Packer Notes: Chicago's Bye, More On Rodgers, and the Pro Bowl
by Brandon on Dec 29, 2010 7:01 AM CST
in Green Bay Packers News
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PrintWith the Eagles pathetic loss to the Vikings at home, the Bears have clinched the No. 2 seed and a first-round bye. Lovie Smith has said the Bears are coming to play next Sunday. But the players and coaches have to be feeling like it's spring break now that they don't have a meaningful game to play until mid-January.
The Packers playoff picture is they win and they're in, and they'd play for the second time this season in Philadelphia. With the Saints at 11-4, they've got the top wild card spot and guaranteed game against the winner of the epic Battle for the NFC West. If you were the Saints, would you rather play against a rookie quarterback in a dome, or against QB Charlie Whitehurst anywhere?
The complete Football Outsiders article on the best game (statistically) of QB Aaron Rodgers's career is now available for all to read. Before the start of the second half against the Eagles, the Giants were by far the best pass defense in the NFL. The final stats aren't out as I write this, but I expect they've handed that title over to the Packers. Pro Football Focus also has their re-focused article on the Packers game, and only RT Bryan Bulaga received a negative grade (plus they gave Rodgers some MVP props). Bulaga wasn't that bad, but he got a low mark because of a bull rush by DE Justin Tuck that led to a sack.
And the annual prom Pro Bowl results have been announced and five Packers (LT Chad Clifton (seriously), FS Nick Collins, WR Greg Jennings, LB Clay Matthews, and CB Charles Woodson) were selected. QB Aaron Rodgers and CB Tramon Williams are first alternates. WR Donald Driver (seriously), LB A.J. Hawk, NT B.J. Raji, and RG Josh Sitton are the other alternates. I like Clifton, but this season he's given up the most sacks of his career. There really isn't anyone else? Driver hasn't been the same since he suffered a quad injury mid-season, and I had been wondering if he should be benched. Overall, I'm glad to see players receive the recognition, but it's belittled when the voters make poor choices like voting for someone who was benched mid-season. Maybe I'm wrong about Clifton because Doug Farrar at Shutdown Corner said he deserved the nomination (along with Raji, Williams, and FB John Kuhn!).
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DYAR Era?
The football outsiders article mentions the “DYAR Era” a bunch. What the heck is the DYAR era?
by WrigleyvilleReb on Dec 29, 2010 7:33 AM CST reply actions
They started keeping track of DYAR in 1993
So I read that as from 1993-present.
Greinke: "It’s not about the guacamole itself. I just don’t want to let them win."
Wow the Vikings actually beat the eagles
Joe Webb is still very raw but I think it was better than anything tavaris has ever done
by Charlie Kelly on Dec 29, 2010 8:09 AM CST via mobile reply actions
New Orleans isn't guaranteed a matchup vs. NFC West
If they win vs TB and ATL loses to CAR (long shot, right?) the Saints win the NFC South and the top seed in the NFC Playoffs.
Fukudometer: Created 3/31/08 Wrigley Debut 4/5/08 WGN and Japan TV Debut 4/6/08 Sun Times Debut: 4/20/08 Coffee Table Debut: 7/17/08 (http://www.wearecubsfans.com)
So Chicago has the #2 seed all clinched?
I was hoping for Lake Michigan to flood with the tears of Bears fans for destroying them two weeks in a row here.
When life gives ya lemons, shut up and eat your damn lemons.
They have a bye clinched at least
They could still potentially get the #1 seed, but it involves both NO and ATL losing this week.
Greinke: "It’s not about the guacamole itself. I just don’t want to let them win."
The size 14 horseshoe up the Bears arse continues..
Let’s review:
Week 1: An apparent game winning touchdown by Calvin Johnson is taken away by the zebras and the Bears narrowly escape an opening day upset.
Week 3: A franchise high 18 penalties (at least a few questionable) give the Bears a 20-17 upset win vs the Pack.
