A Hypothetical Playoff Fantasy and Other Bullets

Dec 16, 2013

I had my own recap up yesterday afternoon which covered a lot of my own thoughts on the crucial road win. The one thing I’ll tease you with as far as the Bears playoff hopes? By my admittedly amateurish calculations, if they beat Philadelphia next Sunday night, and then end up making the playoffs, they would be assured of the #3 seed in the NFC. They’d have the tiebreaker over both Philadelphia and Dallas, and as both teams lost yesterday (to the Vikings and Packers, respectively) neither team could finish ahead of Chicago at that point. To get way too far ahead of myself, I’ll note that the #3 seed likely means avoiding a trip to Seattle until at least the NFC Championship in this wonderful hypothetical fantasy land I’ve created for myself. It’s warm and cozy here. Feel free to join me.

Before the game started, reports from ESPN and FOX’s Jay Glazer (Glazer’s is video only, you can watch it here if you’d like) stated that some Bears players were not entirely on board with the decision to start the returning Jay Cutler. I don’t have a lot of patience for anonymous leaks, and I doubt the Bears coaching staff and management feel any differently. Furthermore, the idea that these defensive players have any room to criticize the performance of a teammate is the utmost in hypocrisy. Let’s remember when Jay Cutler is ripped for being a bad teammate that there were no offensive players talking to the press about how poorly the defense has played this season.

David Haugh of the Tribune checks in with a story on Cutler’s mental toughness in the face of both external and internal pressures. He also notes that after Cutler’s second interception, Jay finished the game 14/18 for 161 yards and 3 touchdowns. Impressive adjustment from the coaches and an impressive righting of the ship for Cutler. I’ve always liked Jay (if you want to know why, just check out the quarterback chart I posted yesterday) but early in his Chicago career it was fair to criticize his ability to overcome poor starts. Of course, when you consider what he had to work with (in the huddle and on the sideline) maybe that criticism really wasn’t so fair.

ESPN Chicago’s Jeff Dickerson brings us quotes from Brandon Marshall, who attributed Cutler’s early interceptions to rust. Which makes sense to me. He certainly seemed fine later in the game, and neither throw was a bad decision; the first was an attempt to throw it where only Marshall could get to it (unsuccessful) and the second was a throw that sailed over an open Marshall. Tough conditions, out for four weeks; I tend to give the guy a break on those. It’s the bad decisions that always bother me more. The last thing I worry about with Cutler is his ability to throw the ball.

With all the new offensive talent that Phil Emery has brought with him, it can be easy to lose sight of Earl Bennett. As Kevin Fishbain reminds us, that goes for opposing defenses as well. He caught 4 balls for 23 yards against Cleveland, including the go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter. I’ve always liked Earl; he has great hands, runs solid routes, and is another able blocker. It’s a luxury to have him as the Bears fifth option on offense, and it’s one I’m not sure they can afford to keep going forward, sadly. So let’s enjoy him while we can.

ESPN Chicago’s Michael C. Wright writes that the Bears defense finally bailed out the offense. They certainly did play better football, and it was very nice to see a defensive touchdown. We fans were so spoiled by their incredible run of touchdowns last year.

CBS Chicago’s Adam Hoge notes that Jeremiah Ratliff turned in a strong performance Sunday, recording a tackle for loss and three quarterback hurries. His presence has seemingly had a stabilizing effect; perhaps the potential return of Lance Briggs can help as well? Hoge also lets us know that the Bears once again avoided a major injury, which is refreshing. 2-INT man Zach Bowman left the game at one point in the second half, but he was able to return.

The Tribune’s Brad Biggs wrote a nice piece on Tim Jennings, and how he managed to keep Josh Gordon in check. The NFL’s leading receiver finished with just 3 catches for 67 yards, with most of those on a late touchdown courtesy of a poor play from Chris Conte. (So, just a normal play from Chris Conte then, I guess.) Jennings has been a great find for the Bears. Living in Indiana, I get a ton of Colts games on CBS, and when I watched him play in Indy I was never a big fan. When the Bears signed him I was a bit skeptical, but his development since the start of 2012 has been very impressive. With Tillman out, he’s been drawing #1 assignments, and with the Bears running more pressure schemes due to a lackluster defensive line, he’s played solid coverage without much help. (Just last week, Dez Bryant finished with just 2 catches for 12 yards.) Credit where it’s due: a great find by the previous regime.

