WEEK 17 // Bears beat Vikings 24-10, finish season 12-4

Wed Dec 26, 2018 10:49 am

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Vikings fans if they win this game only to realize they'd play the Bears at home next week:

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 CHICAGO BEARS 

 BOOOOOM!!

 @ 

Minnesota Vikings 

 SKOL this, assholes

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Week 17: CHICAGO BEARS (11-4) @ Minnesota Vikings (8-6-1)

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3:05 PM CT kickoff, Sunday December 30th, 2018
TV/RADIO: STREAMS/WBBM 780

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Wed Dec 26, 2018 10:50 am

Feels gross to say, but Bears lose this one thanks to starters being pulled prior to kickoff. Prepare for the Daniel/Mizzell/Braunecker show.

Bears 14
Vikings 24

Middleguard · Wed Dec 26, 2018 11:24 am

Bears probably lose this even if they don't rest starters. I have them with only a 17% chance of earning the bye.

Bears 14
Vikings 16

Funkster · Wed Dec 26, 2018 11:26 am

This is a weird one. IMO, the only reason the bears will keep their starters in is if the rams are loosing or the game is close. Securing a first round bye could be important to them. Otherwise, I don’t see Nagy showing his cards. The possibility of playing the Vikings two weeks in a row, seems like a scheduling faux pas. I’m kinda hoping it’s Philly.

Mikefive · Wed Dec 26, 2018 11:27 am

UOK wrote:Feels gross to say, but Bears lose this one thanks to starters being pulled prior to kickoff. Prepare for the Daniel/Mizzell/Braunecker show.

Bears 14
Vikings 24

Why would they pull the starters if they can get to a #2 seed with a Rams loss? That doesn't seem to make sense.

Mikefive · Wed Dec 26, 2018 11:28 am

I can't believe that the Bears are 6 point dogs in this one. I figured it would be a pick 'em.

Wed Dec 26, 2018 11:29 am

Mikefive wrote:
UOK wrote:Feels gross to say, but Bears lose this one thanks to starters being pulled prior to kickoff. Prepare for the Daniel/Mizzell/Braunecker show.

Bears 14
Vikings 24
Why would they pull the starters if they can get to a #2 seed with a Rams loss? That doesn't seem to make sense.

My prediction is based on the Rams beating the 49ers soundly and the Bears not being able to earn a bye.

Mikefive · Wed Dec 26, 2018 11:37 am

UOK wrote:
Mikefive wrote:
UOK wrote:Feels gross to say, but Bears lose this one thanks to starters being pulled prior to kickoff. Prepare for the Daniel/Mizzell/Braunecker show.

Bears 14
Vikings 24
Why would they pull the starters if they can get to a #2 seed with a Rams loss? That doesn't seem to make sense.

My prediction is based on the Rams beating the 49ers soundly and the Bears not being able to earn a bye.

OK, but the Bears and Rams both play at 3:25, so how would Nagy know it's a Rams wipeout before kickoff?

Wed Dec 26, 2018 11:42 am

Mikefive wrote:
UOK wrote:
Mikefive wrote:
UOK wrote:Feels gross to say, but Bears lose this one thanks to starters being pulled prior to kickoff. Prepare for the Daniel/Mizzell/Braunecker show.

Bears 14
Vikings 24
Why would they pull the starters if they can get to a #2 seed with a Rams loss? That doesn't seem to make sense.

My prediction is based on the Rams beating the 49ers soundly and the Bears not being able to earn a bye.
OK, but the Bears and Rams both play at 3:25, so how would Nagy know it's a Rams wipeout before kickoff?

....oh.

Well in that case, my prediction stands, because I don't think Nagy will play many starters anyway.

G08 · Wed Dec 26, 2018 11:48 am

I have no feel for this game because, as mentioned above, I have no idea how Nagy will play this out.

Truly, there is nothing stupider (IMO) than playing your starters in a game that means nothing to you but the world to your opponent. Yes, the sting of Green Bay from 2010 still lingers, but this is a bit of a different animal. On the other hand, Trubisky and this offense need as many reps as they can get -- BUT -- if there is a chance you play the same opponent 7 days later in a playoff game, the last thing you should do is show your cards.

