.
- 29: Sacks by the Eagle defense, tied for second in the NFL.
Key Injuries:
PHI RB Brian Westbrook (concussion) O
PHI WR Kevin Curtis (knee) O
CHI C Olin Kreutz (back) Q
When the Eagles have the ball.
Donovan McNabb is enjoying more weapons than he's ever had in his long career as QB of the Eagles. Second year WR DeSean Jackson has been among the most explosive playmakers in the NFL this season, and rookie 1st round pick Jeremy Maclin is proving to be an exceptional threat himself. In past years, RB Brian Westbrook was the man McNabb would lean on, but in an injury plagued season, Westbrook's targets are going to TE Brent Celek, who leads the Eagles in receptions. Filling in for Westbrook is rookie LeSean McCoy, who now leads the team in rushing and also has 23 catches. This is a very potent offense... led by a great QB: exactly the kind of team that exposes the Bears defense (see the first half of the Bengals and Cardinals games). With the Bears pass rush disappearing after week 4, McNabb will have plenty of time to throw the football. The one trouble spot for the Eagles has been running in the red zone (sound familiar?). In fact, the last time these two teams met, the Bears put up a key goal line stand late in the 4th quarter to win the game.
The key match-up for the Eagles: WR DeSean Jackson vs the Bears safeties
Jackson is second in the NFL at 18.3 yards per catch... because he beats safety help every week. The Bears play a lot of cover 2, and rely on their safeties to limit big plays. I see the Bears safeties getting a big serving of burnt toast this Sunday night.
The X factor on offense for the Eagles: WR Jeremy Maclin
The rookie receiver has been gaining the trust of his QB and getting more and more involved. He's another explosive player, who should pose big match-up concerns vs the Bears safeties.
When the Bears have the ball.
This is now officially a one-dimensional offense... as Matt Forte's 194 receiving yards in the last two weeks has waived the white flag on the running game. No run game vs a blitz heavy defense that is tied for second in the NFL with 29 sacks is a very, very bad match-up. Not having to worry about the run, the Eagles can blitz at will vs Cutler and his porous O-line. Expect to see Dez Clark on the field plenty in this one, to aid in pass protection vs the Eagles blitz. The Bears can counter the blitz with a big dose of screen passes to Matt Forte, and if they can pick up the blitz, it could create opportunities for speedsters Devin Hester and Johnny Knox to get open vs less men in the secondary.
The key match-up for the Bears: LT Orlando Pace vs DE Trent Cole
Cole leads the Eagles with 7.5 sacks, and Pace has been losing some favor with the fans and media, despite (in my account) a solid, if unspectacular performance.
The X Factor on offense for the Bears: WR Devin Aromashodu
This spot is usually reserved for Greg Olsen, but Jay Cutler has been campaigning to get his favorite pre-season target on the field more often. Let's see if that helps Jay in the red zone.... not.
Side notes from the NFC North:
Vikings: Division leading Minnesota will host the Seahawks on Sunday. This could be another cakewalk for them, but watch out for a re-juvinated Seattle running game behind Justin Forsett, vs a Vikings D allowing 4.2 yards per carry.
Lions: The Lions and Browns square off in the battle of crud near the lake in Detroit on Sunday. Nobody needs to watch this game. And if you're starting someone in fantasy football... you've already lost.
Packers: Aaron Rodgers was sacked another 4 times last week by the Cowboys, boosting the league leading total to 41. This Sunday, the 49ers will get their turn in Lambeau.
0 recs |
42 comments
|
Email
Print
Comments
Go 4 wide Bears
Slants and screens. Need Kruetz to not snap it to Jay’s shoelaces for starters. We know the OL will probably get destroyed by the blitz, so what will Turner cook up? Dear God, anything but the same ’ole plan.
hahah
“let’s see if that helps Jay in the red zone…..not”
nice one
heaping helping of negative nanciness in this write up but sadly about 99 percent of it is well deserved. in the unlikely event that the bears defense slows down mcnabb and co., i bet ron turner will stick to lots of weak 2ypc runs until the bears are down 14 or more. heres to hoping the lovie crew has some fancy plays in their back pockets to help keep the beat-the-eagles streak going.
On an unrelated note...
For every 11 yards Matt runs for, Jay throws a pick.
For serious now… The blitziness of the Eagles has the chance to keep Jay on his back more than his feet. Jay won’t have much opportunity to throw the deep ball, so it’s gotta be lots of screens and curls to move the ball in my estimation. Screens, slants, TE curls and posts will have to be the weapons of choice.
The Bears can’t pass rush, the Eagles have burners against an injured, burnable anyways secondary. This could turn ugly unless that secondary gets picks or breaks up balls – completed deep passes equal disaster. McCoy has the potential to be a dangerous rusher and receiver out of the backfield (Westbrook-Lite), but he’s not a blocker. Mixing up a blitz here and there could help generate a rush – well, a better one than we’ve had.