Finally, Dan Durkin of CBS Chicago has a great breakdown of the Bears usage of the crack toss play. They’ve used it in previous games, but I think Sunday was the first time they’d sent Alshon Jeffery in motion pre-snap, threatening an #AlshonEndAround before running the toss to the opposite side. They ran it twice, including a big first down that set up the Michael Bush 40-yard touchdown late in the game. Durkin notes that Aaron Kromer brought that concept with him from New Orleans, and it really utilizes a lot of the Bears strengths; athletic tackles, tremendous blocking receivers, and a running back who can read and cut as well as anyone in the game. Jeffery himself had only one carry on an end-around, for a loss of three yards; defenses have obviously wised up to the fact that the Bears are going to run it. But by showing that commitment to the play, Trestman and Kromer are able to use it to catch defenses who are too eager to blow it up, leading to the effectiveness of the toss play. A great new wrinkle, and a perfect example of how this offensive coaching staff is able to creatively make adjustments to outsmart opponents. We have smart offensive coaches, everyone! I don’t know what to do with myself.

written by

Brett Taylor

Brett Taylor is the Lead Cubs Writer at Bleacher Nation, and you can find him on Twitter at @BleacherNation and on LinkedIn here. Brett is also the founder of Bleacher Nation, which opened up shop in 2008 as an independent blog about the Chicago Cubs. Later growing to incorporate coverage of other Chicago sports, Bleacher Nation is now one of the largest regional sports blogs on the web.

more bears news

Chicago Bears

Jared Goff Becomes the Highest-Paid Lion Ever!

The Detroit Lions have been busy in recent weeks securing their core after a run to the NFC title game last season. Jared Goff became the latest player to get a new deal in Detroit, and he became the highest-paid...

Patrick K. Flowers

May 13, 2024

Chicago Bears

Bears Rookie Minicamp Takeaways: Caleb Williams and the Best of the Rest

I've said it, and I'll continue to say it: this chapter of Chicago Bears football feels different. Perhaps it's because the last time we did this, we were in a pandemic, and when the Bears jumped up to No. 11...

Patrick K. Flowers

May 13, 2024

Chicago Bears

Antoine Winfield Jr Signs Record-Breaking Extension

The Buccaneers have made Antoine Winfield Jr the highest-paid defensive back in the history of the NFL. On Monday afternoon, Winfield Jr and Tampa Bay agreed to a four-year, $84.1 million deal. It also guarantees the Bucs' star $45 million....

Matt Rooney

May 13, 2024

Chicago Bears

Bears Sign 6 Players After Rookie Minicamp Weekend Tryouts

The Chicago Bears offseason roster churn continues. In addition to their five-player draft class headlined by Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze (plus nine more players who were signed as undrafted free agents), the Bears have signed six free agents who...

Luis C. Medina

May 13, 2024

Chicago Bears

They’re No. 1: Bears Wide Receivers Room Ranks as NFL’s Best

One of my biggest frustrations with the Ryan Pace regime was how the former Chicago Bears general manager didn't invest in wide receiver upgrades the way you'd expect a team building around a young quarterback should. Meanwhile, his replacement, Ryan...

Luis C. Medina

May 13, 2024

Chicago Bears

The Cost of Being a Football Fan (And Other Bears Bullets)

In yet another reminder that nothing in life is free, the folks at Awful Announcing put the total cost to access NFL games this season projects to be $855.86. With 272 games on the NFL schedule, that comes out to...

Luis C. Medina

May 13, 2024

Chicago Bears

Rome Odunze Missed Saturday’s Bears Rookie Minicamp Practice

I was rounding up this morning's set of Bears Bullets when I saw this note from the Chicago Tribune's Dan Wiederer on rookie wide receiver Rome Odunze sitting out Saturday's practice with hamstring tightness and I knew I had to...

