Nfl

It was an eventful and unpredictable NFL Draft, even after the craziness that ensued in round one Thursday night. Friday night showcased rounds two and three, while Sunday wrapped up the draft with rounds four through seven. Let’s run through the major storylines that came out of the 2013 NFL Draft!

Continue reading "2013 NFL Draft: Rounds Two - Seven Recap"

After using their first round pick on guard Kyle Long on Thursday night, the Chicago Bears came back over the next two days and six rounds and added five more players to their draft class. Here are Chicago’s picks from rounds two through seven.

Continue reading "Chicago Bears 2013 NFL Draft: Rounds ..."

The first round of the 2013 NFL was as unpredictable as it was billed to be, with trades and surprise picks all along the way. Here are the stories that came out of Thursday night!

-The run on offensive linemen started early and continued throughout the early portion of the round. Offensive tackle Eric Fisher came off the board at number one to the Chiefs; with fellow tackle Luke Joeckel coming right after to the Jaguars at number two. In total, eight offensive linemen went in the first 20 picks of the draft, highlighting the lack of skill position players to be found.

Continue reading "2103 NFL Draft: Round One Recap"

With the way the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft had shaken out, the Chicago Bears had a glut of options available to them. Phil Emery made the call to select Oregon guard Kyle Long with the twentieth overall selection. Let’s break down this pick that left fans a bit confuzzled.

Continue reading "Chicago Bears 2013 NFL Draft: Round One Recap"

The Chicago Bears own the number 20 overall pick in this Thursday’s first round of the 2013 NFL Draft, one of their five selections in the seven round mega-event. With so few selections (no pick in round three or seven), GM Phil Emery has his work cut out for him to load up new Head Coach Marc Trestman’s roster. But thanks to a successful free agency period, Emery doesn’t go into this draft with any gaping holes. Let’s get into some of the Bears’ needs they might/should address during this draft.

Continue reading "2013 NFL Draft Needs: Chicago Bears"

Okay hardcore NFL fans and semi-amateur talent evaluators (AKA drunken college football fans), the event you love and adore is here! The time when college players are selected to be a part of pro teams and championships are declared won and lost based on sheer potential before the young players ever even suit up. It’s the NFL Draft, and it’s one of my favorite weekends of the year. As it was designed last season, the Draft now takes place over three days, with the first round coming on Thursday night, rounds two and three follow on Friday night, with rounds four through seven spanning across Saturday. Let’s get to some of the top stories coming out of round one! (And forgive the bad sub-headers. I’m in the mood for terrible jokes.)

Continue reading "2013 NFL Draft Preview: Round One"

After months (years?) of back-and-forth chatter and negotiations, the New York Jets and cornerback Darelle Revis have finally parted ways. The Jets sent Revis to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in exchange for the Bucs’ first round pick (thirteenth overall) in the 2013 NFL Draft and a conditional pick in the 2014 Draft. The condition being that if Revis is on the Bucs’ 2014 roster on day 3 of the league year, it changes from a fourth round pick to a third rounder. With the completion of the deal came a new contract for Revis, a 6-year, $96 million contract with apparently no guaranteed money. Let’s get into the specifics and see how each team, as well as the player, made out in this deal.

Continue reading "Revis Finally Traded to the Buccaneers"

Aside from a few relatively noteworthy transactions in NFL free agency, the past few days have been all about the quarterbacks. There’s been news aplenty regarding some premiere and not-so-premiere signal-callers across the league and the ramifications of their movements. Let’s get through all the news!

Continue reading "2013 NFL Offseason: Quarterback Craze!"

Okay everyone, it’s been long enough since my last check-in that a slew of impactful transactions have taken place in NFL free agency. So without further adieu, let’s go around the league!

Continue reading "Free Agency 2013: Two Weeks Later"

In a move than some fans were desperately hoping to avoid hearing about, the Chicago Bears decided to not re-sign Brian Urlacher. Despite Head Coach Marc Trestman having been quoted as early as Wednesday morning saying Urlacher “had a place on this team,” they cut ties with the veteran linebacker. GM Phil Emery made the tough call, which was illustrated in the statement he released. The details are as follows (as we’ve cobbled them together from reporters and Brian himself): Urlacher’s team pitched a 2-year, $11.5 million deal that he expected to negotiate down from. Chicago countered with a 1-year, $2 million (not all of which was guaranteed). That offer was countered with a $3.5 million contract, with another 500k in possible incentives. Chicago balked and made it clear that their offer was of the “take it or leave it” kind.

