Ladies and gentlemen, we are officially back in business!
I spent the better part of Sunday afternoon watching the other NFL games – and gathering up my shoelaces, belts, and all the sharp objects in my apartment in preparation for what might have been the end of our season. In a must-win situation, we headed to another country within the U.S. where the cheese runs yellow and green, with a formidable 4 – 0 opponent awaiting us. Led by the Pope’s number two, the QB for whom the NFL (National Favre League) is now named, it was as good of a team – and as daunting of a task – as we might face all season. And if John Madden had his way, not only would the Packers have won, but Favre would have been knighted by the ghost of Lombardi himself following the game. But that’s not how it went down. The Bears met the challenge with the ferocity of a jones-ing crackhead. And for the fourth time in a row, we walk out of Lambeau Field (www.lambeaufield.com) victorious. And I must say, I’m so f-ing excited I just don’t know what to do with myself!
We seemed to finally get moving in the second half. Apparently, Lovie went apeshit in the locker room at half-time. Rumor has it he even used the expletive “darn.” And it appears that it worked because it led the mighty (yet mightily injured) Bears to come back from a 10 point half-time deficit. With some key defenders returning, our defense played as tough as they’ve played all season as the game wore on, and we were able to keep ourselves in it until late. And just like back in the old days (i.e., last season), we played with grit and heart, and eventually won the turn-over battle. And by virtue of finding our passing game, most crucial of all, we were able to capitalize on those turn-overs.
Huge catches from our TE’s, one old and one young, really made an impact. First round draft pick Greg Olsen tripled his career receptions (4 for 57 yards, 1 TD) and scored his first TD on a gem of a catch while being knocked out of bounds. Making it look effortless, he went up like an NBA player going for a rebound, and as if it was drawn to magnets in his gloves, he came down with the ball. It’s early, but this kid could be something special. Desmond Clark (3 for 62 yds, 1 TD) showed he still has some skills in his 9th season. Brian Griese did a decent job (15 – 25, 214 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT) subbing for Rex, who himself is undefeated at Lambeau. Even Cedric Benson got in on the action and got himself some TD.
A comeback on the road against the first place team in our division – best of all, this game puts us back into it. A loss would’ve literally ended our season. But a win puts us at 2 – 3, a game under .500 (instead of three), and it gives Green Bay their first loss (4 – 1), keeping us within two games. And with this win, we’re half-way to taking a tie-breaker with GB should we beat them at Soldierz Field. I have to be honest, I almost lost the faith. But we have to remember that the nature of faith is that it will be tested. Let’s just hope the Bears are done forcing us to learn that lesson, and we can put a couple-two-tree wins together. But for now, I’m quite content with a W and the beginning of a new streak. Super Bowl, Super Bears!
© 2007
Bear Down Baffa 
Mon, Oct 8, 2007 at 10:14 am |
Not only did Madden want FaRve knighted, did you hear Cris Collinsworth after the game? “That first half score SHOULD have been 31-7 Packers,” he says, if not for Peanut Tillman. SHOULD? have been 31-7. I’m sorry, did those fumbles occur in the end zone? What am I missing? How does HE know the Pack would have scored on EVERY possession? Collinsworth was furious the Bear won.
Al Michaels couldn’t have been more pissed off the Bears won too. In his mind, the Bears didn’t WIN the game, the Packers LOST THEIR game by going conservative in the 2nd half. What’s with these A-Holes?! It was almost an insult for Madden and Michaels that they couldn’t put FaRve on the horse trailer. “I guess we’ll have to put a Bear on their. Tillman did prevent the game from being 1,000 to nothing in the first half by causing 2 fumbles.”
Am I being sensitive here, or did someone in the Bears organization screw Michaels, Madden’s, Collinsworth’s, Berman’s, Jackson’s, Johnson’s, Mortensen’s, Bradshaw’s wives, sisters, dogs……..for them to be so put off by the Bears winning a game?
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Mon, Oct 8, 2007 at 10:19 am |
Wow, I think my leg finally stopped shaking from the game! What a great game (second half for us) that epitomizes the long rivalry between 2 teams that exemplify football. The Packers started strong and Favre didn’t dissappoint with a few scrambles and shovel passes to get out of trouble. Hell, the guy is how old and can still scramble and think on his feet more than all 3 of our QBs combined. That being said, I’m happy as a pig in s**t that we beat those cheese eating bastards from up yonder!
