Out With A Bang: Week 16, Bears At Packers Pre-Party Open Thread

by Steven Schweickert on Dec 25, 2011 3:00 PM CST in Game Preview

So yesterday, in defeating the Chargers, the Lions put one nail in the coffin of the Bears' playoff chances by waxing the Chargers and securing their first playoff spot of the century. The Falcons can put the other nail in by beating the Saints on Monday Night Football.

But until then, the Bears are still mathematically in this, and as we know all too well, anything can happen. So if the Bears have to exit the playoff chase tomorrow, might as well make it worth it tonight. And they can do that against a 13-1 Packers team coming off its first loss of the season and without Greg Jennings.

The Bears' offense puts Josh McCown on the field as the starting quarterbacks, over benched and ineffective interim starter Caleb Hanie. Hey, remember when the Bears were putting up about 27 points per game with Cutler and Forte on the field? Seems like so long ago, back when the Bears were in full control of their playoff destinies.

Game related linkage and other stuff after the jump.

Matt Bowen thinks the Packers will attack Urlacher deep. In other words, standard operating procedure.

Here is your daily dose of "IT IS ALL MIKE MARTZ'S FAULT RABBLE RABBLE" [Two Links]

The Chicago Sun-Times game preview.

Worried about the offense? Josh McCown understands your pain.

ESPNChicago's own Game Preview.

I'll keep this shorter than usual, because even though typing this on an iPad isn't as bad as I thought, linking is a pain and I have crashed Photon three times already. So throw up whatever other linkage you guys find interesting, and for the love of Ditka put up the "Packers Still Suck" picture - it isn't Bears/Packers without it. Also, there's something about a bouncing ball and Lakers and Bulls?

Other procedural stuff, the first game thread will pop at game time, each quarter will come up as the game progresses. This is your preparty thread until then, so behave yourselves. Recap will be up after the game, if a bit delayed.

Now with the propers out of the way... BEAR DOWN!!

(Also lack of video due to technical difficulties. Blame Christmas.)

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Fuck the Packers!

Superman wears an Urlacher Jersey under his costume

by BearNecessities on Dec 25, 2011 3:43 PM CST reply actions

Superman wears an Urlacher Jersey under his costume

by BearNecessities on Dec 25, 2011 3:47 PM CST reply actions 1 recs

Let's see how well Lovie has prepared...

I expect a complete embarrassment of a football game tonight. Prove me wrong Lovie.

There's a fine line between stupid...and clever!

by LostInSTL on Dec 25, 2011 3:53 PM CST reply actions

Ummmm with McCown starting you may be correct sir .....

…… but let hope this is our own little Christmas miracle we’re about to see tonight !

Bye the way ……. Merry Christmas to all !!!!!!

" Everyone has a plan 'till they get punched in the mouth. " ~
Mike Tyson

by MidWayMonster54 on Dec 25, 2011 4:09 PM CST up reply actions

Enough with the Martz hating

John Shoop, Terry Shea, Ron Turner, Mike Martz… what do they all have in common?

Perceived failure as OC in Chicago.

What’s the common denominator?

The McCaskeys and Jerry Angelo.

Shoop and Shea probably weren’t necessarily great OCs. Ron Turner I dislike, mainly because his conservative style of play doesn’t work that well in today’s NFL, though he was a good play caller if you like super conservative offenses.

The common denominator is the reason for the Bears’ seemingly eternal struggle at coming up with a consistently potent offense.

Not Martz’s fault.

by dm1982 on Dec 25, 2011 4:07 PM CST reply actions

Beg to differ on Ron Turner

I dont like anything he has done ever, conservative or not. Calling a 3 yard bubble screen on 3rd an 6 isnt my idea of conservative its stupid. How many times did we see the Bears need 6 yards and watched receivers run 4 yard routes. The guy is probably a good HS coach and an ok college coach, anything beyond that is a stretch for him. Also his playbook was cutting edge in about 1959.

White Sox fans need not apply.

by Bears-Cubs Bulls on Dec 25, 2011 6:08 PM CST up reply actions

But Ron Turner is ....

BRILLIANT!!!!!!

(tm’d by iowaBear, circa late 2000s)

I'm not so mean. I wouldn't ever go out to hurt anybody deliberately - unless it was, you know, important, like a league game or something. - Dick Butkus

by iowaBear on Dec 25, 2011 6:34 PM CST up reply actions

Token meatball slander

Speaking of meatballs- my aunt made some for our Xmas meal today. So, so good :)

Just like Hanie and Barber, Martz shouldn’t take most the blame. With all the injuries this team has endured, it’s easy to see who’s most culpable in the Bears collapse. Front office management or lack there of is the main reason for this seasons catastrophe. No clear cut backup plan at QB, no investment or development at WR, and not enough attention along the O-line. For goodness sakes, they better be all in next year.

"I'm sore and I'm pissed off. I'm a baller. I want to feel the leather. I love thumb wars. 6-8 weeks? 6. follow me for healing, Jay Cutler does" - Jaysthumb twitter acct

by propheteer on Dec 25, 2011 4:26 PM CST via iPhone app reply actions

Speaking of meatballs ...

IT JUST DOESN’T MATTER IF WE WIN, OR IF WE LOSE! Cuz even, CUZ EVEN if we win, if we win …HA! Even if we play so far out of our heads that our noses bleed for a week to 10 days …

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9mf3Bypyk8

I'm not so mean. I wouldn't ever go out to hurt anybody deliberately - unless it was, you know, important, like a league game or something. - Dick Butkus

by iowaBear on Dec 25, 2011 6:36 PM CST up reply actions

merry christmas

but after tonight i will be glad it’s over. bring on 2012 and thedraft. at lest we will have a pre-season not like this year, and packers suck1

by stepeo on Dec 25, 2011 5:07 PM CST reply actions

I'm excited to see Josh McClown.

If only because I can call him Josh McClown.

I’m sure he’s a really nice guy.

Five foot three seems to thrive on his misery...

by awfullyquiet on Dec 25, 2011 5:16 PM CST reply actions

I'm wondering if I want to see this

or just go straight to bed

by lmfsilva on Dec 25, 2011 5:52 PM CST reply actions

skjensen Sean Jensen
#Bears inactives: Jay Cutler, Nathan Enderle, Matt Forte, Marion Barber, Levi Horn, Andre Smith & Anthony Adams. Caleb Hanie is backup
2 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

by David in Maine on Dec 25, 2011 6:07 PM CST reply actions

Nathan Enderle inactive?

What an indictment on Martz and the coaching staff that this kid can’t play

Hey Rose. I don't see the appeal!

by Dils on Dec 25, 2011 6:09 PM CST up reply actions

DavidHaugh David Haugh
Bears inactives include Enderle. So in game Bears starting ex-gym teacher making 1st start in 4 years rookie backup not good enough to dress
4 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

by David in Maine on Dec 25, 2011 6:11 PM CST up reply actions

So only 2 QBs active tonight, I hope we dont get no one hurt

Who is the emergency QB? Clutts?

White Sox fans need not apply.

by Bears-Cubs Bulls on Dec 25, 2011 6:10 PM CST up reply actions

skjensen Sean Jensen
Packers inactives are Graham Harrell, CB Davon House, LB Frank Zombo, T Bryan Bulaga, T Chad Clifton, DE Ryan Pickett & WR Greg Jennings
3 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

by David in Maine on Dec 25, 2011 6:09 PM CST reply actions