Continue reading "Moving on from Urlacher: The Right Move?"

Welcome back everyone! I would have posted this last night but the lack of sleep Monday night really caught up with me. Now I’m back and ready to pick apart the transactions of days two and three of NFL free agency. Let’s get that money man!

Continue reading "Free Agency 2013: Days Two and Three"

NFL Free Agency started with a flurry this afternoon, with deals being announced by the minute shortly after the clock struck 4PM ET. I’m here to take a look at some of the bigger deals of the day and offer a quick take. First though, I want to cover a few of the moves made on Monday, before free agency.

Continue reading "Free Agency 2013: Day One Recap"

A lot of reporters and Bears insiders didn’t think it would be an overly thrilling day for news coming out of Halas Hall. After all, Phil Emery hadn’t made a lot of moves to get his team all that far under the salary cap, coming into the first day of the league year with less than $4 million in room. But that clearly didn’t stop Emery from chasing and netting his target players, addressing two areas of vital importance for Chicago.

Continue reading "Bears Move Quickly on Day One of Free Agency"

Have you heard? Free agency in the NFL sorta kicks off tonight! Time to legally tamper my face off! The Chicago Bears are among 32 teams looking to improve by signing veterans to their roster, but they’ve got some issues to deal with first.

Continue reading "Chicago Bears 2013 Free Agency Preview"

Free agency in the NFL has a slightly different share this year, as we now have a short “legal tampering window” which starts tonight at midnight. Let me quickly summarize why this change was made. In previous years, free agency would officially start at midnight one night, and a slew of deals were usually done within the first hour or two, leaving every fan wondering “wait, doesn’t it take a bit longer than that to seal a deal?” Yes, yes it does. There were obviously back-channel negotiations between the teams and a player’s agent in order for a deal to be consummated that quickly. Now, the league has opted for a window of time for the teams to legally talk to a player’s representative before free agency actually starts. This should alleviate some of the illegal tampering that was going on before.

Continue reading "Joe's 2013 NFL Free Agency Preview!"

So somewhere in crafting my 1,400 word Final Drive, I forgot to mention what was possibly the most important aspect of the game: Was I right?

So without further ado, I offer up my final record of picking against the spread in the 2013 NFL playoffs:

Continue reading "2013 Postseason Prediction Results Spectacular!"

So you watched the game, right? I don’t need to talk about it at all, right?

Ugh. Fine. Here’s The Final Drive of Super Bowl 47. You owe me.

(14-6) Baltimore Ravens 34
(13-5-1) San Francisco 49ers 31

Continue reading "The Final Drive: Super Bowl XLVII"

The time for talk is over. (Well, almost.) The time for football is now. (Well, a bit later.) The time for beet and food is now? (Yes. That is accurate.) After taking apart the San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Ravens earlier in the week, we are now ready for The Opening Drive of Super Bowl 47!

Continue reading "The Opening Drive: Super Bowl XLVII"

It happens every year. The Super Bowl rolls around and Vegas explodes with what we call “proposition bets,” which are bets placed on anything besides the actual result of the game. There some boring bets you can make on statistics, but there are quite a few fun ones that you and your friends should be looking for when you watch Sunday evening.

Continue reading "Super Bowl 47 Preview: The Prop Bets"

After Tuesday’s look at the San Francisco 49ers, it’s time to shift our focus towards the AFC and its representative in Sunday’s Super Bowl: the Baltimore Ravens. With a record of 10-6, Baltimore won the AFC North division and beat the Indianapolis Colts, Denver Broncos, and New England Patriots in the playoffs. They’re a team loaded with star power, but do they have the talent to win this title? Let’s delve deep!

Continue reading "Super Bowl 47 Preview: Baltimore Ravens"

In my first preview of the teams facing off in the Super Bowl, I’m going to take an in-depth look at the team representing the National Football Conference, the San Francisco 49ers. Having barely won the NFC West with a regular season record of 11-4-1 over the Seattle Seahawks (11-5), the Niners had their issues and drama during the regular season. Injuries to key contributors and a swap at quarterback highlight a season of significance for Jim Harbaugh’s squad. Let’s break them down as they head for their sixth Super Bowl title!

