Should We Play Our Starters Against The Packers?

[Scoot26]

They need practice playing in a real game against a real offense. Have you ever played football? There's a big difference between practice and an actual game.

If the Bears rest they'll be even softer.

Tell that to the Colts and Saints last year.

 

[TopekaRoy]

I don't know who is worse, you or Relapse.

I do. Let's take a vote!

j/k

 

[IronMike]

There's no need for the Bears to rest. They're the healthiest team in the playoffs. They need to play. They need to win convincingly. They need that confidence.

Note: Confidence NOT cockiness.

 

[wadedog21]

I agree with ticket prices lol. But, there is sound logic in resting them. 1st playoff appearance since 06, #2 seed which gives us a major advantage, and a chance to visit Texas again. I dont want the Packers in either, but I cant ignore solid logic either. Besides, if we see the Packers again, we'll be at home

I agree that rest this time of the year is important but it's the Packers.....knock them out!! Rodgers is a very dangerous QB at home or on the road and getting beat in the playoffs by a division rival makes it hurt that much more.

 

[Rush]

There's no need for the Bears to rest. They're the healthiest team in the playoffs. They need to play. They need to win convincingly. They need that confidence.

Note: Confidence NOT cockiness.

Cutler tweaks his ankle dropping back in the 3rd qtr.....season over.

 

[Capt. Serious]

I don't know who is worse, you or Relapse.

IronMike. No questions asked.

 

[Scoot26]

Regardless of what your opinion is:

The Bears are assured of at least a No. 2 seed and a first-round bye in the NFC playoffs, but quarterback Jay Cutler says he is preparing to perform as usual in Sunday's regular-season finale at Green Bay.

"I expect to be playing the whole game. That's how I am preparing at this point," Cutler said Wednesday at Halas Hall.

The Minnesota Vikings upset the Eagles 24-14 Tuesday night, securing the Bears' slot with a guaranteed first-round bye.

"It helps us. Why wouldn't I be happy about it?" Cutler said.

The Bears have a long shot at the first seed, pending the outcomes of the Falcons-Panthers game and the Saints-Buccaneers game. Regardless, Cutler says the Bears will play to win against their NFC North rivals.

"You probably could take a poll in this room right now and how many people would have picked Minnesota over Philly? So anything can happen in this league," Cutler said. "We know that. I am sure Atlanta and New Orleans are preparing like it's the Super Bowl. We just have to play and whatever happens, happens."

Sunday's game means everything to the Packers' (9-6) playoff hopes.

"Lovie (Smith) said ... we're going to be playing, we're going to be going and we're going to be full-go on Sunday. So that's what we expect," Cutler said. "Hopefully we can continue to be playing at the level we're playing."

The Bears (11-4) will be seeking to sweep their NFC North schedule with a win at Green Bay. The Bears were the last team to sweep the division in 1987, when it was the NFC Central.

"I don't think anyone has ever done it since they re-grouped everything, so that's definitely in the back of our minds," Cutler said. "We want to win the ball game. We don't want to take a step back as a team or as an offense."

Cutler: 'We're going to be full-go' vs. Packers - Chicago Breaking Sports

 

[Relapse]

The Bears need to play to win to keep the Packers out of the playoffs. They are a dangerous team.

You're such a flip-flopper. Just last week you were trying to argue with me that Aaron Rodgers is a "pretender" and cannot lead his team to victories. Now you change your mind and admit the Packers are a very good team even with the injuries they have.

Also 4 weeks ago you said you wanted the Bears to lose out so Lovie would lose his job, I think you can hop back off the bandwagon.

 

[Relapse]

There's no need for the Bears to rest. They're the healthiest team in the playoffs. They need to play. They need to win convincingly. They need that confidence.

Note: Confidence NOT cockiness.

So why risk it then? One low hit on Cutler could end the rest of his season and the Bears playoff hopes.

Also even if we did play our starters and lost by 40 points it would have no bearing on the next game. Look what happened to us after the Patriots embarrassed us at home. Week to week nothing matters from the past in the NFL, especially in the NFC were most of the teams are very evenly matched.

 

[Diddy1122]

What's the point of debating this? Lovie already said the starters are playing & they are going full out. Whether we care if they start or not is really moot at this point.

 

[IronMike]

The Packers are playing good right now. I think Aaron Rodgers is as capable as Tony Romo. Not what I call elite. I do want Lovie gone because I just can't see the Bears winning the Super Bowl or even the Championship. The defense is playing like shit and if you think otherwise then well, I guess you're right anyway.