Illinois’ dominance over our neighbors to the north came to a head this weekend with a HUGE Illini win over #5 ranked Wisconsin and then the Bears edging the Pack in a nationally televised primetime game! Heck, I suppose I can even say the Cubs outlasted the suckiness of the NL Central as Milwaukee decided to give it away. Of course the Bears win wasn’t as dominant as in years past but I’ll take it!
Our running game seems to be getting worse as the weeks go on. Bensen had 64 on 27 runs and 10 of those were on the TD run. The announcers were talking about the reason we got rid of Thomas Jones was because Bensen and Jones didn’t get along. Are you f’ing kidding me?? They said they could have even kept them both salary-wise but had to get rid of one to save the locker room harmony. It sucks that draft choice comes over performance with the Bears as has been proven with both Grossman and Bensen.
Griese looked Griese-esque with a decent game. Nothing fancy but he managed the ball well and got the job done in a high pressure game. A couple of nice passes to our TEs and the pass game is looking good. Even his INT was off the hands of a receiver. Now I know the name Lance Briggs brings up feelings of disgust in some people but he’s a helluva football player. 16 solo tackles are you kidding me?!? Urlacher had the next most with 6. Say what you want about him (and I will) but what a game!
Ok, I’m rambling now but I’m just glad we’re back in the hunt and especially excited that we beat the Pack. I’m not big on moral victories (the only victories that count are the ones in the Win column) but its always gravy when we take them down a peg or two!
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Mon, Oct 8, 2007 at 12:57 pm |
I’m still not sold. Here’s two reasons why:
The two FFs by Pnut were huge, but not something you want to rely on from week to week. That was the same rookie who coughed it up twice.
The Packers changed their offensive approach in the 2nd half. Why? I’m still not sure–but it didn’t help them. The D played admirably in the 2nd half, but no good defense gives up 341 yards in any half–and certainly doesn’t give up rushing yards like that to begin a game.
The running game sucks and we’re not a prolific enough passing team to be much better than 9-7. And that would mean we finish 7-4.
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Mon, Oct 8, 2007 at 7:38 pm |
Gentlemen (and Razy),
As always, thanks for your comments. I believe Donny said it best (and funniest), but you all make valid points. As for the how and why of the victory, I honestly don’t care. I was just so relieved to see us win again. I mean, who ever heard of a 1-4 team doing anything? That just seemed like death to me. So in a way, the win saved my life. And when someone offers you a cure for what’s killing you, you don’t ask how or why, you just drink up and bask in life.
Bear Down!
bdb editor
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Mon, Oct 8, 2007 at 10:29 pm |
I’m just tired of hearing Madden constantly talk about Favre playing like he’s in a field next to his house; about how much he seems to be enjoying the game; about his youthful exuberance (if Madden even knows those words); and all those other cliches like “old school” and “throwback.” like i haven’t heard those phrases enough already from every other announcer. Come out of the closet already, John, and admit you have a man-crush on him. Or should I cut him some slack because he/ABC lost monday night football?
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Thu, Oct 11, 2007 at 2:12 pm |
Your post made me laugh so hard. You did a great job breaking down the whole feeling of the game. I look forward to the next game and what you’ll have to say about it.
I agree that if the Bears lost the game against the Packers I would have lost all hope as well. Not to mention I’d have to put up with my Cheesehead sister-in-law indoctrinating my neices and nephews. This game has at least given my brother (the Bears Fan) some amno.
I’ve heard that you had some lyrics to the Bear’s song, I’m only see a few lines do you have the whole song?
Thanks for your hard work making this website-it’s made my day.
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Fri, Oct 12, 2007 at 9:33 pm |
Denise,
Thank you so much for your complimentary comment. I appreciate your reading the blog, and hope we can convert you to a Super Fan at some point. Studies have shown that it can add 16 years to your life expectancy.
As for the Super Bowl Shuffle, our staff adds lyrics for a new current player each week. To view all of those written this season, just click the SBS Lyrics link in the upper right corner. You’ll see the first couplet for each player with a link to read all eight lines. You can also click the player’s name to see his lyrics.
Bear Down!
bdb editor
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