After exchanging a total of five three-and-outs to start the game, the Bears finally broke through on the scoreboard with a Robbie Gold field goal. An interception and a fumble on the two following Browns possessions lead to another field goal and a Matt Forte touchdown, putting the Bears up 16. A Browns score made it 16-6 early in the third, which was too close, even though I never felt like they were going to get the upper hand.

Continue reading "Cutler gets Jay-Roughed in Bears win over hapless Browns"

Jay Cutler said that the Bears offense needed to get going after the game. He said the team needed to make "big plays" in their mix.  That is true.  You can't depend upon a personal foul to get you close to the goal line. The Bears were the beneficiaries of such a penalty and Matt Forte punched it from the one yard line. Forte had 90 yards for the game. Which says, he is a pretty good runner against bad teams. Now, if you put him up against the Ravens, he might get stuffed.

To put it simply, the Bears are a decent to mediocre team and they need better talent at about five positions to become a good team. They need a strong, solid running back.  Like a Cedric Benson with his head on straight.  They could still use Forte as a back for screens and on short yardage plays.  The Bears need to bolster the offensive line with a young talented guard or tackle. They also need a quick, strong middle-linebacker.  Get one of those guys on Texas or Iowa.  Add on a reliable wide receiver and that would make what they have stronger. And allow Hester to return punts and kickoffs.

Continue reading "Bears Beat Browns 30-6 to go 4-3"

In the 2009 NFL, there are more teams at the bottom of the scrap heap than I can ever remember. Three (Tampa, Tennessee, St. Louis) are still winless, and another three (Detroit, Cleveland, Kansas City) have only managed one victory. It’s not just that these teams are bad; they’ve been downright awful this season. That’s why the Bears should (note I said should) have an easy day this Sunday when they welcome in the Cleveland Browns.  

Unfortunately, the Bears have nothing to be sure about after a 45-10 embarrassment at the hands of Carson Palmer and the Cincinnati Bengals. Facing another AFC North opponent, the Bears desperately need a victory to keep pace in the NFC North. A loss to one of the worst teams in football wouldn’t exactly help their league standing either.  

Continue reading "Joes Gameday Preview Browns at Bears"

With a busier schedule than normal, the Opening Drive was relegated to Sunday morning! Here’s my quick takes on some of the weekend’s NFL match-ups. 

(3-2) Baltimore Ravens at (5-0) Minnesota Vikings In one of the better match-ups of the weekend, Brett Favre and the undefeated Vikes get their toughest challenge to date when the surely fuming Ravens come to town. I don’t know if I can imagine that team after losing three straight. I’d be scared. Still, Minnesota has a stout defense of its own. Favre and Joe Flacco need to protect the ball because each offense excels at cashing in on turnovers. Man I hope the Ravens win. 

Continue reading "Joes Opening Drive Week 6"

(1-4) Cleveland Browns 6
(1-4) Buffalo Bills 3 

Ugliest. Game. Ever. Derek Anderson goes 2 for 13 in a WIN. Mangini should have stuck with Brady Quinn. In Buffalo, things could be even worse after signing T.O. in the offseason. Dick Jauron will lose his job during this season. You can almost lock it in. 

(3-2) Dallas Cowboys 26
(0-5) Kansas City Chiefs 20 

Wade Philips needs to thank Tony Romo and Miles Austin for saving his job. Austin’s 10 catches for 250 yards was a Cowboy franchise record and could not have come at a more significant moment with Roy Williams on the bench. While winless, Kansas City is at least keeping things close. 

Continue reading "Joes Final Drive Week 5"

Apparently Cleveland isn't big enough for both of them because Bron Bron says that Braylon has jealousy towards him.  The best part of the whole thing is.. who in the heck does Braylon Edwards think he is?  Really?  You want to roll IN Cleveland against LeBron?  Uhhhh.. Bron might be the greatest player in the NBA by the time his career is over.  He's from Ohio.  He's balling in Cleveland; they just made it to the Eastern Conference finals last year.  Did you know that Braylon?  Meanwhile, you had a all things go right Pro Bowl year in 2007.. and then?  Oh.. the Browns went 4-12 in 2008 with you leading the charge with 16 dropped passes.  NICE.  Now, you're in a contract year.. playing for a team that hasn't scored a TD since... well, according to this calendar since this guy was a factor in the NFL.  So, what are you going to do?  Simple.  Instead of going home, going to bed, and coming back ready to work hard on Monday.. why don't you, Braylon, head out on the town with your boys and at 2:30 AM punch a guy that LeBron calls "130 pounds and smaller then my kids."  

Continue reading "Braylon Edwards Assault"

Okay, we are 0-3. In most cases, you want your team to progress each game. Unfortunately, our team seems to be regressing.

First, we had the lead 13-10 at the half of the Vikings' game, and then we collapsed.

Next, we played about 2 decent quarters against Denver, we were losing at half, and then we collapsed.

Last week, we put up a good fight against the Ravens....right up until the kickoff. That was ugly.

TODAY'S GAME: Bengals

offense...

1. The right side of the offensive line, including John St. Clair, must play better. If not, DA will have no time to pass the rock. If we give him some time, I think DA and the receivers could have a big day against the Bengals. Speaking of the issues at right tackle, is Jon Runyan available. I know that he had off-season surgery, but I think that we need to explore other options like Runyan, especially if St. Clair does not improve.

Continue reading "Cleveland Browns Are we as bad as our record"

Week 4:

Bengals over Browns

New England over Baltimore

Washington over Tampa Bay

Tennessee over Jacksonville

Houston over Oakland

Chicago over Detroit

Indianapolis over Seattle

NYG over KC

New Orleans over NYJ

Miami over Buffalo

Dallas over Denver

SF over St. Louis

Pittsburgh over SD

Minnesota over Green Bay

Continue reading "Week 4 Hurried Predictions"

In week four of the NFL season, at least one more undefeated team will fall. AFC forces meet in Boston, and one of the best rivalries in the league takes it to a whole ‘nother level thanks to a certain unretiring quarterback. Week four Opening Drive commence! 

Cincinnati Bengals (2-1) at Cleveland Browns (0-3) 

Can you imagine the Bengals sitting in the driver’s seat in the AFC North at 3-1? Since they’re facing off against the offensively-challenged Browns, that’s becoming an extremely likely scenario. I don’t think anyone in Cincinnati could have imagined a better start in their zaniest dreams. Great job to Marvin Lewis and a defense that has been rightfully much-maligned over the years. Carson Palmer is as close to 100% as we’ve seen since his injury. Cleveland is still awful. Sorry. The players hate Eric Mangini and he can't stand firm on a quarterback for more than six minutes. Derek Anderson may be starting this week, but I don't think Brady Quinn will stay on the sidelines all season.

Continue reading "Joes Opening Drive Week 4"

(1-2) Detroit Lions 19 (1-2) Washington Redskins 14 

The Lions had to win eventually. Though it would be an unfortunate day for whatever unlucky team they defeated. Jim Zorn will keep his job… for a while longer. Congrats to the Lions and the fans that actually showed up to see it.

  
Get ready to lose next week.

(3-0) Minnesota Vikings 27
(2-1) San Francisco 49ers 24 

We’ve all seen or heard of Favre’s late game heroics. I blame Mike Singletary’s defense, which put only two players on the endzone. There were five Niners in the middle of the field! Everyone knows when they need a touchdown on the final play of the game you stack men in the endzone so they can bat the ball down. Horrible call from a good coach.

Continue reading "Joes Final Drive Week 3"