Week 11: Chargers at Bears - QB Rivalry Renewed

[emperorjones]

game Previews

What they're saying in San Diego:

Chargers try to change forecast in Windy City
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2011 ... indy-city/

ESPN: http://scores.espn.go.com/nfl/nflprevie ... =311120003
CNNSI: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/footba ... =hp_sb_a11
Fox: http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/Char ... w-31736455
CBS Sports: http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/gametracke ... 120_SD@CHI

Team Stats
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/gameTrax?g ... 0111120003

Final Injury Report

Unlike the relatively healthy Bears -- whose injures have mostly come on the offensive line, including the Gabe Carimi injury and the Chris Williams injury -- the Chargers injuries span the whole roster and include major contributors.

The Chargers No. 2 wide receiver Malcom Floyd and starting left tackle Marcus McNeill have both been ruled out of Sunday's game. Floyd has over 400 yards receiving this year despite missing the last two Chargers games.

Also likely to be without the services of two other starting offensive lineman, LG Tyronne Green (doubtful) and RG Louis Vasquez (doubtful), the Chargers may have to deploy a makeshift line on Sunday. If both guards are indeed unable to play on Sunday, the Bears defense -- which is tied for fourth in the league with 13 interceptions -- may be able to harass quarterback Phillip Rivers with uncommon ease.

With LB Takeo Spikes (probable), DT and former Bear Antonio Garay (questionable), LB Shaun Phillips (out), and SS Steve Gregory (probable) all injured, the Chargers defense promises to be replete with injured starters or backups, giving the Bears offense, which has scored a sixth-best 26.3 points per game, a significant edge.

Stat of the week
The Bears own the top defense in the NFC, allowing 12 fewer points per game than a league average defense would in similar situations.

Weather Report
35° Few Clouds

The Last Time...
2007 Season Opener in San Diego: The San Diego Chargers didn't look like world-beaters. Against Rex Grossman and the bumbling Chicago Bears, they didn't have to. LaDainian Tomlinson and the Chargers took control of a sloppy season opener, with the reigning NFL MVP throwing for one touchdown and rushing for another in a 14-3 win over the defending NFC champion Bears. Mike Brown left the game with a sprained left knee and Dusty Dvoracek was lost for the season with a knee injury.

[emperorjones]

I like the Bears in this one. Rivers has been throwing the ball away and the Chargers are pretty beat up. That said, I expect a real tough game because their backs are up against it. The prospect of dropping to 4-6 will motivate them.

Bears 30 Chargers 17

[ChronicKerr]

If they are really missing 3 starting o-lineman and shaun phillips on D I don't see how we don't win this one.

[Shootdabull]

If they are really missing 3 starting o-lineman and shaun phillips on D I don't see how we don't win this one.

Left guard Kris Dielman is out and right guard Louis Vasquez was in a walking boot on Monday. I thought though left tackle Marcus McNeill would be playing. So both O-lines are a little banged up. We need to take advantage of that and hopefully force rivers into some more bad throwing decisions. Hopefully Jay looking for some revenge from his denver days. Should be a fun game : - )

[The Explorer]

DJ Moore being out will hurt. Corey Graham could fill in, or they could slide Tim Jennings inside in nickel situations, and have Bowman play outside. Gates will be a tough matchup, but they have injury issues on their o line. Hopefully Peppers lines up at 3 technique on a few more plays. I see the Bears winning this one. 27 - 17.

[NZB2323]

I don't see us losing to any team in the AFC West. God, both West division are terrible.

[BeKuK]

A must win game. No excuse today.

24 - 10

[BeKuK]

I love Forte!!

[organix85]

Damn, would've liked a TD there.

[BeKuK]

3rd & 25 is always nice ^^

[organix85]

The game seems sluggish so far. Hopefully the Bears pick it up this drive.

[BeKuK]

The game seems sluggish so far. Hopefully the Bears pick it up this drive.

Hopefully this game isn't going to be tougher as it should be.

[organix85]

Bears D really needs to get on these screens.

[BeKuK]

It's always amazing to see how fast Hester is.

[emperorjones]

They're trying to screen us to death!

[emperorjones]

The holes don't seem to be there for Forte so far. Can't tell if we're missing Williams yet.

[organix85]

The holes don't seem to be there for Forte so far. Can't tell if we're missing Williams yet.

I was wondering the same thing about Williams.

[organix85]

I like the rollout... nice to see they implemented what Jay likes.

[BeKuK]

[organix85]

I like the dimension that Barber brings.