I know most of you guys are young and haven't had to sit and watch the Bears lose very much. Only a decade is nothing. I was always optimistic years ago too but after getting disappointed year in and year out I keep my expectations low. If they surprise me great but this ain't the '85 Bears who dominated everyone and who we all knew they would dominate everyone before the season even started. Before you say you're sick of hearing about the '85 Bears well that's the Bears team I grew up with and what I formed what typifies a Bears team. I feel kind of sorry for you young guys that don't know any better.

 

[Scoot26]

Perhaps thats your problem then because the 85 Bears are a one of a kind team. And it'll never happen again. And to have expectations like that is ridiculous. A team can come close can look dominate but teams like the 85 Bears are rare.

 

[IronMike]

I don't expect a carbon copy because you're right that was the best team in NFL history but I'd like them to be somewhat dominant. I know people might have a hard time remembering the details of this season but the Bears didn't look convincing in any of them except the Eagles. Every other game they looked pretty average and they played some bad teams.

 

[Scoot26]

I don't expect a carbon copy because you're right that was the best team in NFL history but I'd like them to be somewhat dominant. I know people might have a hard time remembering the details of this season but the Bears didn't look convincing in any of them except the Eagles. Every other game they looked pretty average and they played some bad teams.

This team really hasnt dominated any game except that Vikings game on Monday night...the Eagles game was dominant for some of it but not overall.

But alot of "good" teams have looked average or bad against teams like the Bills, Lions, even the Panthers.

 

[IronMike]

That is true. This season was bizarre. Week 5 and nobody was undefeated. That hasn't happened in a long time. I was about 50% in the confidence pool every week for the first half and ended up 80%-90%.

There are many teams like the Saints though who are playing their best ball now. Really that's as it should be. I wish the freakin' Chargers would learn to play an entire season.

 

[wadedog21]

What's the point of debating this? Lovie already said the starters are playing & they are going full out. Whether we care if they start or not is really moot at this point.

Of course Lovie is going to say that.....that's his job. The moment this game gets out of hand either way the starters will be watching from the sidelines.

 

[FirstTimer]

They need practice playing in a real game against a real offense.

To my recollection they have played 19 of those thus far.

Have you ever played football?

Yes.

There's a big difference between practice and an actual game.

LOL at this thought as if that case is exclusive to football.

I remember during basketball practice we didn't have to dribble. Then in the games we were required to do so to move....it really threw the team off.

If the Bears rest they'll be even softer.

You're such a fucking meathead.

Healthier =/= softer

So one more game against the Packers is going to make them tougher?

if you think the defense feels good about allowing the Jets to run up and down the field on them

I don't. But I highly doubt doing anything to the Packers will prepare the Bears for their playoff game in two weeks.

I remember when the Bears got stomped by Green Bay to end the 2006 season..................then went to the Super Bowl.

I watched the post game and everyone on the defense knew they played like shit as they did against the Patriots.

LOL at you needing to watch the post game to make that determination.

They beat a lot of teams who were playing very bad this season with the exception of Eagles and Patriots.

I don't recall them beating the Patriots...........

They're the healthiest team in the playoffs. . They need that confidence.

Then lets keep them healthy.

If this Bears team needs a win over Green Bay to get "confidence" when they have already won 11 games then this team is going no where.

So why risk it then? One low hit on Cutler could end the rest of his season and the Bears playoff hopes.

Also even if we did play our starters and lost by 40 points it would have no bearing on the next game. Look what happened to us after the Patriots embarrassed us at home. Week to week nothing matters from the past in the NFL, especially in the NFC were most of the teams are very evenly matched.

You know Iron Mike is pitiful when Relapse makes him seem like an idiot.

I do want Lovie gone because I just can't see the Bears winning the Super Bowl or even the Championship.

You're very very very very very very very redundant.

I know most of you guys are young

You being old would explain the dementia.

I'd like them to be somewhat dominant.

What an amazing insight. You'd like to see your favorite team be dominate.

Stop the presses!

I know people might have a hard time remembering the details of this season

You should head up that club, I have a hard time believing that you didn't forget to put your pants on in the morning.

 

[FirstTimer]

It's bad enough they have a bye.

This is maybe the dumbest thing I have ever read on a message board.


Ever.

 

[X]

the last two posts...absolute domination.

 

[IronMike]

No, not at all. He just comes off as another one who only looks at the record and not how they actually achieved it.

There's always been 2 schools of thought about rest or not. From the greatest minds in the game. Some think it's a good thing and some think it's detrimental. Resting is good if you have injuries, the Bears do not so they need to play. They are not playing very good right now on defense. The Jets? Come on. You were all saying how much Sanchez sucks before the game but after he lit them up I suppose he's one of the best.