MNF: Bears Perspective

Players to Watch:

QB Jay Cutler - The Vikings pass defense this 2010 season simply put has been "suspect". To my surprise, the Vikings are favorably ranked as the #10 best pass defense statistically in 2010, allowing just under 210 yards passing per game NFL.com. Moreover the defense has allowed only one 300 yard passer this entire season. Yet they still have managed to stumble to a 5-8 record with no real shot at the postseason. Now why is this? Well the Vikings and DE's, Jared Allen and Ray Edwards notably, have notched a miserable 23 sacks all season. Only 3 teams, the Bengals, Bucs, and Broncos have less sacks. Now to my point, Jay Cutler has been one of the most sacked man in the NFL (the Bears leading the NFL in sacks allowed with 47 this season alone). Something has got to give, and if the Bears want to get back on track, they will need to protect Jay Cutler.

RBs Chester Taylor and Matt Forte - Although afore mentioned protection of Jay Cutler will be necessary, due to the weather conditions, it is imperative that the Bears get the ground game up and running. One of only 9 teams averaging less than 100 yards on the ground, the Bears must keep the Vikings defense honest. In all reality, Martz should plan on at around 30 touches to Matt Forte and somewhere around 15 touches for Chester taylor.

DE Julius Peppers - Upgraded to questionable, the Ironman himself, Brett Favre, may have an opportunity to start versus "Da Bears". That being said, I can bet that Peppers is licking his chops. One of the most dominant down lineman this season, Peppers has tallied 8 sacks and ranks inside the top 20 in the NFL in sacks. If Peppers can really get after the QB and get a lot of hits on Favre/whichever QB is playing, the Bears will be in a great position to win the football game.

Key Matchup: Vikings QBs versus the Bears Pass Defense - Surprising as it may sound, I will talk about passing here. Last week Chicago had Tom Brady and the Patriots come into town in similar weather as tonight, and were absolutely torched through the air (as well as the ground). Nevertheless this week involves the Bears being the visitors to a homeless Vikings squad. Whichever QB comes out and starts tonight will need to be on top of their game versus a Bears secondary that allows just 225 ypg and has 16 interceptions on the year. ( UPDATE I just received a text update saying that will be Brett Favre, and Adrian Peterson is out, meaning Toby Gerhart will start. Gerhart will likely be counted upon to shoulder the load, however Brett Favre will need to be careful with the football and play mistake-free football.) 

Why the Bears Will Win - The Vikings have found ways to lose this season, and the Bears simply have found ways to win. The Bears have won 5 games by 5 or less points, and the Vikings have lost 5 games by 10 points or less this season. They Bears will be storming out of the gate after last week's utter disappointment on the national stage against the Pats. 

Prediction: Bears 31 - 27 Vikings 

Myron Pryor fined $7,500 by Roger Goodell

This is getting absolutely outrageous.  Someone please tell me what is wrong with this hit.  Are you serious?  Give it up, Roger...Let them play.

Any guesses on when we will see the first offensive player fined for using his helmet as a weapon?

HE SERIOUSLY GOT FINED FOR THIS?!?!

$7,500 For This Hit?

The NFL fined Patriots defensive lineman Myron Pryor $7,500 for this hit. I don't get it. This is literally a perfect form tackle. In no way should this hit have been worthy of a fine. Would anyone even look twice at this hit had it not injured Favre? Is the new rule if any QB (especially a high profiled one) gets injured the NFL gives them a fine? This is a complete joke.

I think Troy Polamalu has the best resolution to this ongoing problem:

"There needs to be some type of separation of power, like our government, I don't think it should be based totally on what two or three people may say that are totally away from the game. It should be some of the players that are currently playing."

Week 8 thoughts

Media is focusing way too much on:

QB Brett Favre - Does anyone care about his injuries anymore? Yes it is amazing that he has played 293 games, and it will be one of those things that will be really impressive when he actually retires, and when you look back at it. The worst part is that Favre is the one that is fueling these stories. I know he is injured and I know he has a long streak, do we need to hear about it every day? Make it a story when he actually doesn't start. I don't think I have ever seen an athlete talk about himself this much before (other than maybe LeBron James) and Favre's team is 2-5.

Dallas Cowboys: Wade Phillips is terrible. They have tons of talent, but always underachieve.