Continue reading "Super Bowl 47 Preview: San Francisco 49ers"

Conference Championship Sunday left two teams in sheer jubilation while two other squads will be left at home for the Super Bowl. Let’s take a look at how two road teams pulled out the win in The Final Drive!

Continue reading "The Final Drive: 2013 Conference Championships"

Okay everybody, Conference Championship Sunday is here and I could not be any more excited. Aside from the drama that is surrounding each of these fantastic games (you know, because whoever wins plays in that little Super Bowl), I’m also 3-5 on my picks going into the day, meaning the only way I get above .500 for the postseason is if I get everything right from here on out. No pressure. There’s been some movement on these lines (San Fran got a lot of juice and is now a four point favorite. Baltimore saw some action while the line was at 9 points, whittling it down to 7.5), so as an FYI I’m picking against the spread as the odds are currently, not where they began. Let’s stop prattling on and get into The Opening Drive!

Continue reading "The Opening Drive: 2013 Conference Championships"

The 2013 Divisional Round is completed! The best weekend in football lived up to the hype, with crazy finishes (double overtimes) and historic performances. Let’s not put off this any longer. It’s time for The Final Drive!

Continue reading "The Final Drive: 2013 Divisional Round"

Alright everyone, it’s my favorite football weekend of the entire season! At this point we have the eight best teams left in the hunt for the Lombardi Trophy, including the two greatest QB’s of our era in the AFC and a crazy Saturday night rematch in the NFC. I have stumbled out of the gates with my picks, currently standing at 1-3 after the wild card round. I owe that to every favorite covering last week and my apparently desperate need to pick against almost all of them. This week shall be different! I hope. Let’s get to The Opening Drive of the Divisional Round! (As always, point spreads are obtained from VegasInsider.com.)

Continue reading "The Opening Drive: 2013 Divisional Round"

Wild Card weekend in the NFL is a wrap! Note that this late posting is a testament to the dangers of kitties. (When you’re allergic to them.) There were bad offenses, great defenses, and ugly injuries to be found in the four match-ups, so let’s get through all the stories in The Final Drive!

Continue reading "The Final Drive: 2013 Wild Card Round"

It’s that time of year. The NFL Playoffs are upon us, and with it come the unmitigated disasters that are my picks against the spread. (Which means I’m not picking winners or losers, but I’m predicting if a team will win by or keep it closer than the designated spread. Odds are grabbed from VegasInsider.com.) We’ve got some stellar match-ups as well, so without any further BS, it’s time to start the playoffs with this Wild Card edition of The Opening Drive!

Continue reading "The Opening Drive: 2013 Wild Card Round"

Black Monday was an eventful one for plenty of teams around the NFL, but perhaps it was the events that took place in Chicago that surprised most pundits. The Chicago Bears relieved Head Coach Lovie Smith of his duties on Monday, ending his nine-year tenure with the team.

Continue reading "Bears Releasing Lovie was the Right Move"

Black Monday was billed to be one of the worst/busiest in the NFL’s history, and it certainly lived up to that hype on the eve of the New Year. A whopping seven head coaches were fired on Monday, with a few fates to be possibly determined at a later date. Included in the dismissals were a number of general managers. Let’s wrap around the league!

Continue reading "Black Monday 2012: The Aftermath"

Oh man. The drama from week 17 in the NFL was palpable! I don’t have time to lather you up with a witty intro, so let’s get right into The Final Drive!

(10-6) Cincinnati Bengals 23

(10-6) Baltimore Ravens 17

Continue reading "The Final Drive: Week 17, 2012"

Going into today’s match-up with the Detroit Lions, the Chicago Bears needed help from the Green Bay Packers in order to get into the playoffs. Did they take care of business? Did the Packers? It’s time to find out in this Gameday Review!

Continue reading "Joe's 2012 Gameday Review: Bears 26, Lions 24"

It’s the final week of the regular season in the NFL! Lovie Smith’s team has not secured a playoff spot, which means the Bears could be taking the field for the final time this season. Some fans are already calling for Smith’s job after the struggles down the stretch, but if the Vikings lose to the Packers today (a distinct possibility, but it’s an afternoon game) the Bears are in the postseason. But they have to take care of business early. Let’s start the Gameday Preview!

