Joe's 2011-12 Gameday Recap: Bears 17, Vikings 13 posted by Joe Anello

I’m not going to spend this Gameday Recap pontificating about what could have been this Bears season. That’s for later. In today’s contest, the Bears held onto the win over the struggling Vikings to get to 8-8 on the year.

(8-8) Chicago Bears 17
(3-13) Minnesota Vikings 13

For another week Chicago’s offense sputtered and killed its own momentum with costly turnovers. Earl Bennett started the game off right with an early fumble, giving the Vikings possession and the opportunity to drive down for a field goal. A Percy Harvin run later in the first gave the Vikes a 10-0 lead and Bears fans reason to change the channel. Luckily, there was a second quarter. A rare pass to Roy Williams capped off the Bears’ only touchdown drive, but a throw off the hands of Toby Gerhart fell right into the lap of first-time Pro Bowler Charles Tillman, who ran it right back for 22 yards and six points. From there Chicago’s defense locked down, picking off Minnesota’s quarterbacks two times (a total of three) to secure the win.

It was my idea for a while to just post my notes from this game instead of a structured recap, but I decided I was caring too much about this game and taking WAY too many notes, so I checked out. Here are some of my real-time notes from today’s game. (Edited for capitalization and sometimes punctuation.)

First Quarter

Earl Bennett fumbles, Bears manage not to get to line of scrimmage in the nine minutes it takes Frazier to challenge

Joe's 2011-12 Gameday Preview: Bears at Vikings posted by Joe Anello

Let’s get this over with.

(7-8) Chicago Bears at
(3-12) Minnesota Vikings

I am not going to waste your time with an in-depth analysis over a game without a crap-ton of starters on both sides of the ball. There’s a lot of “Joe Webb isn’t that bad” talk around the NFL, but I’m not totally sold. He’s probably a better option that Christian Ponder or Josh McCown though. But he’s missing Adrian Peterson, so you can’t totally rely on him this week. Chicago’s defense is the best unit in this game, and that typically goes a long way.

Minnesota is a 2.5 point home favorite.

PFFT. Bears win? Who knows. Who cares?

None. I’ll likely be comatose for this one. If I stop tweeting, it’s because I’m shoving food in my face or I’m drooling at the sight of such craptastic football.

Uh… win one for the Gipper? Otherwise I got nothing for you. You’re professional players. You’ve got some pride. Kick this team’s ass and go home.

The Final Drive: Week 13, 2011 posted by Joe Anello

Week 13 in the NFL saw a variety of last second comebacks, including more “Jebus and Teebs” magic and a scare for the undefeated champs. Need to know more? Welcome to The Final Drive.

(7-5) Denver Broncos 35
(2-10) Minnesota Vikings 32

This is really starting to piss me off. Can’t SOMEONE knock this guy off the horse for ONE week? To be honest, this was probably Tebow’s best statistical game. He did complete 10 of his 15 passes. However, you can thank the defense for a timely turnover and Matt Prater for two clutch field goals. They are the real heroes.

I told you 20.5 points was too large a line! It was just begging to be betted on. Indianapolis played its best game in some time, out-gaining New England and controlling the ball. Unfortunately their two turnovers cost them this one, making their 21 fourth quarter points too little, too late.

Ow. That kinda hurt. After riding high with those “moral victories,” those pesky Bengals finally got put down by the cream of the AFC North. They might still get in for a wild card spot, but I don’t see them making much noise yet.

What a fantastic freaking game this was. Defenses were scarce aside from a few key plays, leaving these quarterbacks plenty of opportunities to light up the scoreboards. I don’t think I want to see what Tom Coughlin’s face looked like this morning. I swear that old man is so mad all the time his face probably takes 2-3 days to un-furiate.

The Final Drive: Week 7, 2011 posted by Joe Anello

Yeah week seven! We saw one incredible comeback (and man-on-man action), several first time-starters and more than a few clunkers in this latest weekend of NFL action. I still loved every minute of it. Let’s start The Final Drive!

