adam

Wow this game is taking on even more importance with losses by Atlanta and the NY Giants. SF is in overtime with STL, so they may lose as well. That would be huge to gain a game on every other Division leader, and a 1/2 game on the idle Packers.

I believe Houston can be run on, and if Watt is getting concerned about the run, it will take away from his pass rush. So I would like to pound the ball with Forte and Bush, especially with some delayed draws. Also look for Forte on some screens. Other than that, some quick 3 step drops and look long when they give the single high safety look. On Defense, contain Foster. I believe Peanut and Jennings can contain the outside threats. The only other concern would be Daniels, but hopefully he doesn't play or is limited. That would make them much easier to defend. Foster also doesn't have Tate to spell him. Also, they play really good in the 2nd Quarter for some reason. They have outscored their opponent 85-20 in that quarter compared to 152-117 for the other 3 quarters.

I wouldn't include Jones are Cobb. Roddy White is having a better year than Jones, even though Jones is probably the better WR. Cobb has came on lately, but he still is pretty far down on the Yardage list. The other 3 are legit top 5. Marshall is 4th in Receptions behind Wayne (69), Harvin (62), and Welker (60), 2nd in yards behind Wayne (931), and 3rd in TD's behind James Jones (8) and AJ Green (8). Wayne, Harvin, and Jones have all played an extra game than Marshall. So base on averages, he is basically in the top 2-3 in every category. Marshall, Cruz, and Green are the only WR's in the Top 10 for Receptions, Yards, and TD's with Marshall being the best overall.

Weather.com > using 60605, going to game time of 7:20pm - 11:00pm due to prime time, it shows 90% at 9pm, and 100% at 10pm on the hourly forecast. This has actually shifted a few hours to the right as it was 100% at 7pm this morning. It also shows temps in the low 50's and sustained winds in the teens and low 20's. This forecast hasn't changed much in 24 hours. 63 is the daily high and 10% rain is only for the day. That front moves in and it is going to get nasty, then cold on Monday. http://www.weather.com/weather/hourbyhour/...extbeginIndex=6 I am hoping Carimi's experience against Watt in Wisconsin will help the entire O-Line against him.

The weather is going to have a huge factor in this game. Game time temperature will be in the high 40's, low 50's with a 90% chance of rain, with winds as high as 30 mph. For injuries, Ben Tate and Shaun Cody will be out for the Texans, while Owen Daniels is a game time decision. Tate has always been a great change of pace back for Foster, Cody was their starting NT, so his loss will definitely help the Bears running game. Daniels is a huge part of their passing game, so his injury will be something to watch. He only has 6 less targets than Andre Johnson, is the 8th best TE and was Schaub's security blanket.

So this is more than a Game of the Year, Game of the Half Century!

Game of the Year! Two 7-1 teams, great defenses, highest scoring differential, NFC vs AFC, in primetime. Gonna be a great game. Bears 27-20, with Houston scoring a garbage time TD to make it look closer.

Yeah, Rodriguez has been an interesting omission from the passing game. If anything, I would like to see a few more passes to Forte out of the backfield, and some more targets for the TE's. Watching the game again, Spaeth was wide open 2-3 times and Cutler never even looked his way when he forced the ball into coverage for an incompletion.

The way the media has been on the fence, I think this will go a long way towards validation (not that it matters, but from a confidence perspective it would be a great win). The home piece is critical as well, that is why I don't think the SF game would be as defining. If we lose in SF, it was on the road. Also, this is really the first major test for both teams. Houston's top 2 opponents were Denver (early season), and Baltimore (after they were decimated with injuries). Both teams have stars at their top 3 skill positions, and the defenses are stout. Cutler vs Schaub, Forte vs Foster, Marshall vs Johnson, Peppers vs Watt, Tillman vs entire HOU Secondary.

It is hard not to see this as a defining game this year for the team, the offensive line, and Jay. We seem to be as healthy as we've been all year (minus Jeffery) and the defense is playing some of the best ball seen in the last 30 years. This would be a great validation win, at home, in primetime. Jay has to step up this week, limit turnovers, and make some impact plays.

Wayne, Cruz, and Fitzgerald have all been targeted more than Marshall this year. So I don't think he is being targeted too much, I just think we are not used to seeing one WR being targeted as much as Marshall has been. He has a 65% reception rate, which is really good considering the amount of targets. Wayne has 60%, Cruz 57%, and Fitzgerald 52%. http://www.kffl.com/fantasy-football/targets/

Is he coming back against Houston?

Good point, I didn't even realize he was the last WR to score. In reality, only Hester has a TD as a WR, and Jeffery has 2.

I still hate how that game has been portrayed. It was a short week in GB. Not many teams are going to play that good in that type of situation. I would expect a completely different result if we were playing them now.

Yeah, Marshall's was 39, Jeffery had a 42. Now Forte leads all with a 47, but I was strictly looking at Receivers (WR/TE).

Looking thru the stats today, I could not believe Jeffery was still 2nd on the team in receiving yards. He also has the longest reception by a WR this year at 42 yards. It will be really nice to have him back in the mix with Bennett and Hester opposite of Marshall (who is tearing it up).

Peanut and Jennings are really making a strong case. They have won back-to-back DPOM awards, Peanut leads the league in Defensive TDs (2) and FFum (7), and Jennings leads the league in INT (6) and PD (15).

I am glad this came true, a dominating performance. Hester also had a nice run back, so all 3 phases are looking good. I would like to see a little more on offense, but with the defense playing at this level, I can understand why we are playing to limit turnovers.

1st String Defense only allows 10 pts, Tillman is sick. Lach with Pick-6, blocked Punt for TD. Forte and Marshall both with over 100 yards and TDs. Cutler with no picks and a 138 QB Rating. Over 50 pts is a great way to go into next week's game vs HOU.

In a blowout, I hate that the leading team is considered unsportsmanlike for running up the score, but the losing team can continue to play to score.

I am surprised the Bears took their starters out that early. I know you don't want to get anyone injured, but I would've thought they would allow the defense to come out one more time and bring in the 2nd string offense first. ..and I hate garbage time scores.

JJ Watt for MVP, I heard that this morning. It has to be Tillman at this point, at least for DPOY with some MVP votes. He is impacting every game. 4 forced fumbles? Silly.

This just in.................Marshall is good!

Ugly start to the half. 3 and out on offense, and TEN drives down without issue to score.

I have to agree, he barely dropped back and was hit.