This is nothing new, this is what the Cowboys have been for the last 10 years. What else is there to say? They are 1-6! Why are they still being talked about?

Media needs to focus more on:

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: They are 5-2, yet I do not think most football fans can name 3 players on their roster. This should be a fun team to watch for a long time. QB Josh Freeman and rookie WR Mike Williams are legit and CB Aqib Talib may be one of the best corners in the NFL and all are under 25.

Oakland Raiders: They have blown out their opponents in the last two games and are finally

showing the Raider nation a team they can be proud of. Yet the Raiders have had local TV blackouts for 11 straight games now. This is shocking considering how intimidating the fans are in Oakland. McClain said he wouldn't give an interview until the Raiders sold out a game:

"If the fans come out and we can sell out a damn game, I'll talk to the media," McClain said. "Until then ... I need full fan support." (NFL.com)

Rookies Dominating - It seems this year, more than usual, first year players have come in and really impressed. Look across almost every roster in the NFL and you will see rookies making a key impact on their teams. QB Sam Bradford, WR Mike Williams, DT Ndamukong Suh, CB Devin McCorty, S Eric Berry, S Earl Thomas

NFL Breaking News: Randy Moss Trade

It's official and written in stone; Randy Moss is traded to the Minnesota Vikings in return for a 3rd round pick to the New England Patriots.

Most New England fans knew this was coming, and thus it has happened. Yet I feel this team is more prepared than ever to take this hit, as the Pats have slowly morphed into a 2 TE set team, with Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez; Less focus is on Wes Welker and Randy Moss and more upon the system.




If you go back to last season, you will notice the Patriots also traded star defensive end, Richard Seymour for a 1st rounder, from Oakland in the upcoming 2011 draft. Also in the 2010 draft, New England sent their 3rd rounder for Carolina's 2nd rounder; all the trades executed, as well as the contract extension to Tom Brady, show a 5 year plan by the front office in New England. Gather as many high quality picks in the 2011 draft, infuse young talent over the next 2-3 years, and retain your franchise quarterback. The management for the Pats here is about as good as it gets. Here is a look at the list of picks for the patriots in 2011; note info is from NEpatriotsdraft.com

1st Round
1st Round (OAK – Richard Seymour)
2nd Round (CAR – 2010 3rd Round)
2nd Round
3rd Round

3rd Round (MIN - Randy Moss)
4th Round
4th Round (DEN – Laurence Maroney)
5th Round
6th Round (NO – David Thomas)

Picks traded away:

6th Round (DEN – Laurence Maroney)
7th Round (ATL – Quinn Ojinnaka)
Conditional Draft Pick – Round Unknown (KC – Jarrad Page)

With 2 picks in each of the first 4 rounds for the upcoming draft, the Patriots are poised to answer all questions about the hole left by Moss with a deep class of wide receivers. Also the Pats most glaring concern over the past few seasons is at cornerback, and this year's draft class is the best I have seen in years; with a number of top end playmaking corners to choose from in the upcoming draft, New England knew that and planned accordingly.

The Patriots could even invest in a big time corner in Patrick Peterson or a Randy Moss type receiver in AJ Green, by packaging a number of their of draft picks in a draft day deal.

The other side of the equation is very simple; Vikings want to win the Super Bowl now! This year! Brett Favre is in possibly his last season (yeah right!), and with Sidney Rice out for a majority of the season the Vikes were struggling mightily without a clear cut deep threat. With Randy Moss, Brett Favre has the best deep threat he has ever had in his 20 year career.

It will be interesting hows this pans out in 2010 for the Vikings, and how the draft rolls out in 2011 for the Pats, but nevertheless this has got to be the biggest trade of the season. And we're just getting started!

Brett Favre to Retire

But will he play???
Brett Favre apparently has told team officials that he is going to retire and not return for his 20th season.

If Brett Favre actually does not return it will be up to Tarvaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels to lead the Vikings in 2010.  This would be a major blow to the Vikings, as it is pretty apparent that Brett Favre can still play, having one of the best seasons of his career in 2009.  Odds are it will be Tarvaris Jackson.  Expect the Vikings to fall a good bit in ESPN's Preseason Power Rankings, my guess is from about 3rd to 9th.  Tarvaris Jackson consistently completes under 60% of his passes, but if he can limit the turnovers expect the Vikings to have pretty good success given the strength of their rushing offense and defense.