Week 7: Bears & Bucs do London

[emperorjones]

Biggest game of the season in my opinion. A win and we have two weeks to prepare for a Philly team that will likely be coming off a tough game with the Cowboys. A loss and that Philly game will be to save the season.

GAME PREVIEWS:
NFL.com: http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/201110230 ... =fullstory
ESPN: http://m.espn.go.com/nfl/story?storyId=7124701
CBSSPORTS: http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/gametracke ... rs-preview
Expansion to London: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/america ... 381679.stm

Team Stats:
Bears: http://www.nfl.com/teams/statistics?team=CHI
Bucs: http://www.buccaneers.com/team-and-stat ... stics.html


INJURY REPORT:

Chicago Bears
Out: OT Gabe Carimi (DNP - Knee); DT Matt Toeaina (DNP - Knee)
Probable: TE Kellen Davis (FP - Elbow); WR Devin Hester (FP - Chest); S Anthony Walters (FP - Knee); WR Earl Bennett (FP - Chest); S Major Wright (FP - Hip)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Out: C Jeff Faine (DNP - Biceps); WR Sammie Stroughter (DNP - Ankle)
Doubtful: RB LeGarrette Blount (DNP - Knee)
Questionable: DT Gerald McCoy (DNP  - Ankle); TE Luke Stocker (FP - Knee)
Probable: DE Michael Bennett (FP - Groin); LB Mason Foster (FP - Ankle)


Stat of the week:

By Pat Yasinskas: http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcsouth/post/_ ... matt-forte

Chicago running back Matt Forte has been particularly effective when running to the right side (the left side of the defensive line). Forte has gained 291 yards when running to his right, according to ESPN Stats & Information. That’s the highest total in the NFL and Forte is 77 yards ahead of the next person in that category.

Couple that with the fact that Tampa Bay’s defense is allowing a league-high 8.2 yards per carry on runs to the left side of its defensive line and the Bucs could have a big problem.

Tampa opponents have rushed for 361 yards (No. 2 in the league) against the left side of Tampa Bay’s defensive line. On plays to the left side of the defensive line, the Bucs have allowed a league-worst five rushes of 20 or more yards.

The Last time:
Last time the Bears played the Buccaneers, ex-Bear Brian Griese threw for a career-high 407 yards in the Bucs 27-24 OT win in 2008.

Weather: Sunny, 63*F, Wind at 15-25mph
(will be updating shortly)

[heir_jordan22]

Great thread!!!!!!!!!!!!! You're a mod now? great news!

This game should be good. Watching the Bucs play the Colts a couple weeks ago showed me some interesting things about that defense. I think Forte really has a chance to dominate this game with thr run and pass because their linebackers aren't playing very well.

I am nervous about our secondary though. Benn and Williams aren't exceptionally fast but they play smart, so they will find the holes in our zone. And I'm still not sure Conte is readyl; hopefully Harris is active. And If Winslow plays he can tear up our defense just like all the other good tight ends we've played. Plus the Bucs stay very committed to the running game so play action can effect the Bears' defense all night.

Should be a nail biter.

[Chewie]

Well they just give anyone that mod title now, don't they?

Congrats, emperor ! Get this board going !!

[emperorjones]

Great thread!!!!!!!!!!!!! You're a mod now? great news!

Thanks heir! Let's get it going!!!

Well they just give anyone that mod title now, don't they?

Congrats, emperor ! Get this board going !!

With your help Chewie. With your help.

[WEFFPIM]

This is gonna be the happiest board ever now!

[emperorjones]

Only if the Bears win & you stick around WEFFPIM! I'm gonna tone down my homerism, just to keep you posting.

[heir_jordan22]

Interesting stat on Griese. I think that Forte will have the career day though if Martz is committed to running the ball. Urlacher needs to have a good game to contain Kellen Winslow (if he plays) and stop Blount early (if he plays). Hopefully neither play though! haha

[emperorjones]

I agree on Forte. That said, I wouldn't be surprised to see the Bucs stack the box with 8 or more, bring run blitzes and put the pressure on Cutler and the Bears O-Line to beat them. So long as Frank O isn't starting, I'd take the Bear's O-Line on that one.

[The Explorer]

The Bucs don't impress me at all. If Blount doesn't play, this could be an easy win for the Bears.

I like the Bears approach of practicing as normal as Halas this week and jetting out later today. The Bucs have been there all week and could easily be distracted in another land.

[WEFFPIM]

Only if the Bears win & you stick around WEFFPIM! I'm gonna tone down my homerism, just to keep you posting.

I'm in the mod's good graces! Take that, simpletons!

[emperorjones]

The Bucs don't impress me at all. If Blount doesn't play, this could be an easy win for the Bears.

I like the Bears approach of practicing as normal as Halas this week and jetting out later today. The Bucs have been there all week and could easily be distracted in another land.

I really think its funny that the Bucs blamed their last loss in London on showing up late. So this time they show up early. The media seems to have bought into this. The reality is their poor showing (35-7) had more to do with the fact that they were 0-6 going in and starting a rookie QB (Josh Johnson) against the Patriots. But listen to the media and you'd think if they showed up earlier they would have taken home the London trophy!

[BIGGIEsmalls 23]

You're a mod now? great news!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKl6EZShaaw[/youtube]

[NZB2323]

So it's a 'home' game for the Bucs...will the English be rooting for them?

[Chewie]

I honestly don't understand why the NFL continues to have games in England. I don't expect Brits to appreciate the game and I don't think it's seen as anything more than an oddity. Were we expecting NFL fever to sweep over Europe or something?

And I'm sure the NFL teams don't like it, either - it takes you out of your routine, the travel sucks, and the home team is essentially losing their home field advantage.

[emperorjones]

I honestly don't understand why the NFL continues to have games in England. I don't expect Brits to appreciate the game and I don't think it's seen as anything more than an oddity. Were we expecting NFL fever to sweep over Europe or something?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/america ... 381679.stm

Looks like that's exactly the plan. Maybe Tampa will be the team that bites the bullet & goes over for the 5+ years in a row. Please just don't let it be the Bears.

[NZB2323]

I honestly don't understand why the NFL continues to have games in England. I don't expect Brits to appreciate the game and I don't think it's seen as anything more than an oddity. Were we expecting NFL fever to sweep over Europe or something?

And I'm sure the NFL teams don't like it, either - it takes you out of your routine, the travel sucks, and the home team is essentially losing their home field advantage.

$$$$$$$

You can make more money with a game in London then Tampa Bay.

[dingojazz]

The Bears really need to take advantage of essentially getting an extra home game. I have a feeling the stands will be mostly Bears fans, as the more well know team.

The Bucs get screwed by having this count as a home game for them. Blount is out for Tampa, and it looks like Chris Harris might start alongside Conte.

Is this a night game in London? Does anyone know what the weather is supposed to be like?

Bears 27, Bucs 19.

[BeKuK]

I just arrived London for the game tonight. This will be my first football game ever.

GO BEARS

[emperorjones]

That's awesome! However, according to the Chicago media, you should have left on Tuesday so you coils be at your best and over jet lag by game time. There are plenty of Tampa fans, who aft arriving late two years ago, decided that a Tuesday trip would lead to victory.

Have a great time!

[emperorjones]

Weather: Sunny, 63*F, Wind at 15-25mph at game time