2005 NFL Season

[Josh396]

so basically as a bears fan you can count on a good team every 20 years ... with stunning defense

Pretty sad thats what is has come to...

While I wasn't around for the first Superbowl I think they have a decent chance to make it this year. As to winning it, it all depends on who they play and if they offense can play every quarter like it did for the first half today. I thought Rex looked outstanding during the first half. Even during the second half he played well but his receivers dropped some easy passes. The only thing that Rex has to do is play smart football, something I think he is very capable of doing. The only mistake that I saw him make today was his interception. I don't think it was so much of a physical mistake as it was a mental one.

 

[~Shard~]

i think they will make it all the way to the nfc champioship game, then barely lose to the seahawks...i don't think the bears should have any problem with their first playoff game though in the division game.

Agreed - I see them making it to the conference final, however not getting past the Seahawks. As you say though, if the Seahawks aren't there for some reason however, then it's anyone's game, and the Bears would have a definite chance of winning.

 

[LethalWolfe]

Um, Go 'Skins!

I expected a close game, but once again Washington shows up and takes control. This wasn't the total domination that the Dallas game was, but Washington controlled the game for the most part (Tiki only had 80yrd, hell yeah).


Lethal

 

[Josh396]

Agreed - I see them making it to the conference final, however not getting past the Seahawks. As you say though, if the Seahawks aren't there for some reason however, then it's anyone's game, and the Bears would have a definite chance of winning.

If the Bears have a shot at beating the Seahawks, a big key is going to be time of possesion. As long as the Bears can keep the ball and keep the Seahawks away from running with Alexander, then they may be able to pull it out. Another key is to get a good pass rush with their front four. If they're able to get to the QB and drop 7 in coverage. If for some reason Alexander gets going early, it would be a long game.

 

[~Shard~]

If the Bears have a shot at beating the Seahawks, a big key is going to be time of possesion. As long as the Bears can keep the ball and keep the Seahawks away from running with Alexander, then they may be able to pull it out. Another key is to get a good pass rush with their front four. If they're able to get to the QB and drop 7 in coverage. If for some reason Alexander gets going early, it would be a long game.

Agreed - Alexander will prove to be a true test for the Bears. If they can get past the Seahawks then their odds are better in my books for winning the whole damn thing. Of course those odds are relative, since we all know that regardless, the Broncos are going to walk away with it after beating the Colts in the conference final...

 

[Bubbasteve]

I really think the Bears have a shot against the Seahawks...if the Bears D is healthy (which means Mike Brown returning from his calf injury) I think they have a very good chance to ... dare I say it... win it all

 

[jefhatfield]

Jef -

I have a dream ... Bears over Pats 46-10 ... how the bears score 46 ... no idea but man it would be fun. I really want to see a playoff win or two, with rex heading the offense it seems like this might be a half decent team. Can they beat an AFC team, probably not, but we're the pats supposed to beat the rams in '01. (They were HUGE underdogs to the greatest show on turf).

so basically as a bears fan you can count on a good team every 20 years ... with stunning defense

i remember the 85 bears and they had no competition...it seemed like the fridge could take on a whole team by himself...amazing stuff and they captured the imagination of the whole world

today's bears, while strong on defense, does not have the electric offense of the 85 team with a hall of fame qb and running back and nobody could coach like ditka when he is in the zone

of course, you don't have to have superstars to have a champion team...i remember, in baseball, when the reds had famous stars (big red machine) and they won left and right...predictably, of course

but then here comes this unknown reds team, long after their big red machine days, and they shut down the oakland a's who had big time hitters with mcgwire and his home run power and canseco and his ability to get on base and steal, and their capable pitching staff who rivaled atlanta in their best days

the bears could win the superbowl, and if it was against the patriots i think they can do it, but there is no way they could make a dent against the colts...unfortunately, nobody could (the colts lost because they left out four pro bowl players and manning, also pro bowl, played just one quarter...the colts could beat any team in the nfl with their second string quarterback on most days

i would love to see the weakest nfc wildcard make it to the superbowl and beat the colts...that would be one for the recordbooks

 

[jefhatfield]

here's what i would do as bear's coach

against the seahawks:

shut down the run like it's the only thing that matters...force them to pass a lot and hope they make incomplete passes and interceptions

when we have the ball, run it a lot and keep the passes very few and short...because the seahawks can pick off long passes (it's what they do)...and yes, time of possession black and blue division style

against the colts:

same thing and also crush their qb, because manning can get panicked if he's sacked and then start making bad decisions...he's so used to completing passes and having all the time in the world that sacking him often and early can make a difference

and don't make stupid mistakes that lead to penalties because any momentum on the side of the colts is a very dangerous thing and they cash in on others' mistakes

 

[Josh396]

when we have the ball, run it a lot and keep the passes very few and short...because the seahawks can pick off long passes (it's what they do)...and yes, time of possession black and blue division style

I agree they need to run the ball but I think a key could be opening it up with a few passes to start off, for a few reasons. First off, the Bears D can be killer if they can start off with a lead, especially if the running game isn't a factor. Second, with the Seahawks secondary a little banged up, I think they could take advantage of that. I'm not saying to go deep every pass, but a fly route here and there with a lot of slants thrown in. One thing that's impressed me about Grossman is his timing on slant routes. If they can complete a few early passes then the running game will open up. It's a bit of risk but I think it can almost guarantee an excellent chance to win the game.

