Jan 6, 2013; Baltimore, MD, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) throws a pass against the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Wild Card playoff game at M

The Indianapolis Colts are next up in our Reader’s Mock draft, with just about a week to go until the real deal on April 25th.

Talk about a turnaround!  The Indianapolis Colts finished with the worst record in 2011, traded away a legend, selected first in the draft and proceeded to go from worst to a Wild Card spot.  Really remarkable stuff.  In order to take the next step and surpass the Houston Texans and become a perennial playoff contender, they need to build on the success of 2012 and add a few pieces in the 2013 draft. (more…)

CHICAGO BEARS (0-0) vs INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (0-0)
9/9/12 at 12 Noon

TV: CBS, Dan Dierdorf and Bryant Gumbel with the call, check coverage map here.
RADIO: 780 AM, 105.9FM in Chicago. (more…)

Aug 30, 2012; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) smiles during the game against the Cincinnati Bengals in the second half at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-US PRESSWIRE

It’ll be the start of a new era on Sunday at Soldier Field.  For the Chicago Bears, they will enter the modern NFL by actually having a legitimate wide receiver as they rely on the offense to carry their weight for the first time in eons.  For the Indianapolis Colts, they start the Andrew Luck era, where the rookie quarterback will have to emerge from the big shadow cast by Peyton Manning, who’s plying his trade in Denver these days.

Expectations are sky high for the Chicago Bears, while the Colts just hope to get back to respectability after a 2-14 2011 season.  This one has the looks of a laugher, but there are still a few things the Bears must do to ensure a victory to add to their NFL best 63 home opening wins. (more…)

Let’s get this out of the way up front – there is no way to make the intensity of the Pro Bowl anywhere near that of a real NFL game.   It’s an exhibition game featuring the best players who want no part of an offseason injury that could cost them a season.  I can’t disagree.  How angry would you be if Lance Briggs blew an ACL playing in a meaningless game?

So what can be done to try to at least increase fan interest?  Follow the jump for my idea.

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This weekend take a look at a team that really lives up to the Bears’ formula – the New York Jets.   The Jets finished up the season ranked 1st in defense and 1st in rushing at just over 172 yards per game.

In stark contrast, the Bears wound up with about 93 yards per game.  They did this with – ya, you guessed it – Bears castoff Thomas Jones toting the rock.  You remember him, right?  The guy they traded to make way for Cedric Benson.  The Cedric Benson who tallied over 1200 yards for the Bengals when he got his head screwed on right.

Meanwhile, the guy we had to draft to replace the guy that chased the other guy out of town played all season with a bum wheel.

The Jets have more ties to the Bears besides T Jones.  How about head coach Rex Ryan?  Yup, Buddy’s son.  And one of his assistants?  46-zone defense ‘namesake’ #46 Doug Plank.

Critics have said that the Jets backed their way into the playoffs, thanks in large part to the Colts laying down for them back in Week 16.  But the Jets have gotten the job done in the playoffs with strong running from Jones and emerging superstar Shonn Greene (take note 2010 fantasy footballers) and playing killer defense behind lockdown cornerback Darrelle Revis.

Look for Revis to follow Reggie Wayne into the locker room at halftime – that’s how tight he’ll be covering.  I doubt the Jets will be able to confuse Peyton Manning with various fronts and blitzes – who can?  But if the Jets can run the ball and keep Peyton and the Colts offense off the field…   Well,  you never know.

So if you like old-school 1985-style 46-defense and smash mouth running attack that the Bears advertise, throw your support behind the Jets.

I’m not saying that Briggs is headed to IR, but it certainly appears that there is doubt about him being able to go on Sunday versus the Rams.

If there is ANY chance that he could worsen his condition, he should sit.  This season is over anyway, so don’t put 2010 in jeopardy.   I guess it would be fitting for Briggs to be done since fellow linebackers Brian Urlacher and Pisa Tinoisamoa have already cashed in their chips on the 2009 season.

June should be able to get up to speed with the Bears’ system quickly, since he’s played the Cover-2 under Lovie Smith’s mentor Tony Dungy in Indianapolis.  I hope he can contribute, but at the same time, I hope he doesn’t have to.  If he does, it would be at the expense of Briggs.

BEAR DOWN!!!

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!