Maybe Nagy meets in the middle... plans to play the starters in the first half regardless, but utilizes a very bland/vanilla attack. At halftime, if he sees that the Rams are spanking the 49ers, he will pull his starters (but MAN would he have egg on his face if we lose and the 49ers mount a comeback).

This boils down more to how our coaching staff wants to approach the game than it does talent vs. talent (at least in my football world). Therefore it's a coin flip for me:

Bears - 17
Vikings - 24

Funkster · Wed Dec 26, 2018 11:54 am

Mikefive wrote:
UOK wrote:Feels gross to say, but Bears lose this one thanks to starters being pulled prior to kickoff. Prepare for the Daniel/Mizzell/Braunecker show.

Bears 14
Vikings 24
Why would they pull the starters if they can get to a #2 seed with a Rams loss? That doesn't seem to make sense.

I guess the real question is do WE want them to secure a first round bye? This team looked totally different coming off a bye week and their mini bye week.

G08 · Wed Dec 26, 2018 12:09 pm

Funkster wrote:
Mikefive wrote:
UOK wrote:Feels gross to say, but Bears lose this one thanks to starters being pulled prior to kickoff. Prepare for the Daniel/Mizzell/Braunecker show.

Bears 14
Vikings 24
Why would they pull the starters if they can get to a #2 seed with a Rams loss? That doesn't seem to make sense.

I guess the real question is do WE want them to secure a first round bye? This team looked totally different coming off a bye week and their mini bye week.

I hear what you're saying but man, it's been a long season. I'm sure the boys wouldn't mind a week to rest and heal up.

mohner1 · Wed Dec 26, 2018 12:16 pm

Vikings are masters of self destruction. all we have to do is take the field, and the vikes will take care of the rest.

Bears 21
Vikes 16

BR0D1E86 · Wed Dec 26, 2018 12:30 pm

Mikefive wrote:
UOK wrote:
Mikefive wrote:
UOK wrote:Feels gross to say, but Bears lose this one thanks to starters being pulled prior to kickoff. Prepare for the Daniel/Mizzell/Braunecker show.

Bears 14
Vikings 24
Why would they pull the starters if they can get to a #2 seed with a Rams loss? That doesn't seem to make sense.

My prediction is based on the Rams beating the 49ers soundly and the Bears not being able to earn a bye.
OK, but the Bears and Rams both play at 3:25, so how would Nagy know it's a Rams wipeout before kickoff?

There’s a real strong possibility all the starters get pulled at halftime. It makes sense to cover them in that context.

Wed Dec 26, 2018 12:58 pm

After the Giants game, I predicted the he Bears would win out. I stand by that. The Bears should want to knock a division foe out of the playoffs and they could still be in contention for the #2 seed. So there is something to play for.

Bears 24
Vikings 19

The Marshall Plan · Wed Dec 26, 2018 1:23 pm

I think we lose this one because we aren't a good road team, key players will be rested for at least part of the game and the Vikings will be playing for their lives.

I want to be massively wrong and if I am I will be happy.

Vikings 20
Bears 14

Otis Day · Wed Dec 26, 2018 2:54 pm

Bears are not a road team. I feel Minny is a better team than the 9ers. Minny has a lot to play for. In a sense the Bears do to. Either way this is a loss. Felt that way prior to the season and seeing them play on the road only cements my feelings.

Minny - 24

Bears - 13

Richie · Wed Dec 26, 2018 3:14 pm

Funkster wrote:
Mikefive wrote:
UOK wrote:Feels gross to say, but Bears lose this one thanks to starters being pulled prior to kickoff. Prepare for the Daniel/Mizzell/Braunecker show.

Bears 14
Vikings 24
Why would they pull the starters if they can get to a #2 seed with a Rams loss? That doesn't seem to make sense.

I guess the real question is do WE want them to secure a first round bye? This team looked totally different coming off a bye week and their mini bye week.

This is a question and mentality floating throughout the forum which I can't seem to wrap my mind around.

