Thoughts From NFL Week 12: Chicago Bears and beyond

by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Nov 28, 2011 2:27 PM CST in Notes

The next time the Harbaugh brothers coach against each other I think a drinking game is in order. Every single mention of the siblings and it's time to chug a beer. Any mention of their father calls for a shot. From my understanding there were plenty of such mentions during the Thursday Night telecast. And speaking of the game, 9 sacks for the Ravens... Yikes!!!

I wonder of Rob Ryan, brother of Rex and son of Buddy, will ever get a call to run a team. I'll bet the media is already gathering info in anticipation for that game.

1) Tim Tebow. Just accept the Magic. And for the record, if Tebow pulls out another win next week, I'm using his pic for my Week 13 Thoughts post.

2) Back to the Ravens for a quick thought... They are 8-3, but their 3 loses are bad loses (Tennessee, Jacksonville, and Seattle) and they've come spread out enough (weeks 2, 7, and 10) so I'm still not sure if they are consistent enough to be a real threat for the Super Bowl. That D will keep them in every game, but the O has some more work to do.

3) I did not expect Andy Dalton to be looking as good as he's been for the Bengals, if the voters take into consideration team wins for Rookie Of The Year, then he's a shoe in.

4) I hope you've seen Buffalo's Stevie Johnson catch the 5 yard TD pass, do a little dance, then mock shoot himself in the leg, before doing the arms out airplane Jets move. It was classic. Until he fell down and was flagged for a penalty. Then it became dumb.

5) Vince Young throws for 400 yards, and it doesn't matter. The Eagles are done. Is Andy Reid on the hot seat?

6) Staying with that game, did you see Patriots WR Julian Edelman playing defense? And not only filling in as an extra DB, but blitzing off the edge and popping Young?

7) Dwayne Bowe had the worst case of Alligator Arms I think I've ever seen.

8) The Lions have lost 2 of their last 3 games, and they'll be without Ndamukong Suh for a couple. Next up they travel to New Orleans for a Sunday Nighter. And as it sits right now, they are on the outside of the wildcard looking in. I really feel bad for them and their fans...

9) The Cowboys have won 4 in a row (Seattle, Buffalo, Washington, Miami); Have they turned a corner or have they been fattening up on some bad teams?

10) I was surprised that Sebastian Janikowski wasn't able to boom every kickoff out of the endzone. That Bears at Raiders tilt was a great game for the kickers/punters. Janikowski, Shane Lechler, and Robbie Gould all had real good games. Let's hear it for the specialists!!!

Tweet Comment 49 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

1) I refuse. The “magic”, as you call it, is a product of Denver’s defense playing absolutely lights-out football over the last 3 weeks, and in 4 of the last 6 weeks. It’s pretty easy to win when your opponents are scoring 13 points or less.

2) The AFC is a gigantic cluster right now. Only 4 teams are legitimately out of the playoffs at present. Every single playoff spot is in play, nobody is truly running away with a division (though the Pats are close). Any team that makes the playoffs over there is a legitimate SB contender. And I think the Ravens are a playoff team.

3) Zero chance. I’m sorry. The Bengals success is largely a product of an amazing defense thus far. I’m not discounting Dalton’s successes. Really, I’m not. Any other year, and it’d be between him and AJ Green for RoY. But Cam Newton is something special, and barring some kind of epic collapse, a shoe-in for RoY.

4) It was darn funny, though :-D

5) If he isn’t, I’d be surprised. Then again, it seems like he’s been on the hot seat ever since he drafted McNabb. At least, WRT fans.

6) Nope, but I could easily imagine Earl Bennett or Sam Hurd doing something similar.

7) REW and Knox

8) I do not. And I hope that Schwartz gets canned for his BS. If Suh is only sitting for 2 games, it will be a miscarriage of NFL justice. Actual courts give YEARS for similar offenses.

9) Somewhere in the middle, I think. The Cowboys go as Tony Romo goes. If he’s tossing picks, they lose. If he’s tossing scores, they win. Romo is a more talented Rex Grossman. And they seem to be fine with that.

10) 80 yard punt. That is all.

by Doshi on Nov 28, 2011 3:23 PM CST reply actions

Magic...