Continue reading "Joe's 2012 Gameday Preview: Chicago ..."

This is it everyone. The final week of the 2012 NFL season. Only a few months ago we were trying to figure out if the Cardinals were for real and if Peyton Manning would ever fully recover. (No and Yes, are those answers, by the way.) Now, in the final slate of games, we will discover who will make it into the playoffs and the bottom feeders’ order in the April draft. Let’s get into the games with The Opening Drive!

Continue reading "The Opening Drive: Week 17, 2012"

Week 16 is in the books! The playoffs are nearly set in stone, with only two possible slots and a few seedings left to be decided. But the drama isn’t over yet! Let’s run through the results of week 16 in The Final Drive!

Continue reading "The Final Drive: Week 16, 2012"

Chicago entered Sunday’s match-up with the Cardinals needing help to get into the playoffs. They got their help in the form of a Giants loss, but could they do their job on the road? It’s time for the Gameday Review!

Continue reading "Joe's 2012 Gameday Review: Bears 28, Cardinals 13"

Following a disappointing loss to the Green Bay Packers last weekend (where life got in the way of the Gameday Review), the Chicago Bears are in desperation mode as they attempt to claw their way back into the playoffs. Can they start an upward trend against the struggling Cardinals? Answers abound in the Gameday Preview!

Continue reading "Joe's 2012 Gameday Review: Chicago ..."

Week 16 in the NFL season has arrived! With two weeks left in the season, I don’t need to tell you how important these games are for those teams still in the hunt. It’s time to get into all the storylines in The Opening Drive!

Continue reading "The Opening Drive: Week 16, 2012"

Week 15 in the NFL saw a few notable shut-outs, as well as a few hilarious playoff eliminations. We can’t waste any more time, so let’s get right into The Final Drive!

(8-6) Cincinnati Bengals 34

Continue reading "The Final Drive: Week 15, 2012"

You know the rivalry. It’s the Green Bay Packers versus the Chicago Bears in a December game. It’s been 13 weeks since these teams met on the first Thursday nighter of the season, and each have had ups and downs in that time, especially the Bears, who now are fighting for their playoff lives.

Continue reading "Joe's 2012 Gameday Preview: Green ..."

I gotta say, week 15 of the NFL season is here and it is absolutely stacked. Almost all of the early games on Sunday have playoff implications, which ensures the excitement starts early! Let’s go through the most intriguing match-ups of the weekend!

Continue reading "The Opening Drive: Week 15, 2012"

There were some wildly surprising results from week 14 in the NFL. Before we move on from the weekend’s action, it’s time to recap the best stories in The Final Drive!

(7-6) Dallas Cowboys 20

Continue reading "The Final Drive: Week 14, 2012"

If you were looking for a reason to feel good about the Chicago Bears, today didn’t help you out. In the slightest. At all. So if you’re already too PO’d to care, I understand. If not, come on in for my Gameday Review!

Continue reading "Joe's 2012 Gameday Review: Vikings 21, Bears 14"

With the Bears losing at home to Seattle in week 13, the NFC North race for the playoffs became much more interesting. Green Bay moved back into first place and the Bears dropped to the first wildcard slot. Meanwhile, Minnesota is close behind and fighting to get to the second wildcard position. The stakes are high in week 14, so let’s jump into the Gameday Preview!

Continue reading "Joe's 2012 Gameday Preview: Chicago ..."

You guys, week 14 is here. The NFL regular season only has three weeks left! Playoff races will tighten and draft orders will be cemented this weekend, so there’s plenty to talk about in The Opening Drive!

Continue reading "The Opening Drive: Week 14, 2012"

Week 13 of the NFL put a lot of races in the proper perspective. Teams began to clinch playoff spots/division titles and can now aim for loftier goals. Other teams had their struggles, including one squad that faced the unimaginable. It’s time for The Final Drive.

Continue reading "The Final Drive: Week 13, 2012"

The offense didn’t turn the ball over. Jay Cutler threw for two touchdowns. Brandon Marshall went over 100 yards for the sixth time this season. So far that sounds like a win for the Chicago Bears, right? Not so fast my friend. Let’s get you into the Gameday Review.

