12/21/24
November 21, 2005
Good team or good enough team?: The Chicago Bears beat the Carolina Panthers on Sunday in large part to their stifling defense. Are they a good team though, or are they just good enough with their offense being the enough part?
The Bears have one of the most dominant defenses in a long time. It is unbelievable the amount of sacks, tackles for a loss, turnovers, points scored by the defense. That being said. The offense is its alter ego. I think they are good enough at this point. However, their offense is improving. Orton is finding his niche and the rest of the offense is starting to calm down with him. At this point they are good enough. However, if the offense ever starts to click, the Bears can take over the NFL.
posted by mcstan13 at 10:19 AM on November 21, 2005
Yes, the Bears looked good against Carolina. Yes the Bears have a solid defense and yes, Carolina had a 6 game winning streak, but who was that streak against? Green Bay, Arizona, Minnesota, Detroit, Tampa Bay, the Jets. Not exactly the powerhouses fo the NFL. I am not so sure if it is that Chicago has a powerhouse, as it is that the mediocre are beating the truly awful. Even the Bears' winning strek is againt Minnesota, Detroit, San Fransisco, New Orleans and Baltimore. The Bears will make the playoffs, they will most likely win 4 more games, but when they beat or play tough against Pitsburgh and Atlanta, two teams that are in the second tier of the NFL this season, then I will believe. Can they make a run in the playoffs? Sure, especially since the look to get a good seed on the weakness of their remaining schedule, they might even make the big game, and once there.....well defense has certainly won it in the past.
posted by elovrich at 10:20 AM on November 21, 2005
thanks for the warning---Best ever post???? I am sorry That I beg to differ--And I didnt even have to look!
posted by daddisamm at 10:21 AM on November 21, 2005
oops wrong post I happen to agree that the Bear are a good team. I meant my comment on another fpp! Somebody could be a good boy and erase my above comment!
posted by daddisamm at 10:23 AM on November 21, 2005
nope your mistake will forever haunt you.. muhaha. 7-3 in the NFL is damn good I don't care who your playing. And I think the bears D make it possible for them to beat anyone in the league, but I think there offense is bad enough to let any team beat them. Alot of pressure on Orton not to lose games.
posted by tron7 at 11:17 AM on November 21, 2005
All I can say is YIPPEE!! No seriously, the Bears have an outstanding defense and a mediocre offense. I would like to know how many points have been scored on defense and special teams this season. (If anyone knows how to look this up I would appreciate it). Maybe that is all it is going to take to get to the big one. I don't know but I can hope. Ok I have to do it - YIPPEE!
posted by skydivemom at 12:06 PM on November 21, 2005
Their offense is far worse than mediocre. Honestly I'm not sure whether this signifies the Bears as contenders or both the Bears and the Panthers as pretenders. I look at the NFC and don't see any good teams at all really, just "good enough".
posted by chmurray at 12:16 PM on November 21, 2005
Reminds me of the 13-3 team from a few years back, when everything broke their way. I applaud their defense, but given the rash of injuries to an already weak offensive squad, I don't see how they can go that far into the playoffs.
posted by ajaffe at 12:27 PM on November 21, 2005
This Bears D is damn good, but I don't think it is quite as good as the '85 Bears. There have been occasions where the Bears have looked weak against the run up the middle and the secondary can get burned, especially Tillman. But their team speed is unfrigginbelieveable. Orton had one horrendous outing and the rest have been barely adequate and he isonly s rookie. Remember, '85 Bears won it all with McMahon taking the snaps, hardly an offensive powerhouse of a quarterback. I like their chances to make a run at it, but the offense is going to have to start outscoring the defense sometime this season. Reminds me of the 13-3 team from a few years back I don't think you can compare the two teams. That season was a total fluke. They should have lost at least half of the games they won. This team actually has a running game and the defense is much more dominating than that year. They were the worst 13-3 team I had ever seen.
posted by willthrill72 at 12:31 PM on November 21, 2005
Weren't the Panthers the first team over .500 that the Bears beat this year? I'd like to see them beat some other tough teams before giving them more than a second glance.
posted by grum@work at 12:37 PM on November 21, 2005
The whole NFC is mired in mediocrity, so it is hard to blame the bears for not beating a ton of .500 teams. Who are the legit teams in the NFC? Can you say any of them would beat the Chargers who may not even make the playoffs this year?
posted by bperk at 01:54 PM on November 21, 2005
The Bears reminds me of another Chicago team. Can you say Chicago White Sox? The breaks are going their way.I rather be lucky then good.Granted it is a fourth place schedule but you still have to beat the teams. This team is very deep in all positions. Noone has a faster or stronger defense. They are always knocking people out of the game. A good running game. A quarterback who is getting better every week. This season ticket holder is starting to get excited about ---PLAYOFFS---!!!! Big game tonite GB-Minn.
posted by whodat at 02:26 PM on November 21, 2005
The Bears are playing one of their best seasons since the eighties. The bears are playing as a team and their chemistry is working. Their defenseis really good this season, and if they keep playing like they did to the pathers then they will be in the game for a while.
posted by Ga Rider 21 at 02:46 PM on November 21, 2005
Reminds me of the 13-3 team from a few years back I don't think you can compare the two teams. That season was a total fluke. They should have lost at least half of the games they won. This team actually has a running game and the defense is much more dominating than that year. They were the worst 13-3 team I had ever seen. I think it's a fair comparison. Both teams have benefited from a good defense and timely scoring from the defense and special teams. This years version of the defense is stronger up front, but the key ingrediant is the opportunistic scoring. At some point the offense is going to be forced to score 17 points to win a game and this offense can't do it I don't care what defense they are up against, the Rams, USC's, or the Iraqi Republican Gaurd. There is no room for mistakes on the defensive side of the ball and it will catch up to them eventually.
