Another thing I just realized, there are an interesting mix of players from both teams that have played for the other. Okoye, McManis and even our last pick from the 2011 draft that was placed on IR and released later Cheta Ozougwu, are former Texans playing for the Bears. While Manning and Clutts are now Texans and for an extreme example, James Casey was once part of the Chicago White Sox organization.
not necessarily a myth at all. Having big leads in a lot of the games this year has limited other teams commitment to running the ball, plus they just haven't faced many good running teams.
The Bills have the 6th best rushing offense in the league and we shut them down yesterday. Never had a big lead either. I know what you're saying, but I would put more stock into your qualifiers if we were ranked, say, 10th in the league in rushing defense. Being ranked 2nd is nothing to sneeze at - qualifiers or not. It's not one of our weaknesses.
Could definitely go either way. Bring out bad Jay Cutler and the Bears are ripe for the taking. On the flipside, the Bears are very bit as good as we are, and don't have the massive liability we do at special teams. Marciano's **** crew featuring Graham's hobbit foot has been costing us yards and points nearly every week, and yet another D- showing from them will decide the game on the road against a contender. We absolutely can win, but I don't think this will be a W.
They controlled the ball and had a big enough lead in the second half that made the Bills abandon the run and start to air it out more. Spiller was getting yards when he got the ball. But those qualifiers could easily more a ranked 2 defense against the run to a ranked 10 (i assume you are using total yardage as a ranking since texans on a yard per carry average are in a 6 way tie for 7th in the league) Still, and the bottom line, Forte is something to be worried about, no matter what the defense is ranked, and he certainly scares me the most when it comes to the Bears offense.
Texans are a complete football team, Bears haven't played anybody really. They also barely beat Carolina by 1. Bears haven't faced anybody close to the quality of the Texans. Texans 31 Bears 20
This game can go either way as many have stated before me. The true key of this game is not giving the Chicago D any fuel. We have been great at not turning the ball over this season and we have to keep it that way. Play smart and don't let the team get going based on their D. The offensive line for Chicago is just horrible. If we can get to Cutler and get him flustered we have a chance to win this game. Just can't make mistakes and give them anything like we did against GB. This game being in Chicago is what makes it that much harder. We need to get up on them quick and get Cutler into the hero mode where he starts falling apart.
I’m a life long Bears fan and the defense this year has just continued to surprise me. I personally thought it was going to take a few steps back this year and the offense would be on the rise. Pass protection is going to be a huge focus for the Bears offense this week. They have been inconsistent but shown plenty of flashes of how explosive they can be. Marshall is having an excellent year with Bennett starting to show flashes. I know the media loves to push the Cutler story but he’s incredibly tough and not as easily rattled as you’d think. They did number on a solid Dallas defense with strong corners, think people tend to forget Cutler has a ton of talent especially if he’s on the move. The ground game has both Forte and Michael Bush, they’ll try and establish that early to set up the pass later. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a lot of screens with Forte especially early on. Defense has been great and they’ll give up yards in the passing game but really tighten in the redzone. Bears run defense is very stout and overall they don’t give up many big plays. If the Bears get behind early, the Texans will be in a good spot. If the Bears get up early, it’s going to very tough to catch up with them. Hester showed a flash and probably should have score a return TD, he’s been called out by the coaching staff for his returns earlier this year and the man loves the spotlight. I really have no idea who’ll win, I’d love my Bears to win but I wouldn’t put money on it. Match up is pretty much a toss up in my opinion, will depend on who gets off to a quick start. Carolina has been in every game this year outside of the Giants game, they almost beat the Falcons as well.
if we dont win the TO battle, we can forget it. im pretty sure. hate to say it, but this is a scary game. schaub in prime time is not the typical schaub and the bears have been killin it on D. hate to pick against my team, but gun to the head, im saying bears win.
This is not the official thread, so I won't post a prediction here. We are on the road. We are playing the best defensive NFC team. We are on a hostile environment. We are on national TV. YEAP, looks like we win! :grin:
a) avoid Hester being insane (can Graham make the kick Lindell did to start this week's game? Pooch it to the 25 over the 1st line and in front of the returners, near the sideline? every kick please) b) Schaub don't throw an INT. Be smart like usual c) J-Jo be the good J-Jo and hold Marshall under 70ish yards d) O line give Schaub time, allow 2 sacks or leses I think the rest will fall into place. Arian/Forte will have a solid days, Schaub will hit OD, the D line will wreak havoc
I guess the Packers "exposed" both our teams. Among all teams in the NFL, probably no one has had more good luck with INT and fumble returns for TD's than the Bears. At the same time, you could make the argument that we're #2 in luck when it comes to turnovers. At 7-1, both our teams are due for some exposing. Ultimately, I agree with most people here that the Bears O-line is terrible, and that Cutler will really get into a rut if we can make him uncomfortable early. After that it depends on our offense not having brain farts the way it did yesterday with the penalties. Refs won't be forgiving at all in Chicago.
That's still pretty darn good. Better than 20 other NFL teams. Certainly doesn't lend itself to the Texans being "susceptible to the run" (IMO). And Forte is only averaging 77 yards per game. That's less than Johnson, Rice and McGahee - all of whom we've beaten this year. I'm not trying to be difficult here. Just saying I'm more worried about the Bears defense than their offense. Cutler and Forte don't really scare me. Jennings and Peppers? I'm a little more worried about those guys.
You're being a homer. Our defense did bad against the Packers too.. I noticed you said they haven't beaten anybody yet.. That's a very ignorant thing to say. They are 7-1 in the NFL. And our schedule has been just a light.
Our Schedule hasn't been murderer's row, but to compare the two schedules is folly. We've played 3 play-off teams, they've played one. They have 5 blowout wins, we have 6. The Bears may win the game, but thus far the Texans have had a much tougher schedule....
Having Schaub so efficient and less prone to mistakes is big! ...plus the fact this SNF game will remind them of their loss, they will be up for this. ....hopefully they will study the film very well to make sure they don't lose focus against the turnover making bears defense. We can win by doing the little things right..
The Texans played base defense against Buffalo's spread offense to stop the run, crowding the box even against 3 WRs. If the Bills had a competent QB who can throw more than 5 yards down the field, the Texans would've been screwed. I mean, it's a very good gameplan by Wade, given Buffalo's deficiencies. But it's hardly something you can carry over to the Bears.
It's only Monday, and I think I've heard enough from Bears fans already here in Chicago. They're so ****ing cocky. I really hope we thrash them. They're worse than Packers fans. I hope Jay Cutler gets abused. /rant
I'm not saying that they are BAD against the run, but I still think a quality running offense can, CAN, take advantage if game planned correctly. And yes, Forte is averging 77 yards per game but also 5 yards per carry. By looking at at carries per game, only one guy has less with more yards (Gore). Most the others ahead of him have about 2 plus more carries. May not sound like a lot but it probably bump him up to the #6 or 7 range. The Bears defense is certainly good and an obvious strength. That being said, I think the texans' offense can put up enough points with enough opportunity. But if Forte is grinding out first downs and eating clock, i'm worried the texans' won't get enough chances.
