While they say the Packers/Bears rivalry is the oldest in the NFL, the truth is the Chicago Bears and the Arizona Cardinals are only two remaining charter members of the NFL and first played in 1920. The Bears (Staleys) did not face the Packers until 1921 (we won btw) The Bears lead the series with the Cardinals overal with 56-28-6 record. And given the Cardinals boast th 32nd ranked offense an 30th ranked defense in the NFL, I suspect that Win column will increase by +1 Sunday. With that, given I've been to well over 100 Bears games, I can say with complete honesty that the best game I have ever been to was in Arizon in 2006. With that, here's som things that I'll be watching: 1) Khalil Mack -vs- Andre Smith - This will be the third week in a row that Mack will be facing a middle tier tackle who is either banged up, or coming back from an injury. I mean, this wasn't a fair matchup if Smith was healthy, but with a badly banged up elbow, I'm sure we're going to see Mack put up a crooked number of sacks this week... I do expect that the cardinals (like the Seahawks) will use their TE's to chip, and double tam Mack. Unfortunately for the Cardinals (like the Seahawks), that probably isn't going to help much. Edge: Mack 2) Chandler Jones -vs- Charles Leno - Jones was the guy everyone in Chicago thought the Bears would draft, when instead they took Shea McCllelin. Jones went to the Patriots 2 picks later and went on to be a pro-bowler. Shea? Not so much. I digress. After putting up 13 sacks and making the pro-bowl in 2015, the Patriots traded him to the Cardinals. Why? I have no fucking idea... Everyone claims Bellicheck is a genius. No, he's a good coach who was gifted the best QB in NFL history. In the deal the Patriots got a washed up Olineman and a 2nd round pick. Which they traded away and got a middle tier OG and a crappy WR who is no longer in the league. Jones went on to tally 11 sacks in 2016 and then earned first team All-pro honors, leading the league with 17 sacks last season. When people say things like "Khalil Mack is arguably the best pass-rusher in the NFL", Chandler Jones is why it's arguable... Leno has not only been a solid LT for the Bears, I would argue that Leno is the best LT the Bears have had since Jimbo Covert. Consider this. Leno gave up just 1 sack in 2017. So, this will be a damn good match-up. Still, I think Jones is a notch above. Edge: Jones 3) Mitch Trubisky -vs- Growing Pains - There's been a lot of debate this week about whether Trubisky took a step forward last week as compared to week 1. My take is that it doesn't really matter, he's still not playing up to the expectations of a franchise QB. This week will mark his 15th start. He'll be 1 game short of a full season. And yes, he's in a new system. But, I'd argue that his issues (so far) aren't "system" related. This week he'll be facing one of the best DE's in the NFL. And given the game film and what other defensive players are openly saying: “Pressure is his downfall; the more you can get pressure up the middle and in his face, and he throws those errant passes like that, that’s how you can beat him." I expect the Cardinals to bring it. The Cardinals have nothing to lose. Look for a lot of blitzing and for them to throw evrything at Trubisky. I hope to see him excel. 4) Akiem Hicks -vs - Mike Iupati - Iupati a 4 time pro-bowler and 2 time all-pro, is daling with a chest issue and has been limited in prctice all week. I think it's relatively likely that he'll play this week. I also think it's relatively likely that Hicks is going to add to his sack total... Edge: Hicks 5) Mike Glennon -vs- Bears Secondary - I know, Sam Bradford is the starter... But my guess is he won't make it through this game. There are only 3 starting QB's in the NFL who have less yards and TDs than Trubisky. Bradford is one of them. He has ZERO TD's this year. Whether he's pulled out by the coach or wheeled out on a stretcher, I don't see him making it through the whole game. Last week, Prince Amukamara got his first INT in his last 37 games. And when Glennon comes in, look for him to get another. Edge: Bears 6) David Johnson -vs- Danny Trevethan - I am struglging to find a single Offensive match-up that actually favors the Cardinals. This isn't it. Johnson has the teams only points scored this season. It came on the heels of a 4th quarter drive against the Redskins in garbage time. They were down 24 to zero. With that, Trevethan leads the team in tackles. That lead increases this week If the Cardinals try to run with Johnson. 