Apparently you shouldn’t taunt Matt Ryan when he’s injured… because he’ll come back two plays later and smoke you. As for the Lions; dropping two in a row and Matthew Stafford is “day to day” with ankle and knee injuries? Zoinks Scoob.

Yeah… Chris Johnson is hot garbage right now. He’s still dancing around like he’s at a nightclub during the lock-out. Without him, the Titans are also hot garbage, leaving Houston at the top of the division be default.

(2-4) Denver Broncos 18
(0-6) Miami Dolphins 15

Yeah Tim Tebow led a mind-boggling series of drives to come back from down 15 in the final three minutes, but he still looked like pure shit for three and a half quarters.  But, he did kiss Demaryius Thomas on the field after the win. Let the debate rage on! (Also, fire Tony Sparano right now.)

I feel bad for Charger fans who saw their team just pfft away a sure win to freaking Mark Sanchez and an ex-con. I said it.

The Opening Drive, Week 7, 2011 posted by Joe Anello

Week seven in the NFL features the annual London affair, an early battle for the AFC South, and Kyle Boller starting at quarterback. (And it’s not 2003. I know. So odd.) The Opening Drive gets you ready for the day’s action!

Atlanta’s in danger of falling WAY behind in the South if they drop another game this early in the season. No Jahvid Best for the Lions means Maurice Morris starts for the Lions. Which in turn means NO running game whatsoever. So that Falcons D has to think about covering Calvin Johnson. It’s a good idea.

These two teams are lining up to take the AFC South crown with little to no resistance from the rest of their division. This game could go a long way in establishing who emerges as the front-runner in a mediocre division.

“Tim Tebow Time.” I’m more excited about never saying that phrase again more than I am about this game. Can you imagine if he loses to the winless Dolphins? Hilarious.

I REALLY want to see Philip Rivers and the Chargers demolish this Jet defense. If the Jets slip to below .500 in their division, they begin to slip off the playoff precipice. This feels like a “Mark Sanchez bounces back so he can disguise how awful he really is” kind of game, but I can’t take the Jets at all.

Joe's 2011 Gameday Recap: Bears 39, Vikings 10 posted by Joe Anello

On a night where the Bears had everything to lose, they stood together as a team and mercilessly pummeled the Vikings on their way to their third win of the season. Chicago’s front four battered the hapless Donovan McNabb while Cutler and the offense played keep-away and Devin Hester continued to lay claim to his “Greatest Return Man of All Time” status.

(3-3) Chicago Bears 39
(1-5) Minnesota Vikings 10

Before anyone else, Chicago’s defense really made its stand against Adrian Peterson. Lovie Smith stacked the box against the Vikings on first and second down, holding Peterson to only 39 yards on 12 carries. That forced the ball in Donovan McNabb’s hands, where it consistently landed short of the receiver or the first down marker, either way it didn’t matter to the Bears. They just want to get off the field. Minnesota’s offense never found its spark, though back-up Christian Ponder did relieve McNabb in the second half. That was after the Bears knocked McNabb around, sacking the veteran five times on the night. Julius Peppers notched two sacks of his own and dominated Charles Johnson throughout the game, bad knee and all.

After getting a three-and-out on the Vikings’ first drive, Chicago’s offense took the field and in three plays found themselves ahead on the scoreboard. A 17 yard toss to Roy Williams was succeeded by a play-action throw to Devin Hester that found its mark for a 48-yard touchdown. After punting on their next drive, the Bears got a lift on defense as rookie Stephen Paea and Brian Urlacher met at McNabb in the endzone for the safety. After the free kick, Matt Forte and Williams combined to set the Bears up at the three yard line, where Marion Barber found a ginormous opening to put the Bears up 16-0 in the first quarter. From there, it was nearly all downhill for Minnesota. A badly-missed Ryan Longwell field goal allowed Cutler to take the offense down 39 yards, giving Gould the chance to drill a 51-yarder.