Week 5: Despite losing Cutler to a concussion due to a first half 11 sacks the previous week, the Bears face an awful Carolina team and Jimmy Claussen making his first start. Todd Collins is pulled at the end of the 3rd quarter with a 6.3 QB rating. Bears manage a win.
Week 9: Get to play a bad Buffalo team in Toronto. Chicago gets a much friendlier crowd than they would in Buffalo and escape with a 3 point win.
Week 11: Miami is forced to start 3rd string QB Tyler Thigpen, Chicago earns a 16-0 win.
Week 13: Facing another 3rd string QB making his first start of the year, Bears recieve a phantom blow to the head penalty on Detroit defensive tackle Suh and escape with a 4 point victory.
Week 15: Snowstrom makes Metradome unplayable and an old washed-up QB insists on playing hurt. Queens stud RB is hurt and inactive. Bears “roll”.
Week 16: Snowstorm pushes Eagles/Vikings game back..Vikings a 14 point dog pull off the upset to clinch the #2 seed for Chicago..and a chance at-get this- the #1 seed.
The biggest break has been the health of the team..almost no significant injuries.
Don’t get me wrong, the bears are a good team. But they have also caught almost every break they possibly could. When does that streak end…?
Sometimes nothin is a real cool hand.
by White92 on Dec 29, 2010 9:13 AM CST reply actions 5 recs
When we beat them 45-10 on Sunday.
don't forget to brush your teeth.
by Drew C on Dec 29, 2010 9:17 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
when Drew Brees walks into town
It’s not just us who have old scores to settle….
by Rodgers_for_MVP on Dec 29, 2010 9:24 AM CST up reply actions
Does that horseshoe up the arse thing really work?
I’m not sayin’ I would try it, but I’m always looking for some extra luck. I think R4MVP has it right. Our win on Sunday will not end anything for the Bears — it’ll just open a door for us. Hopefully, Mr. Brees will really end it for Lovie & Co.
Bev Pear: A jar? Girls don't pee in jars.
Randy Pear: Oh, right. Sorry. Jason, we're gonna need a jar and a funnel.
just to add to this
Bears drew the Panthers out of the NFC South, while the Pack got Atlanta. NFC North played AFC East, but the Bears got both the Jets and Patriots at home, while those were both road games for the Pack – and even though we both beat NYJ and lost to NE, I’d say the Pack fared better against those teams than the Bears did.
by mr_sparkle666 on Dec 29, 2010 10:38 AM CST up reply actions
Full disclosure... I'm a Bears fan and can't wait unitl this Sunday
With that being said, let’s review…
Week 1: Whether you agree with the rule or not, it was the RIGHT call and if it was called a catch it would have been the WRONG call. Get over it. We have.
Week 2: We beat the Cowboys WITH Romo. You beat them with a backup? Wait a minute, is that a break?
Week 3: A team dumb and undisciplined enough to have that many penalties (most because they were scared of Julius Peppers) doesn’t deserve to win and you know what? They didn’t.
Week 5: Hey just think, some teams aren’t good enough to win with their backup QB (GB vs. Pats), or good enough to beat a bad team with theirs (GB vs. DET& Pats).
Weeks 9: Oh the same Buffalo team that was good enough to beat a Detroit that you weren’t?
Week 11: Hey if beating 3rd string QBs was that easy, We wouldn’t have the 2nd seed locked up today now would we? Ask the Eagles.
Week 13: See week 11. Oh and you guys lost to Drew Stanton. Now that’s embarrassing.
Week 15: Yep a determined team walked into Minnesota on a bad field and took out Farve and Webb. Peterson didn’t play but hey, we held him to under 30 yards rushing when he was healthy the first time so who’s counting?
Week 16: Can’t help it if the Eagles aren’t good enough to handle business and control it’s destiny like the Bears. Life can suck sometimes.
The biggest break is health, just like it is for Atlanta and they’ve been healthier than us. Funny I’ve never heard them called “lucky”
Don’t get me wrong, the Pack are a good team, hell maybe even a playoff team if we lay down this Sunday. But this is the NFL, injuries and things happen. No one cried us a river when we lost 2/3rds of our linebacking core last season, that included Brian Urlacher, so we’ll shed not a tear if the last game you guys play this year is this coming Sunday.