When Mike Ditka calculates pi it's decimal representation ends.

by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Nov 28, 2011 3:28 PM CST up reply actions

CONCRETE CYANIDE!!!!

I love it, cause everybody else hates it.

Someone once called Mr. T, Mr. Coffee...his body was found in a dumpster shortly after.

by Ditkavsworld on Nov 28, 2011 5:52 PM CST up reply actions

8) Also....US courts don't allow you to go and blow someone up. That would be battery and assault.

Also, Haynesworth got 5 games for a more egregious version of what Suh did before, so this seems about right.

by danielk on Nov 28, 2011 4:29 PM CST up reply actions

Doshi comin so reckless

"I'm too drunk to taste this chicken" - Colonel Sanders

It's all about THE []_[] baby!!!

~"Smile when u being attacked,laugh when they talking boutcha,wave when they hating on u and Pray when they leave u alone Somethings wrong!"~ Deion Sanders

At least FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER before you judge me fool

by suckmyditka on Nov 28, 2011 7:23 PM CST up reply actions

I can't believe

so many people are rushing to throw Hanie under the bus, after just one start.

by Big Ike on Nov 28, 2011 4:16 PM CST reply actions

He's the starting QB for the Chicago Bears.... Sadly win or lose it's gonna happen!

When it’s a win everyone wants to talk about what throws SHOULD’VE been made or how many near INT’s there were. The same goes with losing. When they lose it’s always “He sucks” or “He’s a quitter” or “Start (insert backup QB’s name here).” It’s never good enough for the majority of Bears fans. Did he play like crap in the 1st half? Yes he did but his receivers and coordinator didn’t do him many favors. He played better in the 2nd half and he nearly pulled off the upset. He’ll get better with more reps and THAT’S what people should be focusing on. While I think Hanie has been vastly overrated by a lot of people based of what he did in the NFCCG, I think he has what it takes to steer this team to the playoffs. He has talent, not All-world talent, but he has enough to help get this team some wins.

by frenchbears113 on Nov 28, 2011 4:39 PM CST up reply actions

I can't believe so many people were rushing to crown him for losing an nfc title game.

by mick11 on Nov 28, 2011 6:57 PM CST up reply actions

this

"I'm too drunk to taste this chicken" - Colonel Sanders

It's all about THE []_[] baby!!!

~"Smile when u being attacked,laugh when they talking boutcha,wave when they hating on u and Pray when they leave u alone Somethings wrong!"~ Deion Sanders

At least FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER before you judge me fool

by suckmyditka on Nov 28, 2011 7:23 PM CST up reply actions

Well, there were two responses...

1) OMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMG SEASON’S OVER!!!

2) Hanie’s fine.

I’d rather fall into the second camp than the first, honestly.

by Doshi on Nov 29, 2011 8:41 AM CST up reply actions

If the bengals make the playoffs, Dalton or Green should win Offensive Rookie of the Year

Von Miller has pretty much ran away with the Defensive RotY award this year.

Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan
Phoenix Suns, Arizona Diamondbacks, Phoenix Coyotes, Arizona Rattlers fan
[I have always lived in Arizona, dad is from Chicago].

Leading the NFL in swagtangibles

by JoeCB1991 on Nov 28, 2011 5:13 PM CST reply actions

Patrick Peterson is having a good year too

When Mike Ditka calculates pi it's decimal representation ends.

by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Nov 28, 2011 6:00 PM CST via iPhone app up reply actions

Despite what fantasy football wants us to believe

defense and specials teams are not the same thing. different (phase of the) ballgame.

by BOBdaBEAR on Nov 28, 2011 7:14 PM CST up reply actions

He's still having a good defensive year

"I'm too drunk to taste this chicken" - Colonel Sanders

It's all about THE []_[] baby!!!

~"Smile when u being attacked,laugh when they talking boutcha,wave when they hating on u and Pray when they leave u alone Somethings wrong!"~ Deion Sanders

At least FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER before you judge me fool

by suckmyditka on Nov 28, 2011 7:23 PM CST up reply actions

better than Von Miller?

by BOBdaBEAR on Nov 28, 2011 7:59 PM CST up reply actions

voters may lump in his record equaling punt return TDs

to go along with his defensiveness… But Miller is tearing it up.

