Win or lose, we're gonna be in first after this game. But we really need to win. Packers are playing the 49ers (easy win) and Vikes are playing the Cardinals (easy win). Detroit is on a bye, but then get these same Dolphins the following week. The Bears should win this game.... (famous last words) Things to watch: 1) Chicago Bears -vs- the Miami Curse - The SINGLE most important factor involved in this game comes down to this. (Not really, but...) The Chicago Bears have a long and storied history of getting beat whenever Miami is involved. I will just throw a few out there: Dec 2, 1985 - I refuse to discuss this.... Feb 4, 2007 - One of the worst days of my life. Yes, ther have been days where I have lost frineds and family members. This day is in that categroy. I drove back from the game to the hotel in west palm with my friend and we didn't say a fucking word the entire ride. Sep 23 1979 - We lose to the Dolphins in Miami, and that loss (among others) is key to us tying the Bucs for the division instead of winning. The Bucs win the tie-breaker. We get the Wild card. We lose. Nov 29, 1991 - The beginning of the end. The Bears are again cruising to a dominating season. Ditka has this team rocking. We're 10-2 and have just destroyed the Colts and Vikes... Miami comes in and squeeks out a win. Mike Ditka's record from that point on? 14-7. Ditka fired at the end of 1992. Nov 5, 2006 - Bears are 8-0. We are absolutely destroying every team we face: Shut out Packers 26-0, beat 49ers 41-10, Destroy Seahawks 37-6. Kill Bills 40-7... Miami, comes in with a 1-6 record. Their season is already over. We're favored by 17 points... 17!!!! This game was a gimme. Rex has his first "Bad Rex" game. Dolphins destroy us 31-13. Oct 19, 2014 - Coming off an 8-8 season and expecting big things, Bears were 3-3 and the season really felt like it could have gone either way. And really, we should have been 4-2. One loss was the Bills in week 1. We had that game. And then Conte got trucked.... So this was a pivotal game. I remember writing my things to watch... Like this week, I had us winning. We Lost.... Advantage: Miami Curse 2) Khalil Mack -vs- Ja'Waun James - I was thinking this may, finally be a tough match up for Mack. James has given up just 1 sack this season. And this is after coming back from IR last year. He has been nursing a Pectoral injury this year. When I went over to the Dolphins board, they were really shitting all over him. But from the All-22, he's really not playing bad. I still think Mack tallies a sack or 2, but this isn't going to be his easiest match up this season. Advantage: Mack 3) Vic Fangio v-s Adam Gase - Fangio knows all Gase's play calls. Gase knows all Fangios defensive sets. I want to say this is going to be a chess match. But really, we know Gase. We're going to see bubble screen after bubble screen. We know we're going to see bad clock management. We know we're going to see play-action after play-action. So, there really isn't a chess match. This should be a week where we see Fangio unleashing our defense and smashing this candy-ass offense in the face. Advantage: Fangio 4) Good Trubisky -vs- Bad Trubisky- I hope this is the last time I ever use this. I am hoping that what we saw two weeks ago was not an anomaly. I hope we saw Nagy finaly take the restricter plate off and let this formula one race car to go... All I want is a Franchise QB. The Bears are 3-1. And if Trubisky plays like he did in weeks 1 thru 3, we'll likely finish the season around 8-8 to 9-7. We might be able to ride this defense to a winning record. But if he plays consistently like he did (or near what he did, or even half what he did) in week 4, this could be a very special year. Advantage: I really don't know. 5) Akiem Hicks -vs- Ted Larsen - Yes, that Ted Larsen. The OG who came in and sucked when our offensive line was in shambles under Adam Gase. Why is he playing? Because Josh Sitton (yes, that Josh Sitton) tore his pectoral muscle and is done for the year. Hicks, luckily, did not get suspended. And I suspect there will be some retaliation from the refs. They do NOT like it when you push one of them. But look for Hicks to go into beast mode against Larsen. This could be fun.... Advantage: Hicks 6) Eddie Goldman -vs- Travis Swanson - Swanson is in at C because their starting C (Kilmore) is ALSO out for the season. Swanson is a disaster. Goldman should easily win this matchup. And for the record, that is already 3 match-up's that I've noted here with our Dline against their Oline where they are either playing with a back-up, or with a player who is playing on an injury. And I haven't even discussed that Laremy Tunsil went out last week with a concussion... Advantage: Goldman 7) Allen Robinson -vs- Bobby McCain - Here is yet another match-up where one of our key players will be going up against someone who will play injured or his back-up. McCain hurt his knee against the Patriots and did not come back in. He was also ruled out this past weekend against the Bengals. As of now, he's listed as "questionable". Truth is, Robinson is the better player even if McCain is healthy. He's averaging 118 yards and 11 cacthes in his career against the Dolphins. Advantage: Robinson 8) Cameron Wake -vs- Bobby Massie - The last time we played the Dolphins (2014), Wake was 30 years old and putting up double digit sack seasons still. He's pushing 35 now. And while I wouldn't say he's a shell of his past self (he had 11 sacks last year), he has lost a step. Not only that, but like every other key player on this team, he's injured. He also has a knee injury that kept him out last week. He didn't even make the trip to get treatment. Like McCain, he's listed as questionable. And interestingly enough. Andre Branch (behind Wake on the depth chart) is ALSO INJURED... With that, and I know I'm gonna get some shit for this... Advantage: Massie 9) Nagy's O -vs- Matt Burke's 4-3 D - As well all know, Matt Burke grew up as a LB coach under Jim Schwartz in his 4-3, one gap, Cover 1, Wide 9 D.... It's the defense he's running with the Dolphins. It's an effective defense when you have a dominating DT and really really fast DE's that can get to the QB from the 9-gap. The problem? Well, Suh (DT) was released to free up some cap. And his replacement, Akeem Spence (brought over from the Lions) is just not a dominating DT. And we've already discussed Wake's issues. Another thing to keep in mind, the last time Trubisky saw a 4-3 D, we put up 48 points... Advantage: Nagy 10) Tarik Cohen -vs - Kiko Alonso - Cohen caught 7 passes on 8 targets last week. Most were when he lined up in the back-field. When he does flare out, or when they set up the screen, he's going to draw the Will. I really don't think there is a weakside LB who can keep up with Cohen in the NFL. But Kiko is one of the better LB's in the NFL and is #2 in tackles in the NFL. I do think this is going to be a really good match-up to watch. Edge: Even 11) Ref Factor: TBD I have Bears 27, Dolphins 18 (But I also think if Trubs is what we saw, we put up 32-35)
Have you suffered some kind of traumatic brain injury? I'm not as optimistic, or inebriated, (or both?) Give me Cam Wake on 1 knee against Massie. I'll add one: Kenny Stills, Devonta Parker, & Albert Wilson vs. Kyle Fuller, Bryce Callahan, & Prince/Tolliver Stills and Wilson are the premier targets, and both are speedy little fuckers. Gase, to Mongo's point has been pretty conservative passing, using a 60-40 combo of old man Frank Gore and Kenyon Drake. That is, until this past week, when Tannehill threw 35 times. Gore is 35 and averaging over 4 YPC on about 10 rushes avg per game. Drake 3.5 on about 8 rushes per game. And though he's back from his injury last year, Tannehill likes to run this year, 19 carries for 91 yards. I want to highlight Stills and Wilson because on the year, both have over 10 targets in 20+ yard throws, with both having 4 receptions each. Both are smurf speed threats. Parker is the big target, WR2, so I expect Prince/Tolliver (Prince was light duty in practice yesterday) to cover. That I'm feeling comfortable with. Albert Wilson vs Bryce Callahan I'm concerned, but optimistic. To Mongo's point about the bears' DLine vs the Phins' Oline--I like. Tannehill will have to get rid of the ball quick. But Wilson can fly. Eddie Jackson is going to have to be flexible this game. Parker has been quiet this year. Stills is the main guy.
Right before this game started, some dumbass sideline bitch actually asked Jason Taylor how it felt to play in a game they had no chance of winning. He was pissed at the question, and had the best game in his career that day...
Yep, good challenge for our DB's. They have talent at WR. Parker is yet another key player that's injured. He sat out the last 2 weeks with a Quad injury. Amendola has been getting a lot of his reps. The other issue: Team Offense: 30th, Team Rushing: 96.0 (22nd), Team Passing: 192.2 (28th) The real problem is kinda 2-fold. Gase is doing what he did when he was with us. A lot of shit passing to or behind the LOS. The second issue has been that Tennenhill just isn't getting enough time behind that line to throw verticle. They're basically the 2018 Bears weeks 1-3... BTW, their starting TE is also injured and has missed the last 2 games. This team is beat the fuck up...
Step on their throats. Kick them while they're down. Side note...it's kinda funny that two seasons ago I thought we had the worst cornerbacks...and maybe the worst secondary...in all of football. Now look around. Really good safety play...probably one of the best safety tandems in the game right now. And all of sudden we are looking deep at corner with Fuller, Prince, Callahan, and a good looking kid in Tolliver. Obviously the beefed up pass rush is helping them look good but the secondary played well last year without a great pass rush. Pretty awesome.