When does this underrating of the Bears and the whining end…?
Hey Rose. I don't see the appeal!
by Dils on Dec 29, 2010 12:19 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
When Bears fans stop posting like condescending d-bags?
or the 2012 apocalypse, of course.
Greinke: "It’s not about the guacamole itself. I just don’t want to let them win."
Ah, Bears fans
It seems to me that I have read a lot of independent analysts who say the Bears are not for real. So, it’s not just homeristic Packer fans who are “underrating” the Bears. Perhaps that tells you that homeristic Bear fans are irrationally optimistic about their team’s chance in the playoffs.
Bev Pear: A jar? Girls don't pee in jars.
Randy Pear: Oh, right. Sorry. Jason, we're gonna need a jar and a funnel.
Nah it's just
media that’s unwilling to eat crow that continue with the nonsense every week. It’s OK. We like it. But claiming a team that was the first in the league to clinch their division as being on a lucky streak is just unfair.
Hey Rose. I don't see the appeal!
It's "unfair"?
Why is it “unfair”? Are you disputing that it’s lucky that the Bears have faced multiple teams the week after they lost key players to injury? I’m not saying the Bears are a bad team, (you still have to go out and play hard to win any game) but being a good team and being a lucky team are not mutually exclusive.
Greinke: "It’s not about the guacamole itself. I just don’t want to let them win."
Fortunate? Fine
Opportunistic? Even better. But lucky, when other teams under the same circumstances have proved that it’s easier said than done? No.
Hey Rose. I don't see the appeal!
So you admit it's an argument about semantics?
for·tu·nate
[fawr-chuh-nit]
–adjective
1.
having good fortune; receiving good from uncertain or unexpected sources; lucky: a fortunate young actor who got the lead in the play.
luck·y
1 /[luhk-ee]
–adjective, luck·i·er, luck·i·est.
1.
having or marked by good luck; fortunate: That was my lucky day.
Greinke: "It’s not about the guacamole itself. I just don’t want to let them win."
by GoGregGo on Dec 29, 2010 1:07 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
That's fine, you're right. Thanks for the lesson
But in the realm of sports, we know what that the connotation of the term “lucky” is. It’s associated with “undeserving circumstances” that benefit your team. Like saying the Bears got lucky beating GB the first time. As if those penalties weren’t earned by Peppers and GB’s inability to stop him.
Hey Rose. I don't see the appeal!
I honestly don't see a difference between calling a team "fortunate" and calling a team "lucky"
I also would not call the Bears “lucky” for beating the Packers in week 3 because the Packers absolutely imploded and yes, that most likely had something to do with the opponent, because we haven’t had a game like that since this season.
Greinke: "It’s not about the guacamole itself. I just don’t want to let them win."
You should embrace luck
It’s okay — only fans that are feeling less than confident about their team would want to avoid the term luck. Most teams that make the playoffs rely on some luck and pretty much every team that wins the Super Bowl has lucky moments throughout the season. The Bears have just had more luck than any other team in the league this year. That’s all.
Bev Pear: A jar? Girls don't pee in jars.
Randy Pear: Oh, right. Sorry. Jason, we're gonna need a jar and a funnel.
Lucky
For example, the Packers are Lucky that the Vikes beat Philly and the bears might just lay down for us, getting us into the playoffs. The packers were really lucky when Sam Shields caught an interception, but stepped out of bounds, but got called in bounds and the Giants coach didn’t have another challange, so we got the ball, scored a TD and that pretty much put the Giants away.
There’s nothing wrong with luck. It’s just like the old saying goes, I’d rather be lucky than good, but I’ll take both.
I hate the Bears... and kittens.
Week 5: Hey just think, some teams aren’t good enough to win with their backup QB (GB vs. Pats), or good enough to beat a bad team with theirs (GB vs. DET& Pats).
