NFL 2011

[tacimala]

It pains me to say it, but I do agree with Doug on Roethlisberger being able to grind it out better than Cutler. He's been sacked more than any other QB in their first 7 seasons and he's missed many games and season 7 isn't even over yet. Also Cutler cried last week, and like the Miller Lite commercials says, that's just not manly.

So back on Steelers hating though, great win last night against the Chiefs, I bet they could have really opened it up and scored two whole touchdowns had they given up a 5th turnover.

Insert Doug response: Hey, a win is a win.

Insert everyone else response: Yes, Doug, we know.

[tacimala]

Yea that game was brutal last night. Ideally Pittsburgh and Indy both get removed from prime time slots for the rest of the season.

This still holds true.

[pdga#7648]

you still get to see them on a Thursday against the Browns, and a Monday night aginst the 49ers! 

[pdga#7648]

It pains me to say it, but I do agree with Doug on Roethlisberger being able to grind it out better than Cutler. He's been sacked more than any other QB in their first 7 seasons and he's missed many games and season 7 isn't even over yet. Also Cutler cried last week, and like the Miller Lite commercials says, that's just not manly.

So back on Steelers hating though, great win last night against the Chiefs, I bet they could have really opened it up and scored two whole touchdowns had they given up a 5th turnover.

Insert Doug response: Hey, a win is a win.

Insert everyone else response: Yes, Doug, we know.

as long as you know it!

8-3, best record in the AFC!

[stpitner]

I can't believe that Suh originally said that he lost his balance and that was why Dietrich-Smith was kicked during the Packers game Thursday.  What a terrible player.  I heard that the suspension might only be 2 games.  He should be done for the season based on all of the infractions incurred this season.  If the league doesn't do it, Detroit should do an in-house suspension.  What a joke.

[Jon Brakel]

The Hanie experiment...this week will be the first time that Hanie will sit down after a start and look at film with his coaches and discuss what he did wrong. I guess the next game is when we see if he's made improvements and learned from his mistakes or not. I think this next game is more important for Hanie than his first start. Now we find out if he has potential to grow or if what we saw is all he can deliver. I'm not saying that her has to win or that he has to be great; he just has to improve.

[stpitner]

wow, just heard this stat: the Packers have not been behind in the 4th quarter for 17 straight games.  That is a holy cow statistic.  Let's just hope it doesn't end this weekend or any of the following weekends for quite some time!

[Dan Michler]

Agreed Jon, if you're the Bears staff you have to at least give Hanie this start at KC and see how he does before making any changes.  The bottom line, there isn't any good options available at QB.  @OAK was a tough matchup.  At home vs KC had better look a lot better or its time to ditch Hanie in favor of anybody else with a pulse.

[pdga#7648]

Vikings released McNabb. he is a Chicago boy. Go sign him. he's better than anyone on their bench.

[Dan Michler]

Vikings released McNabb. he is a Chicago boy. Go sign him. he's better than anyone on their bench.

If they put in a claim on Orton, then this one seems like a no-brainer.  He's certainly better than Hainie and he's got loads of experience.  The Bears should be ahead of Houston in the waiver order this time around, so I like our chances.

[stpitner]

I wouldn't be surprised if the Cowboys pick him up since they also went after Orton.  Based on what it says on nfl.com, Cowboys still have a higher waiver spot than the Bears.  It's a definite blocker move, but you do whatever you can to secure a spot in the playoffs, do you not?

[pdga#7648]

I think the Bears will land him. Why the Cowboys put the waiver in on Orton suprised me, just like I will be suprised if the Cowboys claim McNabb! 

[CEValkyrie]

The Bears season is officially over.

[tacimala]

Now now Brett, I know the Bears bandwagon is easy to jump up and down on, but everyone said the same thing after the loss to Detroit earlier in the season and then everyone hopped back on a few weeks later.

Get ready for McNabb though.

[CEValkyrie]

Now now Brett, I know the Bears bandwagon is easy to jump up and down on, but everyone said the same thing after the loss to Detroit earlier in the season and then everyone hopped back on a few weeks later.

Get ready for McNabb though.

Forte/Cutler out. 90% of the offense gone. Season over!

[Dan Michler]

Hanie is terrible, that is for sure.  Can't quite call the season done yet.  Thats because out of this selection of teams, 3 must make the playoffs:

Dallas 7-5  They look terrible.
Chicago 7-5   Terrible
Atlanta 7-5  They look terrible and the Bears hold the tiebreak over them.
Detroit 7-5  Sinking fast.
Giants 6-6  Lost 5 in a row?
Seattle 5-7  Both Seattle and AZ just about need to win out.
Arizona 5-7

All these teams have major issues.  The Bears are terrible, but its not inconceivable for them to get 2 more wins and finish 9-7.  9-7 probably has a better than 50% chance at the playoffs for the Bears.  I've got the Bears pegged for 8-8 and missing the playoffs.

[pdga#7648]

must be nice to play in the conference where 9-7 gets into the playoffs!!  Weak!

[stpitner]

oh don't worry, the last seed in your conference too could very well be a 9-7 team.  The AFC could have 2 seeds that are 9-7 (4 and 6) and NFC could have 3, big whoop.  The team that matters right now is 12-0, that's all I care about.

[pdga#7648]

maybe the winner of the AFC West will have 7 losses, but that's it.


I think the only team left able to beat the Pack is the Saints. they have the offense just like the Packers. That would be a great NFC Championship game.

Rodgers only needed 58 seconds to get yesterdays game!  WOW

[Dan Michler]

Doug, what are you talking about?  The last wildcard spot in the AFC is 7-5, just like in the NFC.  9-7 has a chance in both conferences.  I can't believe we're discussing which conference is better overall.  Who cares?  There is no big advantage either way.  The AFC leads head to head 24-22 so far.  There is 1 thing for sure, the Packers are way ahead of everybody.

I think the Saints would have a decent chance to beat the Packers in New Orleans.  But the Packers will earn the right to have that matchup played in Lambeau, where it'll be quite a bit tougher to pull off the upset.

I'm stil not sure what to think of the 49ers.  Their defense has put up some impressive performances, but their schedule has been easy and Alex Smith is their QB.  Good chance the Saints will have to travel to San Fran in the playoffs.  That could be an interesting matchup.

Nobody has established themselves as elite in the AFC.  That conference is wide open.   Whoever gets hot in the playoffs.

I love how Lovie is standing by Hanie as his QB.  Sweet!  Yesterday's game rated very highly on the unintentional comedy scale.  Hester can't field a punt.  Hanie can't hit Bennett when there is nobody within 10 yds of him.  Roy Williams was Roy Williams.  Barber can't line up correctly.  Gould is missing FG's now.  Hanie doesn't understand the concept of throwing the ball away to avoid a sack.  Plus the Hail Mary pass?  Priceless.

I can't believe we got topped by Dallas though, who iced their own kicker!  Not even Lovie has pulled that off!