Week 3: Rams At Bears Pre-Party Open Thread

Four score and what seems like an ungodly long time ago, our Bears played the Packers on Thursday Night Football, got pasted, and have been unable to do anything about it. Of course, mix in that all anybody seems to want to talk about is anything regarding to Jay Cutler's mood instead of everything that failed miserably on the football field, and that leads to some frustration. What better team to take it out on than a team that lost to Detroit in week 1 and last week defeated Robert Griffin III and the Washington Redskins after the departures of Adam Carriker and Brian Orakpo for the season.

That doesn't mean the Rams aren't a threat, no sir or ma'am. Sam Bradford appears to have undergone a little growth over the last two years, and so far only boasts one interception on this young season. Well, throwing to possession receiver extraordinare (well...?) Danny Amendola is helping him out pretty well, with Amendola's 20 receptions far and away the most on the team (15 against Washington). Brandon Gibson makes a decent downfield threat, and don't sleep on Lance Kendricks and seventh-round draft pick Daryl Richardson. Then of course, there's Steven Jackson. who as of this writing is still questionable. EDIT: (H/T David Taylor) Jackson WILL PLAY in today's game.

Meanwhile, for the navy and orange, after how miserable the team looked against Green Bay, it's hard to see them coming out and playing in a similar fashion against the Rams. Dealing with the Rams short passing game is going to be a big thing, because Bradford executes it so well. Defensively, they bring two outstanding pass rushers off the end in Chris Long and Robert Quinn, have a stud at linebacker in James Laurinaitis, and Cortland Finnegan and Janoris Jenkins aren't exactly slouches at defensive back. It's a lot to account for, but it might go in the Bears favor that after Griffin complained the Rams played dirty, the NFL seemingly agreed. So they might not be as pedal-to-the-medal. Matt Forte gets the day off, so Michael Bush will get to pound the tackles today.

Inactives today for the Bears: WR Dane Sanzenbacher, RB Matt Forte, OL Edwin Williams, DT Matt Toeaina, QB Todd Collins, OL Jonathan Scott, DE Cheta Ozougwu

Your Week 3 Nuts and Bolts according to ESPN Chicago. Also the Sun-Times Game Preview.

Lovie says playing the Rams is a special opportunity. I'm sure Jeff Fisher echoes those sentiments.

John "Moon" Mullin highlights Sherrick McManis and Corey Wootton against the Rams.

Please. Enough already.

DJ Moore said some things against Jay Cutler. Now he's saying weird things. Some people think he should stop saying things.

Gameday procedure, game starts of course at 1 ET/noon CT with the first quarter thread showing up then, and quarter threads appearing as the game progresses. Then you'll get the recap, a late games thread, a night game thread, and Notes and Scribbles in the morning. Now with all the propers out of the way...

You get awesome music today because I like you all so much.

Okami OST - Oki the Hero (Okikurmi the Hero) (via PeyserConley)

And you get even awesomer music today because it's freaking time to BEAR DOWN.

Chicago Bears Fight Song (via scifiradioguy)