Continue reading "Joe's 2012 Gameday Review: Seahawks 23, Bears 17"

Having gotten back on the winning track against Minnesota, the Chicago Bears face another possible playoff participant Sunday afternoon in the Seattle Seahawks. With some players likely playing despite injuries (Tillman, Briggs, Forte), this preview is clearer than it might have been four or five days ago. Let’s get into it!

Continue reading "Joe's 2012 Gameday Preview: Seattle ..."

A week removed from the holiday and metric ton of food you ate, week 13 in the NFL season has arrived! This schedule feature’s a rematch of… unique proportions as well as what could be the best Thursday nighter of the year. It’s time to kick-off The Opening Drive!

Continue reading "The Opening Drive: Week 13, 2012"

Week 12 in the NFL saw some crazy action on Thanksgiving Day, followed by the requisite slate of dramatic finishes and utter disappointing performances. I love this game. Now let’s start The Final Drive!

Continue reading "The Final Drive: Week 12, 2012"

It felt closer than it really was at times, but the Chicago Bears started fast and held strong, topping the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field on Sunday. The offense got early help from the defense in the form of short fields and they capitalized. That’s the standard Bear recipe for success. Let’s dive into the details in this Gameday Review!

Continue reading "Joe's 2012 Gameday Review: Bears 28, Vikings 10"

With Thanksgiving taking up time with travel, family, and friends, I decided to forgo the now-typical Thursday posting of The Opening Drive. But don’t worry, week 12 in the NFL still has a few games worth checking out this weekend!

Continue reading "The Opening Drive: Week 12, 2012"

Having lost two straight games, the Chicago Bears need a win in the worst possible way. With QB Jay Cutler supposedly returning to the starting line-up, they’ve got the advantage over their division rival Sunday. Let’s get into the Gameday Preview!

Continue reading "Joe's 2012 Gameday Preview: Minnesota ..."

We had plenty of excitement in week eleven of this NFL schedule, including three overtime games from early Sunday and close calls late. Can’t wait for The Final Drive? Well lucky for you, it starts right now!

Continue reading "The Final Drive: Week 11, 2012"

In case your various social media timelines didn’t tell you, the Chicago Bears played the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football. It did not go well. Specifically, it was one of the most embarrassing performances of football I’ve ever seen. With that in mind, it’s time for the Gameday Review.

Continue reading "Joe's 2012 Gameday Review: 49ers 32, Bears 7"

After a Sunday without the typical flurry of activity and emotion surrounding a Bears game, Chicago fans get to see their team Monday night on ESPN as they take on the San Francisco 49ers. One of the best teams in the NFC, the Niners are right behind the Bears in the standings in the hunt for a two seed in the NFC playoffs. Adding a different flavor to the night’s contest is that fact that both of these teams will be without their starting quarterback. Let’s get to the break-down!

Continue reading "Joe's 2012 Gameday Preview: Chicago ..."

Week 11 in the NFL has reached your doorstep! On the slate this week are some key divisional match-ups that will go a long way in solidifying contenders and flushing pretenders or will simply muddy the water. It’s time for The Opening Drive!

Continue reading "The Opening Drive: Week 11, 2012"

Week ten had all sorts of crazy happenings take place, including a blow-out of the Super Bowl champs, an unbeaten falling, and a god damn tie. Let’s start The Final Drive!

(6-3) Indianapolis Colts 27

Continue reading "The Final Drive: Week 10, 2012"

As the most anticipated match-up of the weekend, NFL fans were expecting a tight contest between two juggernauts. What they got was a rainy slop-fest with six turnovers, a lost starting QB, and a modicum of offense.  Oh well, can’t get everything you want! Let’s get right into the Gameday Review before I get upset.

Continue reading "Joe's 2012 Gameday Review: Texans 13, Bears 6"

Capped by what can only be called “putrid” primetime contests, week 10 of the NFL season isn’t actually all that bad! We have some very interesting divisional match-ups, including a “losing coach gets fired” match in the NFC East and a possible trap for our lone undefeated squad. Let’s hop into The Opening Drive!

Continue reading "The Opening Drive: Week 10, 2012"

At the mid-way point of the NFL season, the parity we saw so much of early on has eroded to leave us with clearer races and obvious contenders. Let’s run through all of the best action from week nine!

Continue reading "The Final Drive: Week 9, 2012"

Dude.

Yes, that is the only word necessary for the introduction to Chicago’s dominant blow-out win over the Titans on Sunday. Special teams got the scoring train rolling early and the offense fed coal engine late with some help from a defense that forced five turnovers on the day. Let us recap this glorious event.