posted by bigrobbieb at 02:48 PM on November 21, 2005
i remember in 85 when the bears beat dallas 44-0, with a backup qb. As long as they have a great defense, and a good running game, the offense can survive.I think they have a shot at beating tampa, in my opinion one of the toughest games left on the schedule. I also think that if the defense maintains, they can get to the nfc championship game, if not win it.
posted by jonfu at 03:40 PM on November 21, 2005
Who are the legit teams in the NFC? Can you say any of them would beat the Chargers who may not even make the playoffs this year? Well, the Chargers are 1-2 against NFC teams. Granted, the Cowboys game was without Gates and was close, and the Eagles got lucky the first time and wouldn't beat them again. Nevertheless, there are teams in the NFC playing better than the Chargers.
posted by cl at 03:55 PM on November 21, 2005
I know it was mentioned that this years team is stronger up front, but that makes a big big difference in any defense. Allowing the secondary to do their job and cover. Don't forget that 13-3 team from 2001 had Keith Traylor and Ted Washington up the middle of that defense. Two big old blobs in the middle to simply take up space. Who will they chase down? This 2005 defense is built off of speed. Have you seen Tommie Harris chase down QB's half his size? Fun to watch. Offenses have not figured out a way to beat the speed on that team defense. The two defenses have a completly different look. The defensive ends from 2001- Phillip Daniels, Bryan Robinson. This year Alex Brown is coming into his own, Adewale Ogunleye unstoppable. I personally think the corners are better this year, Tillman has his mind lapses occasionally but is still a solid corner. Vasher is a playmaker. And who was our stud running back from 2001, the "A-Train", who is currently a third string back for the cowboys. Jones is a workhorse that doesn't want to loose a spot and the O-line is in much better shape. How many combined pro-bowl trips are on this years O-line? I don't feel like counting that high. 2001 was a fluke, this team has potential. Look at every position and this team is ready to roll. Lovie Smith has set up one hell of a defense, which are all signed through 2006. Fast, Smart, and Conditioned. Watch out for the Bears the next two years. This is no fluke. DAAAAAAAAAAAA BEARS. Don't forget Orton is a rookie, he will get better. I agree with willthrill72, much better, deeper defense and much better running game.
posted by Jeffro71984 at 04:06 PM on November 21, 2005
And who was our stud running back from 2001, the "A-Train", who is currently a third string back for the cowboys. I think Anthony Thomas actually is now part of the fill-in for Deuce McAllister brigade for the Saints.
posted by holden at 04:40 PM on November 21, 2005
I believe you are correct, but he still sucks. Good guy, just not tough enough. I still ponder on how the hell he managed to put together a 1,000 yard season his rookie year. Whatever, The Bears are a force to be reconed with. Don't forget the "expert" Dr. Z from S.I. ranked them 32nd to start the season.
posted by Jeffro71984 at 04:53 PM on November 21, 2005
But have they run out of running backs yet?
posted by ajaffe at 07:39 AM on November 22, 2005
But have they run out of running backs yet? Not hardly. True there have been a few injuries, but with their depth at RB it hasn't cost them yet. Adrian Petersen has been healthy and shown signs of being a hell of a player. Thomas Jones just came back from a minor, aggravating injury and continues to run well. Cedric Benson, who only recently started to run like a #1 draft pick, just went down and will be out a few weeks. Lucky for Benson...when I saw the play when he was injured, I figured it was season, if not career, ending. If the Bears continue to run as they have been and the D continues to play as fierce, this could be a very good season.
posted by willthrill72 at 08:29 AM on November 22, 2005
DA BEARSThe offence is lacking an experienced QB who could win a game for you,and another go to WR,but with the mighty mighty D being as Dominant as they've been,the '05 Chicago Bears are a good team.Plus Im a little bias.
posted by HOE.O.K. at 09:16 AM on November 22, 2005
On the other hand, could this mean that the Panthers aren't all that wonderful this year?
posted by alumshubby at 01:38 PM on November 22, 2005
skydivemom: "I would like to know how many points have been scored on defense and special teams this season." The Bears have scored 2 defensive TDs (Tillman & Brown INT's) and 1 PR TD (Bobby Wade 73 yds). |www.nfl.com/stats| The offense is easily worse than "mediocre." They are in the bottom five of every offensive category except for rushing. They're also in the bottom half of the league for time-of-possession which is not good if you consider the running game they boast (explanation? they convert only 30.8% of 3rd downs - 29th in the league - thank you Kyle Orton). alumshubby"Panthers aren't all that wonderful this year?" They've been riding high on Steve Smith as well as their defense stifling some weak offensive teams. Their running game is atrocious and they're in a tough rush-D division; I don't think they'll make the play-offs. Bottom line - - Bears have a tough remaining schedule with TB away, Pitt away, ATL at home, GB twice in December (don't count Favre out yet), and wrap the season up at Minn (Brad Johnson - what?!). I hate to say it, but, 8-8 is not out of the question. sidenote: CHI @ TB 11/27 - anyone else betting the bank on the under? -Snare
posted by redsnare at 02:21 PM on November 22, 2005
What if the over/under is 1.5?
posted by yerfatma at 03:13 PM on November 22, 2005
Their defense is absolutely good enough to get them quite a ways. Look at the NFC and it's one, big mediocre mess. I honestly can't pick one particular team in that conference I'd say is superior to any other. Come playoff time, though, it will be a lot of pressure on Orton to not screw up, much more than could be said for Big Ben last season in Pittsburgh. I'd love to see the Bears keep playing well, though.