NFC north race

[mac]

good reading
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap100...-chicago-bears

[zirc]

i think they give the bears O a little too much credit in that article. i don't think anyone is really 'fearing' our passing game.

[janos_51]

i think they give the bears O a little too much credit in that article. i don't think anyone is really 'fearing' our passing game.

I don't know...when everyone in the NFL universe knows who we are going to throw to and can't stop it, that is indeed cause to worry some.

[Wounded Bear]

I don't know...when everyone in the NFL universe knows who we are going to throw to and can't stop it, that is indeed cause to worry some.

True, although the Pack and he 9'ers held Brandon Marshall to some very modest numbers (2 for 24 and 2 for 21)

[jamus34]

True, although the Pack and he 9'ers held Brandon Marshall to some very modest numbers (2 for 24 and 2 for 21)

Except vs the Niners BM had Campbell "throwing" the ball to him. I use the term lightly based on the softballs he throws nowadays

[Nanky]

I don't know...when everyone in the NFL universe knows who we are going to throw to and can't stop it, that is indeed cause to worry some.

You do realize that we're ranked 32nd in the league in passing . . .

[Mikefive]

You do realize that we're ranked 32nd in the league in passing . . .

Thank you.

[nomoreshoop]

but we're first in punting, right?

[janos_51]

You do realize that we're ranked 32nd in the league in passing . . .

Cutler is 27th and is within 500 yards of the next 12 spots.

2 games behind most other teams since we put up two stinkers and our defense has given us leads where we haven't had to go into pass happy mode a whole ton either.

Cutler in this conservative offense is generally good to average 250 a game, but he hasn't had to do that in a few games, hasn't been able to in a few others.

[brantcruz50]

I think "fear" our [passing game might be a stretch. But defenses definitely need to 'respect" our passing game now, which hasn't been the case before. IMO, we're in the top 15 best passing attacks when controlling for some of the factors already mentioned (the fact taht we haven't gotten a lot of garbage time catch up production, cutler missinga game, etc.). I consider us a top 12-15 offense, and top 5 defense. Which means we're in the mix for the title. Anything can happen. But we're one of about 8 legit SB contenders:

Houston
Giants
San Francisco
New England
Green Bay
Chicago
Atlanta
Baltimore

That's really it in my mind. Denver might be next in, and Pittsburgh too if they get everyone healthy. But, that's really it. I wouldn't place a material prop bet on any one of them. Too close to call.

[Mikefive]

...our defense has given us leads where we haven't had to go into pass happy mode a whole ton either.

That's a good point that I hadn't considered.

I consider us a top 12-15 offense....

I think that's an undefendable overstatement.

[BR0D1E86]

I think that's an undefendable overstatement.

I think if we had the 20th best offensive line in the NFL and Mike Tice was in year two as a coordinator we'd probably be a top 12-ish offense. Right now, though, we're not.

[brantcruz50]

That's a good point that I hadn't considered.

I think that's an undefendable overstatement.

Not sure if you are right - you might be. Let's try. In no particular order:

Clearly better (9):

NE
GB
Houston
Giants
Atlanta
Denver
New Orleans
Baltimore
Pittsburgh (but only completely healthy)

I'd also personally these are better but not by miles (3)

San Francisco (skill positions not as good. But best o-line in football probably makes them better)
Dallas (imperfect o-line, better 2nd WR and TE, running game not as good even w/ Murray)
Tampa (Freeman greatly improved, 2 quality WRs, oline good despite losing 2 pro bowl guards, Martin real deal)

I don't consider these better, but someone might make a case and would be beauty-in-eye (3)

Detroit (Megatron > Marshall, Stafford similar to Cutler, probably better o-line... real close here)
Washington (dynamic RG3 and solid supporting cast)
Cincy (very good o-line, good young QB but not as good as Cutler, Gresham is talented, Green > Marshall, but very pedertrian RBs)

There are 15 who might be better. Who else you got? Seattle? Colts? I would say no.

Tennessee, Jets, Vikes, Phins, Bills, Browns, Jags, Titans, Chiefs, Raiders, Bolts, Eagles, Panthers, Rams? I say no way (unless you magically made the Eagles completely healthy, including their decimated o-line that's been problematic all year). I'd say ridiculous.

I realize I am not defending my position with stats. But stats are highly dependent upon schedule and circumstances. I'm talking about the offesnses I want to take into the playoffs. And I'd say 12-15 is a reasonable range.

[Mikefive]

I think if we had the 20th best offensive line in the NFL and Mike Tice was in year two as a coordinator we'd probably be a top 12-ish offense. Right now, though, we're not.

Sounds pretty close to me.

[BearsFanInMN]

Agree with brantcruz analysis. That's where I would rank them and where we would relatively fit.