Yup. I'm hoping Nagy learned from week 1. He had the chance to pound a beaten team into the ground. He let them off the hook. The Dolphins under Gase remind me of the 2016 beasr under Fox/Gase Loggains. So many soft tisue injuries to key players and it's only week 6. This team wants to quit. Let's not give them a reason not to.
Thanks for the tip about the Dolphins owning you guys. I was going to pick the Bears, but after reading how they own you I picked them instead.
Also just sayin.... PITTSBURGH STEELERS 2-2-1 3rd in AFC North AFC NORTH Cincinnati Bengals 4-1 Baltimore Ravens 3-2 Cleveland Browns 2-2-1 Pittsburgh Steelers 2-2-1
Great write up Mongo. Nagy vs the bye Nagy’s first game coming off a bye. On one hand I can’t wait to see what he draws up with an extra week to prep. On the other I hope he doesn’t outthink himself. Howard vs Offensive scheme Those that doubted Howard’s fit in Nagy’s system are looking pretty smart right now. I’d like to think a back as talented as Howard can still be a weapon. That being said he needs to take advantage of his opportunities. 3.2 yards per carry isn’t doing that.
Not to disrupt your mojo...but this statement is incorrect... The Steelers aren't 3rd in the AFC North, they are 4th... Browns are 1-0-1 in the division Steelers are 0-1-1 in the division BTW, congrats on being in first place in the NFC North, that defense is hellacious!
What does the Steelers record have to do with the Dolphins owning the Bears? These kinds of streaks have no explination. Take the Bears and Steelers in Chicago, when the Bears suck they still beat the Steelers every time in Chicago. i am trying to win the pick'em contest, so when you see a weird trend you go with it. The Bears are a lot better than the Dolphins, but something will happen that helps the Dolphins win.
Thanks. I’d hate for your future world champion Browns and future HOF record breaking QB to not get the credit they deserve.
Gidion is going to need pictures of both you and your nuts prior to the event, if necessary, to ensure authenticity. Gidion, you should be expecting pictures of male testicles shortly.
Actually, I was more excited about showing the Steelers in 4th place, but I like your thoughts on the subject even better.
Haha. I think this was the game where I met Ditka and several Bears the day before. He asked me if I thought the Bears would win tomorrow. I confidently replied that the Bears would win easily. I was 7 years old. And I remember we lost that game and it was to the Dolphins. This is a huge advantage for us. Never thought Gase was that great to begin with. A notch or two better than Loggains at best. Dolphins offense has always seemed uninspired even since he showed up. ^^^^ Fuller I still feel like is a mystery. Some great, some shit. Catch the damn ball. Or that play against the Cardinals (Seahawks?) where had he just turned his head for the ball he prevents an easy TD. Prince is fundamentally sound but not physically gifted. He's also old and will need replacing soon. Callahan is maybe the best nickel in the league. Tolliver is looking good. This will be a close game. Trubs will come back down to earth. But I don't like the Dolphins or Gase. We win 20-17.
Despite not being a superstitious person, i do have a level of respect for this. Its similar to the San Fran curse, although against them its often the case that the team just plays like dogshit. Against the Dolphins some weird shit has taken place, none more so than that game in '85. If ever there was reason to believe in the football gods it was that game.... That said, i believe the Bears did get a W last time they played in Miami. Didn't they win a shitfest there about 6-7(?) years ago. Nagy vs The Bye If Andy Reid's rep coming off a bye grows any more 3rd world tribes are gonna start making cave drawings about it and passing down tales between the generations. I heard some of Nagy's interview the other day which suggests he's taking a page out of Reid's book. He said he gave everyone the full week off. Now, to me, that kinda move would seem to make more sense if your bye was later in the season. The team has only played 4games and for the most part has been remarkably healthy. But as always the proof of the pudding is in the eating. Having been given a nice break by coach, they'd better not come out slow like they did in Arizona. Advantage: Nagy The Dolphins never looked legit for that 3-0 start. I still can't believe some people were actually picking them to win in NE. Then they shat the bed on a big lead last week against the Bungals who NEVER come back from big deficits under Marv Lewis. The Bears really should roll these clowns. I mean when you factor in the Bears momentum/confidence/weeks rest v the Dolphins two bad beats/ low confidence/injuries on top of the clear talent difference, we should blow their asses out. But its rarely that simple with the Bears is it. Im kinda in the same spot as blang on this, i think we could see a bit of a reality check from Trubisky(hopefully not a stinker, but maybe some of his more common issues flaring up), but have the Bears still winning without ever losing control of the scoreboard, 23-16. Go Bears!!
