Lions At Bears: Five Questions With Windy City Gridiron
by Sean Yuille on Nov 11, 2011 10:47 AM EST
in Five Questions
Email
Print
To get ready for Sunday's game, I exchanged five questions with Dane Noble of Windy City Gridiron, SB Nation's Chicago Bears blog. My answers to his questions can be found here, and his answers to my questions are below.
1. After falling to Detroit on Monday Night Football last month, the Bears were a dismal 2-3. Since then, however, Chicago has won three straight games and is now right back in the hunt for a playoff spot. What has been the biggest factor in the Bears' sudden turnaround?
Offensively, everything starts and ends in the trenches. The offensive line has been a huge surprise recently, playing better than they have in years. When they do well, Mike Martz is able to keep defenses off-balance, and Jay Cutler can really carve you up when he has time to make things happen. Defensively, our guys have suddenly remembered how to tackle, and have regained the aggression that they have been known for in recent years. It looks like things are finally just starting to come together.
2. As much as it pains me to say this, Jay Cutler has really impressed me this season. He seems to be doing an excellent job of fighting off the pressure, keeping plays alive and making big throws, especially in the last few weeks. Perhaps more importantly, he seems to be playing much more consistent football as of late. Has something suddenly changed with Cutler, or is this the quarterback Bears fans knew they had all along?
Again, it's the big guys up front. Cutler can be an elite QB in the league when he has time to throw the football. His accuracy can be mind-bogglingly good, and his instincts are as good as any other QB in the game. The Cutler we're seeing now is the Cutler we knew we'd see if/when the OL stepped up their game.
3. Much has been made about Matt Forte's contract status, especially with him playing so well. What's the latest with that situation?
Nothing has changed. He wants to break the bank, and the Bears are being cautious. It is pretty much a given that the team will franchise him next year, and maybe even the year after. But I don't think the Bears front office, even with all of their bone-headed moves of the past, would let the team's best RB since #34 walk out the door.
4. At this point just about everybody seems comfortable with penciling in the Packers as the NFC North champion and the NFC's top seed. Do you think the Lions or Bears can make things interesting in the NFC North at all, and do you see anybody getting past Green Bay in the playoffs?
The Packers are good. Scary good. The only way I see anyone in the NFC beating Green Bay is if they have an off game. Hopefully, the Bears are on the other sideline when the Packers do decide to implode.
5. Following last month's Monday night game against the Bears, the Lions dropped two straight contests (to the 49ers and Falcons). Although they rebounded nicely before their bye with a blowout win against the Broncos, they showed real signs of weakness during that two-game losing streak. Do you think the Bears will be able to attack some of those weaknesses (virtually no running game, a very iffy run defense, etc.) and pick up the win on Sunday afternoon?
Just from my perspective, if the Bears and Lions both show up with their A-game, I really do think the Bears are still a notch above the Lions. And I am saying that with as much objectivity as possible. The Lions have made leaps and bounds in the last couple seasons and are a team to absolutely respect, but if the product that the Bears put on the field Monday in Philly is any indication of what they are capable of doing, I do think they even this series with Detroit this week.
90 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Still a notch above, huh?
Somehow that statement irritates me. I think a lot of people outside of Detroit think that way though. I see on ESPN.com that every single person on Sunday Countdown and the “Expert Picks” section has taken Chicago to win this game. Even more reason to finally put this “who’s better” question to bed. In our first meeting, it was Cutler just keeping his head above water for 60 minutes or it would have been total embarrassment, yet they are notch above still?
This is not 2010, it’s 2011… new year, new teams. You can’t rest your laurels on what happened last year. The Bears won 11 games last year, but that doesn’t mean it carries over. This is going to be a tough game for the Lions, but we have proved the ability to win big on the road and I think we can silence the critics once and for all with a win Sunday.
by DrewsLions on Nov 11, 2011 11:11 AM EST reply actions 2 recs
Word.
The Lions Passing attack is far superior than Chicago’s…. compile that with Chicago’s secondary issues… and there is the win.
Keys to the Lions win….
*Fast start on both sides of the ball
*Take STs out of the game
*Score over 24pts
http://twitter.com/#!/rumbulls
I don't think it's really a dig
I don’t see how it’s an irritating statement. The Bears are showing a much more balanced attack offensively, and they are starting to show that defense that Chicago is known for. If this game comes down to the trenches, and Forte is getting a heavy load of carries, I don’t know if we can win this game. They will wear down our defense. We need to get stronger against the run instead of just blowing past the RBs because we want to get to the QB.
I agree though that our pass attack is much scarier than Chicago. However, the Packers we are not (quite yet). They can get away with throwing the ball as much as they do. Their core of receivers have all shown up huge in every game this season. We’ll be stilted, if we go to the air over and over again.
I still have a feeling that we win this game. I think Detroit pulls out a big W. On paper, this looks like a L to me, but I have a weird feeling about it. Call it hope.
Out of curiosity...
On paper, this looks like a L to me
How so? Because to me it looks very much like a W on paper.
For what it's worth:
This is not 2010, it’s 2011… new year, new teams. You can’t rest your laurels on what happened last year. The Bears won 11 games last year, but that doesn’t mean it carries over.
