Aug 27, 2011; Nashville,TN, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) prepares to pass against the Tennessee Titans during the first half at LP Field. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-US PRESSWIRE

With the Bears getting ready to head to Tennessee to take on the Titans, the guys at Titan Sized asked me to come on their weekly show to preview the Bears vs Titans.  Have a listen to the whole show, or skip ahead to my segment which starts at about the 10:20 mark.

Nov 13, 2011; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte (22) breaks a run for 40 yards in the second half against the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field. The Bears defeated the Lions 37-13. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-US PRESSWIRE

Detroit Lions (2-3) at Chicago Bears (4-1)

The Lions own a 4-1 advantage over the Bears on MNF, but all 5 previous meetings were in Detroit.  This will be the first Bears – Lions Monday Night game at Soldier Field.  The Bears have won 7 of the last 8 meetings over the Lions.  Last season’s series split was the first since 2003.  The Bears have swept the season series in ’05-’06 and ’08 – ’10.  The Lions swept in ’04 and ’07. (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 24, 2012; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Chicago Bears helmets during the second half against the New York Giants at Metlife Stadium. The Bears won the game 20-17 Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-US PRESSWIRE

I was inspired by one of the dozens (and I do mean dozens) of kids books that I’ve read my 3-year old where we go through the whole alphabet with a letter for each.  How better could we get ready for the 2012 Chicago Bears season than to follow that format.  OK, plenty of ways, but this one seems like fun.  Here’s my view of the 2012 Chicago Bears, from A to Z:

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Check out my Game Day Preview at Bears Game Day and don’t forget to join the action as we have a live blog to follow along with the action as it unfolds.  Check out the Chicago Now’s staff predictions here.

The Score’s Laurence Holmes likes the Steelers to squeak one out.

The six expert panel at CBS Sports gives the Bears a 4-2 edge in their picks.

ESPN panel goes Steelers across the board.  Is there an original thought from the lot of them?

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Day vs Night.  Black (and gold) vs White (and red).  Luke Skywalker vs Darth Vader.  Offense vs Defense.   You might say that this game features contrasting styles.  The Steelers come in as the top defense from the regular season while the Cardinals come in with the second ranked passing offense and a Top 5 offense overall.  Arizona’s key to success in this improbable playoff run has been their defense. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh has been doing what they do best: playing great defense.  It’s time to stop with all of the hype and parties and get down to the business of crowning a champion for the 2008-2009 NFL season.

Many believe that a win by the Cardinals will put a stamp on Kurt Warner’s ticket to the Hall of Fame.   This is his third go-around on football’s biggest stage, having won one and lost one.  Meanwhile Ben Roethlisberger has a ring of his own, but many critics say he need to redeem himself after a lackluster performance in the Steelers’ win in Super Bowl XL over the Seahawks.

Breakdown

Larry Fitzgerald has become the darling of these 2009 playoffs.  How can you argue with 419 yards and 5 TD’s?  Compare that to 665 yards and 3 TD’s by Chicago Bears #1 receiver Devin Hester.  Oh, did I forget to mention those stats were compiled over 15 games for the Windy City Flyer while Fitz has piled up those bawdy stats in 3 playoffs games?  Who says the Bears need a difference maker at the receiver position?  The Cardinal defense has been the surprise of the playoffs, forcing 12 turnovers and upsetting the likes of the Falcons, Panthers and  Eagles en route to their first ever Super Bowl appearance.

The Steelers come in a bit banged up, with receiver Hines Ward nursing a knee and recent reports that Big Ben might have gotten a bit more banged up in the AFC Championship than we’ve been led to believe.  But this isn’t about the Steelers’ offense as much as it is about their defense.  Look for the Steelers to pressure Warner from all angles and shut down the resurrected Cardinal running attack.  Defensive Player of the Year James Harrison leads the attacking Steeler defense.

Key matchup

Arizona Passing Attack vs Pittsburgh Pass D.  Call it Hairbangers Ball, as safety Troy Polamalu brings his flowing locks to try to help cover the dreadlocked receiving stud Larry Fitzgerald.  Fitzgerald has already set a playoff record for receiving yardage, breaking Jerry Rice’s postseason yardage record with a game left to play.   I don’t doubt that the Steelers will keep the resurgent Edgerrin James in check, but if they expect to win, they’ll need to do something that no one has figured out in this postseason and that’s slow down Fitgerald and company.

Sleeper

Willie Parker has been banged up for much of the season and missed a few games, but that just means he’s fresh for Big Game.   He was the game-breaker in 2006, tearing off a Super Bowl record 75 yard touchdown run against the Seahawks in Super Bowl XL to seal the victory for the Steelers.  If Fast Willie can take some pressure off Big Ben and keep the Cardinal D off balance, it will be a long day for Arizona fans.

Prediction

Arizona has reinvented itself with a running game and tough defense  while Pittsburgh has followed their usual blueprint.  In a game of this magnitude, I like the team that stays true to itself.  This game is my postseason tie-breaker, so this had better be good:

Steelers 27-21