Joe's 2011 Gameday Preview: Vikings at Bears posted by Joe Anello

After their embarrassing, penalty-plagued Monday nighter, the Chicago Bears are in primetime in a divisional match-up for the second straight week, this time taking the Sunday Night Football stage against Minnesota. At risk of falling in last place in the NFC North, the Bears can’t afford to lose.

(1-4) Minnesota Vikings at
(2-3) Chicago Bears 

Mike Martz just can’t seem to catch a freaking break. After weeks of having to deal with outside blitzes and skilled rushers, the trend continues against the Vikings. Ends Jared Allen and Brian Robison have been terrorizing quarterbacks this season and have the speed on the edges to get around J’Marcus Webb and newly minted right tackle Lance Louis. Why can my Jay never stay safe? In order to keep Cutler upright, Martz has to remain committed to the run with Matt Forte. Exploit Allen’s aggressive nature and get draw plays with Forte up the middle where the Vikings are weakest. There are going to be opportunities to take in the passing game, especially if Cutler gets the play-action going. The question remains: which wide receiver besides Dane Sanzenbacher will actually step-up and make a play? Roy Williams or Johnny Knox have to make a statement tonight, assuming they can get on the field for more than four snaps.

Typically the constant of any Bear team, the defense hasn’t put together a complete game yet this season. Coming off one of their worst performances, Lovie Smith’s squad will have new faces on the secondary. Instead of Chris Harris and Brandon Meriweather, Chicago’s starting safeties will be rookie Chris Conte and second year pro Major Wright. Hopefully they can take better angles and limit big plays by keeping the ball in front of them at all times. Where they’ll likely have issues is biting on run-fakes and double-movies. Fortunately for them, the Viking receivers aren’t exactly dangerous and Donovan McNabb couldn’t get a pass to them if his job depended on it. McNabb’s passes have a tendency to wobble and ground into the dirt, which keeps his completion percentage and interception totals low. Chicago won’t get many chances at turnovers from McNabb, especially since Julius Peppers likely won’t play due to a knee injury. With only Israel Idonije, Nick Reed and Corey Wootton as their ends with any game action behind them, the interior defensive line rotation must get penetration to disrupt the Viking offense.

The Opening Drive: Week 3, 2011 posted by Joe Anello

We’ve got some week three action on tap in the NFL! Division rivalries, rookie quarterbacks, and a crapper of a Sunday-nighter are on deck. Let’s start The Opening Drive!

(2-0) Houston Texans at
(1-1) New Orleans Saints

Arian Foster’s going to be sitting this one out, so but the Texans’ running attack won’t miss as much of a step as you would think. Though to be frank, I’d be shocked if there’s more than 15o yards rushing between these two offenses. What would be the point? If you want aerial assaults, this is the game for you. I can’t believe in Houston yet… but I might start feeling differently if they can take it to the Saints on the home turf.

Man, we just barely missed out on the utter boredom that would’ve been a week without Michael Vick in the NFL. You should feel lucky. Vick’s return from a concussion means he’s completely cleared to play, but against the Giants’ front four he could be in trouble again this week. That Eagle offensive line is way too suspect to keep Vick safe in the pocket. Philly’s only saving grace is that the Giants are too inconsistent on offense to keep up.

Rookie fight! I don’t even want to talk about the match-ups. I just want to discuss Blaine Gabbert’s hair finally getting the spotlight it deserves. …But if Cam Newton can figure out how to throw for 400 yards and win, perhaps that spotlight gets re-directed.

Joe's 2011 NFL Season Preview: The NFC North posted by Joe Anello

Always a source of drama, the North collided in the NFC title game when the Packers overtook the Bears on route to their Super Bowl win. Can the Packers repeat as champs? Will Detroit finally take the next step forward? Can Donovan McNabb get the Vikings to the playoffs? This divisional preview is all Black and Blue!

If you want an in-depth preview of the Chicago Bears, check back soon. I’ll break down every facet of the Bears down and give my official record in a multi-part blog posting before their opener against Atlanta.
2010 Record: 11-5
2011 Prediction: ???

