The Green Bay Packers (10-4) continued their recent dominance of the Chicago Bears (8-6), beating them 21-13 and becoming the NFC North champions.  This game leaves the Bears with slim playoff hopes.

Packers QB Aaron Rodgers picked apart the Bears defense with precise throws and kept plays alive by staying upright.  Jay Cutler did the opposite, missing receivers and holding the ball just long enough to get sacked four times.  It was an ugly game throughout.

Brandon Marshall (six catches, 56 receiving yards, one touchdown) vowed redemption and lived up to the hype for a quarter and a half.  The Packers double and tripled-teamed him after that, and Cutler had no one left to throw to.  Well, Alshon Jeffery was open in the second half, but the referees decided to call a penalty on five passes thrown his way (three on Jeffery and two on the Packers).  Then, they kept their flags in their pockets on a play where Jeffery was clearly interfered with.  The Bears just couldn’t catch a break.

Only one group graded above average.  Let’s see who it was.

Quarterback – D+
Cutler takes a lickin’ and keeps on tickin’.  Sometimes I wish he could just throw the ball away instead.  He now has seven games of less than 200 yards passing, a career high for a full season.  I still don’t think it is entirely his fault.  Garbage coaches, garbage tight ends and a garbage offensive line can make anyone stink.

Wide Receivers – C-
The refs giveth and they taketh away.  Jeffery was called for three pass interference penalties, but was also interfered with twice for big gains late.  I don’t care if refs are right or wrong, they just need to be consistent.  They can’t start calling every little thing in the last 19 minutes of a game, but then call nothing on a clear interference with a minute to go.

Marshall played well, yet again, despite having little help.  Hester wasn’t at fault on the interception, but he was at fault for being nonexistent the rest of the game.

Running Backs – D+
Forte is an above average back, but looks to have a severe case of the green flu.  He got paid and his production went down.  His decision-making was bad at the goal line on Sunday, and he just seems to slow down to a halt as games go on.  This one was no different, gaining only 11 yards on seven carries in the second half.  He did have 55 receiving yards in the second half, but 28 of them were meaningless on the last “drive” of the game.

Tight Ends/Fullback – F
This was the best game of Kellen Davis’ season.  No drops and no fumbles.  Cutler didn’t even target a tight end during the entire game.  Can they just start more receivers?  Someone is bound to get open then.

It’s too bad that FB Evan Rodriguez is lumped into this group.  He has done a great job blocking all season when he has been healthy.  The Bears should see what he can do with the ball in his hands.

Offensive Line – F+
Another game with more of what you have seen all season.  Roberta Garza and Gabe Carimi had penalties and the rest of the group can only block for a two count.  Any time your offense puts up 190 yards of total offense, you can bet the line is mostly to blame … Especially not being able to score a touchdown on 1^st and Goal from the 5-yard line.

Defensive Line – C+
This group continues to be solid, but they still need to get more pressure on the quarterback.  Julius Peppers and Corey Wootton each had 1.5 sacks, but the rest of the guys couldn’t get Rodgers to the ground.  They are going to need to lead this defense moving forward with the rash of injuries going around the team.  Israel Idonije is looking old.

Linebackers – B-
Lance Briggs is an absolute beast and Nick Roach fended off receivers the best he could.  However, this linebacking core doesn’t intimidate anyone without Urlacher.  Rodgers took advantage of every mistake these guys made.  They did help hold the Packers to just 3.5 yards per rush.

Secondary – C
Tim Jennings is being sorely missed right now.  Kelvin Hayden and D.J. Moore missed tackle after tackle and let up too many big plays.  Charles Tillman continued his Pro Bowl season with his 10^th forced fumble (tying an NFL single-season record), but even his perfect coverage wasn’t enough to stop the WR James Jones (three touchdowns) and the Packers.  Major Wright and Chris Conte look a little banged up, and it showed on multiple missed tackles and blown coverages.

Special Teams – C-
The one thing that stood out the most to me was the play of the new guy, Joe Anderson.  He is a wide receiver by trade, but made some great special teams tackles and just missed a blocked punt.  Keep this guy on the field as much as possible.

Hester had some nice returns (2 KORs/31.5 YPR and 3 PRs/14.0 YPR) and should just be focusing his attention there moving forward.  Punter Adam Podlesh is terrible (seventh game averaging 40.7 yards or less per punt).  He had one punt inside the five, but had multiple opportunities to pin the Packers really deep and didn’t.

Also, the too many men on the field penalty early in the game could have been costly, but the defense bailed them out.

Coaching – F
I used to think that Lovie didn’t know how to make adjustments.  Now, I know that he doesn’t know how to do it.  He didn’t try to score points at the end of the first half when they had some time left.  Then the Bears almost tried a fake field goal, but weren’t sneaky enough to get Marshall back on the field.

And the goal line runs were even worse.  Once again, they ran the same play three times in a row.  This whole staff was outcoached, yet again.

Overall – D+

Sep 13, 2012; Green Bay, WI, USA; Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte (22) during the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. The Packers defeated the Bears 23-10. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

The NFL’s longest rivalry will continue when the Green Bay Packers (9-4, 3-3 road) meet the Chicago Bears (8-5, 5-2 home) for the 186^th time in their histories.  The Bears lead the series 92-87-6.  The Packers are on a roll, winning seven of their last eight games, while the Bears have dropped four of their last five.  Both teams are dealing with injuries, but the NFC North is on the line, so it should be another black-and-blue battle.

Packers QB Aaron Rodgers has always had his way with the Bears, racking up a career 101.0 passer rating.  However, that number drops to 88.7 at Soldier Field, where he has thrown only six touchdowns and five interceptions in five games.  And while Rodgers isn’t putting up astronomical numbers this season, the running game has stepped up recently, averaging 135.8 rushing yards per game over the last five.  However, they only have five rushing touchdowns all season long.

This week, the Packers will be without WR Jordy Nelson (second on the team with 46 catches and 658 receiving yards), RB James Starks (second on the team with 71 carries and 255 rushing yards), and CB Charles Woodson, who has missed the last six games with a collarbone injury.  J’Marcus Webb’s worst nightmare, LB Clay Matthews, will be returning to the field, looking to repeat his 3.5 sack performance the last time he faced the Bears.

Bears QB Jay Cutler is battling injuries to his neck and knee, so it doesn’t bode well that he has struggled in the past against the Packers (1-6 record, 1-3 at Soldier Field).  WR Brandon Marshall was held to only two catches for 24 yards against the Packers in Week 2 and has sworn revenge this week.   WR Earl Bennett (third on the team with 23 catches and 250 receiving yards) will be out with a lingering concussion, further weakening the 28^th ranked Bears offense.

If rookie WR Alshon Jeffery (third on the team with three touchdowns) can stay healthy, he should be a huge asset for both Cutler and Marshall.  RB Matt Forte is 166 yards shy of his third career 1,000-yard rushing season and will need to play a big role this week if the Bears want to win.

Here are some more numbers to keep your eye on:

3:  First quarter points by the Bears against the Packers at Soldier Field in their last eight meetings.

7-14:  Packers record when Rodgers throws 39 or more passes in a game.

9-22:  Cutler’s career record when he throws 36 or more passes in a game.

1:  Number of rushing touchdowns Forte has scored against the Packers in eight career games.

15-3:  Bears record when Hester has 40 or more punt return yards in a game at Soldier Field.

2007:  The last time the Bears scored more than 21 points against the Packers.

3-13: Packers record since 2008 when they score 20 or fewer points in a game. Three of those games were against the Bears; Packers won one and lost two.

2:  Number of rushing yards on nine attempts by Forte the last time the Bears played the Packers at Soldier Field.

40:  Number of consecutive regular season games since the Packers have had an individual 100-yard rusher.

17-7:  Bears record when Forte rushes the ball more than 20 times in a game.

19-2:  Bears record when Forte scores a rushing touchdown in a game.

1:  Number of teams who have thrown more than two touchdowns against the Bears defense in their last 26 games (Packers and Aaron Rodgers in Week 15 of 2011).

36:  Number of first downs gained due to opponents’ penalties by the Packers this season, the most in the NFL.

38:  Number of yards for the longest kickoff return allowed by the Bears and Packers this season (second best in the NFL).  Also, the longest kickoff return by the Bears special teams this season (second worst in the NFL).

20, 17:  Number of yards for the longest punt return allowed by the Packers and Bears, respectively, this season.

5:  As a Bear, number of touchdowns, as well as interceptions thrown, by Cutler in three regular season games against the Packers at Soldier Field.

7.6:  Average Richter scale measurement when female Packers fans jump up and down to cheer.

7:  Average number of teeth in a Packer fan’s mouth.

18:  Average number of days between showers for regular Packer fans.

19:  Average number of years between showers for die-hard Packer fans.

3,400,000: According to a USDA study, the number of cows in the state of Wisconsin.

100%:  The likelihood, if you throw a Packers jersey on any one of those cows, that you would mistake one for a Packer fan.

There’s nothing left to be said.  Bears-Packers week is coming to a climax.  Are you ready for the Brandon Marshall show to begin?

Dec 25, 2011; Green Bay, WI, USA; The Chicago Bears line up for a play against the Green Bay Packers during the game at Lambeau Field. The Packers defeated the Bears 35-21. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-US PRESSWIRE

Green Bay Packers-

2011 Record-15-1 (Lost in divisional round to the New York Giants)

Coach- Mike McCarthy- 63-33 regular season 8-5 post season 1 Super Bowl Championship

All-Time Record- Bears lead 92-86-8 (1-1 Postseason)

2012 Subtractions- Qb Matt Flynn, C Scott Wells, T Chad Clifton, CB Pat Lee, SS Nick Collins

2012 Additions- C Jeff Saturday, DE Anthony Hargrove, DE Phillip Merling, DT Daniel Muir

2012 Meetings- Week 2 Sept 13 at Green Bay, Week 15 Dec 16 in Chicago

Strength of Schedule-31

Fantasy Impact- Aaron Rodgers-1st round Greg Jennings 1-2 round Jordy Nelson 2-3 round Jermichael Finley- 5th round  Cedric Benson 4-5 round (more…)

Aug 23, 2012; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) hands the ball off to running back Cedric Benson (32) during the pre-season game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Leifheit-US PRESSWIRE

The Green Bay Packers pre-season dress rehearsal was against a formidable defense last night in the Cincinnati Bengals.  The first string Packers offense didn’t miss a beat putting up 17 first half points including two first quarter rushing touchdowns by Aaron Rodgers.

The best part of the game for the Packers and worst part for Bears fans is that Cedric Benson was highly effective in his play.  He had 6 carries for 38 yards and 1 catch for 10 yards.  Benson plays best when he has a chip on his shoulder, I’m sure nobody has forgotten the 189 yards Benson collected against the Bears in 2009. The 2012 chip on Benson’s shoulder will be that the Bengals decided that BenJarvus Green-Ellis was a better option than Benson. Benson isn’t a home run hitter but he can give them 4.5 yards per carry, then Benson can and most likely will bring some balance to the Packers offense which could make their offense down right scary.

Rodgers was his usual self throwing for 122 yards rushing for 52 and 2 scores in a half.  He’s a statsitcal nightmare if you are playing against him in fantasy football!  Jermichael Finley was the only big name offensive player to miss the game as Greg Jennings made his first appearance in the pre-season after battling injuries early in camp.

The dress rehearsal game shows what everyone knows already about the Packers. This is a very good team and unless Rodgers gets hurt, it will be a huge fight to win the NFC North title from them in 2012.  Let’s hope the Bears offense can be just as effective tonight in New York!

It was BEARly worth mentioning, but they our are biggest rival!

DA BEARS

Bears Spotlight

June 12, 2012; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) passes during Bears-Minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-US PRESSWIRE

Jay Cutler has thrown for over 18,000 yards in his first six seasons, but he has only been a top 10 fantasy quarterback once in his career when he threw for 4,500 yards in his last season in Denver.  Cutler hasn’t been higher than 17th while playing for the Bears due to poor blocking and turnovers.  There will be no excuses this season with the weapons surrounding Cutler.  Most mock drafts have him falling to the 11-13th selected quarterback which could and should prove to be a great value.  The past few seasons with Martz as coordinator it was way to risky to start Cutler on a weekly basis! With Brandon Marshall and rookie Alshon Jeffrey along with Earl Bennett and the Hester Package along with Matt Forte, this should be a huge season for Cutler and almost a shoe in for a top 10 quarterback season!

Fantasy Top 10 QB’S

1. Drew Brees-

Drew Brees -Mandatory Credit: Jason O. Watson-US PRESSWIRE

In the post-Bountygate world in New Orleans, Brees is now the de facto offensive coordinator.  Brees has not thrown for less than 4,000 yards since arriving in Cajun Country, and without Sean Payton, you have to believe that the Saints offense will be even more pass happy.  There’s also a good chance that they will be trailing more than last year which will mean more Brees passing and #1 Qb in fantasy.

2. Aaron Rodgers

Aaron Rodgers-Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-US PRESSWIRE

If Rodgers didn’t sit out the last week of the year he would have easily been last season’s #1 fantasy quarterback.  Rodgers had 45 touchdowns to 6 interceptions last season and there’s no reason to believe his production will slip.  The Green Bay Packers still do not have an established running game and have named James Starks as starting running back which translated in fantasy football terms means Rodgers could be passing 50 times a games.  Rodgers has been a top 10 fantasy QB since taking over for Brett Favre, and 2012 should be no exception.

3. Tom Brady

Tom Brady- Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-US PRESSWIRE

The old veteran now of fantasy qb’s.  Except for his one pass injury season of 2008, having Brady on your roster has always been a good thing.  The Patriots offense is always adding new twists from The Randy Moss years, to the two tight end passing game, and now Brady has a new toy to play with in Brandon Lloyd.  Brady only threw for 5,200 yards last year, and with the new addition the sky is the limit in 2012.  Draft Brady early because he will not be available very long in any draft.

4. Matt Schaub 

Matt Schaub-Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-US PRESSWIRE

Schaub will be availble later in the draft then some other guys ranked lower in this ranking for one reason only—HEALTH.  Schaub and the Texans offense always put up great offensive numbers and they have some of the best weapons at ever postition in Foster, Johnson, and Owens.  Schaub has only completed 2 seasons which is alarming but when he’s on the field he puts up some great fantasy numbers.  He may be a red flag risk but the high end reward is there especially the later the round in the draft that he’s still available.

5. Matthew Stafford

Matthew Stafford- Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-US PRESSWIRE

It’s amazing what health and having arguably the best Wide Recevier in the league can do.  Stafford threw for over 5,000 yards in his first season where he played all 16 games.  Stafford had the luxury of Calvin Johnson which makes the QB job a lot easier.  Stafford will most likely be gone by the 2nd round at the latest in your draft.  The Lions early on will not have much of a running game and how well Leshore fits into the offense is still to be determined on Sundays so expect a lot of balls in the air in Detroit again this season.

6. Matt Ryan

Matt Ryan- Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-US PRESSWIRE

Ryan’s stats have been very consistent and improving every season since entering the league.  He leads a very boring offense which isn’t sexy but still puts up the stats every week.  This season could be a change from the vanilla to maybe neapolitan since Julio Jones after a very slow start came on at the end of the season and could burst on to the scene.  Jones could help Ryan become a top 5 QB like Johnson did for Stafford last season.  The Falcons are not going to abandon the run but it will not be surprising to see a lot more explosive plays from them this season and make Ryan and very good value as a fantasy QB.

7. Eli Manning

Eli Manning-Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-US PRESSWIRE

The good side of Eli is that his yards per season has increased the past four seasons and he’s very consistent in his TD’s per year.  The dark side of Eli is the interceptions! Everyone likes to harp on Jay Cutler for bad int’s but Eli has the same bad tendency.  In his Super Bowl season’s he has been able to steer clear of the turnover bug and put up good numbers.  He may be without Hakeem Nicks early on and will be missing Mario Manningham.  This could be a small decline in his numbers from last season but the decline shouldn’t be too drastic not to draft him in the t0p 4 rounds.

8. Peyton Manning

Peyton Manning-Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-US PRESSWIRE

The former #1 fantasy quarterback for years now has a new home and address.  Drafting him will be a huge risk with the neck injury, but the reward could be huge if he stays healthy for the entire 2012 season.  Manning will be in a new system with unfamiliar players, but he’s just too good of QB not to believe he will make all the adjustments needed through his endless preparations to be highly successful in Mile High City.  In mocks drafts his position has been very unpredictable so where he gets selected will depend on the fondness for him by you or your league mates.

9. Cam Newton

Cam Newton- Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-US PRESSWIRE

Cam Newton did something no other rookie quarterback has done in fantasy football…Dominate from day 1.  His turnover ratio does need to improve, last year it was 21-17 but he was unstoppable by the goal line rushing for 14 touchdowns.  Defenses seemed to catch up to Newton’s passing skills  late in the season, so you may want to keep an eye on him during the pre-season action to see if his accuracy has improved, but his natural talents and progression could lead to even greater statistics then his first season.

10. Tony Romo

Tony Romo-Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-US PRESSWIRE

Forget the fact that Romo chokes in the playoffs or when a possible playoff spot is on the line.  This is fantasy rankings and Romo is a stat machine.  Romo routinely puts up 4,000 yards 30 touchdown seasons.  Dez Bryant could be the next big receiver in the NFL which will be an added plus to Romo owners.  He still has his security blanket in Whitten, and he should have a good running game with Murray and Jones.  There has been little chatter out of Dallas this off season compared to other years which could lead to a Dallas revival!

Breakout Fantasy QB- Alex Smith

Alex Smith- Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-US PRESSWIRE

Just like the Bears off season, the 49ers have added offensive weapons. Oldie but goodie Randy Moss and Super Bowl champ Mario Manningham have been added to a very average 49ers offense.  Smith had a rebirth under first year coach Jim Harbaugh throwing for 17 touchdowns and only 5 picks.  Smith may not leap into a top 10 fantasy qb this season but his stats could see a tremendous jump with the added offensive firepower surrounding him provided Moss plays at a high level for most of the season.

Bust Fantasy QB-Joe Flacco

Joe Flacco- Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-US PRESSWIRE

The bizzaro world of Tony Romo.  Flacco has tremendous playoff success but is a liability during the regular season in fantasy football. Flacco hasn’t missed a game and his stats are very similar the past three seasons but there has been no progression.  He has one of the top running backs in the league in Ray Rice, so you know the Ravens will force feed him as much as possible.  This is the season where no progression meets regression for Flacco.  They play the Steelers twice a year so that’s a guaranteed two weeks you won’t want to start him, and they will never go into a game with the philosophy of airing it out.  Steer clear of Flacco as your #1 qb this season.

The ball will be in the air more than ever this season! Who’s your top 10, sleeper, or bust?  Will Jay Cutler be a top 5 fantasy qb? I would be glad to see your lists in the comments section!!

Da BEARS!!!

Dec 25, 2011; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers running back James Starks (44) is tackled by Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher (54) during the game at Lambeau Field. The Packers defeated the Bears 35-21. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-US PRESSWIRE

News and Notes from around the NFC North

Green Bay Packers

-Eric Walden was suspended for one game for a domestic dispute that occurred on Thanksgiving Day. He will miss the opening game of the season against the SanFrancisco 49ers. Walden was arrested for the dispute but didn’t have to serve any jail time.  He did agree to 50 hours of community service and counseling.

-After going 15-1 the Packers are looking for “Redemption” after losing in the divisional playoff game against the NY Giants . If you want to get fired up for the Chicago Bears to beat down the Packers on Thursday Night Football in Week 2, watch this clip via the fansided Packer site LombardiAve

- While listening to Jim Rome interviewing Aaron Rodgers, Rodgers expressed the fact that the Packers probably won’t go 15-1 again this year, but there’s a great chance that they will be a better team.  Rodgers told Rome that he expects the team to run more and be better on the defensive side of the ball. Oh yea he’s still going to throw the ball A LOT!!

- Defense has been the focus at camp getting all 6 draft picks on the field and ready for the season.  The Packers know that their defense was their achilles heel and the rookies impact will be a big difference maker good or bad.

- Donald Driver has had a very good start to training camp on his personal proving the critics wrong tour while trying to reserve a roster spot this season

Detroit Lions

Jahvid Best. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-US PRESSWIRE

- Jahvid Best was put on the PUP list after not being cleared to practice.  With Mikel Leshoure suspended for the first two games, Kevin Smith is penciled in as the first string starter for opening day for the time being.

-Alphonso Smith gets the first shot at cornerback after Aaron Berry was released.  Chris Houston is the other starter heading into training camp for a secondary that was shredded in the last two game of the season.

- Jim Schwartz claims that Detroit’s arrest extravaganza is over now that training camp has begun because none of the arrests happened in Detroit. Yes the Lions camp is in Detroit so now we understand Schwartz’s fifth grade logic

Minnesota Vikings

Adrian Peterson. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-US PRESSWIRE

-TE John Carlson suffered a MCL sprain which could force him to miss the rest of training camp.  The sprain is the same type that Matt Forte suffered last season.

- Leslie Frazier is on the hot seat but he has not been given any target numbers to hit to keep his job for next season.

-TE Kyle Rudolph stood out in the first week of training camp and could be a nice late round TE pick up in fantasy football.

- The health of Adrian Peterson will be a question mark until he reaches the playing field.  He may not be totally healthy until mid-season. He was taken to the hospital after an allergic reaction to something he ate.  He was fine after the hospital visit and returned to rehabbing his left knee.

This Season Opponents News

- Week 5 opponent Jacksonville Jaguars have two hold out situations 1. Justin Blackmon is the only draft picked not signed 2. Maurice Jones-Drew is holding out after not getting a long term deal—Aren’t we all glad that Matt Forte signed at the last second so that this kind of situation didn’t unfold in Bourbonnais!?!?

November 7, 2011;Philadelphia, PA, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) throws a pass in the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-US PRESSWIRE

Ron Jaworski, while being locked up in his offices at NFL Films is in the midst of his top 30 NFL QB’s.  I was very surprised that he ranked Jay Cutler at #8 in his countdown.  It’s not that I don’t think he has top 10 ability, but the fact that the national media destroys all aspects of Cutler’s game except for his big time arm.  Brett Favre was considered unorthodox and a gun slinger and threw some of the worst interceptions of all time at the wrong time, and he still never suffered from the amount of fallout as Cutler has from turning the ball over, even though Cutler hasn’t had a good line in front of him or the depth at wide receiver that Favre did in Green Bay.

Jaws is one of the few that has always defended Cutler’s ability.  Jaws got to see one of Cutler’s best games of 2011 in person when the Bears beat his beloved Philadelphia Eagles on Monday Night Football in a game that Cutler went 18 for 32 for 208 yards and 2 TD’s.  Cutler led the Bears to 13 unanswered points in the final 15:21 to secure the victory 30-24. Jaws loves his big, accurate arm with deceptive athletic ability.

Jaws stated that Cutler, as we all know, needs to clean up his red zone turnover rate, which he did in 2011 when he didn’t record one interception in the red zone after turning the ball over an inexcusable 13 times in the previous three seasons. Cutler’s ability and importance to the team was never felt more than when Caleb Hanie took the field and squeezed the playoff life out of the 2011 season.

Where have the other NFC North quarterbacks ranked at?  Christian Ponder was ranked at #28, and Matthew Stafford came in the ranking at #14.  The only real question left  in the ranking will be whether Aaron Rodgers is first or second behind Tom Brady.

Nothing will be better than Cutler and the Bears offense breaking out this season with Brandon Marshall, and making a deep run to the Super Bowl, and then all the haters having to change their minds about Cutler.  Jaws then will have  to rank Cutler in the top 3 to match his big time talents next offseason.

DA BEARS

Dec 22, 2008; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears linebackers Brian Urlacher (54) and Lance Briggs (55) watch Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) before the snap in the first half at Soldier Field. The Bears beat the Packers 20-17 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-US PRESSWIRE

With all precincts reporting, Aaron Rodgers Qb of the hated Green Bay Packers won the NFL off season beauty contest of best player in the NFL for 2012.  Let’s face it Rodgers had a great statistical season throwing 503 times with 353 completions for 68.3% rate compiling 4,643 yards with 45TD and only 6 INT.  Just for fun, Rodgers also ran for 257 yards and 3Td.  He was a monster in real and fantasy football worlds combined.  He did lose in the divisional playoff game which should make everyone reading this smile at least a little!

With Rodgers finishing 1st that would make four players from our NFC north rivals in the top 13 without a single Bear being on the list until #26 Julius Peppers.  Following Rodgers from our division is Calvin Johnson at #3, Adrian Peterson at #8, and Jared Allen at #13.

There were five Bears that made the list this year, joining Peppers, was Matt Forte at #33, Devin Hester at #48, Brian Urlacher at #51, and Lance Briggs at #72.  Two names that didn’t make the list but need to have great seasons and be on the list next season are Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall. Cutler was well on his way to making the list, and leading the Bears to the playoffs when his thumb got in the way of the Soldier Field turf. Brandon Marshall was stuck on exile island otherwise known as the Miami Dolphins offense.

You should never get too worked about these lists since they are just there to fill air time on NFL Network or reading time on NFL.Com, but the two names that jump off the page on making the list are DeSean Jackson who even though he still had 962 yards receiving was a major dissappointment all year for the dream team while he sulked about his contract unlike Matt Forte, and how did John Kuhn make the list?  Since the full back is, a dying position in the NFL just like Blockbuster is in the DVD industry, they had to throw a token full back into the top 100?

Congrats to Rodgers on another title thankfully we didn’t have to see him riding around Disney World this past February, but we do have to watch other NFL personnel talk about how great of quarterback he is.  If for some reason you would like to see the Rodgers video,  or any other of the top 100 clips including any of the Bears video highlights click here.

It will be interesting next season to see if the Tice offense puts more players on to list.  Cutler, Marshall, and Forte will all need to be on this list next season if the title Super Bowl Champs is to be attached to the Bears of 2012!

Sep 19, 2010; Arlington, TX, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) and Matt Forte (22) celebrate a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys at Cowboys Stadium. The Bears beat the Cowboys 27-20. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-US PRESSWIRE

There are lofty offensive expectations going into this season, and the start of training camp is right around the corner.  Cutler and company need to bump Rodgers off the #1 rated player ranking quickly starting in Week #2 visit to Green Bay!!

DA BEARS