When Mike Ditka calculates pi it's decimal representation ends.

by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Nov 28, 2011 8:05 PM CST up reply actions

if by "it" you mean O-lines...

I’m with ya. scared for Caleb in that game…
though, Lance is as athletic an OT as Miller is an LB…

by BOBdaBEAR on Nov 28, 2011 8:43 PM CST up reply actions

I have seen every game Peterson has played in this year

He is good, but not as good as Von Miller on defense.

He still has some work to do, but he is improving in coverage every week. Miller is playing at a Pro Bowl/All Pro level.

Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan
Phoenix Suns, Arizona Diamondbacks, Phoenix Coyotes, Arizona Rattlers fan
[I have always lived in Arizona, dad is from Chicago].

Leading the NFL in swagtangibles

by JoeCB1991 on Nov 28, 2011 9:22 PM CST up reply actions

never said that

I just said he’s having a good year

Jeesh

"I'm too drunk to taste this chicken" - Colonel Sanders

It's all about THE []_[] baby!!!

~"Smile when u being attacked,laugh when they talking boutcha,wave when they hating on u and Pray when they leave u alone Somethings wrong!"~ Deion Sanders

At least FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER before you judge me fool

by suckmyditka on Nov 28, 2011 9:32 PM CST up reply actions

I can offer a bit of perspective regarding #8, since I live in a suburb of Detroit.

My friends were talking about how stupid it was that Suh lost his temper and stomped on the Packer’s O-lineman. Their mantra was “same old Lions” with their inability to handle adversity with composure. These were the same people praise Schwartz getting up in Harbaugh’s face, hopefully they’ll be able to make the connection between these two behavior patterns by season’s end.

"You have a young group and if they start feeling too good about themselves, that’s not a good thing. So it’s my job not to let them. So probably they will hate me. But that’s OK too. My wife hates me and she’s still married to me." - Mike Tice

by badsamaritan on Nov 28, 2011 6:31 PM CST reply actions

1) Nope. I want him to see win a proper shootout, but if that’s working for the Broncos, that’s fine. However, I’m concerned our offense won’t be able to make “Tebow Time” a cute attempt to comeback from 17 points.

2) Their offense will always need some work. I mean, they won the Superbowl with Trent Dildo, of all people.

3) He’s pulling some good numbers. Kind of expected him to be ran over by the Steelers and Ravens, but still held on pretty well.

4) … and then Plex scored a TD.

5) Vick might also be done. Bet some Eagles’ fans say by now all he was trying to do was get a large contract to coast on it again.

8) Heh, Suh is backtracking faster than a stolen cargo truck in the loading station during a bank heist. I bet he doesn’t even mean a thing, just trying to return in time to dock an elbow on Rodgers neck. As I’ve said last Friday, the 5-day difference is helping him softening the blow.

9) Tell Romo to brace himself, as December is coming.

10) That punt. Oh, wow. Those three you’ve mentioned should be in the Pro Bowl this season, and I hope they let Gould kick a few in Denver. I think he could hit from 60 up there. and per #1, might be the only chance to get some points.

by lmfsilva on Nov 28, 2011 6:38 PM CST reply actions

Best line

It was classic. Until he fell down and was flagged for a penalty. Then it became dumb.

Such a fine line between genius and idiocy.

We want the Broncos to lose to the Vikes. Don’t think it will happen, but playing them coming off a loss would benefit the Bears. I’m going to the game!

"If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader" - John Quincy Adams

by propheteer on Nov 28, 2011 6:59 PM CST reply actions

I want the broncos to win out and tell haters to shove it

"I'm too drunk to taste this chicken" - Colonel Sanders

It's all about THE []_[] baby!!!

~"Smile when u being attacked,laugh when they talking boutcha,wave when they hating on u and Pray when they leave u alone Somethings wrong!"~ Deion Sanders

At least FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER before you judge me fool

by suckmyditka on Nov 28, 2011 7:25 PM CST up reply actions

i have a hard time understanding why the haters hate him.

he’s one helluva football player and seems like one helluva good kid.

by mick11 on Nov 28, 2011 8:03 PM CST up reply actions

I'm a big fan

When Mike Ditka calculates pi it's decimal representation ends.

by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Nov 28, 2011 8:05 PM CST up reply actions

the guy has been a winner at every level.

and hasn’t broken any rules, let alone laws along the way. no wonder america hates him, they don’t understand him.

by mick11 on Nov 28, 2011 8:15 PM CST up reply actions

I have freinds that hate him because they swear he's not as clean as he seems

They just know that he’s hiding something.