I didn’t mean to imply any of that, and never mentioned 2010, other than acknowledging the improvement the Lions have made.
So if you are not implying your past successes....
we beat you and have a better record than you. How are you still a “notch above”?
Because he's a homer
The only reason anybody thinks Chicago is a notch above Detroit is reputation. Detroit is playing better football than Chicago THIS YEAR. History is irrelevant. Eliminate the “old Lions” mentality and Detroit appears to be a notch above Chicago..
Yes, I really am that great.
I said it in the article, and pointed it out again down below in the thread.
So now I’ll bring it up for the third time.
"but if the product that the Bears put on the field Monday in Philly is any indication of what they are capable of doing"
What part of that makes it seem like I’m living pre-2011? Until last week, I would have said the Lions were a notch above. But the performance against the Eagles swayed me back to the other side… The Bears looked both efficient and ferocious last week, and if that is what they are truly capable of, then I think they are a notch above the Lions.
The Eagles are 3-5.
We get no credit for blow-out wins by the likes of Denver and Kansas City (who have comparable records), but a barely-eaked out win over a reeling Philly club makes you better than a team that ALREADY BEAT YOU and has a BETTER RECORD THAN YOU.
Just sayin’………
Yet again someone points out something that I never said:
We get no credit for blow-out wins by the likes of Denver and Kansas City (who have comparable records)
And it wasn’t the fact that we registered a win over Philly, it was the PRODUCT THAT WE PUT ON THE FIELD.
/I feel like I’m taking crazy pills.
Please don't take crazy pills
There are too many lunatics in the world :)
"If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader" - John Quincy Adams
Running game is the equalizer
Without Best, the Bears can shut down their running game without sacrificing a safety down in the box. Jennings, Tillman, and Conte have been very good the past three game, but it will be a big test when Mega goes deep.
Also, Bennett is a huge addition for the Bears passing game. I firmly believe they would’ve won one more game if he was healthy for the year. He catches everything and is great after the catch.
Pettigrew is going to be the Lions x-factor in this, cause the seams in the middle of the field should be open.
"If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader" - John Quincy Adams
Without Best, the Bears can shut down their running game without sacrificing a safety down in the box.
Are you sure about that?
http://twitter.com/#!/rumbulls
lol
I could almost argue that the Lions are a BETTER rushing team without Best. Not more explosive overall, but a more consistent rushing team
House of Spears | My Detroit Lions/NFL Blog
Follow @THouseOfSpears
Shhhhhh!
Don’t tell the eremites who live together in the Chicago Bear Monastery without regard to the world at large. I don’t even think they know there are 32 other teams let alone that the Lions CAN in fact run the football.
Nice article. Thanks Sean and Dane.
I don’t agree with this extra notch either that he mentions for Chicago. Considering we just blew out Denver, and had even more time to iron out problems from our two losses, I would not want to be the Bears. Windy city, now Sack city
13-3
by StaffordSuperBowlMVP on Nov 11, 2011 11:13 AM EST reply actions
I am trying to figure out how the Bears are a notch above the Lions.
I think these two teams are pretty even across the board. The Lions advantages at WR and DL are offset by the Bears advantage at RB [all Matt Forte] and on Special Teams.
I think the other units are remarkably even, with a case being made for very small advantages in a few other position groups.
I hate to say this again, but if Stafford has a good game, the Lions win.
NOTE: I would normally give the home team a big advantage, but the Lions have done pretty well on the road the last while. The Bears are 3 and 1 at home, their only loss to the Packers.
I think this game is decided by a field goal…….late.
My 2011 Lions season prediction: 12 wins and 4 losses. I made this prediction the week after the New England preseason game. It's looking slightly optimistic right now.
I posted this over on the WCG site to get some feedback and see what they thought.
I cited you though so you got credit. Lol
by NewSchoolLionFan on Nov 11, 2011 12:20 PM EST up reply actions
Loved the Eminem pick and explanation in your responses to the WCG questions.
I was going to be rather upset if you didn’t go that route, Sean :-)
by NewSchoolLionFan on Nov 11, 2011 12:19 PM EST reply actions
What complete nonsense
If he thinks the Bears are a better team then his objectivity is nowhere to be seen. Running game is the ONLY thing the Bears have over the Lions and that would be because our starters are out. Please. Obviously our defense is better, obviously our offense is better and obviously both of our lines are better than Chicagos. Sheesh. Ass whoopin’ on the way.
Obviously objective.
Obviously our defense is better,
Pass yds/game rank:
Lions: 5th
Bears: 26th
Rush yds/game rank:
Lions: 29th
Bears: 11th
obviously our offense is betterPass yds/game rank:
Lions: 10th
Bears: 19th
Rush yds/game rank:
Lions: 27th
Bears: 11th
Statistics don't always tell the story....
by NewSchoolLionFan on Nov 11, 2011 12:40 PM EST up reply actions
Of course they don't.
But pointing out things that are supposedly obvious when the stats don’t jive are completely subjective.
Thanks for your input
there are plenty of obvious factors in this game.