Continue reading "Joe's 2012 Gameday Review: Bears 51, Titans 20"

After squeaking by the Panthers in a game they had no business winning, the Chicago Bears continue their southern trek in week nine by heading to Tennessee. The Titans are led by veteran QB Matt Hasselbeck, who continues to fill-in for the injured Jake Locker. No more time to waste! Let’s preview this game!

Continue reading "Joe's 2012 Gameday Preview: Chicago ..."

Can you believe it? We’re already at the halfway point of the NFL season! I’m in shock. And in tears. Let’s just get right to The Opening Drive before I have a breakdown.

(1-6) Kansas City Chiefs at

Continue reading "The Opening Drive: Week 9, 2012"

Week eight in the NFL brought disaster upon several supposed contenders and cleared up the divisional pictures.  A few days late or not, we can’t have a week go by without an edition of The Final Drive!

Continue reading "The Final Drive: Week 8, 2012"

As the game waned into the fourth quarter, I wanted to start writing about a deflating Bears loss… but I held off. (More because of laziness than of hope, but the results are the same.) I’m glad I did, because the Chicago Bears capitalized on late mistakes from the Panthers and pulled out an amazing comeback win by scoring 16 points in the final seven minutes.

Continue reading "Joe's 2012 Gameday Review: Bears 23, Panthers 22"

Alright everyone, we’ve got a Bears game at a normal time today! The Chicago Bears are home once again this week as they welcome in the disappointing Carolina Panthers, who are coached by former Bear Ron Rivera. Can the Bears rise to 6-1? Let’s get to the preview!

Continue reading "Joe's 2012 Gameday Preview: Carolina ..."

Week eight in the NFL season is upon us! Halloween is just around the corner and that means division races are taking shape (as well as our NFL draft order). Let’s get right into the best/most interesting games of the weekend in The Opening Drive!

Continue reading "The Opening Drive: Week 8, 2012"

Another week in the NFL has passed and so with it goes another victory for the Chicago Bears. As so many divisional games are, it was a slobber-knocker on Monday Night Football. Luckily Lovie Smith’s crew came to play and got their fifth win of the season. Time for a Gameday Review!

Continue reading "Joe's 2012 Gameday Review: Bears 13, Lions 7"

Week seven in the NFL had its fair share of drama and excitement. There was a clear victor in the battle for early AFC supremacy while a champion quelled an uprising from an East divisional foe. Did that language get you ready for a fantasy epic? Too bad, because it’s time for The Opening Drive!

Continue reading "The Final Drive: Week 7, 2012"

After pulling into first place in the NFC North on their bye (thanks to a Vikings loss), the Chicago Bears have a chance to pull away in the division race on Monday night. If they can take down one of the North’s playoff teams from 2011, Chicago may stake their claim. Let’s preview this primetime match-up!

Continue reading "Joe's 2012 Gameday Preview: Detroit ..."

The NFL is full of parity through six weeks of this season, clearly evident by the fact that only two teams in the AFC are above .500. In week seven we get to see new takes on division rivalries and a battle for supremacy in the AFC. Let’s break down some games!

Continue reading "The Opening Drive: Week 7, 2012"

Oh week six. You were delightful. This weekend was a perfect example of what the NFL is all about. Upset city! It’s time to dive into The Final Drive!

(2-4) Tennessee Titans 26

(2-3) Pittsburgh Steelers 23

Continue reading "The Final Drive: Week 6, 2012"

Week six of the NFL season is upon us. As we do every year, we have our share of surprises, disappointments, and utter befuddlements. And this week they all square off! (You know what I mean.) Time to get to the games!

Continue reading "The Opening Drive: Week 6, 2012"

Week five in the NFL season has wrapped! We now only have one winless team in the NFL with two squads remaining unbeaten. A rookie QB topped the reigning league MVP and a Brady took down a Manning. (With help from his team. Ya know, ‘cause that’s how this game works no matter how you spin the headline.) Enough filibuster. Onto The Final Drive!

Continue reading "The Final Drive: Week 5, 2012"

It was a trap game for a team coming off a dominating win. But instead of falling apart under the pressure or playing down to the level of their opponent, the Chicago Bears rose to the occasion and defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars in the Florida heat. In this week’s Gameday Review, I’m going to use a more note-based format, offering my immediate thoughts as the game progressed instead of what looks like an essay to me. Here we go!

