CrackerDog Posted September 16, 2013 Report Share Posted September 16, 2013 To get myself to chill with all this 12-4 talk, I took a look at the Bears performance on defense. We're on a pace to give up 408 points. We gave up 277 last year. In fact, only 8 teams last year gave up that many points and guess what... Not one of them was a playoff team. You can sugarcoat this any way you like but if this trend continues, the Bears aren't going anywhere this year. I don't care how good Cutler and Forte turn out to be. The D needs to improve and they can start by getting a little pressure on the opposing QB. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrackerDog Posted September 16, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 16, 2013 I took this a step further. The teams remaining on our schedule have averaged scoring about 24 points per game so far this year. If you take that over the 14 games remaining, this means we'll give up another 336 points. Adding our current 51 would yield 387 which is only slightly better than the number I posted above. Now you may say the Bears will give up fewer points than the average because we have a better D, but has that been proven yet? I haven't seen it. Maybe the offensive numbers decline as the weather gets worse. Maybe the offenses have been ahead of the defenses early in the season this year which is the reverse of usual but perhaps it's true. I don't know. But as a fan of the Bears I've been able to count on a stout D for most of my life. I'm not sure how this all pencils out in the end, but I can't get comfortable with this team going a long way in the playoffs if we continue to give up a large number of points. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed Hochuli 3:16 Posted September 16, 2013 Report Share Posted September 16, 2013 Last week, the Bears only gave up 21 and this week only 17. The special teams just needs to be tightened up as do the turnovers on offense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam Posted September 16, 2013 Report Share Posted September 16, 2013 So none of these teams will make the playoffs: Atlanta 47 Dallas 48 Detroi 49 Denver 50 Chicago 51 Houston 52 Green Bay 54 St Louis 55 Baltimore 55 San Francisco 57 Philadelphia 60 San Diego 61 and these teams will: NY Jets 30 Oakland 30 Tampa Bay 34 Carolina 36 Cleveland 37 Scoring is way up this year if you haven't noticed, so historical comparisons for pts (for/against) is sort of irrelevant. Pts differential and turnover differential are better indicators, but even now it is still too early to compare. Maybe after 4 games (25% of season) is the earliest time to compare. ( Also, like Brian said, Minny had a ST and Defensive TD which would bring us down to 37 (18.5 per game) which is much more realistic to where the Bears defense is at. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrackerDog Posted September 16, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 16, 2013 So none of these teams will make the playoffs: Atlanta 47 Dallas 48 Detroi 49 Denver 50 Chicago 51 Houston 52 Green Bay 54 St Louis 55 Baltimore 55 San Francisco 57 Philadelphia 60 San Diego 61 That really is crazy, isn't it? I noticed that as I was looking this stuff up. Numbers are high all over! Although Seattle put the smack down on SF last night in the rain. 3 points for ol' Sourpuss Harbaugh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BearFan PHX Posted September 16, 2013 Report Share Posted September 16, 2013 Not all the points are scored on the defense. The kickoff return and the fumble recovery this week for example. They only socred 16 on us. And frankly, when the offense stops making mistakes, it will limit opponents scoring even more, both in terms of limiting their time with the ball, and in terms of our defensive front being better rested in the 3rd and 4th quarters. I think we've seen a lot to be happy about - talent, a scheme etc. I also think we've been terribly inefficient, and with good coaching we ought to get much better. It's early, but the trajectory looks good to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scs787 Posted September 17, 2013 Report Share Posted September 17, 2013 My goodness, some of the posts I've read the last 2 weeks are just well, out there...After 2 games last year they were on pace to give 352, yet as you said they only gave up 277....This is like saying Payton Manning is on gonna throw 64 TDs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrackerDog Posted September 17, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 17, 2013 My goodness, some of the posts I've read the last 2 weeks are just well, out there...After 2 games last year they were on pace to give 352, yet as you said they only gave up 277....This is like saying Payton Manning is on gonna throw 64 TDs. No question. If they shutout the Steelers next week they'll be on a 17 point per game pace. I'm purposely looking for something negative, as I said in my original post, because I think we're getting a little too giddy. I don't accept the argument that only points scored against the D count. There were points scored on turnovers against us last year too. Apples to apples. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alaskan Grizzly Posted September 17, 2013 Report Share Posted September 17, 2013 No question. If they shutout the Steelers next week they'll be on a 17 point per game pace. I'm purposely looking for something negative, as I said in my original post, because I think we're getting a little too giddy. To help stifle the giddyness a little, something to put into perspective was the team went 7-1 last year before "flaming out" to 10-6 AND not make the playoffs. So, it's WAY too early to celebrate. "That's why they play the game." And one other thought; these "two playoff teams" everyone keeps talking about we're one and done in those playoffs. And the Vikings had the same record as the Bears (only made it because of a tiebreaker). And as it stands currently these two teams are currently 0-3. Although by the end of tonight will probabaly be 1-3. Which means the Bears will be squaring off with an 0-2 Steeler team next week. I'll pass on the kool aid, thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stinger226 Posted September 17, 2013 Report Share Posted September 17, 2013 To help stifle the giddyness a little, something to put into perspective was the team went 7-1 last year before "flaming out" to 10-6 AND not make the playoffs. So, it's WAY too early to celebrate. "That's why they play the game." And one other thought; these "two playoff teams" everyone keeps talking about we're one and done in those playoffs. And the Vikings had the same record as the Bears (only made it because of a tiebreaker). And as it stands currently these two teams are currently 0-3. Although by the end of tonight will probabaly be 1-3. Which means the Bears will be squaring off with an 0-2 Steeler team next week. I'll pass on the kool aid, thanks. We have a long way to go to make the playoffs, but 2-0 is a pretty good start, lets see what the next game has to say about our resilience, but the arrow