Forte is better than any of our backs.
Johnson is better than any of your receivers.
Hester is a huge threat in the return game.
Suh is a huge threat to the health of pretty much anyone on the Bears offense.
Chicago linebackers are better.
Detroits Dline and sencondary are better.
O-lines are both inconsistent.
Kickers are pretty much a wash.
So with things evening each other out…. Detroit poses a much bigger threat deep and chicago stands to beat us up in the ground game and short slats or screens.
the game will be interesting to say the least but I being a Detroit fan say Detroit is a notch better than Chicago and the score will reflect that.
GO LIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
forgot to mention QB's
QB play will decide the game and Chicago’s O-line was ripped apart the last time these two teams faced off. I think Stafford will have a bigger game and put those questions to rest of who’s better between Detroit and Chicago
GO LIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nope Bears have the Best kicker in the NFL
Bears kickers are better.
Bears have the advantage in Oline, QBs, RB, LB, ST
oh and the home field advantage. Don’t forget your
“better receiver” is going to have to play on the crappy Soldier Field.
"I'm too drunk to taste this chicken" - Colonel Sanders
It's all about THE []_[] baby!!!
~"Smile when u being attacked,laugh when they talking boutcha,wave when they hating on u and Pray when they leave u alone Somethings wrong!"~ Deion Sanders
At least FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER before you judge me fool
Even Urlacher hates the Soldier Field turf.
No slogans. Just win!!!
LOL
Bears have the advantage in Oline
I know, right? I wish our O-Line was good enough to get nine false starts in a game. That shit is pure skill.
It had nothing to do with skill...
It had to do with not being able to hear. The Lions fans brought their A game in the dome a few weeks back.
When Mike Ditka calculates pi it's decimal representation ends.
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Nov 11, 2011 2:44 PM EST up reply actions
Look at the stats SINCE that game.
Bears didn’t allow the #1 pass rushing Dline in the league any sacks. (Philly)
"I'm too drunk to taste this chicken" - Colonel Sanders
It's all about THE []_[] baby!!!
~"Smile when u being attacked,laugh when they talking boutcha,wave when they hating on u and Pray when they leave u alone Somethings wrong!"~ Deion Sanders
At least FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER before you judge me fool
Lol mmmmkkkk
all i’m saying is give Jay Cutler Megatron and Pettigrew
"I'm too drunk to taste this chicken" - Colonel Sanders
It's all about THE []_[] baby!!!
~"Smile when u being attacked,laugh when they talking boutcha,wave when they hating on u and Pray when they leave u alone Somethings wrong!"~ Deion Sanders
At least FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER before you judge me fool
You're seriously grasping at straws here.
Us Lions fans could just as easily say “If Stafford had Forte in the backfield, then blah blah blah”.
YES, Stafford is fortunate to have Megatron, but not any more fortunate then Cutler is to have Forte in the backfield, the guy who’s the main focus of every opposing team’s defensive gameplan.
I've watched some Lion games
and when Mega is shut down, so is the rest of the offense. Not having a running game to speak will allow the Bears D to pin back their ears and zone up seven in coverage (bracket on CJ of course).
"If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader" - John Quincy Adams
HA
Your QB is not better than ours, and our linebackers are playing at a very high level. Your offensive line got its ass kicked for 4 or 5 games, ours has been pretty consistent the entire season and they are playing very well right now. The Lions defense is on fire, do you even watch the games? They will dismantle your little offense just like they did Denver. Ass whoopin’ on the way. Oh, and Calvin prefers to play outside, he’s going to make your secondary look even more foolish this week. 38-17. UNDEFEATED ON THE ROAD.
by LionsD on Nov 11, 2011 3:02 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I guess consistently bad counts as consistent too huh
ours has been pretty consistent the entire season and they are playing very well right now
"I'm too drunk to taste this chicken" - Colonel Sanders
It's all about THE []_[] baby!!!
~"Smile when u being attacked,laugh when they talking boutcha,wave when they hating on u and Pray when they leave u alone Somethings wrong!"~ Deion Sanders
At least FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER before you judge me fool
oh and
Are you really comparing the Bears to the Broncos? LMFAO
"I'm too drunk to taste this chicken" - Colonel Sanders
It's all about THE []_[] baby!!!
~"Smile when u being attacked,laugh when they talking boutcha,wave when they hating on u and Pray when they leave u alone Somethings wrong!"~ Deion Sanders
At least FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER before you judge me fool
...
“Undefeated on the Road” has as much meaning as “The Bears were 2-0 in their last two games against Detroit prior to Week 5.”
Weekend contributor and official editorial lackey/waitstaff at Windy City Gridiron
If a people-avoiding gaming hermit is on Twitter, I should be too. Follow me!
by Steven Schweickert on Nov 11, 2011 3:53 PM EST up reply actions
no, it really has a lot more meaning.
We beat TB in TB, we beat MIN in MIN (where we hadn’t won in forever), we beat DAL in DAL, we beat DEN in DEN.
TB was insanely hot and humid. MIN was a huge hurdle for this team. DAL is a crazy environment but probably the smallest advantage out of our road wins. DEN has the change in altitude which affects breathing and the way the ball carries.