I didn’t know a #1 seed going into the playoffs would be considered a bad team.
by seamariners85 on Dec 29, 2010 12:43 PM CST up reply actions
Yeah that was a mistake
on my part . It should have just read Detroit.
Hey Rose. I don't see the appeal!
Detroit scares me.
Within the next couple of years I can see them having a better record than the Bears. As of right now they are a spunky team too, always seem to be in the game.
They are a talented team. No denying that.
I think it depends on the health of Stafford over the next few years. A team like Tampa Bay is a team that scares me more because they already have a good QB, 2 good WRs and a good running back and they’re young and hungry.
Hey Rose. I don't see the appeal!
This division is well on its way to being the strongest
next year the Lions will probably start contending
The Packers and Bears aren’t going to stop contending
and the Vikings still have a bunch of talent if they can get good QB play
This will be the strongest division in the NFL going forward
I think that's true
and I love it! It’s going to be great when the Packers are on top of the toughest division in football.
Bev Pear: A jar? Girls don't pee in jars.
Randy Pear: Oh, right. Sorry. Jason, we're gonna need a jar and a funnel.
Luck or no luck, it's part of the game
Pure and simple, the Bears capitalized all year on little things and the Packers did not. I remember the game at Detroit: After Cutler threw to TE the go ahead score with 8 mins to go, Logan returns it in Chi territory. Non only did the Bears D not allowed the Lions score even a 3 ptr, but they ran out the clock after Detroit punted. We threw the game in Detroit away: not only did we allow Stanton and co to score, but also could not capitalize on more than one opportunity in that game.
With that said, the Bears are still not convincing a lot of people. Yes, the Defense is solid. But this is not the 1986, shut-down D. They can be scored on, like the borderline awful Mark Sanchez proved last week. The offense has been pedestrian. Cutler is mistake prone, although he’s played better lately. But he’s no Vick, Rodgers, or Brees. Forte is a pass catcher, not a power runner, although he’s still better than what we have, but not better than McCoy or Turner or even a healthy Pierre Thomas. But is Johny Knoxx Roddy White? is Devin Hester Gregg Jennings? So, the Bears are a good team but also a team who lost 3 games this year at home, two of which to mediocre foes, so home field is not as big an advantage as ATL for example.
So what’s done is done. Luck, skill, karma, who cares? Enjoy the bye, start resting as soon as this Sunday =) although I believe that we will beat whoever you suit up, and let’s talk when Saints roll into Chi-town. If you pass that test, then you have another chance to prove against us hopefully that your 2010 was skill and not luck.
by Rodgers_for_MVP on Dec 29, 2010 1:11 PM CST up reply actions
Can't wait to Sunday my friend;-)
I understand the Bears aren’t convincing people. That’s fine. I’m glad Cutler insn’t Brees this year because he’s thorwn 7 less ints. The Bears are 7-1 in the last 7 games. Mistake prone Jay Cutler has thrown 16 TDs and 7 INTs in that span with a 94.1 QB rating. So I’ll take that.
Forte isn’t McCoy but he’s a guy that doesn’t need a mobile Vick as the QB to hold those Linebackers and Safeties, to be effective. Knox isn’t Roddy White, but he basically is having the same year as Desean Jackson and that guy’s a probowler this year, so Knox will do have to do. Hester isn’t Greg Jennings, but he is a future HOFer who does more to effect a game and control field position more than any receiver on your roster will ever do in their career. Or what any player that isn’t a QB in this league currently does to control a game. So I’ll take that.
It’s not about individuals in the game, it’s about the sum of the parts and right now that’s working for us. You’re right, we’ll have to see how good we really are, and trust me, there are a lot of us Bear fans that don’t want to see GB in the playoffs. Rodgers is a hell of a QB and I would not deny him that. So this Sunday should be fun.
Hey Rose. I don't see the appeal!
*7-1 in the last 8 games
Hey Rose. I don't see the appeal!
I've got no problems..
with you pointing out things that went the Packers way..I just happen to think more thing broke the Bears way this season..especially the injuries…if you think thats whining..whatever..as another poster said, you can be lucky AND good..and my post did say the Bears are a good team.
