Game 9 Preview: Minnesota Favres @ Chicago Bears
by Mike Mueller on Nov 12, 2010 3:00 PM CST
in Game Preview
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PrintThe Favres are 3-5 this season. The Bears are 5-3. This could be a nail in the coffin, for either team, depending on the outcome. In the race for 10 wins and a place in the playoffs, falling to 3-6 for the Favres will almost certainly knock them out of the race. If the Bears lose, and fall to 5-4, winning 5 games down the stretch against their tough schedule becomes a long shot. In mid-November, a playoff game, this is.
Quick Numbers:
446: Career high in passing yards for the Favres starting QB.
8: Number of consecutive road losses for the Favres, including last season's NFC Championship game and Week 16 game in Chicago.
84.1: Jay Cutler's passer rating this season.
75.7: The Favres starting QB passer rating this season.
20: Number of fumbles recovered by the Bears; tops in the NFL.
6: Number of fumbles by Adrian Peterson in 2009.
ZERO: Number of fumbles by Adrian Peterson in 2010...let's change that this Sunday, shall we?
Key Injuries:
FAVRES:
MF's Starting QB - Ankle/Calf/Foot - Did Not Participate (no way this guy doesn't play though.)
Percy Harvin - Ankle/Migraine - Did Not Participate (ditto)
Asher Allen (CB) - Concussion - Did Not Participate
Phil Loadholt (RT) - Knee - Limited Participation
BEARS:
Olin Kreutz - hamstring - Did Not Participate (will definitely play Sunday)
Zackary Bowman - foot - Limited Participation (who knows when he'll play again.)
When Minnesota Has the Ball:
The Favres have a balanced attack on offense. Their starting QB threw for 446 yards last week. Adrian Peterson is the best RB in the NFL and is 2nd in yards this season with a 4.8 ypc & 7 touchdowns. Look for the Favres to pound the rock and try and victimize the Bears secondary off of play action. The Favres offensive line has allowed 18 sacks this season (20th in NFL), so if Izzy and Peppers can play well, they should be able to lay some licks on the Favres starting QB. Julius Peppers likes to play against Bryant McKinnie (see at 5:35 on this video)
This game should be one of the biggest tests for the Bears defense.
Key Matchup: Tim Jennings & D.J. Moore vs. Percy Harvin. If Charles Tillman is on Harvin, the Bears are toast. Jennings will have to cover him for the Bears to have any success. In nickel situations, Moore might be on Harvin, since he is used in the slot a lot. When Harvin catches the ball, he needs to be brought to the ground immediately. You can not let him get his legs out in the open field; he will kill you that way.
X-Factor: Sidney Rice is back off the PUP list after hip surgery. Will he play, and how effective will he be?
When Chicago Has the Ball:
The Bears offense found some balance last week. The Favres have the 5th ranked defense in the NFL; 10th vs. the pass & 7th vs. the run. Whether by air or land, moving the ball against these guys will be tough. Patience will be needed. Early struggles could lead to Martz getting pass wacky, and Cutler into taking too many chances. If there's a week for the Bears offensive line, receivers, and Jay to break out, this is it.
Key Matchup: Jared Allen vs. Frank Omiyale. Allen came alive last week with 2.5 sacks vs. Arizona. In week 16 last season, Chris Williams did a great job on Allen. Will Omiyale have similar success? He needs to or Jay will get another up-close and personal introduction to the loose turf at Soldier Field.
X-Factor: How many times do I have to say it, but Devin Hester's ability to take a punt to the house could change the entire game. Good field position is necessary for the Bears to score points; they need a short field. They could also use the points if Hester gets in the end zone.
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Why..
Does no one know how to spell his name? Farve.
Even Brett doesn’t know how to spell it.
by I Have Bearsititis on Nov 12, 2010 3:13 PM CST reply actions
I thought it was Farva
Gimme a litre o’ cola.
by boondock_saint812 on Nov 12, 2010 3:20 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Can I get a double bacon cheeseburger… It’s for a cop.
by Jonathan Heun Jr on Nov 12, 2010 3:37 PM CST up reply actions
I need to watch that movie...
…right meow.
"A lot of fans were drawn to me because they knew that whatever the score was, I was going to run as hard as I could on every play. You don't have that now, you have guys waiting for next week or even next year." - Walter Payton
Editor/Writer for WindyCityGridiron.com
by Ashley Czuba on Nov 12, 2010 8:50 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Favray
Lifelong Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan [I have always lived in Arizona, dad is from Chicago].
I can't stand fair-weather/bandwagon fans, stick with your team(s), throughout the good and the bad. And don't switch to whichever team wins the Super Bowl each year.
Bears 21, Vikings 17
Our offense and special teams do just enough (again). Our defense shuts down Favre (who is 3-7 against us in the last 10) and AP by doing what they do…bending but not breaking. We probably will give up our second passing touchdown of the year though.
Vic Koenning is my homeboy.