We also won road games to close out last year and in the preseason. On November 14th of last year, the Lions hadn’t won on the road since Oct. 28, 2007.
OVER THREE YEARS of road losses. Now we’re stacking up road wins against a couple decent teams in in really difficult environments.
Saying the bears beat us twice last year means a hell of a lot less concerning the growth of a young team like ours and a culture of losing like ours had been.
Point.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Your head.
Weekend contributor and official editorial lackey/waitstaff at Windy City Gridiron
If a people-avoiding gaming hermit is on Twitter, I should be too. Follow me!
by Steven Schweickert on Nov 11, 2011 10:14 PM EST up reply actions
That past trends are not necessarily indicative of future performance.
Example. The Packers are undefeated. The Lions are undefeated on the road. What happens when the Lions play at Lambeau?
Weekend contributor and official editorial lackey/waitstaff at Windy City Gridiron
If a people-avoiding gaming hermit is on Twitter, I should be too. Follow me!
by Steven Schweickert on Nov 12, 2011 9:17 AM EST up reply actions
i agree with that statement.
however, in the specific instance, CURRENT trends (i.e. winning on the road regularly) is indicative of something other than future performance. It’s indicative of a team that is much more confident in their ability to win on the road.
When you lose every road game for three years, you go into road games with a feeling that you’re likely to lose again. When you’ve won a pretty big string of road games, you get to Soldier field with a little more confidence and you play with a little more pride.
IMHO.
Bears have the QB advantage????
Bwa-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!!
Hilarious.
Cutler:
TD 11
INTs 6
Yards 1910
Rating 85.6
Stafford:
TD 19 – BETTER
INTs 4 – BETTER
Yards 2179 – BETTER
Rating 99.1 – BETTER
Your point was what?
by DrewsLions on Nov 12, 2011 6:58 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs
Hanson is as good as anyone
maybe not in the long run but in the short sprint, HELL YEAH.
I think oline evens each other out
Same with QB play.
You have the superior RB
We have better linebackers for sure. Sure you have Urlacher but i havent noticed briggs or ur other guy do anything
and ill give you ST.
And we will have the best receiver on the feild sunday. I dont care about the bad turf. ill take him over all your receivers combined
R.I.P Al Davis
Thank you Kris Draper and Chris Osgood for all the memories.
Millen shall be Mi**en on Pride of Detriot. New, official, unwritten law
"We gonna bust our ass, from sideline to sideline,
goalpost to goalpost, for 4 *beep**beep* quarters"
-Nate Buleson leading the pregame chant
by Bballkid-22 on Nov 13, 2011 10:08 AM EST up reply actions
Honestly, this one goes either way.
The odds were massively stacked against the Bears in the Monday night meeting. Ford Field was thunderous, probably more so than it had ever been before. The Bears couldn’t do a single thing to drown out the noise, and they committed penalty after penalty on offense.
That same O line worked like a sieve, allowing considerable pressure due to constant penetration. However, it’s pretty much established that Cutler himself had a good game. The Bears defense sucked it up in the secondary and that led to two easy Lions TDs.
Right now the Bears aren’t allowing the same level of pressure. The run game is on fire, and the porous defense his tightened up. This is not the same team you played on Monday night.
The Lions will come to Soldier Field, with its terrible turf, known for reducing the effectiveness of deep pass receivers. The run game and the screen game will be huge for both teams. Whichever team is better at stopping the run will probably win. Honestly, I’m concerned that the Bears will focus on the air game, with Best out, and you’ll have a chance to improve those ground numbers you’ve been seeing. You won’t have an overwhelming advantage in crowd noise, and the Bears line has settled down considerably.
The Bears are playing hot right now, but the Lions are coming off a bye. I think that cancels out the advantage of a streaking team by facing a well-rested team.
I still call this one for the Bears, as I’m a meatball, but it’s closer than any Bears fan wants to see. This game is huge for the wildcard, so I expect rough play on both sides.
Best of luck to the Lions. Hope you lose, but I know you’re all hoping we lose, too. :)
Well said
I agree with a lot of that. I expect a REALLY close and hard fought game. My fingers are crossed that the weather does not play a big factor, as I think that really helps the Bears and hurts the Lions.
As usual, the two biggest matchups in my eyes are:
Bears Oline vs. Lions Dline
Lions Oline vs. Bears Dline/LBs
If either team wins both of those battles, I expect a pretty easy victory. If they split, I expect a dog fight.
sports media objectivity in Chicago
I really do think the Bears are still a notch above the Lions. And I am saying that with as much objectivity as possible.
I’ve lived in Chicago for more than 15 years and learned that “objectivity” in this town means you only give the Bears a 50/50 chance to win the Superbowl every season.
Interesting.
With only a couple exceptions, most of the beat guys from various outlets (Sun-Times, Tribune, Daily Herald, CSN Chicago, etc) are not Bears fans. And that is true across the board in every sport… Most beat guys are objective, because they are not fans of the teams they are covering.
And if you live in Chicago, you should know that, considering how the fan base is always criticizing the local media for being so ‘pessimistic’ by not constantly endorsing the Bears.
