Moderators: HomoSapien, AshyLarrysDiaper, coldfish, Payt10, Ice Man, dougthonus, Michael Jackson, Tommy Udo 6 , kulaz3000, fleet, DASMACKDOWN, GimmeDat, RedBulls23
dice wrote:there was a ridiculous roughing the passer called on the panthers late, but i'm not sure how consequential it was
the ultimates wrote:Most sportsbooks had the Bears as an 8-8.5 win team to begin the season. Now those numbers don't scream playoff team but it also isn't out of the realm of possibility you pick up a couple of extra wins and now you're probably in the playoffs.
The defense last year was good enough to make the playoffs it was the offense that didn't hold up it's end. With adding new offensive coaches getting two tight ends, drafting a receiver and getting Foles should mean the offense gets better it hasn't.
Do you think the offense is good enough right now to win a playoff game? Remember the defense played well against the Eagles in the 2018 playoffs and they still got bounced and this offense is considerably worse than in 2018.
Dresden wrote:You have to be able to run the ball a little bit. I"m watching the 49'ers-Rams right now, and both teams are moving the ball both through the air, and on the ground. Running the ball does so much for your offense. If you can pick up yards and first downs on the ground, you don't risk putting the ball in the air, or getting sacked. A short passing game can have the same effect as a running game, but the Bears haven't been great at that either.
dougthonus wrote:the ultimates wrote:Most sportsbooks had the Bears as an 8-8.5 win team to begin the season. Now those numbers don't scream playoff team but it also isn't out of the realm of possibility you pick up a couple of extra wins and now you're probably in the playoffs.
Sure, it's not out of the realm of possibility that you'll win 25% more games than Vegas predicts, but if you do, you probably think "wow that season went much better than I expected" and not "wow, what a crushing disappointment that they weren't 40% better than I expected".The defense last year was good enough to make the playoffs it was the offense that didn't hold up it's end. With adding new offensive coaches getting two tight ends, drafting a receiver and getting Foles should mean the offense gets better it hasn't.
Do you think the offense is good enough right now to win a playoff game? Remember the defense played well against the Eagles in the 2018 playoffs and they still got bounced and this offense is considerably worse than in 2018.
Ask it this way:
Is it possible that this team that you didn't think would make the playoffs, but now seems highly likely to get in, could play well enough on offense to win a playoff team on any given day?
What would you have put our odds of winning a playoff game at before the season started? Do you think they are better or worse now? I'd say they've at least doubled.
the ultimates wrote:To answer your first question expectations change. Win you talk about the odds and percentages you make it seem like the Bears were being looked at like they were the Bengals or Dolphins. I'm a Whitesox fan I love they made the playoffs this year but I'm disappointed they lost in the playoffs in part to not having a viable third starter. I love the Bears are going to make the playoffs but it's not farfetched to see a situation they lose in the playoffs because the offense can't do anything. That possible disappointment doesn't get erased because they make the playoffs when the weakest part of the team which has been a prolonged issue could cost you a win.
Now to the second question. Is it possible yes, is it probable given what we've seen now for almost three seasons I'd say no.
Dieselbound&Down wrote:Oh, they're going to the super bowl. Just need Foles to get on a heater.
dougthonus wrote:the ultimates wrote:To answer your first question expectations change. Win you talk about the odds and percentages you make it seem like the Bears were being looked at like they were the Bengals or Dolphins. I'm a Whitesox fan I love they made the playoffs this year but I'm disappointed they lost in the playoffs in part to not having a viable third starter. I love the Bears are going to make the playoffs but it's not farfetched to see a situation they lose in the playoffs because the offense can't do anything. That possible disappointment doesn't get erased because they make the playoffs when the weakest part of the team which has been a prolonged issue could cost you a win.
Now to the second question. Is it possible yes, is it probable given what we've seen now for almost three seasons I'd say no.
If you want to convince me that the Bears offense is lousy, no need. I agree. If you want to sell me on the fact they should have made different moves in the off-season, no need. I was on the thread complaining about them too and still wish we did different things.
However, if you can't enjoy the unexpected levels of success while they're happening in the moment then what is even the point? Why get predisappointed for an event that might not happen and would be a better than expected level of success even if it does?
My expectation for this team is now 1st round playoff loss, but my expectation 6 weeks ago was 7-9, so that's a big upgrade. Is it possible that this team could gel even further as the season goes on and raise that expectation? Sure seems possible.
I guess, in short, I think you're probably right about the end outcome, but no need to rain on the party after a big win and a 5-1 start, this is a time I'd choose to enjoy the ride. Yeah, it will probably end in disappointment, but I'll wait to experience the disappointment for when it happens rather than while things are rolling.
the ultimates wrote:A person can be happy they'll make the playoffs and still say the offense is likely to get you beat in the playoffs. The two aren't mutually exclusive.
Dieselbound&Down wrote:Oh, they're going to the super bowl. Just need Foles to get on a heater.
Dresden wrote:The Rams are going to be tough to beat. The Niners made them look bad, but I expect us to have trouble stopping their offense. Although we did a good job agains CAR and TB, and they both have excellent offenses. Maybe I'm just being pessimistic, but I think this game is going to be a hard one to win.
Dresden wrote:The Rams are going to be tough to beat. The Niners made them look bad, but I expect us to have trouble stopping their offense. Although we did a good job agains CAR and TB, and they both have excellent offenses. Maybe I'm just being pessimistic, but I think this game is going to be a hard one to win.
Dresden wrote:The Rams are going to be tough to beat. The Niners made them look bad, but I expect us to have trouble stopping their offense. Although we did a good job agains CAR and TB, and they both have excellent offenses. Maybe I'm just being pessimistic, but I think this game is going to be a hard one to win.
Thaddy wrote:I can tell you right now the Bulls will collapse by mid season and will be fighting in or for the play in.
Remember it.
dougthonus wrote:the ultimates wrote:A person can be happy they'll make the playoffs and still say the offense is likely to get you beat in the playoffs. The two aren't mutually exclusive.
Sure.
It's just weird to say the 2nd of those things right after a big win. "Something great just happened, lets talk about a bad event that might or might not happen 10 weeks from now!" is just not my approach.
Anyway, I'm not trying to bust your balls, though I'm sure it seems like I am, so my apologies. I just think this is a good time to feel good and be positive, even though you're right, future disappointment is probably around the corner. I'll take these feel good feelings while I can and focus on the future disappointment when it happens.
the ultimates wrote:It's all good. I just find it interesting that because the Bears are playing better than expected people all of a sudden don't want you to say the offense is likely to cost you.
Chicago-Bull-E wrote:Unique thing to note about this season is that there is only 1 bye given in the playoffs, to the 1 seed.
Since we are talking about worst case scenarios, let's talk about best. The Bears right now have the 2nd best record in the conference behind Seattle. Now Seattle undoubtedly plays in the toughest division in football, and I think you'll see them pick up some losses down the line. They do still play cakewalk teams like the two New York teams, but I think they'll end around 13-3, 12-4.
Not likely for the Bears to match that, but if they win next week against the Rams, you have to start thinking about them being one of the top seeds in the conference at some point, right? They'll be 6-1 and have these remaining teams on the schedule: Minnesota (2x), Detroit, Jacksonville, Houston. That's 5 games against some bad teams, so take care of business and you're at 11 wins.
CjayC wrote:Coward isn't very good. Leno's ceiling is lower end starter. Whitehair's ceiling appears to be a solid starter at best. I don't expect the run game to get going without significantly patching the line up. We can hope, but it's an issue of ability mostly IMO.