Even I did not expect the Bears to perform like they did yesterday. Beating the Panthers 13–3 does not sound that impressive, but if you actually watched the game, you’d realize that the Bears defense totally dominated the game. I had an argument with a co-worker this morning (who happens to be a Green Bay fan) and he said that he wouldn’t call scoring 13 points very dominant. This is a case where the score doesn’t tell the whole story. The Bears’ defense had EIGHT sacks, and two interceptions, and totally shut down one of the most potent offenses in the NFC. They were all over Jake Delhomme, and I think were in his head before the game even started. Carolina had been averaging almost 28 points per game this season, and the Bears held them to just 3. Yes Brent, the Bears dominated this game. The Panthers’ lone offensive positive was Steve Smith. I was really impressed with his speed and ability to make some really tough catches. He definitely deserves the MVP consideration he’s getting.
With this win, the Bears are finally gaining some respect in the national media. Here are some quotes that I’ve found:
- “I eat my words. The Bears have played somebody. A good team. And they kicked the living tar out of the Panthers.” -Peter King in his cnnsi.com Monday Morning QB column.
- “ Before Sunday, you could argue that the Bears hadn't beaten even one good offensive team or one top-20 quarterback. But you can't say that any more. Chicago won its sixth in a row and snapped the Panthers' six-game win streak in the process. This one was the win that told us the Bears just might be for real. With that defense and some cold weather to come, Chicago can no longer be taken lightly.” -Don Banks in his cnnsi.com Snap Judgments column.
- Not quite the response I’d like to hear, but Dr. Z, is starting to admit that he made a mistake in predicting the Bears would only win 3 games this year.
- “ As measured with their words as they were merciless with their pass rush, Chicago Bears defenders tried hard after Sunday's victory over the Carolina Panthers to maintain an air of anonymity, to remain the league's most underrated division leader for just a little bit longer. Guess what, guys? The word is out. Or soon will be. The Bears, especially on the defensive side, are pretty darned good. “ – Len Pasquarelli from ESPN.com.
- “Before the season I couldn't even imagine the Bears competing with the elite of the NFC, but not only are they competing, they are kicking their butts. This team defensively crushed the Panthers and played well on offense also. Muhsin Muhammad had a great game and gave his young quarterback support. The Bears are for real.“ – Eric Allen from ESPN.com
OK guys, you’re getting some national respect now. Some tough games are on the schedule the next few weeks, so don’t do anything jeopardize what you have earned. The national media is waiting for you to fail so they don’t look like idiots for picking you to be so bad this year. Bear down and show them how them how far off the mark they were!
6 comments:
Whoa, whoa, whoa... That last quote there, "Muhsin Muhammad had a great game..." What?!?!? Another guy who looks at the numbers and hears the buzz, but didn't watch the game.
Now, considering the playoffs. The NFC West is sending one team and one team only, but you probably have to consider them on the inside track to the one seed right now. The NFC South has three contending teams, one of which we just beat and the other two on the schedule. I ain't seen naught but about two plays outta TB this year, so I don't really know what to expect from them except what their reputation is (defense and running). Atlanta I don't worry about because we always bust up Vick good. Unfortunately, the East is out of our hands, but I really think you're only looking at two contenders there. The Giants and the Cowboys. I believe that division in general has a lot of beating up on each other scheduled, though, with at least the Cowboys having the suddenly-patsy Eagles fully out of the way, too. So, Chicago might properly be labelled the favorite for the 2 seed, or maybe called even with the eventual East winner.
Yep, Eric Allen definitely didn't see all of Muhammad's dropped balls, especially the one that should have been his second TD. Orton's numbers could have been a lot better without those drops.
Domination
a) Control or power over another or others.
Like I said before I did not see the game but I did look at the recap
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/boxscores/2005/11/20/1790_boxscore.html
Total yardage... about the same
Time of possession... about the same
First downs, 15 vs 13... about the same
Punts, numbers and yardage... about the same
Penalties... about the same.
Whoa... I found a difference, the Panthers had 3 fumbles
13 to 3 is not domination if all the other stats are about the same. Kahn you did say that the defence had a great game. I could see where you see that, the stopped a good team. But to say the dominated is you hyping the Bears like Madden does about Farve.
Not sure I'd call Carolina one of "the most potent offenses in the NFC" - they had big games against the Vikings, Jets, Tampa Bay, and Green Bay. That's like having the Squawkeyes a top 10 team because they beat Ball St. by 56 points..... just allows the term "overrated"
overrate d
verb {T often passive}
to have too good an opinion of something:
Well, the Carolina Panthers admit they got their collective ass kicked.
What're we dealing with, here? Packer fans? Minnesota fans?
I love all the coddling the Packers have been getting. I'm not sure after last night's game we can really keep that "Gosh, the defense is actually pretty good!" meme going. The word for the second half run D was "gutless." But now the watch is on -- how many more games can they lose until their point differential goes negative???
And Minnesota -- now that Brad Johnson is in there, we can return punts! ...or something. I guess. But really, we just need him to control the ball and let the D take over! Except for all the turnovers! And, the fact that the D really isn't all that good. Hmm.. Well, you take them when you get them, I guess. Anyway, now it's time to reach deep down in our guts and show the world that customary Viking "heart!"
I actually watched the game. I didn't just look at the stats afterward and make assumptions.
I know that Mushin didn't have his best game and cost the offense a few yards and points.
I know that Steve Smith is a stud and the stats did back that up.
I know that the Bears defense totally dominated Carolina. There was a point that I actually felt sorry for Delhomme. And this was a team that averaged over 27 points coming into the game.
I know that the Bears offense struggeled (as always), but did just enough to ensure another victory.
At no point was I ever concerned that Carolina would mount any type of offensive attack to put the game in jeopardy.
I know that it was the most dominant 13-3 game I've ever watched, stats be damned.
Kahn,
I think you're surrounded by a bunch of Viqueens and Cheese lovers, who have no appreciation for a hard-nosed gritty performance.
The one stat I was hoping to find was the stat Fox kept showing during Q4, The week before, Carolina had zero plays for negative yards. On Sunday, they had something like 14 negative yardage plays. Any team can pop a few big plays (which they had a few with Smith), but this is one stat that supports any definition of domination.
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