When Mike Ditka calculates pi it's decimal representation ends.

by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Nov 28, 2011 8:16 PM CST up reply actions

I find the whole "christian cheerleader" deal to be grating.

But he isn’t putting verses on his eye-black anymore and is winning big games so it really doesn’t matter that much.

by badsamaritan on Nov 28, 2011 8:19 PM CST up reply actions

you have to understand a little bit of who he is and how he was raised.

he was born in the phillipines and his dad was a baptist minister. he and his mother were missionaries and he was home schooled. his parents and their missionary lifestyle is all he knew growing up. he did not go to public schools, even in high school as he was still being home schooled. I admire the guys ability to stay true to his beliefs under such intense pressure and scrutiny. he hasn’t killed any dogs, molested any children or beat any women and I appreciate that.

by mick11 on Nov 28, 2011 8:41 PM CST up reply actions

So have a lot of people

That’s not really a good reason to like or admire an athlete.

"If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader" - John Quincy Adams

by propheteer on Nov 28, 2011 9:16 PM CST up reply actions

I'm well aware of his backstory, the media made sure of that.

He’s just as free to express that upbringing as I am to not care for it.

by badsamaritan on Nov 28, 2011 9:17 PM CST up reply actions

Here's the problem

He’s not really winning games. Two good drives in an entire game shouldn’t be considered adequate. Their defense and running game is the reason why they’re winning.

Everyone one of his “game winning” drives were for FGs.

"If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader" - John Quincy Adams

by propheteer on Nov 28, 2011 9:14 PM CST up reply actions

Except that TD run against the Jets.

by badsamaritan on Nov 28, 2011 9:17 PM CST up reply actions

Funny that I forgot

I was at that game. Stupid Rex Ryan blitzed him on that play. The Jet safeties are truly horrible.

"If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader" - John Quincy Adams

by propheteer on Nov 28, 2011 9:21 PM CST up reply actions

if he was going to hide something...

i would have hid the virgin thing.

by mick11 on Nov 28, 2011 8:43 PM CST up reply actions

lol

When Mike Ditka calculates pi it's decimal representation ends.

by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Nov 28, 2011 9:46 PM CST via iPhone app up reply actions

I don't really like him

cause the religious right and bleeding heart liberals, in my opinion, have ruined our political system. That, and the fact, religion has it’s time and place; the football field isn’t one of the them. God isn’t rooting for Timmy cause he’s abstinent or because he likes orange and blue.

"If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader" - John Quincy Adams

by propheteer on Nov 28, 2011 9:20 PM CST up reply actions

religion has it’s time and place; the football field isn’t one of the them.

He has freedom of religion which means he can exercise it wherever he wants. Players pray at games all the time, you hate Devin Hester, Anthony Adams, Marion Barber and Matt Forte and others for being christians as well? The difference is the media has focused on his religion but that’s not Tebow’s fault. I have no problem with a guy who likes to pray, nothing that says he can’t pray at work. Its sad that people don’t like a guy who hasn’t done anything negitive to impact his image or the image of the league and is fun to watch…

Someone once called Mr. T, Mr. Coffee...his body was found in a dumpster shortly after.

by Ditkavsworld on Nov 29, 2011 9:27 AM CST up reply actions

I'm a believer in facts and science

I guess it turns me off when religion or prayer come into the equation. Fans/people seem to correlate his faith with his success, so naturally, the majority of the public think he’s “right.” To me, religion is a farse and has misdirected humankind for a millenniums. Has led to more murders/deaths and human suffering than anything combined in the history of the world.

You’re correct, I probably don’t like the media’s portrayal of him and his faith rather than the man himself. I’ve never even noticed the Bears who are Christians; I suppose that’s the difference. It would bother me, but their Bears, so I’d get over it.

"If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader" - John Quincy Adams

by propheteer on Nov 29, 2011 10:15 AM CST up reply actions

We cool

I respect your non belief and don’t hate you for it, even if I don’t agree with it. I think the underlying fact is that if their a memeber of our beloved it’s all gravy. One question though…

If Ditka were a religon would you follow??