As for my role: I’m a blogger in a network that is known to have complete and utter bias. But that doesn’t mean that it is difficult to look at things objectively. And to point out the key part of my phrase up above: “but if the product that the Bears put on the field Monday in Philly is any indication of what they are capable of doing”
That is me being objective. Just because I’m making the statement that the Bears are still a notch above the Lions doesn’t make me a homer.
…the fan base is always criticizing the local media for being so ‘pessimistic’ by not constantly endorsing the Bears.
So it sounds like you agree with what I said…? Can’t tell if serious….
And your point of view should be biased. But don’t frame your opinion as “objective”, because A) it’s not, and B) no one’s looking for your objective opinion. Notice most of the comments are a response to that statement. It’s simply because you threw the word “objectivity” in there. That’s all.
by steelymax on Nov 11, 2011 2:39 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
It sounded like to me you were saying that the local media were not objective.
And yes, I am equally as capable of having an objective opinion of the Bears as I am of having a biased opinion.
It’s probably an expected response: “You like the Bears better, so you are not being objective.” But that’s not at all the case. The Packers are better than the Bears, and I would guess that, unless they have an off-game, they will beat the Bears every time they play this season. And I say that objectively.
Opinion is inherently subjective. So again, don’t classify your opinion as objective. This edit is all I’m suggesting:
Just from my perspective, if the Bears and Lions both show up with their A-game, I really do think the Bears are still a notch above the Lions.And I am saying that with as much objectivity as possible.
Then you don’t have as many people jumping down your throat, especially if you back it up with specifics.
So... since he believes the Bears at their best are better than the Lions at their best
it makes him a homer and it makes his statement non-objective… But since you state the Lions are better than the Bears…You’re objective right?
"I'm too drunk to taste this chicken" - Colonel Sanders
It's all about THE []_[] baby!!!
~"Smile when u being attacked,laugh when they talking boutcha,wave when they hating on u and Pray when they leave u alone Somethings wrong!"~ Deion Sanders
At least FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER before you judge me fool
straw man
since you state the Lions are better than the Bears…
I suggest you read this before you ever post anything again:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Straw_man
SMD's a passionate one.
He’s one of the few that I would want to slap in the back of the head, then go have some beers with afterwards.
If your buying
feel free to slap me in the back of the head
"I like to win all the time, so all the time I play with myself."
Hey I'm just trying to make sense of what dude is sayin
"I'm too drunk to taste this chicken" - Colonel Sanders
It's all about THE []_[] baby!!!
~"Smile when u being attacked,laugh when they talking boutcha,wave when they hating on u and Pray when they leave u alone Somethings wrong!"~ Deion Sanders
At least FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER before you judge me fool
I'm not trying to be objective... I'm just calling it how I see it and it may be biased.
My “opinion” is based on what I’ve seen and I’ve seen every Lions game this season. I can seriously tell you that they haven’t played their best game yet and when they do they are going to be hard to stop, even for the mighty Packers. I haven’t watched too many Bears games so I can’t judge completely how good they are but from what I’ve seen, I am seriously impressed with Forte and even Cutler. But “suckmyditka” is in lala land to say that the Bears have the best kicker in the league and that the Qb’s and O-line is better. From what I’ve seen of the Bears they may very well be a ?better? run blocking team than detroit which is debatable because Forte has picked each and everyone on that O-Line and put them on his back, but pass blocking is horrible. And Cutler, although impressive with such bad blocking, is so hit and miss that saying he is better than Stafford is like saying the Bears deserved to be in the playoffs last year.
GO LIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
...?
And Cutler, although impressive with such bad blocking, is so hit and miss that saying he is better than Stafford is like saying the Bears deserved to be in the playoffs last year.
What part are you referring to, the “never threw more INTs than TDs in his career” part, the part where he has 11 TDs to 6 INTs this year and 23-16 last year? If it’s just completion percentage, yeah, he’s a couple percent short of his norms this year, but there’s been quite a few drops that have really killed some drives this year. Consider his receivers are generally the NFL equivalent of you, me and a couple drunk guys I can drag out of a bar in town.
Now this, my friend, is up and down.
And I have no idea where to begin with… What are you trying to say, the Bears didn’t belong in the playoffs?
As far as the “best kicker in the league” bit… career field goal percentage leaders, 5/8 from 50+ in his career and 5/6 over the last two years, 43/59 from 40-49 and 8/12 in the last two, currently sitting at 94.4% on this year, and second in Bears history in points scored all-time behind only Butthead. Robbie’s also only dipped below 83% once, in his UDFA year off the street. You’ll bring up Nate Kaeding, who’s injured this year and coming off an 82.1% season in 2010, 23/28. Kaeding might be the best comparable with a crapton more opportunities.
Weekend contributor and official editorial lackey/waitstaff at Windy City Gridiron
If a people-avoiding gaming hermit is on Twitter, I should be too. Follow me!
by Steven Schweickert on Nov 11, 2011 7:34 PM EST up reply actions
since you threw out cutler's TD-INT comparison
what’s better? 11 TDs – 6 INTs or 19 TDs – 4 INTs?
