Chicago -10.
Ok, what has changed since Seattle went into Chicago a few months ago and beat the Bears outright that I would lay double digits with Chicago today? For one, the Bears are playing much better overall football today then they started the season. They might have been perceived to be everyone's favorite underdog story back when they were 3-0 and 4-1, but let's take a closer look at their early games.
Week 1, they beat Detroit but only after knocking Stafford out of the game early, and getting a huge referee gaffe in the end to seal it. Week 2, they beat the Cowboys outright. At the time, it looked like a really impressive victory, but we all know how the Cowboy season turned out. Week 3, they beat everyone's early Super Bowl pick Green Bay Packers on MNF. They were awful that game and did not deserve to win. Week 4, the Giants manhandled them and brought them back to earth. That game we learned just how the bad the makeshift Bear offensive line was. Week 5, they beat up on the Panthers and while it was an impressive all around win after the SNF debacle, no one had any idea how bad the Panthers would fall as the year progressed. Week 6, the Seahawks come to town and outplay them in every aspect. Week 7, the Redskins beat them. BYE.
I believe Seattle got to the Bears when they were in a bad spot. The offensive line woes, Cutler's spotty play, their inability to successfully run the ball and keep things mixed up for the game, all those things came into play early in the season for Chicago. Not to mention, Seattle got Chicago off a bye week, off a terrible loss to the Rams, and while the season was young with a lot of promise ahead(Bears were also feeling good about a Panther cornholing).
Since then, the Bears got healthy upfront. By no means are they a dominant front or a great offensive line, but they did get healthy and they did get some continuity as the year progressed. While Seattle started to fall apart in some of the huge blowouts that were mentioned last week leading up to New Orleans game, Chicago got better and better including impressive wins over the Jets, the Dolphins, the Eagles, and two routs of division rival Vikings. Chicago got their run game going in the latter half of the season as Martz adjusted his offense, and the results have showed.
As Mac mentioned earlier in the thread, Seattle is coming off last week like they won the Super Bowl. That kind of emotional roller coaster is never good for a squad. Pretty soon they will be talking about destiny and thinking it was meant to be, and then the Bears hungry D starts hitting around 1:08pm on Sunday and reality sets in.
Last week, Seattle made the Saint defense look bad, and New Orleans really aren't as bad as they looked. The secondary in particular looked lost and I believe losing Malcom Jenkins hurt a lot more than anyone will say. On top of that, they didn't get any pressure when it counted, and I believe it will be different in Chicago with Peppers and Idoije rushing the ends. This is whole different front 4 and one that will disrupt and beat up Hasselbeck over the course of the game. I also don't believe that after watching the Saint game that the Bears will allow Hasselbeck to throw a quick 10 yard slant and be successful on every 3rd and long they come across like they got away with last week. I think the Bear secondary and linebackers are way too athletic and physical for that to happen.
I've seen a lot of Seattle backers talk about Cutler and his propensity of turning the ball over in key spots. They have half a point there as Cutler has a propensity of turning the ball over in key spots(especially in the RZ). But before you hang your hat on that angle, take a look who is lining up for Seattle at QB. He is a guy who has thrown 38 touchdowns and 45 interceptions his last three years in the league. As much as I like him and think he is a decent QB when it is all said and done, you can't knock Hasselback and ignore his history turning over the ball. Pressure him for 60 minutes and he will make mistakes.
I am a bit surprised this line hasn't moved much. I thought it would definitely jump a point or two after opening up at a line that IMO was a couple points low. People seem to be drinking the Seattle kool aid. I hear a lot of talk at work about them beating Chicago outright, and honestly it surprises me.
I've been pretty positive when speaking of the Bears so far, but there are a couple things that worry me. As much as the Bears o-line and run game has gelled the last couple months, GB was able to beat up Cutler pretty badly last week. There was also the Patriot embarrassment last month. Maybe it is my wishful thinking, but I'm looking to ignore those games. The Pats game was in a fucking blizzard and was over before it started. Last week, Chicago went through the motions. They started everybody. They played to win. But I fail to see how they possibly had enough invested in the game emotionally as the Pack. One team playing to get in, the other getting the 2 seed regardless? I don't know. I think the intensity level for the Bears is at another level compared to what we saw last week.
Bears 23-7.
You're a real class act my friend and I'm glad I found your thread at the beginning of the season
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