A bye = free playoff win and being at home in the Divisional Round

No bye = playoff game you still have a to win in the Wild Card Round and then going on the road for the Divisional Round

You may not prefer a bye so you can roll into the playoffs with "momentum" to assure... what exactly? That you win in the first round? With a bye - you don't have to worry about that. Then, you're at Soldier Field in the divisional round vs LA. I mean, that alone should be enough.

Not to mention, I more so contribute those two performances to us being on the road - where we've done that sort of thing all year. Along with Chase Daniel being rather terrible against NYG.

Being at home in the divisional round would be such a big advantage for this team. Plus, the free pass through the first round. I also think the data on having a first round bye speaks for itself.

Only 12 of the 56 Super Bowl teams since 1990 have come through the Wild Card Round. 44 of 56 have had a first round bye. That is rather overwhelming.

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The NFL realigned into 8 divisions with 4 teams apiece when the Houston Texans joined the league in 2002. Since then, just 8 teams that played in the Wild Card round wound up advancing to the Super Bowl. They were the 03 Panthers, 05 Steelers, 06 Colts, 07 and 11 Giants, 08 Cardinals, 10 Packers and 12 Ravens. 6 of those teams won it all.

Once the NFL expanded to 32 teams, 2 teams in each conference received a first-round bye. Previously, there was only 1 team in each conference that would get a bye until the divisional round. From 1990-02, the league had 6 divisions, yet 12 teams still made the playoffs. That means that there were a trio of Wild Card entrants in each conference.

During that 13-year span, however, just 4 teams advanced through the Wild Card round and eventually made it to the Super Bowl, and all of them came out of the AFC. Those were the 92 Bills, 99 Titans, 97 Broncos and 00 Ravens. The Broncos and Ravens went on to win the Super Bowl.

Having a bye also means you get at least one playoff home game, which is massive in the NFL. In football, home teams have won playoff games 64.7 percent of the time, which is the highest mark among home teams in any of the 4 major American professional sports. In fact, that winning percentage of 64.7 percent is actually nearly 5 percent higher than the regular season winning percentage of home teams in football (57.1).

In conclusion, having a postseason bye is clearly beneficial. Having to play one fewer game along the path to the Super Bowl is a tremendous advantage. Getting the opportunity to play your games at home is an even larger advantage, as evidenced by the aforementioned numbers.

Richie · Wed Dec 26, 2018 3:21 pm

Oh... and...

Minnesota 24
Bears 17

We go into half in a tightly contested, low scoring contest. Then we pull the starters for Chase Daniel and the fuck around gang. We don't get blown away, but we get clearly outplayed and Minnesota forces a rematch next week in Chicago.

Richie · Wed Dec 26, 2018 3:29 pm

G08 wrote:I have no feel for this game because, as mentioned above, I have no idea how Nagy will play this out.

Truly, there is nothing stupider (IMO) than playing your starters in a game that means nothing to you but the world to your opponent. Yes, the sting of Green Bay from 2010 still lingers, but this is a bit of a different animal. On the other hand, Trubisky and this offense need as many reps as they can get -- BUT -- if there is a chance you play the same opponent 7 days later in a playoff game, the last thing you should do is show your cards.

Maybe Nagy meets in the middle... plans to play the starters in the first half regardless, but utilizes a very bland/vanilla attack. At halftime, if he sees that the Rams are spanking the 49ers, he will pull his starters (but MAN would he have egg on his face if we lose and the 49ers mount a comeback).

This boils down more to how our coaching staff wants to approach the game than it does talent vs. talent (at least in my football world). Therefore it's a coin flip for me:

Bears - 17
Vikings - 24

Well, Minnesota is in a position where they have no choice but to show their cards. If both teams show their cards... doesn't that sort of change what the "cards" will be after a week of film/review?

I'm sure there's some stuff we may keep under wraps. However, I doubt we go out there with a pre-season game plan.

G08 · Wed Dec 26, 2018 3:49 pm

Richie wrote:
G08 wrote:I have no feel for this game because, as mentioned above, I have no idea how Nagy will play this out.