By the way..would you really have complained if Calvin Johnson’s catch was ruled a touchdown? I doubt many would have..
Sometimes nothin is a real cool hand.
yeah I would have
because per the rules, it wasn’t a catch. Do I think the rule suck? Absolutely and it will probably get changed but the rules are the rules and these guys are told those rules in the offseason. It’s Calvin Johnson’s job to hold on to the ball. By the way. we didn’t steal that win. Detroit was getting their jockstraps handed to them that whole game. So people should stop treating them like victims. They snatched defeat from the jaws of victory all year.
Hey Rose. I don't see the appeal!
The Bears still suck.
don't forget to brush your teeth.
by Drew C on Dec 29, 2010 4:44 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
you wouldnt have even known that rule existed if it wasnt for that game
The only glove he needs is a batting glove. - RWShow on Adam Dunn signing.
by blackoutsox on Dec 29, 2010 11:56 PM CST up reply actions
thank you, I am sharing this with my friends
The only glove he needs is a batting glove. - RWShow on Adam Dunn signing.
by blackoutsox on Dec 29, 2010 11:52 PM CST up reply actions
I heard on ESPN that the Bears still have an outside shot at the number 1 seed.
Believe Lovie will be playing all of his guys and they’re going to prepare like they’re going to win the #1 seed.
don't forget to brush your teeth.
by Drew C on Dec 29, 2010 9:59 AM CST via mobile reply actions
Possible..
and I would say unlikely, but given the Bears luck this year it wouldn’t surprise me..they need:
1) Atlanta loos at home to Carolina
and
2) New Orleans loss at home to Tampa
as well as winning their game..they will know the fate by gametime in Green Bay
Sometimes nothin is a real cool hand.
What would be your evaluation of Lovie Smith as a HC?
To me, considereing what he has had to work with in Chicago during his tenure, I believe he is a very good HC.
don't forget to brush your teeth.
by Drew C on Dec 29, 2010 11:18 AM CST via mobile reply actions
He's the best HC the Bears have had since Ditka, IMO
But like I said in another post, you wouldn’t know it by what Bears fans say on talk radio in Chicago. Nothing short of a superbowl win is going to silence his critics out here.
Wait til next season (if there is one). Once his contract has been extended and the much improved Lions and reinvigorated Vikings make theirs a harder row to hoe, Chicago will be howling for his dismissal like the 2010 never happened.
"Show me a good loser, and I'll show you a loser." - Vince Lombardi
Much improved Lions
Si!
But I think it’s the Packers that will be reinvigorated from all of the injuries.
Unless Joe Webb’s the real deal I think we’ve seen the Vikings high water mark. And Detroit will draft ahead of them…
"Hawk Harrelson: Annoying even the hearing impaired": Teahenny Penny paraphrasing Chisoxfan1473
by NorthSidePaulie on Dec 29, 2010 6:22 PM CST up reply actions
Remember
how screwed we were because Thompson did nothing to improve the secondary or the pass rush before the start of the season? Then throw in all of the pass-defense affecting injuries…
We have not made the playoffs yet, but damn, Thompson is the man.
Hopefully their proverbial train stays on track, cause they can beat anyone.
Lovie probably thinks
it’s the politically correct thing for him to say they won’t play their backups on sunday if they have nothing to play for. He can say what he wants, but he’ll play sunday like an exhibition of the Bears have nothing to gain from it.
"Tragedy is what happens to me. Comedy is what happens to you." -Mel Brooks
I hope they play their starters
That way they’ll find out that even their best game is not good enough to beat the Packers when the Packers don’t beat themselves.
the annualpromPro Bowl results
hahahah
…great line.
They should have “themes” for the Pro Bowl. This year’s can be “enchanted evening.”
"A Mid-Autumn's Eve Dream"
Greinke: "It’s not about the guacamole itself. I just don’t want to let them win."
Great to see Trash Talk
Not. Bears fans should stick to their own blog, and vice versa.
Raji. Let’s hope he sticks around 8 more years.
