Sep 30, 2012; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars fans react during the third quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Everbank Field. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-US PRESSWIRE

Contrary to popular belief, the Bears bye is not this week.  Instead, they head down to Jacksonville to take on the Jaguars.  On paper, this game should be a laugher for the Beloved.  The Jaguars are pretty one dimensional on offense with Maurice Jones-Drew and pretty zero dimensional on defense.  The biggest threat to the Bears are the Bears themselves, but what do I know.

To help us get ready for Sunday’s late game matchup with the Jags, we’ve enlisted the help of Black and Teal‘s Luke Sims to take us behind enemy lines and learn about the Jaguars.  Once you’re done reading this post, be sure to head over to Black and Teal to read my answers to his questions. (more…)

Sep 09, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery (17) runs the ball after a catch against the Indianapolis Colts during the fourth quarter at Soldier Field. Chicago defeats Indianapolis 41-21. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-US PRESSWIRE

This Sunday, the Chicago Bears (3-1) will face the Jacksonville Jaguars (1-3) down in Florida for the sixth meeting in their histories (Bears have won three).  Jaguar fans are known for avoiding EverBank Field at all costs, so expect to see a lot of the Bears faithful in attendance.

The last time the Bears and Jaguars were mentioned in the same sentence, Jaguars RB Maurice Jones-Drew was calling Bears QB Jay Cutler a quitter via Twitter.  The two have brushed off the incident since, but you know the Bears defense wants to get a little payback for Jay.  The Monsters of the Midway already lead the league in takeaways (14), are second in stopping opponents from converting third down (73.9 percent of the time), are third in sacks (15), third in rushing yards allowed per game (67.3), and have only allowed one rushing touchdown all season.

After a big Monday night win, the Bears looked primed to stomp on a Jaguars team that is deprived both offensively and defensively.  They average a league low 254.3 yards per game and 15.5 points per game, while giving up 404.8 yards per game and 24.3 points per game.  That’s a recipe for disaster in my book.  Let’s take a look at how the rest of the matchup adds up.

1:  Number of times Jaguars QB Blaine Gabbert has had a QB rating over 100.00 in 19 career games.  Also, the number of times Gabbert has thrown for over 225 yards in a game.

2:  Sacks by the entire Jaguars defense in 2012 (both came in Week 1).

2.5:  Sacks by Bears DE Israel Idonije in Week 4 against the Dallas Cowboys.

3:  Number of quarters that the Bears have been outscored by their opponents this season.

4:  Number of takeaways (two interceptions, two fumble recoveries) by the entire Jaguars defense in 2012.  Also, the number of takeaways by Bears CB Tim Jennings (four interceptions) in 2012.

6:  Number of AFC running backs that have rushed for over 100 yards in a game against the Bears since 1999.

9:  Number of times Cutler has compiled a perfect QB rating (158.3) in a single quarter, most recently in the third quarter on Monday night in Dallas when he went 8-for-8 for 133 yards and a touchdown.

10:  Number of red zone scores by the Bears (five touchdowns, five field goals) in 10 attempts this season.

11: Games since Devin Hester has had a kick or punt return for a touchdown.

39.2:  Percentage of Jaguars total yardage gained by RB Maurice Jones-Drew (435 out of 1109 total yards).

17-2:  Bears record when they score a defensive touchdown in a game since the 2005 season.

21-5:  Bears record when Robbie Gould makes three or more field goals since the 2005 season.

65.9:  Opposing quarterback’s QB rating when Major Wright and Chris Conte start at safety for the Bears (10 games, 181 of 296 for 2,632 yards, seven touchdowns and 19 interceptions).

164:  Receiving yards by Bears WR Alshon Jeffery this season, ranking him first among NFL rookie wide receivers.

Not much to say here other than, on paper, the Bears are far and away the better team.  That being said, this is the NFL and you never know what is going to happen week to week.  Look for Brandon Marshall and Jeffery to have big games, and the Bears secondary to be deflecting and intercepting passes left and right.  Cutler will finally get some long awaited payback on Jones-Drew.

Sep 23, 2012; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew (32) runs with the ball against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Jacksonville defeats Indianapolis 22-17. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-US PRESSWIRE

The Bears head down to Jacksonville for the second of back-to-back road games before they hit their Week 6 bye week. Maurice Jones-Drew, Blaine Gabbert and the 32nd ranked Jaguars await the fifth ranked Chicago Bears scoring defense.  On paper, the Bears should dominate, but as they always say, they don’t play the games on paper.  Here are my keys to a Chicago Bears victory. (more…)

On to week 6…the Bears are back and I hope my GOOD picks are too…

Stone Tablet Locks – chisel these guys in stone as MUST PLAYS this week. (more…)

Thanks to a partnership with CBSSports.com, the Fansided network and Bear Goggles On have an exclusive offer for all of you Fantasy Football players out there.  We’re offering a HUGE $80 discount – that’s nearly 45% off - on CBSSports.com’s Commissioner fantasy leagues.  CBSSports.com’s Commisioner league is fully customizable for just about every feature and allows you to set up your league the way YOU want it.  What are you waiting for, grab a few of your buddies and start up a league by clicking on the Special Offer logo today!