Continue reading "Joe's 2012 Gameday Review: Bears 41, Jaguars 3"

Fresh off their Monday night dismantling of the Dallas Cowboys, the Chicago Bears head down south to meet with the struggling Jacksonville Jaguars. Depending on the outcome of the earlier Vikings-Titans game, this might be a chance for the Bears to pull into sole possession of first place in the NFC North.  Let’s see what kind of resistance they’ll get.

Continue reading "Joe's 2012 Gameday Preview: Chicago ..."

Week five in the NFL is upon us! This week we get to see an old rivalry renewed with a fresh twist, the battle of Pennsylvania, and a Monday night game with crazy implications. The Opening Drive kicks off now!  

Continue reading "The Opening Drive: Week 5, 2012"

Week four in the NFL did a lot to clear up our impressions all 32 teams, as we now have a four game sample size from which to judge them. Our three undefeated teams managed to continue their winning ways and our shockingly winless squad kept disappointing. Let’s review the weekend’s best action!

Continue reading "The Final Drive: Week 4, 2012"

Monday Night Football has ended and the Chicago Bears are 3-1. Lovie Smith’s squad traveled to Dallas and picked apart Tony Romo on their way to the decisive victory. I couldn’t be more excited, but I have to try and be objective for you as I break this one down. So let’s get to it!

Continue reading "Joe's 2012 Gameday Review: Bears 34, Cowboys 18"

Week four in the NFL season wraps up with the Bears heading into Big D to take on Tony Romo and the Dallas Cowboys. Each team is looking to keep up with the leaders in their division, trying not to fall behind early in the year. Let’s get into the Gameday Preview!

Continue reading "Joe's 2012 Gameday Preview: Chicago ..."

The Opening Drive is back this week, with a new posting day of the week! I’ll be ditching the short Thursday night previews, opting instead to leave TOD up for a few days longer than normal. And this week in the NFL is special, because it hails the return of the official referees! Now we’ll be seeing blown calls from the men we expect to make them! In all honesty, it’ll be nice to have some competence on the field. I may not get as much fun action, but the games should be shorter and well-managed. Now, time to kick-off!

Continue reading "The Opening Drive: Week 4, 2012"

I’m flabbergasted. This weekend in the NFL featured some absolutely INSANE endings. We’re jumping right into it in this edition of The Final Drive!

(1-2) Tennessee Titans 44
(1-2) Detroit Lions 41

Continue reading "The Final Drive: Week 3, 2012"

It had a slow-moving intensity to it, but the Chicago Bears made the key plays when it mattered as they handled the St. Louis Rams at home Sunday afternoon.

(2-1) Chicago Bears 23
(1-2) St. Louis Rams 6

Continue reading "Joe's 2012 Gameday Review: Bears 23, Rams 6"

With an embarrassing Thursday night loss to the Packers in their rearview mirror, the Bears have taken their extended time off to prepare for the St. Louis Rams, who showed everyone they’ll be in the fight with a win over the Redskins last weekend. Who can get above .500 with a win today?

Continue reading "Joe's 2012 Gameday Preview: St. Louis ..."

Week one was rife with “upsets.” Week two supposedly put things back in their place. Now in week three, we can get a legitimate sample of every NFL team. Now you’ll know if that Seattle Seahawk Super Bowl prediction was ingenious or booze-fueled. (And we’ll see how many games the refs screw up.) Let’s get into the games!

Continue reading "The Opening Drive: Week 3, 2012"

Week two in the NFL season provided us with more concrete evidence that we need the proper officials back on the field. It also began to clear up the hazy picture that week one snapped for us. Without further filibuster, here’s The Final Drive of Week 2!(1-1) Buffalo Bills 35

Continue reading "The Final Drive: Week 2, 2012"

Week two begins in earnest today and hopes to rectify some of the inevitable upsets and craziness that comes in week one. These games are a better gauge of the teams we’ll be watching during the regular season. Let’s get into the games to watch in week two of the NFL season!

