Bears Blitz

Published by Kevin Jones on January 7, 2011
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears

What a boring NFL season. I’ll admit the Redskins continuous failures kind of titled me against pro football this season, but there was just one storyline that ESPN, Fox, CBS etc. kept drilling in our heads: Michael Vick and the Eagles. Everyone and their mother and their dogs, too soon, have been slobbering all over Vick’s private parts for the duration of 2010.

I understand the obsession; he’s a once in a generation player with a Hollywood smile and a swagger like Lil’ Wayne’s. But I can’t stand the Eagles being successful and I’m so ready for this season to be over with.

It was made clearly obvious that the NFL is trying to setup a Tom Brady vs. Michael Vick Super Bowl when the league postponed a snowy game until Tuesday, so that Vick and other Eagles could avoid injury.

In fact, I find myself almost rooting for a lockout.

I’m not kidding when I say that Fantasy Football is ruining the NFL I once knew. I’ll be sitting next to diehard Redskins fans who are jumping for joy when hated rival Desean Jackson races through the end zone. I swear, no never mind, I know people get more excited if they make the fantasy playoffs rather than seeing their own team make the postseason.

When I first started watching the NFL I was told by the men in my family to hate every other team in the NFL. Being a sports fan is a world full of jealousy and disgust, but that’s why I love it.

Right now the NFL and I are on rocky terms.

A lockout could bring other people to my side. The NBA and I have been flirting for a long time now and I am considering making the switch. But an exciting 2011 playoffs could make up for all of the disappointment I witnessed this past season.

Chicago Bears (31 percent)

The additions of Julius Peppers and offensive coordinator Mike Martz make this Bears team a more complete version of the 2006 group that went all the way to the Super Bowl. Both of these newcomers have competed in Super Bowls and will provide extra leadership outside of Lovie Smith and Brian Urlacher.

If the Falcons are somehow upended in their opening game, a likely scenario, no other NFC team can come into Soldier Field and knock off the Bears. The Chicago defense is as tough and gritty as those in Pittsburgh, Baltimore and New England. A stat I love is that the Bears are number one in defensive third down stops.

Excluding quarterbacks, I think Devin Hester is the most valuable weapon in the NFC. Not just for his ability to score touchdowns at the blink of an eye, but Hester also plays mind games with the punter which usually alters field position.

I know what you’re thinking: There is no way Jay Cutler can make a Super Bowl. But Cutler’s three best games this season have been the Bears toughest opponents. Cutler diced Dallas week two when they were still considered a Super Bowl favorite, tosses four touchdowns against Philly and dismantled a Rex Ryan defense in the snow. Also tally in that Matt Forte is the best security blanket back in the NFC.

Call me crazy, call me bold, call me an idiot. I don’t care. But you can pucker up and kiss my ass when Chicago is playing at Jerry’s Palace in February.

Philadelphia Eagles (28 percent)

I won’t even harp on Philadelphia’s immaculate offense. If they get into a shootout type of game, Michael Vick and company have enough speed to physically wear down a defense. The Eagle offensive line is very insecure and also banged up though. This could affect their notorious deep ball passing game.

If I were an Eagle fan, I’d be extremely worried about the defense.

The Eagles gave up 23.6 points per game this season and no Super Bowl winning team has ever allowed that much. And once an opponent enters the Eagles red-zone, you can forget about it. The 76 percent touchdown ratio inside the 20’s in the worst performance by a playoff defense since the 1988 Houston Oilers.

The Eagles do always force turnovers, especially at home. Defensively their blitzing frustrated Aaron Rodgers in week one. Plus Andy Reid’s playoff experience is second to none in the NFC.  But I think Asante Samuel and Desean Jackson are both playing hurt, and when they aren’t making big plays, the Eagles tend to falter.

Atlanta Falcons (19 percent)

Atlanta plays the most fundamental football in the NFC. Rarely are they penalized, rarely do they allow sacks and rarely do they lose at home. Matt Ryan has a career 20-2 record in the Georgia Dome and even played a postseason game as a rookie. The Falcons were clutch during the regular season ranking third in third down conversions and first in fourth down conversions.

A big motive behind the Falcons success in 2010 was their ability in avoiding the injury bug. This defense is slightly above average and lacking a guy who can make a big play late in a game. And as good as the offense is, it just isn’t explosive. If Atlanta makes it all the way to Dallas it will be all on “Matty Ice.”

New Orleans Saints (17 percent)

Drew Brees is the smartest quarterback in the NFC and will prepare well enough to shred any defense besides Chicago’s. He just won’t have enough help without running backs Chris Ivory and Pierre Thomas. Reggie Bush was a staple of last season’s playoff success, but that was when he was the change of pace guy. After his early season leg injury, he hasn’t had the same burst he’s displayed much of his career.

Defensive coordinator Gregg Williams is going to blitz opposing quarterbacks to try and force turnovers. Surprisingly this defense is actually ranked higher than last seasons.

In the end Brees is just going to be asked to do too much. He threw an unheard of 22 picks in 2010. That won’t fly in the playoffs.

Green Bay Packers (4 percent)

The Cheeseheads play to the Saints, but are a far worse road team. Green Bay was 3-5 on the road. There just isn’t a scenario in my mind where I can see them toppling Philadelphia, Chicago and Atlanta/New Orleans.

They are one-dimensional on offense and remember last year they allowed 51 points in the wild card round to Arizona. The Green Bay defense is full of playmakers though. If Charles Woodson, Clay Matthews and BJ Raji all execute Dom Capers schemes, they could sneak by the Eagles, but that’s as far as their going.

Seattle Seahawks (1%)

How crazy is it that a playoff team, no wait, a team that WON its division was unsure of who was going to start at quarterback in an opening round of the playoffs.

The starter will be Matt Hasselbeck, who is struggled this season but has four career playoff wins and great statistics against blitzing defenses.

For the Seahawks to reach the Super Bowl all of the following will have to happen in their three games played: five return touchdowns, catastrophic injuries to opposing pro bowl type players, Marshawn Lynch to become Ricky Waters and a countrywide blizzard that forces the rest of the playoffs to be played at Qwest Field.

Yeah, that ain’t happening.

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