Da Dos

Tag: Steelers

  • Rapid Reax: Bears’ D closes out Steelers. 8-3

    Rapid Reax: Bears’ D closes out Steelers. 8-3

    Seems Mike Tomlin was playing games about Rodgers starting. Though some argue the ‘drop off’ isn’t much to Rudolph at this point in their careers.

    D’Marco Jackson wore the green dot and racked up 15 tackles!

    That seems to be the theme for the Steelers’ game. “Next Man Up.”

    Theo down, Ozzy steps up
    All the LBs go down, Jackson and Co step up
    Jonah Jackson goes down temprorily, Luuuuke Newman steps up…

    Trapilo specifically seems to have held his own:

    Ryan Fowler@_RyanFowler_

    LT for Chicago has been a weak spot along a rebuilt front five this fall… but not today. Heck of an afternoon for rookie Ozzy Trapilo against a veteran Steelers front (41 pass pro snaps): • 1 pressure • 0 sacks • 0 QB hits ~ 88.4 pass pro effectiveness grade

    The offense had a chance to close it out by getting a measly first down, but they failed to do so, leaving it to the D to save the game. This is both worrying and comforting. Worrisome in that the Offense and not the Defense is supposed to be the strength of this team. Reassuring in that despite the Mash Unit on defense, they did indeed stop the Steelers from even attempting a FG.

    The run game wasn’t dominant, but it did enough. It may have done more if the runs were actually better executed [especially when Monangai tripped].

    The Bears are a somewhat sloppy team. Seems like they pull-off every win with bailing wire and duct-tape. Nevertheless they have WON 8 of 9 and still have yet to produce a complete game.

    One thing though is Caleb Williams’ accuracy must improve. Remember, the stated goal in August was that he reach 70%. No way he sniffs that. It feels that at spells he sleep walks, missing badly, then suddenly wakes up and becomes Marino. No clue how BJ fixes that, but it definitely needs fixing if they don’t want Eagles, Puke or Lions to embarrass them. They’re not going to spot the Bears free QTRs ’til Caleb snaps into action.

    FIRST ROUND MOCK@firstroundmock

    Caleb Williams sub 60% completion percentage…Again.

    Last 8 games:

    • 59.5%
    • 58.6%
    • 57.7%
    • 65.8%
    • 58.8%
    • 55.6%
    • 50.0%
    • 54.3%

      Caleb and Rome particularly seem to be on different pages. Rome needs to play like a top 10 pick.

    Needless to say, Caleb can’t take any more of these.

    Overall however, Caleb’s been productive. He’s not efficient, but he’s clutch in spots which has translated to wins.

    8-3 boys, and top of the NFCN. All that matters. Special shot out to Dennis Allen for MacGyvering the Defense.

    Enjoy victory Monday!

  • When a win is more than a win, or is it?

    When a win is more than a win, or is it?

    By reg Clockwork Orange and Blue

    Aaron Rodgers has a career 25-5 record against the Bears. He famously declared his ownership of the Bears following the Rodgers Packers’ penultimate victory against the Beloved in Rodgers’ final year with the team. Nothing tastes as sweet, or devastates as much, than a win or loss against the Packers, and this was especially true with Rodgers at the helm. And now in week 12 of an improbable 7-3 season, the Bears are faced with an aging Rodgers on a different team.

    8-3 is a mark that would put the Bears one win closer to the magic number of 10, a total that would certainly catapult them to the playoffs and mark the start of what could be the Bears team we have all been thirsting for – one that wins games not in spite but because of their offense and quarterback. Are all wins equal? Do we dare now move the goalposts from “any win is a good win”?

    With Rodgers suffering (my god, I hope he is suffering) a broken left wrist and marked as questionable to play on Sunday, do we hope to see him in the pocket, knowing full well his ownership, his football voodoo, over the Bears?

    You and I know he wants to be dancing out of the pocket after a near sack, twisting and galloping with Bears in pursuit from behind while he angles toward the flat, and with a flick of the wrist, sending a perfect lofted spiral into the waiting hands of a streaking receiver, breaking Chicago’s spirit once more. You just know he wants to do that one last time, to punctuate his career with a defining statement: “I will forever own you.”

    On the flip side, even though he is not with Green Bay, what would be sweeter than to see Rodgers rolling in agony on the Soldier Field turf after releasing a lame duck following a brutal full frontal blow, a ball that flutters gently down into the hands of a waiting safety who then speeds by the scene of the crime and all eyes are not on the motionless Rodgers, but on the celebration in the end zone, the final score that ends both the game and Rodgers’ career.

    Do you take that chance with Rodgers, knowing it could take you back to the heartbreak of the last 20 years, but also knowing that you could find yourself with a real reason to say “this Bears team is different and for real”? Or would you rather not face that prospect and see Mason Rudolph under center, knowing the chances for victory are that much greater. How badly do you want to reach 10 wins – are you a pragmatist or a romantic?

    Mike Tomlin and the Steelers are the quintessential pragmatists. It is why he is where he is in his 19th season, having never suffered a losing season, yet only winning a single Super Bowl. Do we want to be the Steelers? Would you be happy if Ben Johnson’s career mirrored Tomlin’s?

    I would not. I am a Romantic, an Idealist, and I have an inkling that Ben Johnson is too. Does he enjoy the wins? Yes. he certainly does. But in his decisions, I do not see Tomlin, or Lovie. I see a man driven by his ideals. He knows what he wants and he knows what he wants to see. He is a man who will not just be satisfied with a .600 winning percentage and a long career. He wants to feel the adrenaline of a win without excuses.

    He wants to beat Rodgers.

    And so do I.