But., we saw the screen pass work effectively last week with the Bears, and Hester and Knox have the speed to turn screens and slants into long gains – just keep the chains moving. Remember, even though he’s the MVP, the less Maynard, the better. The less Cutler gets wild, the better – even though he won’t have the opportunity to get wild with two second drops and throws.
Prediction: 27-17 Bears. Cutler rediscovers what a wonderful weapon the TE can be with a touch by Olsen AND Davis (in the red zone, nonetheless), and the Philadelphia offense runs into trouble when the receivers learn that you can’t burn a safety deep by running through the back of the endzone. The TE position has to be huge this week I think for the Bears to win.
i like 27-21 eagles
but i hope i am wrong.
psyche!!! bears 77 eagles -6.
We'll put
Beekman at C, Williams at LT, Omiyale at RT, Garza at RG, Idonije at LG and Pace in a nursing home.
Start
the Chant, Bye,Bye lovie, when Phily destroys us.
Not so fast my friend
For some reason the Bears match-up pretty well against the Eagles.
"Sometimes I wonder whether the world is being run by smart people who are putting us on or by imbeciles who really mean it." - Mark Twain
Correct
We’ve had their number the last two years, granted the wins may have been a little ugly. I know they havn’t forgotton the goal line stand with Westbrooks legs pointing to the sky when we stopped them, but D Jackson should handle any of our secondary.
not so sure my man
orton last year tossed three first half tds. that secondary can be beat only if cutler gets time.
no ones mentioned the woes of the eagles in short yardage. they have redzone problems almost as bad as we do. last year ironically enough a goal line stand helped seal us a win.
im smelling a 26-21 bears win.
Cutler does not throw picks at home hes thrown 2 in four games but what 11 on primetime?
so its a primetime game at home which one gives? i pencil him for one
by Bear Lovin 21 on Nov 20, 2009 11:17 PM CST up reply actions
forgot to add....
if jackson can get pressed and bumped by tillman it knocks his timing off. i worry about him in space really. wildcard is maclin with too much focus on jackson could sneak out a 50yrd td catch.
GO BEARS
GO DITKA!
by Bear Lovin 21 on Nov 20, 2009 11:19 PM CST up reply actions
bodog has a line for cutler picks for this game
o/u is set at 1.5
predictably the over is getting pantloads more play than the under
i am going under as i think 1 sounds realistic
by reefermadness3 on Nov 20, 2009 11:33 PM CST up reply actions
Eagles Injury Update:
WLB Akeem Jordan (knee) Out
-------
"Newbie, if the next two words out of your mouth aren't 'See ya' then the third word will be 'Oh my god. My crotch. You've punched me in my crotch." - Dr. Percival Ulysses Cox
Hysterical
The Lions and Browns square off in the battle of crud near the lake in Detroit on Sunday. Nobody needs to watch this game. And if you’re starting someone in fantasy football… you’ve already lost.
One of the best lines I’ve heard in awhile. Although, I think Megatron is due for a big game.
"Those guys were the suckiest bunch of sucks that ever sucked" - Homer defines the Bears '09 season in less than 12 words.
Hasn't Dez Clark been ruled out (back) for this game?
If you can't laugh at yourself you must not be very funny.
ive jokingly posted this before, but let me post it again (just for kicks) :)
Watching a cincy bearcats game 2 weeks ago, they pulled the old switcheroo with their QB’s (dont know why, or which was the starter) but they did it twice, both for touchdowns..Colleros would drive them down the field, then in the redzone they switched qb’s and the guy off the bench threw 2 passes for 2 TD’s….I say that the bears should try that, just to switch things up a bit. Let cutler take em to the redzone, then put in hanie and he will throw for TD’s…Ok, sounds crazy, but if cutler throws a pick in the redzone this sunday, this strategy here is worth looking into at some point in time this season….as i always say about most things, WHY NOT!!
Eat. Sleep. Pray. Watch chicago play.
P.S.
You've obviously mistaken me for someone who gives a shit about what you think.
by chi_till_eye_die on Nov 21, 2009 1:32 AM CST reply actions
The guy Cincy brough off the bench
was their starter. He had a forearm injury and was out for a few games and the backup played great. So instead of putting him back in as a starter they are trying to play both.
Ditka Avenger and Original WCG Power Poster!!!!
Want to be a blood donor? Insult Chuck Norris.
by Ditkavsworld on Nov 21, 2009 9:23 AM CST up reply actions
Injury Report...
Des and Payne are both doubtful.
You are all gentlemen (and ladies) and good judges of cheap whiskey.
There goes the running game!
No Dez, no good blocking TE.
"Those guys were the suckiest bunch of sucks that ever sucked" - Homer defines the Bears '09 season in less than 12 words.
The running game left a long time ago....
When Ruben Brown got too old
"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that." -- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)
Jerry Angelo trades for Jay Cutler! (4.2.2009)
.
Too true
I meant that the Bears won’t even try to run the ball, which is beyond stupid cause the Iggles defense is better against the pass. I believe it’s going to be another long night for the Bears offense.