Bears Offense will have an explosive week. I am predicting 40 plus points this week. You heard it here first.
by Jonathan Heun Jr on Nov 12, 2010 3:38 PM CST reply actions
Yes.
Yes I did.
I hope I’m in awe of and not mocking you on Monday.
If you can't laugh at yourself you must not be very funny.
I remain a pessimistically hopeful Bears fan.
you and me both
If you go in the bathroom, turn off the lights, and say "Da Coach" 5 times while facing the mirror... Ditka will appear and slap the wussy right out of you.
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Nov 12, 2010 3:48 PM CST up reply actions
That is the kind of optimism that I like to hear!
42 -17, Bears. Cutler throw 4 touchdowns again, but with no INT this time.
Don't Forget
The touchdown that Peppers gets when he carries Favre into the endzone. Also, don’t forget to not hit enter way too fast, either.
by Steve Ronkowski on Nov 13, 2010 12:49 PM CST up reply actions
Bob
If you can't laugh at yourself you must not be very funny.
I remain a pessimistically hopeful Bears fan.
Joe
"A lot of fans were drawn to me because they knew that whatever the score was, I was going to run as hard as I could on every play. You don't have that now, you have guys waiting for next week or even next year." - Walter Payton
Editor/Writer for WindyCityGridiron.com
by Ashley Czuba on Nov 13, 2010 6:45 PM CST up reply actions
I love prediction time,
Cutler throws for 280 yards with two td’s and one pick.
- Also, Cutler rushes for 30-35 yards and three first downs.
- Greg Olsen fights for good run after catch and gets one of the passing td’s
- Chester Taylor breaks one off up the gut for a td
- Other passing td comes from Earl Bennett?
Urlacher strips AP and Danial Manning recovers.
- DJ Moore gets a pick six on he who shall not be named.
- Julius Peppers and Izzy combine for five sacks and Anthony Adams gets one too.
- Charles Tillman ends the game on a ‘He who shall not be named interception’
- Charles Tillman punches one out on Sydney Rice, if he plays which I think he will.
- Danial Manning or Knox get their first kick return for a td in this game.
Bears win 38-28 in the most exciting game of the season since the Cowgirls game.
This is,
I’m going to say it, the only time this year where I would like to see Hunter Hillenmeyer in this game over Urlacher. I know, blasphemy, and I think Urlacher is going to step up and make it irrelevant anyways; but going back, Hunter owns AP. As hard as it is to believe, one on one in a clutch situation, Hunter smacks AP down All Day, pun intended.
I hear ya
When Hunter was put on IR my first thought was “Who takes care of AP now?”.
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Is my mind a'goin on me or am I watchin you jibber jabber like some sorta jibberty box. Jibber Jabber on! Jibber Jabber on! -- Early Cuyler
i have confidence
that someone else will come up with a punchout at a critical time to help win the game for the bears.
by reefermadness3 on Nov 13, 2010 3:10 PM CST up reply actions
pass wacky
that is how we beat them last time we played them.
by 62bearsthe best on Nov 12, 2010 3:54 PM CST reply actions
With a broken hand...
Can’t wait to see what he does with a healed hand combined with a slower Favre.
You can't see California without Marlon Brando's eyes.
by ifuwannacrownem on Nov 12, 2010 5:36 PM CST reply actions
BEARS 26 queens 20
c’mon tice, we know you can get your boys fired up and keep cutler upright. at least most of the time hopefully
Tice will have the boys ready
for this one. Who doesn’t want to come back and beat the team that showed them the door? Chester Taylor will be running his ass off, I promise you.
We split last year without Urlacher and without Peppers. The defense is going to go wild on the queens, and if the offense can play smart, we’re going 6-3 and back to 1st place.
And you know it!
No greater words have been spoken by “Frank The Tank”.
Wow. Peppers did some mean, mean things to McKinnie last year.
I hope we see much more of that this Sunday.
A DRaysBay writer from Cubs Stats and Twitter @BradleyWoodrum
Unleash the fiery Peppers, unleash the fiery!!!
I SOOO HOPE the D-line can dominate like this Sunday
rice to play
That's it! See, at first I thought it was hate, too. Hate was all I knew, it built my world, it imprisoned me, taught me how to eat, how to drink, how to breathe. I thought I'd die with all my hate in my veins. But I realized it was loathing.
-Mike Martz describes his feelings on running the football
Just once you ought to make one of these a random link to some fly fishing web site or something.
Just to make people go “whaaa…??” Thanks for the update as always.
If you can't laugh at yourself you must not be very funny.
I remain a pessimistically hopeful Bears fan.
I thought
about it but then think that as cruel and unusual punishment or something……
That's it! See, at first I thought it was hate, too. Hate was all I knew, it built my world, it imprisoned me, taught me how to eat, how to drink, how to breathe. I thought I'd die with all my hate in my veins. But I realized it was loathing.
-Mike Martz describes his feelings on running the football
by CloudyFuture on Nov 12, 2010 9:35 PM CST up reply actions
I figured you had thought about it.
And I am proud to know I was correct.
