Results tagged “thebears”

Indianapolis' defenese has played much better in the playoffs, Peyton Manning hasn't put to bed his playoff demons, but he has played better. Of course, that storyline has been blown out of proportion for years. Watch how quickly the media will turn based on the game. Monday's stories can be written now, and the editors can simply choose late Sunday night. Manning will have cemented his place in history with a win or moved one step closer to joining Dan Marino among the quarterbacks who couldn't win a Super Bowl with a loss.

After stunning New England last Sunday, the Jets have given themselves a fighting chance at the playoffs. They've dropped some games they shouldn't have, but they've also rebounded when necessary. Their 5-4 record is a surprise given the lack of expectations around this team when the season began. And their remaining schedule is hardly daunting, except for this Sunday's home date with the Chicago Bears.

Many will point to a ridiculous decision to kick a 52-yard field goal on a wet and windy night and the subsequent 108-yard touchdown as the turning point of this game, but it happened much earlier. Facing a 3rd-and-22 and a dominant New York defense, the Bears got a first down off of a 26-yard running play. Three plays later, the Bears had a touchdown and the game had completely changed.

The Eagles have yet to lose a game to an N.F.C. opponent and their defense is tied for the fourth most sacks in the league with 29. Jevon Kearse has a team high seven quarterback takedowns on the year and you can bet that he and his mates are licking their chops at the thought of going up against the Giants’ brutal offensive line. The Giants have given up 41 sacks – that’s second most in the league. The Bears have given up 43, but have played one more game.

This Giants team is beyond frustrating. After losing to a mediocre Lions team at home, the Giants destroyed the Vikings on the road and then proceeded to lose to one of the worst teams in the league back at home. The Bears lulled the Giants into playing down to their level in the first half after the Giants had taken a 14-0 lead. Then in one six minute stretch during the end of the second quarter the Bears forced three straight turnovers (all via quarterback Kurt Warner) and took control of the game for good. Oh and Michael Strahan and bunch of other key Giants suffered injuries as well. So at least the Giants fan has that going for them.