Tex's Friday Preview - Bears II

by texwestern on Dec 11, 2009 10:56 AM CST

It's official. Finals exams and projects are upon me. When I can't even find half an hour on a Friday to write a quick and dirty preview about a Monday night game that I'm really excited about, you know I'm in trouble. But I wouldn't want to let you guys go for a second week in a row without my "fascinating" insights.

Anyhoo, let's get this thing over with so I can get back to studying. Expect a lot of sentence fragments. Here are things that I expect to have a significant impact on the game Sunday.

Bears' Special Teams

Long, long ago, I predicted that the first Packers-Bears game this year would hinge on a big special-teams play. Their long snapper (it's been so long since then that I forgot his name!) proved me right. I think it will be less significant in this game, but if the Bears win, I think it will be due to a big play or two when the "other" unit is on the field.

Charles Woodson

My man-love for Chuck has been well-documented in my earlier previews, and it's still going strong, like a large, blazing yule log. I expect him to be nothing short of spectacular again in this game, forcing turnovers, making big tackles, wreaking havoc, and inducing a few impressive pouty-faces for Jay Cutler.

Weather

You have to love this classic rivalry. Unfortunately, it's the only NFC North rivalry where both teams play outdoors, in the cold and the elements, the way football is meant to be. The Weather Channel is calling for temperatures in the low to mid-30's on Sunday in Chicago, with a 60% chance of precipitation. Expect Mother Nature to make her presence known and influence Mike McCarthy's and Lovie Smith's gameplans. (UPDATE: The forecast is now down to a 20% chance of precipitation during the game. Maybe this won't be as big a factor as I anticipated. Then again, Mother Nature always seems to bring her worst for these games.)

Hopefully, next week I'll be able to squeeze in another half hour for another poorly-written preview for the game against the Steelers (speaking of which, WOW. Just WOW). Until then, good day to you all, and perhaps I'll see you on the game thread Sunday if I can take a 3-hour study break. I'll leave you with an image of the beauty of winter in Madison on Wednesday, our first full snow day in over 40 years. Check out the impressive running by that guy in red.

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Came here looking for the Friday preview, was not disappointed.

Anybody know how windy it’s expected to be in Chi-town on Sunday? The 2007 “Frozen Beer” game was a misery not due to the snow and cold, but because of that 30MPH wind ripping through Soldier Field.

"Who ever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" -Frank Chance
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root

by Clutch16 on Dec 11, 2009 11:31 AM CST reply actions

Not too windy.

Right now, the Weather Channel is predicting winds around 10 MPH all day Sunday, which probably wouldn’t affect the game a whole lot.

Also, I’m honored that I’ve started to get a following and that anyone would actually go looking for my posts.

"Career highlights? I had two. I got an intentional walk from Sandy Koufax and I got out of a rundown against the Mets." - Bob Uecker

by texwestern on Dec 11, 2009 2:12 PM CST up reply actions

you got me hooked too.

since you made the front page I’ve been following

The time for reckoning has come, and we already have the answer

by Vreeland2 on Dec 11, 2009 5:17 PM CST up reply actions

that snow day was fantastic

As we have not had one at UWEC in 18 years

Friends don't let friends be cub fans

by BIGPAMPERINO on Dec 11, 2009 10:36 PM CST reply actions

All UW schools had one...

Was a bit mad… only 7th time my school has ever had one and of course its a day I dont have any classes

by bizzle4 on Dec 12, 2009 1:06 PM CST up reply actions

We got a half day two years ago...

That was the closest I had ever come in college, and it was an afternoon when I was off anyway. Imagine my surprise when I found out at 8:00 Tuesday night that they were already canceling classes for Wednesday!

"Career highlights? I had two. I got an intentional walk from Sandy Koufax and I got out of a rundown against the Mets." - Bob Uecker

by texwestern on Dec 12, 2009 2:43 PM CST up reply actions