7) Tarik Cohen -vs- Cardinals ST's - Something that no one has really talked about this season is how Tarik Cohen has almost returned 3 punts for a TD in just 6 returns. He had a 41 yard return in week 1 and 2 returns last week where he was 1 defender away from taking it to the house. I bring this up because... Edge: Cohen 8) Patrick Peterson -vs- Allen Robinson - Peterson is sitll one of the best in the NFL. He'll be lining up opposite a top 15 targeted receiver. Robinson has been evrything I expected when we picked him up. He's a true #1, and somewhat of a security blanket for Trubisky. With that, I do think Peterson has and advantage in this match-up. I don't think we'll be seeing Robinson catch double digit passes this week. Edge: Peterson 9) Injury Factor: 10) Ref Factor: We get Bill Vinovich this week. Really have nothing bad to say about him other than dating back to 2002, the Bears have lost every game he's ref'd for us. With that, we had less panalties called on us than the other team in 6 of 7 of those games. We last saw him in 2014 during the Juice-box era when the Lions Clobbered us. Before that, he ref'd the 2006 New Years Eve Massacre when Rex Grossman decided the game was "meaningless" (he had a zero QB rating for that game).
Can anyone remember the last time we had a road game that felt like a sure fire win? I'll be in the airport throughout this entire game so I'm hoping to catch most of it. My only concern is that defense. With Jones and Patterson they still have a few cornerstone pieces, and their defense should be better than it has been so far. Playing at home, maybe that defense steps up and scares a young QB into some mistakes. Would it realy floor any of us if that happens? I got Bears 13, Cardinals 6
In my 38 years of Bears fandom, this stands out as one of the top games ever. Undefeated going into the game and it really felt like something special, then we fell behind, and what a comeback. Denny Green's reaction just fucking sealed the historic moment. I remember watching his rant live on whatever they called CSN's post game show. If you guys haven't seen this it's a pretty funny read: https://deadspin.com/ass-team-of-the-week-everything-is-wrong-with-the-ariz-1829120688 I fully expect our front 7 to dominate the Cards. I'm surprised Leno has been that good, I think of him as serviceable. 1 sack in 2017 is fairly impressive. I agree 100% that the Cards, with nothing to lose, are going to bring the house, and I am really unsure of Trubisky. BUT, if nerves are truly his problem, perhaps a Sunday morning non-national game might be a bit better? Even blitzing the Cards D is not good, so hopefully this is the game where it slows down for him and things get to click. Think less and just do. Reports are he has the work ethic and he says the right things. I've calmed down and am back to cautiously optimistic with the kid, but I need to see way more from the offense, particularly against this D. Also, I note you didn't put who has the edge here, heh. I can't agree with this, and only because I think the only way Glennon makes it in the game is either an injury (which I don't think will happen) or the Bears are leading by enough that the mid-game change doesn't matter. This offense hasn't been so gang busters that I think this will be a matchup in this game. IF he does come in with the game in question, it won't be after that. We all know who Glennon is. Special teams is something the Bears have been quietly very decent at...or so I thought by the eye test? Here's some interesting stats: Kick returns - 27th in league (avg) Punt returns - 5th in league (avg) Punting - 17th in league (net yards) I'd love to see Cohen take one to the house, it's always exciting. Hester was a special player, glad I got to see one of his live. This is amazing. We haven't had an injury report that clean in virtually a decade. Not one normally to reply with a picture, but:
After the Frank Omyale/Japucas Webb years, you'd think we'd know a decent LT. And to be clear, his sack/allowed stat is not from PFF. So, I actually trust it.
