adam

The game plan was crappy, some bad throws by Cutler and some drops as well, but man the refs were crap. Woodson mugs Hester and there is no call, and then the phantom call on the punt return. Both of those are TDs if called properly.

ESPN is all about the ratings. Their picks are more to create buzz and have nothing to do with facts or true analysis.

Here is that prediction from the playoffs: http://www.eugenewei.com/images/misc2007/experts-picks.jpg I say Bears 31-17, and it is another dominate game by the Bears D. The Bears are up 24-7 at the Half and are up 31-10 late. Cutler - 20-28, 270 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT Forte - 22-90 yards, 1 TD Hester - 1 TD Return Hester's return sets the tone in the 1st half. He is due.

With Colston out and Moore hurting, I'm not too worried. Henderson is an average receiver (best season was 09-10 with 51-804) and Meachem has never lived up to the hype. If we can contain Sproles out of the backfield, I think we can win this game fairly easily.

This simulation actually has the Bears winning: http://www.whatifsports.com/beyondtheboxsc...1NFL_Week1Picks

Additionally, contracts come with a performance work statement, and many things are agreed upon. Most of these guys get huge contracts and then just disappear. All they agree upon is price and term. Briggs just needs to play out his contract.

The ratings seem pretty accurate to me for what those guys have done in the past. However, I think all of them have an opportunity exceed those expectations this year. In the end, it looks like we made reasonable improvements across the board, without too many areas getting weaker. QB - Collins vs Enderle (Upgrade by just removing Collins) RB - Wolfe vs Barber, Ta'ufo'ou (Upgrade, especially in short yardage) TE - Olsen/Manu vs Spaeth (Downgrade in receiving, upgrade in blocking) WR - Davis/Aroma vs Williams, Hurd, Sanzenbacher (upgrade) OL - Kruetz, Shaffer vs Carimi, Spencer (loss of leadership, experience, upgrade in ability, youth) DL - Harris, Anderson vs Paea, Gholston, Okoye (upgrade for DT and DE) LB - Tino vs Thomas (wash) DB - Bullocks, Manning vs Conte (downgrade, unless Wright is ready) ST - Maynard vs Podlesh (upgrade) KR/PR - Manning vs ??? Overall I think we are a slightly better team this year, and the players fit the team better. Guys like Spaeth and Barber are not flashy, but they address some glaring weaknesses. The DLine got a lot better, which should take some pressure off the secondary. Podlesh upgrades the Special Teams, though we will have to replace Manning on KO's. I am still concerned about the OLine, and I hope there is improvement in the 2nd year of the same system.

Hester would've been 1st, but only had 12 returns so he didn't qualify (and one was for 75). Otherwise Manning was 14th at 24.7 a return. 22 Returners averaged over 23 yards a return, so the difference is not that big on kickoffs. We got our great field position on punts more than kickoffs.

How many KO TD returns have the Bears had in recent years? I don't believe it has been that many. I know Hester hasn't had any in awhile, so the impact on him will be minimal.

A Reverse on 3rd and 3?

Yeah, that looked too easy

HERE WE GO!!!!!

Less than 10 hours to kickoff, CAN'T WAIT, CAN'T WAIT!! This game all comes down to Cutler. Rodgers surprisingly has very similar stats in wins compared to losses. However, Cutler is night and day. If he plays a decent game the Bears win, if he plays bad we lose. QB Rating in Losses - 40.7, 69.4, 54.3, 32.9, 43.5 Major Stats in Losses (Total) - 1TD, 9INT, 27 Sacks 10-0 when Cutler has a QB Rating over 80.0 (16-1 all-time) 9-0 when we score at least 21 pts w/ Cutler (14-1 all-time) So Cutler's QB rating over 80.0 + 21 pts total = Bears win.

As deployed servicemember watching the game with about 200 others at 10pm at night in the middle of the desert, most thought it was pretty cool. If they were cheering for the game, they could do that anytime before the game starts, so by doing it during the anthem, they are cheering for the anthem and the support for the country. The Hawks have done this forever and it has never been seen as disrespectful. I personally would not be cheering during it, but I am also not offended by others doing it. I also believe the only two requirements for civilians are to stand and remove hats to honor the flag. Nothing says they can't sing along or cheer. Here is another article about it: http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shutdown_...?urn=nfl-308250 and link to the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-BCPymjGI4...player_embedded

I agree that now that NE and ATL are out, it is anyone's for the taking. It all comes down to which team comes to play. The teams are too closely matched for any team to have a real edge. I just like the fact that Olsen was huge, Taylor got going, and Cutler used his legs. Those are some added dimensions to the game plan that play into our favor. Please just no throwing out of the Wildcat.

Wow, a win and we host GB in the NFC Championship.

Bears 27 - Hasselhawks - 13, though I am feeling like we can really blow them out.

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Ron-Ri...h-Panthers.html I wonder if he will finally get his shot. This is the 9th team to interview him for HC.

Yeah, but you can't just change one event (especially in the first game of the season) and not have anything else affected. The entire course of the season would've been changed.

Damn, Singletary as a Linebackers coach, and McDaniels possibly as the OC. http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/rumors/post/Mc...?urn=nfl-304558

This is crazy. With one game the entire dynamics of the playoffs have changed. We have Bears fans rooting for GB, and there is a good chance it could be GB at CHI for the NFC Championship. Wouldn't that be something? I agree, Seattle and it is not even close. Vick is just too dangerous.

Actually that is a tough schedule. The records are pretty deceiving. I would say Minnesota, Detroit, and Denver will all be better than their records indicate. The only gimme game I see is Carolina at home. Also, since we play GB twice, it is 8 games vs winning teams and 7 games vs playoff teams. That is more like a 9 to 10 win season.

Isn't that Rodgers?

Well, based on the format, we will get the best team from the WC round, so that will be either NO or PHI. The only way we get GB is if SEA and GB both win, which is very unlikely. Now based on that, we already beat Vick and will have him at home again. For NO, they just put Ivory on IR, so they will have less of a running attack and will be playing in Chicago. I believe both of these matches are favorable for us with a week off. For the NFC Championship, we are only on the road vs Atlanta, and would be at home vs NO (if they and PHI won the WC round) or GB (if they and NO won the WC round). So we can only play GB in the NFC Championship, and can only play PHI in the Divisional Round, and can play NO in either round depending on who win the PHI/GB game. For some reason I am starting to think ATL is going to lose, and a win for us gives us a home game for the NFC Championship. At that point I would have to say "why not us?"

Vegas Odds: Bears still 5th.