Matt’s rookie year he played 10 games and threw 13 TDs to his 20 INTs.
Last year in his three games, he put up 6 TDs and 1 INT.
This year, in 5 less games than the previous two years, he has the same number of TDs.
This year, granted in five less games, he has 17 less INTs.
You mentioned “never threw more INTs than TDs in his career,” which is an accurate statement. But it’s misleading. If you go one year further than you did (2009), he was 27 – 26.
Not once has he had a 2:1 ratio or better. Not. One. Single. Year.
Brady’s on year 7 of 2:1 or better.
Brees has had 4 years, teetering on a 5th this year.
Flacco’s done it once.
Feeman did it last year.
Byron freaking Leftwich did it.
Eli’s got one 2:1 year
Payton’s got 8.
Rodgers has 4, in 4 years starting.
Freaking Ben Roethlisbergher – who throw’s lots of bad INTS – has 3 years and flirting with 4.
My point being, Cutler’s not smart with the ball. He is inconsistent in that he makes lots of bad decisions with the ball every year. People thought Stafford was gunna be a gunslinger, brett favre type who threw a lot of pics but “made up for it” at other times. That’s what they said about Cutler when he came into the league too.
It was true for Cutler.
Year one, when Stafford was 20 and the Lions had little talent on the team, it looked like that prediction was gunna be right. But our QB kid is proving to be a gunslinger that’s actually pretty freaking smart with the football.
Our QB>Your QB.
Yeah, I threw it out for these reasons:
First off, you can’t support a claim of magnitude with relativistic evidence. Just because other people are better at something doesn’t mean he’s not good.
Second, yes, Cutler throws interceptions. He throws the ball a lot and into a lot of tight windows. Yes in 2008 and 2009 he had 18 and 26 interceptions, respectively. He also threw 616 and 555 times those years, respectively. Quarterbacks that throw the ball a lot get picked a lot. Even Manning, even Brees. I should also point out that 27 TDs is a career high.
The more important part here is his four straight years of 20+ TDs, and he’s on pace for a fifth. And he’s doing it with a lot less at receiver than Stafford – I’d love to have a Calvin Johnson receiver on this team.
Here’s some other numbers to consider beyond his overrated INT totals, since you insisted (and I didn’t want to do the comparison) – Career quarterback rating of 84.5 (Stafford 79.5), average yards per attempt of 7.2 (Stafford 6.5), yards per completion of 11.8 (Stafford 11.3), sacks taken of 159 (Stafford 44), and net yards per pass attempt of 6.4 (Stafford 5.7). I’ll admit Stafford’s numbers definitely have a lot of room to improve as he gets some more time under his belt, so I expect this to get a lot closer.
You threw out Staff’s 19-6 TD/INT. 11 of those are to Johnson – actually, 18 of Stafford’s 38 TDs are to Johnson. If that’s not exhibit A in “Making a Quarterback Better” then I don’t know what is. Jay hasn’t had anything close to that kind of receiver since he left Denver – maybe Olsen, but Cutler also had Scheffler in Denver who caught 12 of his TDs, whereas Olsen had 13.
Jay is a quarterback that wants to shoulder the offense and make the long play. He makes bad decisions sometimes – as do all quarterbacks – and he may make a bigger share, but he will make up for them. And yes, his receivers, especially in 2009, tipped balls for picks, rounded off routes and let balls get picked off… Not making excuses, but that’s what it was. Jay was at fault for a lot of those, but some interceptions a quarterback just can’t do anything about.
I wasn’t even intending to make the Cutler/Stafford comparison – I try to stay away from that, especially as abbreviated as Stafford’s career has been to this point, so don’t take this as Cutler > Stafford or anything like that, that part of it just got caught in the blockquote – but really, a Johnson at receiver makes such a huge difference for a quarterback. I’d really like to see what Cutler could do on a consistent basis with a receiver like that. And that’s not knocking Stafford at all, I think the kid has some ability. But I’d like to see a little more from him before I really go into the whole “Cutler vs Stafford” thing.
Weekend contributor and official editorial lackey/waitstaff at Windy City Gridiron
If a people-avoiding gaming hermit is on Twitter, I should be too. Follow me!
by Steven Schweickert on Nov 11, 2011 10:04 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
for sure.
excellent response, I can work with that.
I concede that Johnson is a fantastic weapon for a young quarterback to have. there’s still a point to make about how much we have to believe in with stafford and unfortunately I need to use Cutler’s numbers to compare because I have them here on the page (lazy, sorry…did the leg work earlier).
Stafford is 23. Prior to this year, he played a total of 13 games. He’s incredibly green. Having Johnson makes life better for him, no doubt.
That said, he has 8 touchdowns he’s thrown to people other than CJ. 3 less than Cutler’s thrown to anyone. And he has 4 INTs, not 6. None in the last 3 games. Stafford throws the ball just as much, if not more, than Cutler.
I like Cutler. I do. I think he’s good and I think it’s rough that he’s caught a lot of the blame for some coming up short by the team. But we’ve got a young, smart QB who plays with a lot of leadership, swagger, and appears to be genuinely likeable (both for fans and teammates).