Someone once called Mr. T, Mr. Coffee...his body was found in a dumpster shortly after.

by Ditkavsworld on Nov 29, 2011 1:05 PM CST up reply actions

Of course

He’d certainly preach about toughness, badassness, moustaches, sweater vests, broken knuckles, the Bears, and of course Iron Mike steaks!

That’s my kind of religion!

"If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader" - John Quincy Adams

by propheteer on Nov 29, 2011 3:29 PM CST up reply actions

I agree

it’s a sad day in America when people are hatin’ because a guy loves God….

by Charlie129 on Nov 29, 2011 11:35 AM CST up reply actions

He can marry my daughter

"I'm too drunk to taste this chicken" - Colonel Sanders

It's all about THE []_[] baby!!!

~"Smile when u being attacked,laugh when they talking boutcha,wave when they hating on u and Pray when they leave u alone Somethings wrong!"~ Deion Sanders

At least FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER before you judge me fool

by suckmyditka on Nov 28, 2011 9:27 PM CST up reply actions

Certainly helps with the financial security aspect.

by badsamaritan on Nov 28, 2011 9:42 PM CST up reply actions

You're a U fan

rooting for a UF fan…TEBOW MINDTRICK!!!

"Violence is not always the answer."
"Violence is the question, and the answers always YES!"

by T.Moore on Nov 28, 2011 9:29 PM CST up reply actions

Uf alum*

"Violence is not always the answer."
"Violence is the question, and the answers always YES!"

by T.Moore on Nov 28, 2011 9:29 PM CST up reply actions

I know I hated him at Uf

I despised him. And everything he represented.

But honestly I loved the broncos back in the late 90s and Now that Tebow doesn’t wear a Gator on his helmet I can root for the guy

"I'm too drunk to taste this chicken" - Colonel Sanders

It's all about THE []_[] baby!!!

~"Smile when u being attacked,laugh when they talking boutcha,wave when they hating on u and Pray when they leave u alone Somethings wrong!"~ Deion Sanders

At least FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER before you judge me fool

by suckmyditka on Nov 28, 2011 9:31 PM CST up reply actions

Well then...

1. Tebow, he’s a terrible QB, but nothing succeeds like success. The team seems to believe in him, and it’s amazing/horrific what faith can do, just ask him and he’ll tell you!
2. The defense is good, but Flacco just makes bad decisions. Sounds like the Jest to me!
3. The Bengals have turned the corner when it comes to drafting, finally! Remember KiJanna Carter or Akilli Smith or Peter Warrick???
4. Damn funny and hopefully this gives Plaxico the public stage to laugh at the stupidity of his incarceration and move on with his life. It’s good to be able to laugh at yourself, it shows maturity.
5. The Eagles needed the offseason as much as anyone and didn’t get it. They were dead after the Bears loss shattered any hope of a WC. Reid is gone. What the hell happened to Nnamdi…did the Raiders know something?
6. The Pats are a right mess on defense, they’re starting Mark Anderson at DE! That said, Tom Brady still makes the Pats dangerous contenders.
7. Playing on a team that isn’t going anywhere and has little chance of improving under Haley might explain his lack of focus. That and he just lacks focus!
8. The Lions are a victim of their own success, plain and simple. The Harbaugh slap and loss to the Bears derailed their SB train and put the doubt back in their collective mindset. This will be the test for Schwartz; can he step up and be the sensible leader or will he flame out in a blaze of fury like Suh?
9. The Cowboys will win their division. They have some serious talent at the skill positions. Their o-line, DBs and LBs are their weak spots. Any team that can play good defense and pass will beat them in the playoffs, so which playoff caliber teams can they beat?
10. I predicted as much for that exact reason, 2 great kickers, 2 solid ST corps, and 2 good defenses spells kicking contest. The difference in the game was the play of the QBs, Palmer didn’t turn it over as much as Hanie, and the Bears lose a close game. If Hanie cuts out any one INT, the Bears win that game. Hanie is just getting his feet wet and showed improvement in the second half, so he should right his ship and get the Bears into the playoffs.

FORTE: PAY THE MAN!

by LostInSTL on Nov 29, 2011 6:19 AM CST reply actions