is pointing up right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed Hochuli 3:16 Posted September 17, 2013 Report Share Posted September 17, 2013 To help stifle the giddyness a little, something to put into perspective was the team went 7-1 last year before "flaming out" to 10-6 AND not make the playoffs. So, it's WAY too early to celebrate. "That's why they play the game." And one other thought; these "two playoff teams" everyone keeps talking about we're one and done in those playoffs. And the Vikings had the same record as the Bears (only made it because of a tiebreaker). And as it stands currently these two teams are currently 0-3. Although by the end of tonight will probabaly be 1-3. Which means the Bears will be squaring off with an 0-2 Steeler team next week. I'll pass on the kool aid, thanks. They're 0-3 because of the Bears. It's not like they lost to Oakland, Jacksonville and Tampa Bay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrizzlyBear Posted September 17, 2013 Report Share Posted September 17, 2013 Briggs stated they gave up 21 in first game, and this one they gave up 13. Its a improvement. Plus the fact they won 2 games without url in middle. Whoda thunk it.? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alaskan Grizzly Posted September 17, 2013 Report Share Posted September 17, 2013 They're 0-3 because of the Bears. It's not like they lost to Oakland, Jacksonville and Tampa Bay. And the Bears haven't beaten anyone that actually WON a playoff game last year. Just keeping things in perspective. Like Stinger said the team has an upward trajectory but they did last year too. One game at a time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam Posted September 17, 2013 Report Share Posted September 17, 2013 And the Bears haven't beaten anyone that actually WON a playoff game last year. Just keeping things in perspective. Like Stinger said the team has an upward trajectory but they did last year too. One game at a time. Yeah but they didn't play anyone who won a playoff game last year, so I don't know how relevant that is. I am just optimistic because we never win games like that, and we now won two and have a lot of room to improve. The offense looks ready to explode and this week might be the week vs a bad PIT team on a short week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChileBear Posted September 17, 2013 Report Share Posted September 17, 2013 We have a long way to go to make the playoffs, but 2-0 is a pretty good start, lets see what the next game has to say about our resilience, but the arrow is pointing up right now. Oh yeah. Long way to go. But it feels good to be 2-0 and to have a bit more confidence that the O can do something when the going gets tough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alaskan Grizzly Posted September 17, 2013 Report Share Posted September 17, 2013 Yeah but they didn't play anyone who won a playoff game last year, so I don't know how relevant that is. At the risk of being called a "troll" (you're welcome Mad), the relevancy is that people keep making the claim that the Bears played 'two playoff teams' from a year ago but forget to mention that neither won their respective playoff games. If they were teams like SF, Seattle, Denver or Baltimore then maybe it would be something worth comparing. My 'counter' came at the expense of Cracker's comment about all the giddyness of what has occured thus far. Don't get me wrong I'm thrilled to see our team do as well as they are (in fact I'm still hoarse from yelling so much on Sunday) I'm just guarded in my optimism. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daventry Posted September 17, 2013 Report Share Posted September 17, 2013 Some replies sound a little like sour grapes from the Lovie lovers....no worries, I think most here can see we have an upgraded coaching staff this year and the team is definitely on its way up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madlithuanian Posted September 17, 2013 Report Share Posted September 17, 2013 At the risk of being called a "troll" (you're welcome Mad), the relevancy is that people keep making the claim that the Bears played 'two playoff teams' from a year ago but forget to mention that neither won their respective playoff games. If they were teams like SF, Seattle, Denver or Baltimore then maybe it would be something worth comparing. My 'counter' came at the expense of Cracker's comment about all the giddyness of what has occured thus far. Don't get me wrong I'm thrilled to see our team do as well as they are (in fact I'm still hoarse from yelling so much on Sunday) I'm just guarded in my optimism. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrackerDog Posted September 17, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 17, 2013 My 'counter' came at the expense of Cracker's comment about all the giddyness of what has occured thus far. Don't get me wrong I'm thrilled to see our team do as well as they are (in fact I'm still hoarse from yelling so much on Sunday) I'm just guarded in my optimism. And I agree with you 100%! I think we need to chill out a little bit. If we all start chirping about how the Bears are destined for the Superbowl we'll sound like nothing more than talk radio idiot callers. I think we're more cerebral around here. At least some of us are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChileBear Posted September 17, 2013 Report Share Posted September 17, 2013 And I agree with you 100%! I think we need to chill out a little bit. If we all start chirping about how the Bears are destined for the Superbowl we'll sound like nothing more than talk radio idiot callers. I think we're more cerebral around here. At least some of us are. "Cerebral" and Da Bears fans?! LMAO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madlithuanian Posted September 17, 2013 Report Share Posted September 17, 2013 "Cerebral" and Da Bears fans?! LMAO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stinger226 Posted September 17, 2013 Report Share Posted September 17, 2013 At the risk of being called a "troll" (you're welcome Mad), the relevancy is that people keep making the claim that the Bears played 'two playoff teams' from a year ago but forget to mention that neither won their respective playoff games. If they were teams like SF, Seattle, Denver or Baltimore then maybe it would be something worth comparing. My 'counter' came at the expense of Cracker's comment about all the giddyness of what has occured thus far. Don't get me wrong I'm thrilled to see our team do as well as they are (in fact I'm still hoarse from yelling so much on Sunday) I'm just guarded in my optimism. That is a good way to put it, guarded. Every year is different, teams that look bad last year are good and good teams look bad. Like you said , one game at a time. I am always in a good mood after a Bear win(no matter how sloppy it might have been). When we lose,just doesnt agree with me. I guess that what happens when you bleed blue. We all can agree, wining is a lot more fun. Until the next game, guarded. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.