I’ve finally started doing my fantasy football homework with my first draft just a week away.  A lot of draft boards rank the Bears’ Matt Forte and the Jacksonville’s  Maurice Jones-Drew among the top tier of running backs.  If you’re drafting in the top 5, you can probably assume that Adrian Peterson is going #1, but after that, you’ve got Forte, Jones-Drew and the Falcons’ Michael Turner in that top tier of running backs.  Who would you rather get for your team?  Let’s see what the guys over at ESPN think:  (more…)

• It’s cold out there!  Do not give the Jags a warm welcome!
• Pressure David Garrard.  He needs to spend significant time on his backside today.
• Kevin Jones is inactive for the 4th straighT game.  The end is near, KJ. 
• Also noticed that Matt Toeaina is inactive.  With Dusty Dvorcek OUT and Anthony Adams dinged up, I hope there is no lack of depth at DT position today.
• I’m starting Maurice Jones-Drew today in Round 1 of my fantasy playoffs, so if the Bears let the Jags score at all, let it be Mo-Jo.  I know, Blasphemy!  I can take it if I win.
• David Haugh wrote a nice piece evaluating the Bears’ roster in the Chicago Tribune today.  Maybe David’s jumping the gun, since this is something you really start to think about when the season is over.  The Beloved are still solidly in the playoff picture, so let’s worry about next year after this year is over.  Nevertheless, it’s a good article and I suggest you check it out :http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/chi-081206-chicago-bears-nfc-north-haugh,0,4370382.column
•  I can’t believe that a judge has issued a temporary injunction to allow the Williams boys (and the three Saints) play today.  I hope that judge gets a dose of common sense and the 4 game suspensions are upheld.
• As much as l like to see the Lions suffer and would love to see them go 0-16, I will be rooting for them to beat the Vikes today.  Maybe Ford can use some of that Federal bailout money to fix the Lions!

BEAR DOWN!!!

Home Games:  Packers, Lions, Vikings, Saints, Bucs, Jaguars, Titans, Eagles

Road Games: Packers, Lions, Vikings, Falcons, Panthers, Texans, Colts, Rams

The Bears home schedule is scaring me already.  They essentially have 7 playoff teams on their own tur.  I’m counting the Lions as the only non-playoff team and the Saints and Eagles as almost playoff teams since they were still on contention at seasons end.  What does that matter you ask?  It’s a whole lot closer to the playoffs than the Bears were this season.

We get a few breathers with a trip to Atlanta and Houston, although Houston is slowly getting stronger and building a good team.  Any match up against the Panthers turns into a lot of talk about how Steve Smith manages to burn us.  Let’s hope the Rams stay down and down bounce back next year, as they are likely to do.  You can’t tell me a team with that much talent is going to roll over again. 

I’m a little irritated the NFL put Bears-Colts in Indianapolis when they already have the advantage and play better in the dome.  It would be more fun to put the Colts in Soldier Field in December and see how the elements and home field advantage helps the Bears.  Making the Bears travel to Indiana will only set the stage for another embarrasment, likely on Monday Night.  The Saints appear destined to be forced to travel to Chicago every year and relive the misery of their lost season last year.  Why not bring the Colts to Chicago for a change and send the Bears down to New Orleans for once?

The Bears will certainly have their hands full with great runnings backs with Adrian Peterson, Maurice Jones-Drew, Michael Westbrook, Steven Jackson, plus the Panthers are starting to look like a solid running team.  The Bears will need all their defensive tackles to stay healthy and competitive this time or allow more career days for running backs.

Oh and I can just see the Donovan McNabb interviews when he comes to Chicago about if he wishse he played for the Bears.  I seriously doubt he’ll be in the Bears uniform so McNabb will have the opportunity for another homecoming to put a whooping on the Bears. 

I reserve the right to change my picks during the off season depending upon personnel changes on the team, but I’m going to come out right now and say 9-7 for 2008.  Wins against Packers, Lions, Vikings, Panthers, Falcons, Saints, Bucs, Texans, and Titans.  Losses against Packers, Lions, Vikings, Colts, Rams, Jaguars, and Eagles.