As a result, we’re pretty stoked and pretty defensive when people (not you, other WCG posters in the thread) say your QB is better than our QB. Going forward, we feel pretty awesome about Matt running the show for the next 10-12 years.
As well you should.
Going forward, we feel pretty awesome about Matt running the show for the next 10-12 years.
Weekend contributor and official editorial lackey/waitstaff at Windy City Gridiron
If a people-avoiding gaming hermit is on Twitter, I should be too. Follow me!
by Steven Schweickert on Nov 12, 2011 9:16 AM EST up reply actions
BUT what about Earl Bennett?
And Matt Forte outta the backfield and as a receiver? Or even the two mammoth tight ends you guys got? Or Hester on deep patterns?
Don’t give me that, I’ve discredited this receiving corps all year, but in the last few games, the passing game looks better with a balanced attack. Forte makes that offense go, whether its running or receiving.
Don’t try to fool me, I’m aware of what you got over there. Its only been the last few games or so, but if it persists all season the passing game with Forte could be downright explosive. I’m sure the Lions coaches made the most out of the preperation for this game, we are gonna need it.
From 0-16 to the Superbowl baby!
by DLions4Eva on Nov 12, 2011 12:49 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Forte's not a wide receiver.
His impact in the passing game is immense, for a running back. Wide receivers impact the passing game far more than a running back. Example, Forte has 41 catches this year. Yet he has only 116 more receiving yards than Devin Hester, who has 19 less catches, and only 74 more yards than Johnny Knox, who has 21 less catches.
Earl’s a nice possession receiver with a little speed when he’s on the field. Those “two massive tight ends” have nine and five catches on the season (Davis and Spaeth). Comparison, Pettigrew has 41 as the second leading receptions guy on your team and Scheffler has 9, with 5 TDs combined to our four.
I’m not trying to fool anything, DL4E, and you know that as well as I do from your time on WCG. Protection’s looked better from holding more guys in and some addition by subtraction (Gate 68 on the bench!), but balls are still being dropped, Roy Williams is generally Roy Williams, and we need a larger sample size before we can say that this is a receiving corps we’re comfortable with going forward.
Weekend contributor and official editorial lackey/waitstaff at Windy City Gridiron
If a people-avoiding gaming hermit is on Twitter, I should be too. Follow me!
by Steven Schweickert on Nov 12, 2011 9:33 AM EST up reply actions
Well you guys gave Scam Greg olson
And replaced him with,,, Roy Williams? I would rather have Greg line up at wide out than Roy
R.I.P Al Davis
Thank you Kris Draper and Chris Osgood for all the memories.
Millen shall be Mi**en on Pride of Detriot. New, official, unwritten law
"We gonna bust our ass, from sideline to sideline,
goalpost to goalpost, for 4 *beep**beep* quarters"
-Nate Buleson leading the pregame chant
by Bballkid-22 on Nov 13, 2011 10:15 AM EST up reply actions
Calvin didnt make Orlovsky any better
I dont think he would have as many TD’s if Matt wasnt throwing him the ball
R.I.P Al Davis
Thank you Kris Draper and Chris Osgood for all the memories.
Millen shall be Mi**en on Pride of Detriot. New, official, unwritten law
"We gonna bust our ass, from sideline to sideline,
goalpost to goalpost, for 4 *beep**beep* quarters"
-Nate Buleson leading the pregame chant
by Bballkid-22 on Nov 13, 2011 10:13 AM EST up reply actions
I'm saying the bears didn't deserve to be in the playoffs last year
if it weren’t for the Calvin Johnson call last year, the Bears would have had one more loss and one less win and GB would have won the division and the Giants would have beat the Bears out for the Wild card spot
GO LIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You forgot half that statement.
50/50 in Chicago means a 50% chance of winning the Super Bowl and a 50% chance of the first overall pick and firing everybody.
Weekend contributor and official editorial lackey/waitstaff at Windy City Gridiron
If a people-avoiding gaming hermit is on Twitter, I should be too. Follow me!
by Steven Schweickert on Nov 11, 2011 3:43 PM EST up reply actions
LOL
"I like to win all the time, so all the time I play with myself."
Fun with numbers
Stats are useless unless you play fantasy ( pantyless) football
Lets look at rba and rbz
RBA – 14 touches 12 ypc 0 tds
+25 +17 +10 -3 +12 +8 -2 +6 +4 -2 +5 +27 -2 +15
pretty solid game
RBZ
+1 td +2 ( on 3rd and 1 ) +2 td +1 td +4 ( on 3rd and 3 )
you can make numbers say anything
Just ask ENRON
"I like to win all the time, so all the time I play with myself."
Am I missing something
but who has Chicago played on this win streak. A junk as TB team in London without their starting RB. A garbage ass Carolina team that we will destroy next week. A garbage ass overrated Philly team that even the Lions could run against.
Contain Forte and this game is over. Cutler may have liked last week not getting touched, but this is a whole new week.
And Det has the best DL in the league!
That "garbage ass overrated Philly team" 's defensive line,
while I don’t disagree, has only two sacks less than the Lions, with one of the top DEs in the league in Cole and another in Babin playing out of his mind (9 sacks).
