Week 11 Official Game Thread - CHI @ MIN, Nov 16th, 12PM CST, FOX, CHI +2.5

[adam]

The Bears come in as 2.5 dogs to MIN in MIN. 

It seems that some teams have figured out the MIN defense. They have allowed 27, 24, 37, and 28 in the last 4 games, and are 1-3 in those 4. 

MIN has scored 19, 27, 10, 22, 21, and 21 in the last 6 games. McCarthy does not look NFL-ready, he threw 2 INTs and now has 6 on the season in 4 games. 

Unfortunately, I feel like this is going to be another nail biter, I am thinking Bears 27-24. 

[BearFan PHX]

7-3 would be fantastic.

And we are going to start being challenged most of the next weeks, and thats good - win or lose we need that challenge to see where we are, and hone that blade for next year.

[AZ54]

This time around we've got the running game that we didn't have in week 1.  It will help a lot when Minn presses the LOS.  

[Bears4Ever_34]

Yeah, I wish I felt better about this game than I do. McCarthy isn't an NFL starter, but I don't have confidence in this defense to make him look terrible.

As long as Ben Johnson continues to use Swift more than Monangai, I'm not as confident in this run game against the Vikings. Swift just doesn't have the physical presence that Monangai does running down hill. He gives them some extra juice, and picks up those hidden yards that Swift generally does not do. If Johnson continues with the same script next week, I think that's going to be a big mistake, along with keeping Burden off the field. I hope he's smart enough to recognize this.

[CrackerDog]

4 hours ago, BearFan PHX said:

7-3 would be fantastic.

And we are going to start being challenged most of the next weeks, and thats good - win or lose we need that challenge to see where we are, and hone that blade for next year.

I agree 100%.  As good as 6-3 feels and the fact that Caleb has been the catalyst, we’ve beaten some lousy teams.  With the way the D and ST are playing it wouldn’t surprise me if we go 0-4 over the next four weeks.  If we go 2-2 over those games the playoffs are within reach.  

[BearFan PHX]

2 hours ago, CrackerDog said:

I agree 100%.  As good as 6-3 feels and the fact that Caleb has been the catalyst, we’ve beaten some lousy teams.  With the way the D and ST are playing it wouldn’t surprise me if we go 0-4 over the next four weeks.  If we go 2-2 over those games the playoffs are within reach.  

for sure, playoffs or no, we need a pass rush, and we dont have one. this is not a complete team yet, but we do have some young players, and theyre starting to get it.

I especially liked reports of Ben Johnson telling Poles NOT to trade picks for players at the deadline. Johnson has some affection for the young guys he hasnt even drafted yet that he knows they will coach up. That's the right way to think it. Im so happy to hear it.

[jason]

3 hours ago, Bears4Ever_34 said:

As long as Ben Johnson continues to use Swift more than Monangai, I'm not as confident in this run game against the Vikings. Swift just doesn't have the physical presence that Monangai does running down hill. He gives them some extra juice, and picks up those hidden yards that Swift generally does not do. If Johnson continues with the same script next week, I think that's going to be a big mistake, along with keeping Burden off the field. I hope he's smart enough to recognize this.

Agree on Swift v Monangai. Swift seems pedestrian at times, and doesn’t hit the expected hole immediately, costing him yards. Monangai sees it, hits it, drives hard, and regularly picks up extra yards after contact.