My buddy's father was a Cardinals fan. It was kind of like the Cubs and Sox where the Bears were the North side and the Cards were the South side team. After seeing Baker Mayfield come in and save the Browns last night any optimism I have continues to drop towards Trubisky I'll continue to cling to the final shred of hope that something soon clicks with him, but until they start throwing the ball downfield the Bears are likely to see blitz's galore and more stacked boxes. That picture of noodleneck is like something out of Jurrasic Park I was so wrong about Mack he is worth everything they gave up for him. I said he would have to grow on me before I thought differently. lol Well that lasted like about his first 3 plays as a Bear. I'm sold. The problem I see is in a couple years if Trubisky isn't "the guy" because of this defense we likely won't be drafting that high again.
Injuries have been an increasing theme for Iupati. His play isn't as dominant as it once was either. Iupati was a top tier G once, but he's not the player he was. At 31 he's not ancient, but he's no spring chicken either. I think the game has just taken its toll on him a bit. Either way, he's going up against a guy at his peak, who was robbed of a pro bowl nod last season, but is going this year. The Cardinals only hope is Johnson. If Hicks owns his matchup a lot of those inside runs are gonna be off the table. For a little context, i think i saw Leno's stats at the end of last season too. His sack total looks great, but i believe he gave up a lot of hits/pressures, and his penalty total was well above average also. But if someone has some stats that could corroborate or disprove that statement it'd be interesting to see it. Leno has gotten better. Ive never been a fan, but i do think its prob fair to call him a pretty solid, middle tier LT these days. He hasn't been very noticable these first two weeks, thats always a good sign for a OL. If i can add a couple of thoughts: Jordan Howard v Deon Bucannon Jordan Howard has as many rushing yards as Dion Lewis so far this season and ranks outside the top10. We all know he's better than that. In his preoccupation with all things Trubisky, i don't think Nagy has put enough focus on Howard. That needs to change and this could be the game for it. The "hybrid" player is now a well established thing, there's prob an argument the concept has its roots in Arizona with their use of the Honey Badger. Well he may be gone but the basic hybrid concept is still there in Arizona and the man these days is Deon Bucannon. Bucannon came into the league as a SS but depth at the position + LB injuries meant they changed his role. Bucannon may not be pro bowl level, but is a good player. He could cause Nagy's Offense a lot of problems in the short passing game lining up against either Burton or the slot. But he's still a hybrid, he's not a pure LB. Bucannon plays the Will, but listed at 211lbs he's very undersized for it. Enter 224lbs Jordan Howard. In fact first, enter 268lbs Dion Sims. Sims is meant to be a blocking specialist right? Time for him to do something good for a change. C & D Gap runs targeting Bucannon represents a huge mismatch for the Bears. If they wanted to get really schemey they could call those runs out of shutgun with Burton as the TE. Burton himself has 25lbs on Bucannon and the element of surprise given Bucannon will prob expect pass. The Cardinals rank bottom5 in run D right now. Time to hit that shit while also getting Howard back on track. Edge: Howard! Kyle Long v The Ankle of Doom In an ideal world id be sitting Long for this one. Its a Long(no pun intended) season, with much tougher opponents ahead than the Cardinals. Most of what i just wrote those is based on Long playing heh, plus the Cardinals D does have its strengths as mongo pointed out. Jones + Peterson = a tough pass D. The Bears need to be running the ball on sunday, but they'll need Long to do that effectively. And particularly if they are to target Bucannon. But Long's ankle is troubling. I saw several times on MNF him getting up awkwardly, kinda hobbling back to the huddle. Its already bothering him and there are (at least)14more games to go. I want to see Long out there in the 2nd half of the season for a change. The Bears need him to still be playing then. I think the Bears can win this game without Long. It may not be as pretty Offensively, but our D is gonna crush Arizona's O. The Bucs pass Defense is abysmal the following week, we should be throwing all over them. After that is the bye. The Bears have a chance to manage Long here and set him up to survive the season by sitting him and giving him a full month off with only 2 games missed against bad D's. I don't think they'll do it. But if it was me id strongly consider it. Edge: Long Matt Nagy v The Playbook Nagy has prob not used half his playbook yet on account of how much he's had to hand-hold Trubisky. Its actually impressive in a way that he's created such a wide array of plays to call within 10yards of the LOS. I get what he's doing and why, but sooner or later this has to change. You can't go all season protecting Trubisky to this extent. The league won't allow it anyway, they'll study the film and be all over it very very soon, maybe this week. Its prob already happening ie the Seahawks 2nd INT play we broke down this week. Plus the Bears will reach a crunch time when they have to find out what they really have with Trubisky. So the playbook needs to open up and for the sake of execution and Trubisky's confidence its better that starts against bad teams. Across from Peterson, Jamar Taylor may be someone you can target. I mean he wasn't good enough for the Browns for Christ sake. Still, the rest of that Secondary/Bucannon has talent. Chandler is an elite pass rusher. This may not be the week for it. The Bucs pass D is terrible and next week may be when Nagy really lets the playbook off the leash. I'll be keeping an eye out this week anyway though. Edge: Nagy Hope i didn't still any thunder SM, you're still the best. Go Bears!!