And Carolina was Week 4. The first game in the win streak was Minnesota – a Vikings team who, like Detroit, has 24 sacks, including Jared Allen’s 12.5. And the win streak included three teams (including Tampa Bay) that happen to be better at stopping the run than Detroit has been so far this season (16th in attempts faced, 29th in rushing yards allowed, 31st in yards per attempt allowed).
Not sayin’ (because I hate making predictions myself, and past trends are not necessarily indicative of future performance). Just sayin’.
Weekend contributor and official editorial lackey/waitstaff at Windy City Gridiron
If a people-avoiding gaming hermit is on Twitter, I should be too. Follow me!
by Steven Schweickert on Nov 11, 2011 7:09 PM EST up reply actions
one pass rusher does not a DLine make.
Just because Jared Allen is playing out of his freaking head doesn’t mean that the Vikes’ D is worth a damn. Same with Babin having 9 sacks.
Our line gets consistent pressure all-game, every-game. We also add an impressive offense to our stout defense. It’s not one side of the ball that wins games for the Lions. If one side or the other plays fantastic, we’re likely to get a win. If both sides play well, I’ll guarantee a win against any team in the NFL except the pack.
Trent Cole had four sacks in now six games (from injury). Cullen Jenkins has 5 sacks.
Brian Robison has 4.5 sacks. Everson Griffen has 3.
So yes, those units have standouts, but others get theirs. Yet their production is written off as “one pass rusher does not a D-Line make”? Jenkins has more sacks than Suh.
Weekend contributor and official editorial lackey/waitstaff at Windy City Gridiron
If a people-avoiding gaming hermit is on Twitter, I should be too. Follow me!
by Steven Schweickert on Nov 11, 2011 10:12 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
A Vikings team that had Detroit beat
But choked it away..
Hoping that Peppers does the belt dance over Rodgers crumpled on the turf
Who won that game
Is that all Chicago fans have, that Dallas and Minnesota almost beat Detroit? Here’s one for you, DETROIT BEAT CHICAGO.
Yes, I really am that great.
by atvman on Nov 12, 2011 9:00 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Of course you couldn't contain forte the last time
And now the offensive line has come tether so good luck with that.
Hoping that Peppers does the belt dance over Rodgers crumpled on the turf
Careful there
I dont think Philly is the “Dream Team” but i wouldnt say there garbage ass
R.I.P Al Davis
Thank you Kris Draper and Chris Osgood for all the memories.
Millen shall be Mi**en on Pride of Detriot. New, official, unwritten law
"We gonna bust our ass, from sideline to sideline,
goalpost to goalpost, for 4 *beep**beep* quarters"
-Nate Buleson leading the pregame chant
by Bballkid-22 on Nov 13, 2011 10:17 AM EST up reply actions
Good measuring stick!
I think this should be a good, tough game. The Lions have improved dramatically this season, while the Bears have had some consistently good years. They’re hot right now, and it’s in ‘their house’, so our Lions have to go in there and smash da bears. It’s gonna be tough—our running game is suspect, at best, and passing—outdoors, on the funky Soldier field turf will be difficult, BUT they can do it! If the get an early lead and rattle Cutler’s cage a bit, it’ll work.
The truth is that the Lions have earned SOME measure of respect, but they’ve got to earn it consistently—and that is done on the field! It’s not surprising to me that they’re not favored. They have to use that as additional motivation, and let it drive them to excellence! Win this game, and they should win next week and be ready for Green Bay…THEN comes the ‘props’ they deserve!
Go Lions!
Last time the Bears played-Monday night
The Lions-two weeks ago. And that was a blowout. I like the team that is rested and healthy over the team with a short week every time, all things being equal.
I still want a real explanation on why the Bears are a notch above the Lions
The Lions have a better record against essentially the same strength of schedule, plus a head-to head victory over Chicago. I don’t want any fanboyism or excuses, I want a real answer. Looking at this season, not history, it’s completely unreasonable to say the Bears are the team which is a notch above the other.
Considering the recent poll on the Windy City page and the quick-to-ban mentality over there, it’s blatantly obvious that this site is far and away the more objective of the two.
Yes, I really am that great.
Just checked the numbers
Chicago’s strength of schedule is .579 and Detroit’s is .571. The difference? Detroit has 5-3 Chicago on their record and Chicago has 6-2 Detroit on their schedule. Take that game out, and they have the same strength of schedule against the same 5-2 record. Detroit’s head to head victory over Chicago is the only difference in which team is better than the other. Therefore, Detroit is a notch above Chicago.
Yes, I really am that great.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Pride Of Detroit
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Shutdown Corner - NFL - Yahoo! Sports
- BREAKING: Tim Tebow did not become a great quarterback today
- Jerry Jones says Cowboys championship window is closing; Tony Romo disagrees
- Lawrence Taylor was told his Super Bowl ring was bought by Charlie Sheen
- Chad Ochocinco gets robbed, mourns loss of Starbucks gold card
- Robert Griffin III will be first NFL player with Roman numerals on his jersey