 

[Kwyjibo]

the colts look very good and are the favorites to win the superbowl right now but its the playoffs and anything and everything happens. As I mentioned in 2001 it was quite the opposite the Rams looked like it they were impossible to stop. Am I counting on it right now ... no. Does it look like a good team with rex ... yes. Can I hope ... I always do.

 

[~Shard~]

the colts look very good and are the favorites to win the superbowl right now but its the playoffs and anything and everything happens. As I mentioned in 2001 it was quite the opposite the Rams looked like it they were impossible to stop. Am I counting on it right now ... no. Does it look like a good team with rex ... yes. Can I hope ... I always do.

As I indicated above, I'll go out there and say that the Broncos will upset the Colts before they even reach the SuperBowl. As you say, anything can happen, and I think will all the hype surrounding the Colts this season, many people haven't been paying Denver the attention they deserve. I'm not a Broncos fan myself, but I can recognize and appreciate a solid team when I see one.

 

[watcher2001]

I have noticed a trend. The Colts only win when they have to. If you look at the preseason the Colts went 0-5. They didn't need to win.
Then after going 13-0 in regular season they clinched division, homefield, and first round bye, once again they did not need to win anymore.
I think they went into the San Diego game with the attitude of "If they give it to us, we will take it, but we are not going to kill ourselves to win this game." It didn't matter. all that said Indy did get beat by San Diego.
In the Seattle game it was just a matter of starting Peyton to keep him fresh and then putting Sorgi in to see what happens. I am hoping that I am right in this aspect and that the Colts will come out strong in the playoffs.

 

[~Shard~]

I have noticed a trend. The Colts only win when they have to.

So when they were 13-0 and were so close to doing what no team in NFL history has done since the legendary Dolphins, you're telling me they didn't feel like they had to win, that Dungy wasn't driving them, and that they could care less? Give me a break, no truly competitive team would have that mindset, home field advantage secured or not. Not a chance.

 

[Applespider]

I have a feeling that those improving Patriots might just cause an upset or two in the postseason - after all, they like being the underdogs.

They've owned the Colts in recent years (when the Colts beat them this year, the Pats were nowhere near full strength) and I wonder if they end up facing each other, whether the Colts will crumble slightly with that in their minds.

 

[Josh396]

As I indicated above, I'll go out there and say that the Broncos will upset the Colts before they even reach the SuperBowl. As you say, anything can happen, and I think will all the hype surrounding the Colts this season, many people haven't been paying Denver the attention they deserve. I'm not a Broncos fan myself, but I can recognize and appreciate a solid team when I see one.

I agree about the Broncos but I'm a Broncos fan so it could be a little more favoritism. If the Bears for some reason can't make it I would love to see the Broncos go all the way. They have an outstanding running game and Plummer is playing great this year. The only thing that worries me is their pass defense. If they could somehow improve there I think they could beat the Colts in Indy by a decent margin.

 

[jefhatfield]

So when they were 13-0 and were so close to doing what no team in NFL history has done since the legendary Dolphins, you're telling me they didn't feel like they had to win, that Dungy wasn't driving them, and that they could care less? Give me a break, no truly competitive team would have that mindset, home field advantage secured or not. Not a chance.

i don't know about the preseason and how teams do or don't take it seriously, but if your team gets their division and home field advantage, the important thing to do is to protect your starters and not worry about chalking up another win or further a lead you already have over 15 teams in your conference and 31 teams in the nfl

in january, the colts have to win when they start in the playoffs in the divisional games and they will likely clobber their opponent like much like they have in the regular season leading to the home field advantage

the broncos could upset them before the superbowl but somehow, if that were a remote possibility, one of the many football commentators would be mentioning something to that effect...so far, i have not heard anything...so two losses late in a super (13 consecutive game winning) season is not the death knell for the colts

unfortunately for me, and others who don't plan on rooting for them, the colts are going to come back like a force of nature and likely score enough in the first quarter to beat any takers

 

[Cfg5]

the broncos could upset them before the superbowl but somehow, if that were a remote possibility, one of the many football commentators would be mentioning something to that effect...so far, i have not heard anything

sorry but no one...not you, me or some commentator knows what the **** is going to happen in this league. To say that something isn't even a remote possibility because commentators haven't talked about it is just stupid.