Continue reading "The Opening Drive: Week 2, 2012"

Plenty went wrong in the Bears’ 23 - 10 loss to the Green Bay Packers on Thursday night. Jay Cutler made bad decisions. The offensive line provided him no protection. His wide receivers were never open. The Packers weren’t without their struggles, but they overcame them. The Bears did not. I’m not going to break down every crappy play, but there’s a lot to be upset about coming out of their second game of the season.(1-1) Green Bay Packers 23

Continue reading "Joe's 2012 Gameday Review: Packers, 23, Bears 10"

After rising to the occasion versus the Colts, the Chicago Bears face a familiar challenge this week when they travel to Cheese country to take on the Green Bay Packers on Thursday Night Football. These division rivals are on an early collision course with definite ramifications. Will the Bears rise to 2-0 or can the Packers avoid an 0-2 hole? It’s time for a Gameday Preview!

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Week one of the NFL season has come and gone. That means we only have 16 more weeks to go! (I’m already tearing up.) But with a new NFL season comes a new volume of The Final Drive! Let’s jump right into the best/worst/craziest games of the weekend.(1-0) Dallas Cowboys 24

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It may not have been immediately evident, but today’s 41-21 win over the Indianapolis Colts proved that the Chicago Bears have an offense to be reckoned with. They weren’t without their issues though, as the first four plays of the game were just about as bad as they could have been.

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Welcome back NFL. No time for pleasantries though! Get in my bed. It’s time to wreck week one of the NFL with the hard-hitting first edition of The Opening Drive! 
(0-0) Philadelphia Eagles at

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Hey, there’s a Bears game to be previewed today! If you’re back with me this season, you know this is where I break down match-ups and give my soft prediction for the outcome. (Picking NFL games is for the birds. Or for those guys who get paid more than me and are on TV. Dicks.) Anyways, the Andrew Luck-led Colts head to Chicago to meet with the Bears in week one of the NFL season. It’s time.

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In 2011 the AFC was a fickly creature. The AFC North entered three teams into the playoff race while the Patriots dominated the East. The West division saw Tebow and the Broncos make it to the postseason with only eight wins. And in the South the Texans finally rose to the hype. What’s going to happen in 2012?

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The Chicago Bears finished with a disappointing end to what opened up as a promising season in 2012. Injuries along the offensive line and to Jay Cutler and Matt Forte kept them from making the playoffs. That didn’t sit with new GM Phil Emery, who has made tremendous strides in addressing key weaknesses during the offseason. Changes in the coaching staff, new offensive weapons, and a returning defensive unit ensure that Lovie Smith’s team is going to be interesting, at the very least. Now let’s dive into the 2012 Chicago Bears!

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The 2012 NFL season kicks off tonight with an NFC East showdown as the Dallas Cowboys head to New York to take on the Super Bowl Champion Giants. I don’t want to fill you with fluff though, let’s dive right into the meat!

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I simply cannot wait for football to start. I’m been diving into preseason film, tearing through roster moves, and keeping myself awake at night pondering the possibilities of the 2012 season. Since the season kicks off with the Cowboys and Giants Wednesday night on NBC, let’s get right into my season predictions for the National Football Conference! As a preface, let me just say that this entire process is weird. I’ve looked a decent amount of schedules, but these records (which, when all totaled with the AFC, will equal out correctly) are more akin to indications of how good/crappy I think these teams will be. Let’s break it down!

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If it seems like preseason has gone on too long and that the regular season should be just around the corner, you’re right! Tonight the Bears are in Cleveland to take on the Browns in their final exhibition game before shit gets serious. Now let’s cover what I've decided should be named Scrub Wars 4: Vendetta Blood Party.

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Well hello Bear fans! Back for more preseason fun are we? Well you’re in luck, because tonight’s game against the New York Giants is the famed “dress rehearsal” for the regular season, as most starters should see action into the second half in before they take off the final exhibition game. The Bears will be in New York tonight to take on the Super Bowl champion Giants! (I used TWO exclamation points in that opening paragraph. See how FUN preseason football is??? DO YOU?)

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It was a great start and a great finish for the Chicago Bears as they won their first preseason game of 2012 thanks to a 57-yard field goal from Robbie Gould. That’s the most excited I’ll get about the fact that they won. Because as you all should know by now, WINNING IN THE PRESEASON DOESN’T MATTER IN THE SLIGHTEST. That being said, there are some positives to discuss coming out of the win. Let’s go through them so you can get back to not caring about preseason football.

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