Luis C. Medina

May 12, 2024

Chicago Bears

A New Tight End, Day 2 Camp Pics and Vids, Edge Market Developing, and Other Bears Bullets

It's Mother's Day today. And while my mother passed away in 2017, I try to use this day to remember and honor her memory. Do something nice for the moms in your life today. You only get one. Chicago Bears...

Luis C. Medina

May 12, 2024

Chicago Bears

Caleb to Rome, First Day Notes, Big LSU Bet Is Off, and Other Bears Bullets

I'm off to Springfield to play the role of Uncle Lu this weekend, so we'll have an abridged version of Bears Bullets today. Caleb Williams survived his first practice as Chicago Bears QB1. And all was right with the football...

Luis C. Medina

May 11, 2024

Chicago Bears

Tory Taylor is the First Bears Draft Pick to Sign Their Rookie Deal

There will be no punter hold out this summer. Tory Taylor is officially locked in: https://twitter.com/chicagobears/status/1789283410294321438?s=46&t=9_XcB6r0ywNyv4WuAOFkLA The Chicago Bears announced Tory Taylor’s signing on Saturday morning. And in doing so, made him the first of the team’s five 2024 NFL...

Luis C. Medina

May 11, 2024

Chicago Bears

Jared Goff Becomes the Highest-Paid Lion Ever!

Patrick K. Flowers

May 13, 2024

Chicago Cubs

MLB Has a New Streaming Home For Its ‘Sunday Leadoff’ Games

Fans can now watch MLB games via Roku. Do with that what you will. The "MLB Sunday Leadoff" games will begin this weekend. The first game, featuring the Boston Red Sox and St. Louis Cardinals, starts at 12:05 p.m. CT,...

Patrick K. Flowers

May 13, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Cubs Roster Move: Alzolay to the IL, Cuas Returns

It felt like this situation with Adbert Alzolay could not go on much longer, and it has now resolved itself with an Injured List move. Today, the Cubs placed Alzolay on the 15-day IL with a right forearm strain. Jose...

Brett Taylor

May 13, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Chicago Cubs Lineup: Ian Happ at DH Tonight

CUBS LINEUP — The Atlanta Braves are one of, if not the toughest opponent the Cubs will face this season. But Seiya Suzuki is back, Cody Bellinger is back, and Shota Imanaga is on the mound. This Cubs team is...

Michael Cerami

May 13, 2024

News

Where is the 2024 PGA Championship? Valhalla Golf Club Course Details

The PGA Championship, which is the second major of the 2024 calendar, will hold its 106th edition at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky, from May 16-19. The course was designed by the all-time major champion, Jack Nicklaus, and is ranked as the top course...

Ryan Noonan

May 13, 2024

MLB

How to Watch Marlins Games: Full 2024 Schedule, Live Stream and More

The South Florida sun is shining, and there’s plenty of baseball still to be played at loanDepot Park. Whether you're cheering the Marlins on from the stands or following the action remotely, they have a loaded remaining 2024 MLB schedule....

Brian Twining

May 13, 2024

News

All-Time PGA Championship Winners

The PGA Championship is one of four major championships on the men's professional golf calendar, alongside the Masters, U.S. Open, and Open Championship. Since its inception in 1916, the PGA Championship has been held every year, with the exception of...

Ryan Noonan

May 13, 2024

Chicago Bears

Antoine Winfield Jr Signs Record-Breaking Extension

Matt Rooney

May 13, 2024

Chicago Bears

Bears Rookie Minicamp Takeaways: Caleb Williams and the Best of the Rest

Patrick K. Flowers

May 13, 2024

MLB

How to Watch Mets Games: Full 2024 Schedule, Live Stream and More

Citi Field is electric, the energy is palpable, and the New York Mets are in the thick of the chase! Whether you're a die-hard Mets fan bleeding blue and orange or following the Amazin' Mets from afar, their remaining MLB...

Brian Twining

May 13, 2024

A Hypothetical Playoff Fantasy and Other Bullets

Read More

more bears news

Latest News

more bears news

Most Popular

Most Popular

Latest News

Most Popular

Most Popular