If you can't laugh at yourself you must not be very funny.
I remain a pessimistically hopeful Bears fan.
Hey, you learn stuff going to random websites!
In unrelated news, I found my back account has been emptied. Rumor has it Childress needed it to bribe Brett to come back for tomorrow’s game.
by Steven Schweickert on Nov 13, 2010 7:23 AM CST up reply actions
... Clearly I need to proofread my jokes at 7 in the morning.
BANK account. Bank account.
(/self-Spongied)
by Steven Schweickert on Nov 13, 2010 7:24 AM CST up reply actions
Everyone makes the odd typo!
"44 years of football history and nothing to show for it. I wish I wasn’t banned at the Norseman.." - tfrabotta
"Fellas, what are they, unblockable? Is that the '85 Bears over there?" - Tom Coughlin, Giants '06 training camp
~~~ Check my profile for links for SB20 and America's Game: '85 Bears ~~~
If Chris Williams Becomes A Speedbump For the Vikes D Line
Then Cutler is gonna have a long, long day…
This is a pivotal game...
as far as I can see. Looking at the schedule, the Bears are likely to alternate wins and losses for the rest of the season and end up 9-7 starting with a loss to the ‘queens this Sunday. That means wins against Miami, Detroit, ’queens, and GB alternated with losses to ’queens, Philly, NE, Jets. It puts the Bears in contention with Philly, NO, and TB (and outside shots from ’queens and maybe Seattle) for a wildcard spot. If the Bears can get a win against the ’queens now they put them out of contention and set up to go 10-6 with a clinching game against the Packers at the end of the season.
So let’s hope Lovie and co. bring the necessary fire to take this game and show us that they can prepare and win with less than 2 weeks against a quality opponent. Honestly, if the Bears do not win this weekend, I say Lovie is done for in Chicago at the end of the season.
IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO FIRE LOVIE (IT'S BACK BABY!)!!!
"There's a fine line between stupid, and clever!"
Lovie Blows
And (along with his buddy, Jerry) needs to be shown the door either way. That said, for some reason the players seem to give him their whole-hearted support.
Needless to say, it’s a huge game for both teams. I guess you have to give the Vikings the edge due to their better talent – on paper, at least. If we stop AP, I think we win a close game. If AP has his way, I think the Vikings win, big.
I think this team could go no lees than 5-3 the rest of the way.
The teams we play are going to be tough. However, we can beat them as long as we do not commit stupid turnovers and the O-line becomes mediocre or above average. Above average would be preferred.
Mediocre would be a dream come true, in many ways.
"44 years of football history and nothing to show for it. I wish I wasn’t banned at the Norseman.." - tfrabotta
"Fellas, what are they, unblockable? Is that the '85 Bears over there?" - Tom Coughlin, Giants '06 training camp
~~~ Check my profile for links for SB20 and America's Game: '85 Bears ~~~
Forte...
Do you think Forte is losing favor from the coaches, or is he still the big name RB? (Seahawk fan here).
Based on carries
He still is our #1 guy. He’s never been a good short-yardage runner, and I don’t think you would find many Bears fans who are upset to see Taylor get those “1 yard and a cloud of dust” type carries. Forte fantasy owners might disagree, though…
by Steve Ronkowski on Nov 13, 2010 12:52 PM CST up reply actions
I agree that Hester is the Key X-Factor in this game.
Kwelui (sp?) I’ve been hearing is a very cocky punter who will think that he can kick it over Devin’s Head. Devin will have a few chances to one to the house.
by Dominique Blanton on Nov 13, 2010 1:46 PM CST via mobile reply actions
tomorrow's game
Definitely a must-win game here. 6-3 puts us 1 game behind the best record. I’m expecting a fast start tomorrow, 10-0, 14-0, along those lines. #4 will throw at least 3 picks. Bears 31-10.
My biggest key to the game is...
Tackling. The Bears need to wrap up and finish the play. Don’t let AP bust one of his signature runs against the Bears.
www.chicitysports.com/forum
It is imperative that we make Taylor our featured back this game.
Taylor gets the tough yards and knows how to run in between the tackles or guards or wherever he needs to in order to gain positive yards.
Well looks like rice is now OUT Sunday
Judd Zulgad of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports that the Vikings did not add Rice to their active roster on Saturday. Rice will remain on the PUP list for now and his season debut will have to wait at least one more week.
The Bears have one of the toughest defenses in football to pass against (1st in YPA allowed; 5 TDs allowed/11 picks) and the weather could be nasty in Chicago. Look for an extra helping of Adrian Peterson on Sunday.
That's it! See, at first I thought it was hate, too. Hate was all I knew, it built my world, it imprisoned me, taught me how to eat, how to drink, how to breathe. I thought I'd die with all my hate in my veins. But I realized it was loathing.
-Mike Martz describes his feelings on running the football
Don't laugh.
I was there. It sucked.
If you can't laugh at yourself you must not be very funny.
I remain a pessimistically hopeful Bears fan.
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