"Those guys were the suckiest bunch of sucks that ever sucked" - Homer defines the Bears '09 season in less than 12 words.
sadly i would have to agree
hopefully the offense will trip and fall into a pile of luck. a big pile. i foresee them landing in a different type of pile though, hope i am wrong.
by reefermadness3 on Nov 21, 2009 6:13 PM CST up reply actions
The Bears aren't alone
Post-Super Bowl decisions to let go of players who regularly lead the league in intangibles such as Mike Brown and Brendon Ayanbadejo were based weighing their talent against money. What’s a happy, cohesive locker room worth?
In 1998 the Arizona Cardinals finally went to the playoffs and went on the road and crushed their long-time nemesis (the Dallas Cowboys) before losing to the Vikings the next week.
So what did the Cardinals do? They let three of their better players and team leaders (Lomas Brown, Larry Centers and Jamir Miller) walk away. With nothing in return.
End result? Ten more years before another playoff appearance (last years Super Bowl run).
There is no substitute for leadership on an NFL team, both coaches and players.
When I look at the Bears I see an appalling lack of leadership on this team.
Everyone looks like they are waiting for something (bad) to happen instead of going out and making something (good) happen.
good example ax
and the article linked pushes a very valid reason for the current woes of da team, good find.
by reefermadness3 on Nov 21, 2009 6:15 PM CST up reply actions
It's an old cliche' in sports
It’s not always the team with the most talent that wins, it’s the team that makes the most out of their talent.
Otherwise the Yankees would win every year.
It’s interesting. This season their best all around player, A-Rod, finally figured it out.
He said after the series that he suddendly realized that it’s about ‘we’ and not about ‘me.’
He admitted as much. Up until last season he thought whatever team he was on revolved around him. This season he finally figured out why Jeter had four rings and he had none.
To his credit, he changed his personality and his attitude this year. Not surprisingly the Yankees finally won it all again.
I hate the Yankees but thought it interesting that their most physically gifted player admitted that he needed to change the way he did business.
Bears Bashing
Hey Sack ????
We are all aware of the Bears problems and I’m sure the Bears are too. One thing thats not needed is your complete Bears bashing attitude. It really sucks. I know, you expected them to go to the Big dance this season. Get over it and realize for once in your miserable life that you have to face reality and can’t ride the fantasy train to dreamland. The Bears will do fine dispite your juvenile ranting and bashing. They don’t need your inexperienced motormouth to distract them at this place and time. Wake up and support your team because soon they are going realize that they have to build a team around Cuttler and when that happens, there will be no stopping them, not so much this year but soon. When that happens I bet you will change your tune and praise them, which will show everyone what an unmitigated ass you really are. E.T.
Attack the post not the poster.
Ditka Avenger and Original WCG Power Poster!!!!
Want to be a blood donor? Insult Chuck Norris.
by Ditkavsworld on Nov 22, 2009 8:23 AM CST up reply actions
+1
"I still believe, in spite of everything, that people are truly good at heart."
-Anne Frank-
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Nov 22, 2009 1:39 PM CST up reply actions
it might be you who is living in dreamland
It will probably 5 years before the Bears realize defense don’t win championships any more and start to build around Cutler. It sucks to wait so long for a team to get someone good on offense and then have a complete collapse on both sides of the ball and in coaching and in management. It is unacceptable to miss the playoffs 3 straight years after going to the superbowl.
by Ryan21 on Nov 22, 2009 2:53 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
I just found out
that the Eagles are 3rd in the NFL with 15 interceptions this season. They’re gonna eat Jay alive.
We’re screwed.
San Francisco, after 1 half, has 57 yards and 1 first down.
Their passing yardage total for the first half was -7.
The Packers, meanwhile, have 362 yards and 17 first downs.
"I still believe, in spite of everything, that people are truly good at heart."
-Anne Frank-
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Nov 22, 2009 1:38 PM CST reply actions
One thing.
I point this out not to make people angry.
Last week, I supported Da Bears even though I am a Packers fan. I really hoped things would work out last week. I’ll post here from time to time because Da Bears are among my favorite NFL teams.
"I still believe, in spite of everything, that people are truly good at heart."
-Anne Frank-
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Nov 22, 2009 1:41 PM CST up reply actions
My family has had long ties to Chicago.
I am also a Bulls fan, Blackhawks fan, Cubs fan.
"I still believe, in spite of everything, that people are truly good at heart."
-Anne Frank-
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Nov 22, 2009 6:12 PM CST up reply actions
who woulda thunk
lions v browns had crazy fantasy #s
That was a wild game.
How many touchdown passes did Quinn and Stafford combine for?
"I still believe, in spite of everything, that people are truly good at heart."
-Anne Frank-
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Nov 22, 2009 6:58 PM CST up reply actions
nine
Ditka Avenger and Original WCG Power Poster!!!!
Want to be a blood donor? Insult Chuck Norris.
by Ditkavsworld on Nov 22, 2009 7:14 PM CST up reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Community Guidelines
Related FanPosts on Windy City Gridiron
Related FanShots on Windy City Gridiron
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2010 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