Truly, there is nothing stupider (IMO) than playing your starters in a game that means nothing to you but the world to your opponent. Yes, the sting of Green Bay from 2010 still lingers, but this is a bit of a different animal. On the other hand, Trubisky and this offense need as many reps as they can get -- BUT -- if there is a chance you play the same opponent 7 days later in a playoff game, the last thing you should do is show your cards.

Maybe Nagy meets in the middle... plans to play the starters in the first half regardless, but utilizes a very bland/vanilla attack. At halftime, if he sees that the Rams are spanking the 49ers, he will pull his starters (but MAN would he have egg on his face if we lose and the 49ers mount a comeback).

This boils down more to how our coaching staff wants to approach the game than it does talent vs. talent (at least in my football world). Therefore it's a coin flip for me:

Bears - 17
Vikings - 24
Well, Minnesota is in a position where they have no choice but to show their cards. If both teams show their cards... doesn't that sort of change what the "cards" will be after a week of film/review?

I'm sure there's some stuff we may keep under wraps. However, I doubt we go out there with a pre-season game plan.

Well, yeah. But this enables someone like Nagy to throw myriad looks out there and to get tape on how Minnesota would defend said looks. "Oh when we motion our Zebra, they adjust like this when they are showing cover 1", etc.

Z Bear · Wed Dec 26, 2018 5:08 pm

I think they would like nothing more to smush a division rival's chances at the playoffs. The D has been playing lights out lately not allowing more than 1 TD in the last 3 games, that trend continues.

Bears 20- Barneys 13

Bring on the Iggles!

WagonForce · Wed Dec 26, 2018 6:07 pm

Bears cap off the regular season by showing that the team is continuing to grow every week. Playing a tough opponent, on the road, is a tall order and it's one I think the Bears tackle in week 17.

Both teams have strong moments on both sides of the ball, with the Bears managing to make more plays and ultimately win the game.

Bears 28
Vikings 20

southdakbearfan · Wed Dec 26, 2018 6:22 pm

Bears 24
Viqueens 14

Bears Whiskey Nut · Wed Dec 26, 2018 6:37 pm

Look. We've made the playoffs. I don't think that Nagy wants to show his cards for the playoffs, and will put formations on tape Week 17, that the Vikings have to account for in the first round. I think that Nagy rests some players with nicks and nagging injuries. I believe that the Bears lose this one.

HOWEVER. All of that is irrelevant. My one overriding goal is to beat G08 this week, so I don't have to suffer anymore, and I can get back into the W column.

Bears - 10
Vikings - 16

Middleguard · Wed Dec 26, 2018 7:24 pm

Bears Whiskey Nut wrote:My one overriding goal is to beat G08 this week, so I don't have to suffer anymore, and I can get back into the W column.

Bears - 10
Vikings - 16

Not a bad idea to follow my lead in predicting a slugfest, as I'm ahead of both you and GO8 in my overall standings.

But having said that, it's almost guaranteed that the game will be a shootout.

Good luck to us both, and especially to the Bears even tho their win will give us each a miss.

Bears Whiskey Nut · Wed Dec 26, 2018 7:31 pm

Middleguard wrote:
Bears Whiskey Nut wrote:My one overriding goal is to beat G08 this week, so I don't have to suffer anymore, and I can get back into the W column.

Bears - 10
Vikings - 16
Not a bad idea to follow my lead in predicting a slugfest, as I'm ahead of both you and GO8 in my overall standings.

But having said that, it's almost guaranteed that the game will be a shootout.

Good luck to us both, and especially to the Bears even tho their win will give us each a miss.

No offense Middleguard. But I don’t care if I’m losing to you. I just need to beat that no talent ass clown G08.

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Pagan · Wed Dec 26, 2018 10:32 pm

Whether the Bears pull /most/some/all the starters.. I believe the Bears beat the Vikings, on the road this Sunday.

This team has WAY better depth than its had for as long as I can remember.

Bears: 27

Vikings 16

docc · Wed Dec 26, 2018 11:58 pm

anything need be said ?

I think not..
You are alive until DEAD..
Kick some ass..

Ormazd · Thu Dec 27, 2018 5:44 am

Vikings 27
Bears 17