 

[watcher2001]

So when they were 13-0 and were so close to doing what no team in NFL history has done since the legendary Dolphins, you're telling me they didn't feel like they had to win, that Dungy wasn't driving them, and that they could care less? Give me a break, no truly competitive team would have that mindset, home field advantage secured or not. Not a chance.

Did you not read my entire post? I quote

I think they went into the San Diego game with the attitude of "If they give it to us, we will take it, but we are not going to kill ourselves to win this game."

That being said I am more than happy to admit that San Diego beat us fair and square. Even if we had played more aggressively I am not sure we could have won the game.

unfortunately for me, and others who don't plan on rooting for them, the colts are going to come back like a force of nature and likely score enough in the first quarter to beat any takers

I sure do hope so.

 

[~Shard~]

i don't know about the preseason and how teams do or don't take it seriously, but if your team gets their division and home field advantage, the important thing to do is to protect your starters and not worry about chalking up another win or further a lead you already have over 15 teams in your conference and 31 teams in the nfl

Yeah, but it's not "just another win", it's to challenge the Dolphins' perfect season achievement =- big difference.

in january, the colts have to win when they start in the playoffs in the divisional games and they will likely clobber their opponent like much like they have in the regular season leading to the home field advantage

Their first opponent, yes, I'll agree with that one...

the broncos could upset them before the superbowl but somehow, if that were a remote possibility, one of the many football commentators would be mentioning something to that effect...so far, i have not heard anything...

As Cfg5 said, no one know what's going to happen, especially the commentators, so I don't think the lack of mention of this possibility on their part has any real-word meaning whatsoever.

 

[jefhatfield]

As Cfg5 said, no one know what's going to happen, especially the commentators, so I don't think the lack of mention of this possibility on their part has any real-word meaning whatsoever.

i can see the argument for that, but one of the jobs of the commentators (who are often former players and coaches) is to point out a trend early and, to make things interesting, entertain the possibilities...to entertain us

still, anything can happen and nobody can call the superbowl matchups and winners before the playoffs year after year with perfect accuracy

 

[~Shard~]

i can see the argument for that, but one of the jobs of the commentators (who are often former players and coaches) is to point out a trend early and, to make things interesting, entertain the possibilities...to entertain us

Quite true, however we are talking about football commentators here, many (not all) of whom are former football players who have been hit in the head multiple times and may not even have a college degree (and if they do, it's in something basic) - not exactly sages.

But seriously, yes, that should indeed be their job.

still, anything can happen and nobody can call the superbowl matchups and winners before the playoffs year after year with perfect accuracy

Precisely - if they could they'd be heading to Vegas, getting rich, and wouldn't be a commentator on TV.

 

[LethalWolfe]

So when they were 13-0 and were so close to doing what no team in NFL history has done since the legendary Dolphins, you're telling me they didn't feel like they had to win, that Dungy wasn't driving them, and that they could care less? Give me a break, no truly competitive team would have that mindset, home field advantage secured or not. Not a chance.

The Colts were playing for a "bonus" (perfect season) while San Diego was playing for it's life. The Chargers came out w/more incentive to win and a greater desire to win. Dungy has said the past 5wks or so that while going undefeated would be great, the ring is the thing. But the Colts don't have of strong history of winning "must win" post season games.

I didn't see anyone mention them recently, but the Patriots are a much better team now than they were in the middle of the season and will be a team to be reckoned w/in the playoffs. About a month or so I joked that wouldn't it be funny if the Pats and Colts met in the playoffs and the Pats won. That went from being a joke to being a viable outcome. While not the team they were last year the pats are still a threat.


Lethal

 

[jefhatfield]

Quite true, however we are talking about football commentators here, many (not all) of whom are former football players who have been hit in the head multiple times and may not even have a college degree (and if they do, it's in something basic) - not exactly sages.

what, you mean they didn't major in physics?

 

[yellow]

But Dan Fouts is so smart! S M R T!

 

[Dandaman]

I agree about the Broncos but I'm a Broncos fan so it could be a little more favoritism. If the Bears for some reason can't make it I would love to see the Broncos go all the way. They have an outstanding running game and Plummer is playing great this year. The only thing that worries me is their pass defense. If they could somehow improve there I think they could beat the Colts in Indy by a decent margin.

i'm in the same boat as you, except vice versa. I love the Broncos and the Bears. Glad both these teams have the second seed and both really have a good chance of making the big game, but I really hope that both don't. That would be a very interesting super bowl to watch.

daniel