I'd Pay
to watch John Kuhn square off with Jared Allen in the MMA ring. Wouldn’t that be a good fight? Wouldn’t it be great if the NFL sponsored these matchups in the offseason?
Allen would most likely kill him
he’s bigger, faster and has more reach
I wanna see Tim Tebow vs. Ben Rapistberger
or Aaron Rodgers vs. Jay Cutler
or Ray Lewis and James Harrison
They really should sponsor these fights.
… Tom Brady vs. Peyton Manning
I don't want to see Rodgers vs. Cutler.
Aaron may bruise his throwing hand punching Cutler in his fat face.
Omaha's Christmas List:
Anthony Tolliver to get healthy and resume doing this (see picture).
The Suns to go on a tear with their new parts.
A healthy Green Bay Packers team for a deep playoff run.
Gregory Echenique to become the love-child of Charles Barkley and Dikembe Mutombo.
Bubba Starling to say "Screw baseball" and head to Lincoln to take Taylor Martinez's job.
NFC Championship Game
I’m hoping we meet the Bears there. :-)
+1
"Hawk Harrelson: Annoying even the hearing impaired": Teahenny Penny paraphrasing Chisoxfan1473
by NorthSidePaulie on Dec 29, 2010 6:42 PM CST up reply actions
I would rather play Phily over Bears in the 1st round
The Bears are the only team in our division that owns a winning record against us, and I have a lot of respect for them unlike the Vikings.
Duh Bears won't make it to the NFC Championship game
They’ll be one and done and Crybaby Cutler will look like a 16 year old kid that just got the car keys taken away from him after throwing 4 picks that game. The only for that scares me now is Atlanta. Other than that, we’ll be all good as long as we keep it close to no turnovers and play outstanding D as we have been the last 2 weeks.
When life gives ya lemons, shut up and eat your damn lemons.
im a bears fan, injuries happen
luck happens
the good teams take advantage of luck/injuries
the bad teams do not
i thought the nfc north was going to be the most competitive division this season but injuries and luck managed to change that
the team does not pick who they want to play period. who knew the panthers would suck this bad this season?
who knew the vikings and pats would have so many injuries?
it happens and unfortunately noone knows how the season would have been had noone been injured.
what we can go on is what happened and even with all the injuries the pack still has a chance to make the playoffs
to the fan who doesnt believe we should post here and vice versa its a part of free speech
me personally im apart of every blog except the eagles blog and sometimes i post sometimes i just listen
i have said on record the packers are the best team in the nfc but that doesnt mean they will win the superbowl… the patriots went 16-0 during the regular season and were clearly the best team in the nfl but lost the superbowl
the cardinals were a wild card team one year and went to the superbowl so its hard to predict life
lets just enjoy what we do know:
week 17, packers bears, greatest rivalry in sports, playoffs on the line for one team homefield advantage for the other…. sounds like a good game to me
i pray for no major injuries and an enjoyable game everyone be safe tonight
I respect your OPINION but i also value the FACTS, To save time, lets just ASSume IM NEVER WRONG
by Tommy Ohyeah Mcduffie on Dec 31, 2010 4:22 PM CST reply actions
I like your perspective, but this bothers me...
to the fan who doesnt believe we should post here and vice versa its a part of free speech
me personally im apart of every blog except the eagles blog and sometimes i post sometimes i just listen
To keep this short, it really isn’t a free speech issue. I am fine with you guys coming over and partaking in the conversation, but don’t confuse blogging and free speech. Without getting overly legal/political/whateverical, our rights to free speech guaranteed in the 1st amendment protect us from the government. I get what you are trying to say and agree that there should be open discussion, but I just don’t like throwing around the free speech thing when that is not what it is.
Otherwise carry on!
by Bush League All Star on Dec 31, 2010 5:00 PM CST up reply actions
lol
i can dig it
I respect your OPINION but i also value the FACTS, To save time, lets just ASSume IM NEVER WRONG
by Tommy Ohyeah Mcduffie on Jan 1, 2011 5:58 PM CST up reply actions
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