1) Like last week, I expect Mack to be chipped by a TE constantly. Unless the offensive coordinator is feeling particularly bold. 2) Chandler Jones is still good. And seeing his name knowing we took Shame stings, but not as much as a few years ago. Leno has been quietly underrated. This will be a fun match up. 3) Get more experience, make correct progressions, and if its there on your first read, throw it. Don't overthink it. Don't look off a wide open Trey Burton in the endzone. This is how Mitch gets better. 4) Agree, edge Hicks. Iupati is coming off a torn triceps. Even though the push is from the legs, attack the bad arm. 5) Pleeeease, I don't want anything serious or bad to happen to Bradford, but please let Mike Glennon play in this game. In seriousness, Bradford looks bad this year, and everybody wants to see Josh Rosen. If Mike Glennon somehow gets in the game, we also could see a rookie making his debut. Unless Wilkes channels his inner John Fox masochist complex.....how Fox stomached 4 weeks of the giraffe is......perplexing. 6) Johnson has been bottled up all year because Arizona has a lacking passing game. 243 passing yards in 2 games. Larry Fitzgerald accounts for 105 yards, or 43% of their passing offense, and is still a very effective slot receiving weapon. I'm curious to see if Callahan is his primary match up for the entire game. 7) RIP Dennis Green. 8) This will be a fun match up. Elite CB versus a solid #1 WR option. I'd love to see Anthony Miller have a breakout game of multiple receptions as he's going to benefit. Pace mortgaged next year's 2nd and a 4th to get him in this year's 2nd round. Use him more. 9) Okay, my point about Fitzgerald may be moot if he doesn't play. Damn that's a lot. I'll be happy with a win, but dont think there should be any reason why it can't be by 2 scores. 20-7 my prediction.
Good stuff as always. I’d like to see Cohen more involved in the passing game. Would be a good week for him to break out. Floyd will be wearing a hand brace going forward ditching the club. I will be curious if it makes a big difference. Bears have to keep there foot on the gas and are not good enough to take anyone lightly. That being said the Cards are overmatched here and only a big step back from Trubisky keeps them in it. I think Mitch will finally give us a stat line to be proud of and the Bears win going away. Bears 35 Cardinals 10
How many games have the Bears lost the last few years when they were favored to win? I'm confident we should win this one easily...but that's in the back of my mind right now.
Sadly, over the last 2 years, the Bears have been favored to win (Vegas line) only 6 times. 2016 Game 2 - Eagles - L 29-14 Game 6 - Jaguars - L 17-16 Game 10 - Bucs - L 36-10 2017 Game 10 - Packers - L 23-16 Game 13 - 49ers - L 15-14 Game 16 - Browns - W 20-3
CBSucks reports he was limited/did walkthroughs In practice yesterday and is a gametime decision, but expected to play. 50/50 it seems. Now if he plays; do Roquan and Callahan cover him or is it all Callahan in the slot? PA and Fuller appear to draw Kirk and Chad Williams, or are they moving inside for Fitz in the slot?
I'm glad you clarified that. That made it worth paying attention to. Leno has improved, and quietly become a more reliable piece of the OL. I've gotta give him credit. I sincerely hope that continues - I'd rather be replacing a RT than a LT, and certainly would hate to have to replace both...