Last year the Packers were decimated by injury, signing running backs off the street so they could compete down the stretch on their way to a Super Bowl victory. This year their luck on that front can’t help but turn around, so how much better can they be? Decidedly, in my opinion. Add the multitude of returning veterans from injury with a stable draft class and you’ll see a team that is as prepared as any to repeat. Aaron Rodgers was the cream of the NFC QB crop in 2010, and that was without top receiving tight end Jermichael Finley. Re-signing WR James Jones keeps Rodgers’ superb receiving corps intact. Look for the Packers to split carries more efficiently between the not-as-durable Ryan Grant, James Starks and fan-favorite fullback John Kuhn. Where the Packers might not be as strong is on the defensive line, losing DE Cullen Jenkins to the Eagles. That may affect their ability to lure blockers away from their pass-rushing linebackers Clay Matthews and Erik Walden. Regardless, veteran Charles Woodson and the still-emerging Tramon Williams are among the tops at the corner position, letting Green Bay play their man coverage schemes with effectiveness.  The Packers have the pure talent and ability to run over the NFC and it’ll show this year in their record.

The Best and Worst Classes of the 2011 NFL Draft posted by Joe Anello

Okay, now that we’ve had some time to digest the draft and some of the immediate ramifications, let’s delve into some of the teams I thought best took advantage of their selections. (Not winners and losers per se, since we can’t actually grade these drafts until three years or so elapse.) Still, what’s the NFL without some premature judging?

The Positive

Cincinnati Bengals

Chad Johnson won’t be back? No problem. Draft A.J. Green. Carson Palmer wants out? Who cares? Draft Andy Dalton. Done and done. The Bengals managed to find capable (on paper anyways) replacements for exiting superstars. Green was clearly the top receiver in this draft, so skipping him wasn’t an option for a team with two likely departing receivers. Getting Dalton in the second round was a surprise, seeing how QB’s practically flew off the shelves in round one. What I love about Cincy’s draft is that they prepared for any eventuality with Palmer without stretching their resources. They let Dalton fall to them and then they snapped him up.

Yes, he's a red-headed quarterback. Now let's move on.

I like how they drafted two linemen with their next picks, especially Dontay Moch, who will get in as a pass-rush specialist. They took another young wide-out in the sixth round with Ryan Whalen, and bookended that pick with two additions to their secondary/special teams unit. The Bengals may not recapture the AFC North in the 2011 season, but they’ll get the chance to in the near future.

Raiders confirm choice of Broncos' Allen (AP)

[read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports

Vikings’ Kluwe rips Bayless on Twitter

Leave it to Minnesota Vikings punter Chris Kluwe to defend thehonor of punters and kickers everywhere. [read full article]

From FOXSports.com News for NFL

Not-so-special special teams can lose an NFL game (AP)

If it's true, as the saying goes, that "defense wins championships," the NFL's conference title games offered ample evidence that special teams can lose them. "You're going to need special teams. A kick will win a game more often than a run or pass will win the game, and a special teams tackle can make a big difference," former Minnesota Vikings and Arizona Cardinals... [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports

Not-so-special special teams can losean NFL game (AP)

If it's true, as the saying goes, that "defense wins championships," the NFL's conference title games offered ample evidence that special teams can lose them. "You're going to need special teams. A kick will win a game more often than a run or pass will win the game, and a special teams tackle can make a big difference," former Minnesota Vikings and Arizona Cardinals... [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports

Vikings tab Alan Williams to run defense (AP)

The Minnesota Vikings have hired Alan Williams as their new defensive coordinator. Coach Leslie Frazier finalized changes to his staff Thursday, choosing the former Indianapolis Colts defensive backs coach to replace Fred Pagac (puh-GITCH) in charge of Minnesota's defense. The Vikings also hired Brendan Daly to be their defensive line coach, replacing Karl Dunbar. [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports