Jan 13, 2013; Foxboro, MA, USA; Houston Texans running back Arian Foster (23) is pursued by New England Patriots defensive lineman Rob Ninkovich (50) and linebacker Jerod Mayo (51) in the AFC Divisional Round playoff game at Gillette Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Texans 41-28. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports

The Houston Texans are becoming a consistent threat in the AFC, having gone to the postseason for the last couple of seasons.  Arian Foster and JJ Watt give the Texans cornerstones on both sides of the ball, but if the Texans want to take the next step, they’ll need to add to their already talented roster.  (more…)

Nov 4, 2012; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub (8) hands off to running back Arian Foster (23) during the second half at Reliant Stadium. The Texans won 21-9. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Campbell-US PRESSWIRE

The Bears’ extended preseason is over.  It’s time to put the big boy pads on and invite a legit team to Soldier Field as the 7-1 Houston Texans come to Chicago to face the 7-1 Bears.  This is a game where strength goes against strength.  The Bears take the ball away more than any team in the league while the Texans give it away the least.  It’s fastball pitcher against fastball hitter.  Both defenses are ranked in the top 5 and the Sunday night forecast is calling for heavy rain, so this doesn’t set up for a shootout.

To help get some insight on the upcoming opponent, we reached out to Riley Cavanagh, editor for Toro Times to tackles our 5 Questions.   Here are my questions and Riley’s answers: (more…)

Nov 4, 2012; Nashville, TN, USA; Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher (54) awaits the snap against the Tennessee Titans during the first half at LP Field. The Bears beat the Titans 51-20. Mandatory credit: Don McPeak-US Presswire

In only their third career meeting, the Chicago Bears (7-1, 4-0 home) will face off against the Houston Texans (7-1, 3-0 road) at Soldier Field on Sunday night in what some people think could be a Super Bowl preview.  The Texans have won both previous meetings (24-5 in 2004, 31-24 in 2008) and are the only team in the NFL that the Bears have never beaten.

Both team’s defenses rank in the top six in the NFL in points allowed, rushing yards allowed and total yards allowed.  Texans second year DE J.J. Watt leads the league with 10.5 sacks and has eight tackles for loss, 10 pass deflection and two fumble recoveries.  He will be facing a Bears offensive line that has given up the third most sacks in the league with 28.  Whether he matches up against a struggling Gabe Carimi or any other Bears linemen, you can bet that a double team will be coming his way.

The Bears defense will be led by CB Charles Tillman, who has a career high seven forced fumbles this season, and CB Tim Jennings, who leads the league with six interceptions and 15 passes defended.  The Bears defensive line (23 sacks this season) will need to keep pressure on Texans QB Matt Schaub and the secondary will need to not be fooled by play-action passes.  The Bears defense is the best in the league at not giving up the big play, and will need to be extra careful against the likes of Texans RB Arian Foster (847 total yards, 10 touchdowns) and WR Andre Johnson (562 receiving yards, six for 20+ yards).

Despite all that defense, the Texans (29.6 points per game) and Bears (29.5 points per game) rank second and third, respectively, in the league in scoring.  Let’s check out some other numbers of note for the game.

1986: The last time the Bears went undefeated (4-0) against AFC opponents in a single season.  (They are currently 3-0, having defeated the Colts, Jaguars and Titans.)

6:  Number of turnovers by the Texans this season, lowest in the NFL.

3:  Number of turnovers by the Texans in their only loss of the season to the Green Bay Packers.

455:  Total yards by the Texans when they last met the Bears in 2008, led by WR Andre Johnson who had 10 catches for 148 yards and two touchdowns.

7:  Number of times the Bears have started a season 7-1 or better since the 1970 NFL-AFL merger.  They made the playoffs each of those seasons (1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1990, and 2006).

102:  The most points the Bears have scored in back-to-back games, which occurred in Week 3 (53-7) and 4 (49-0) of the 1941 season.  They scored 51 last week against the Tennessee Titans.

2:  Number of rushing touchdowns given up by the Texans in their last 16 games, dating back to Week 9 of last season.

0:  Number of quarterbacks who have thrown for more than one touchdown against the Bears defense this season.

1:  Number of times the Bears have been outscored in the second half of a game this season (Week 7 against the Detroit Lions, 3-7).

59, 797, 7:  Number of receptions (21^st), yards (31^st) and touchdowns (18^th) by Brandon Marshall this season, which already places him in the top 31 single-season performances in Bears history.  He is on pace to break all three single-season Bears records.

4:  Number of offensive plays over 30 yards given up by the Bears defense this season, lowest in the NFL.

12:  Number of offensive plays over 30 yards by the Bears this season, ninth most in the NFL.

23-3:  Bears record since 2010 when they score 18 or more points in a game.

0:  Number of points scored by Bears opponents on their first offensive drive of the game this season.

4, 2:  Number of times that QB Jay Cutler has been sacked and intercepted on the Bears first drive of a game this season (three times he was sacked on the Bears first offensive play).

226:  Number of passing yards needed by Cutler to become the first Bears quarterback to throw for 2,000+ yards and 10+ touchdowns four times.

4:  Number of times Texans QB Matt Schaub has turned the ball over this season.

12:  Number of times Cutler has turned the ball over this season.

Sunday night is going to be a game decided by the quarterbacks, and the last two numbers listed above will play a big role in the game.  Cutler will need to be a lot more careful with the ball, and the Bears defense will have to force Schaub to turn the ball over.  Both teams pride themselves on defense, so whichever quarterback can find and exploit the other team’s weakness will win the game.  Whatever you do, if you are attending the game, don’t mention the Bears offensive line to any Texan players.  Shhhh.  And remember to keep it down when the Bears are in the red zone.  They are going to need all the help they can get this week.

Speaking of the Bears, I was at the game last week and I was so highly disturbed by their offense. I wish I tallied how many times they ran their offense with the exact same formation (2 receivers on 1 side, 1 on the other with the TE in tight). It was seriously about 90% of the time. How about some trips? 5 Wide Receiver sets? Something, Turner, give the Offense a chance.  Pick routes, flood some zones…something?  Please?   Sorry about the Seattle pick last week, that was just a bad call.  2-2 on the week last week.  On to Week 12:

Bengals -13 vs Browns – Seems like Vegas was a little too excited about the Browns scoring explosion last week in Detroit and a little down on Cinci with their poor showing in Oakland.   It is weeks like those that help keep spreads nice like these.

Texans +3 vs Colts – You know, I always pick good upsets and never add them to Bart’s Best.  I think that this is the week that the Colts undefeated season goes down and I’m willing to make it a Bart’s Best pick.  (I think the Saints are going to lose too by the way).

Falcons -12 vs Tampa Bay – I don’t quite understand the 12 point spread and usually I’ll stay away from it (other spreads I don’t like such as-4.5 or -5).  However, Tampa is a bad team and the Falcons really need this one. The Falcons will have 17-21 points by the first half.

Vikings -10.5 vs Bears – until something changes, I don’t even believe they can cover 10.5.  Sad.  Very sad day.  Division rival game and I still don’t think it is going to be close.  Prove me wrong Bears! Prove me wrong!

If you get a warm tingly feeling thinking about a former Super Bowl Champion coach patrolling the sidelines along Chicago’s lakefront, take note:  the Chicago Bears coaching job would “excite” former Steelers coach Bill Cowher.  Sure, the source from the NFL Network lumped the Houston Texans in with the Bears, but who would choose the expansion Texans over the Beloved Bears?  Seriously?

You want fire?  You want passion?  You want “the jaw?”  You want the anti-Lovie?  Then you want Cowher.  Only one problem: Ralph Wilson and the Buffalo Bills are sniffing around Coach Cowher.  The former Steelers coach is basically throwing himself at the Bears, begging for them to come a-callin’.  There’s a problem though. (more…)

New Orleans -11 @ Tampa Bay – The Saints haven’t exactly been marching me to the real or fantasy bank lately, but sometimes you have to keep riding the wave. There are some teams that you just have to play all year because in the long run, you’ll end up on the positive side. I’ve chosen the Saints to be that team.

Seattle +10.5 @ Minnesota – This is just more of a hunch than anything. Minnesota is on cruise control. Every once in awhile when that is happening, something out of the blue comes up to rattle your confidence. The Seahawks will keep this one close – around a touchdown – so I’ll take the points.

Tennessee +4.5 @ Texans – These teams are both steadily improving. I am actually looking forward to watching this game because I think it is going to be a close one. Tennessee has picked up with my old favorite at the helm (Vince Young) and my fantasy WR stud Andre Johnson will be on the other side. In a coin toss game – I’ll take 4.5 points.

Eagles @ Bears +3 – Man oh man – this one has a weird positive feel to it. All things point to the Bears getting crushed – and the line is 3? This game has the feel of the Bears rising up out of the ashes to extend our hope for one more week. The Bears win this one and then go and lose a stupid one in Minnesota. That’s my guess, so I’ll go with it.

Season Total 20-20

Meanwhile, the Bengals come off a disappointing home loss to the Texans.  You would have to characterize the Bengals as a surprise team, as they sit atop the tough AFC North with a 4-2 record overall and a mind-numbing 3-0 record in the division with impressive wins against the Steelers and Ravens along with a road win in Green Bay.

Before the season started, I had this as a slam dunk win, but not so fast.  I hate to say it, but these Bengals are for real.  They have discovered a running game with Cedric Benson – yes, that Cedric Benson and Carson Palmer is regaining his old Pro Bowl form.  But fear not Bears fans, this is still a very winnable game.  Here are my Keys to the Game:  (more…)

The Bears’ draft pick and trade coffers are a bit depleted, so they might need to sweeten the pot to pull off a trade for Marshall.  Who could the Bears give up?  Denver had a woeful defense in ’08, so they could use some help on that side of the ball.  Would Brian Urlacher be on interest?  Nathan Vasher or Charles Tillman?  Not much to give up on the other side of the ball except maybe Devin Hester?  Would you be willing to give him up to land a talent like Marshall?   

In other news..

Rex Grossman avoided major embarrassment and signed to compete as the backup for the Texans.  Too bad he wasn’t named the starter – maybe Andre Johnson would want out of Houston.  As I tweeted last week, “Houston, you have a problem!  It’s Tex Rex!”

Plaxico Burress’ gun case has been postponed until September.   Latest word out there is that he is actively negotiating do sign a deal before training camp opens.  Lots of speculation still links the troubled receiver to the Bears, but nothing definitive yet.

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