December 21st, 2010 Tuesday
Tuesday Football notes
Monsters of the Midway Rule the North
The Chicago Bears knew exactly what was at stake Monday night when they took the field against their purple rivals. With the division title well within their grasp, they were not about to let the magical Brett Favre steal the show, in classic Bear’s fashion the Monsters of the Midway took control early and quickly deposited Favre exit stage left. The 41 year old veteran was knocked out of the contest in the first half when he was sacked by the Bears rookie defensive lineman Corey Wooten. Favre would suffer a concussion and not return. The score at the time of his exit was 10-7 in favor of the Bears, but even had Favre remained in the game this game had the look and feel of all Bears. Cutler was sharp making nifty throws through the cold air with his rocket arm; he completed 14 of 24 for 194 yards and three touchdowns. Not only was the offense hitting on big plays, but the special teams stepped up led by Devin Hester. The Bears “very special” kick returner ran one kickoff back 79 yards to set up a Bears field goal, then later in the 3rd quarter lightning struck when he took a punt back 64 yards for the score. It was Hester’s 14th return for touchdown setting an NFL record and making him arguably the greatest return man this game has ever seen (and at 28 years of age, we have not see it all yet). The Bears would cruise on the night winning by a final score of 40-14 and with the win they clinched the North division title. More importantly for the Bears, at 10-4 they are tied with the Eagles, but since they own the tie-breaker they are currently the number two seed in the NFC playoff picture.
Rodgers Cleared To Play Sunday
After missing just one game, Sunday’s matchup with the Patriots, the Packers’ quarterback Aaron Rodgers was cleared on Tuesday and will be expected to start Sunday against the Giants. The good news could not come any sooner for the Packers who now trail the division leading Bears by two games. Even if they manage a tie the Packers can’t win the division. They will have to count on earning a wild-card berth which makes Rodgers return that much more important. They have the Giants (2nd ranked pass defense with 42 sacks) on Sunday and finish the season with the Bears on January 2nd. The Packers will need both games, but what makes Sunday’s matchup even more critical; the Giants (Sunday’s opponent) sit in the final playoff spot. Win and you take control, lose and you stay home.
The Injured Reserve List Grows
The Chicago Bears knew exactly what was at stake Monday night when they took the field against their purple rivals. With the division title well within their grasp, they were not about to let the magical Brett Favre steal the show, in classic Bear’s fashion the Monsters of the Midway took control early and quickly deposited Favre exit stage left. The 41 year old veteran was knocked out of the contest in the first half when he was sacked by the Bears rookie defensive lineman Corey Wooten. Favre would suffer a concussion and not return. The score at the time of his exit was 10-7 in favor of the Bears, but even had Favre remained in the game this game had the look and feel of all Bears. Cutler was sharp making nifty throws through the cold air with his rocket arm; he completed 14 of 24 for 194 yards and three touchdowns. Not only was the offense hitting on big plays, but the special teams stepped up led by Devin Hester. The Bears “very special” kick returner ran one kickoff back 79 yards to set up a Bears field goal, then later in the 3rd quarter lightning struck when he took a punt back 64 yards for the score. It was Hester’s 14th return for touchdown setting an NFL record and making him arguably the greatest return man this game has ever seen (and at 28 years of age, we have not see it all yet). The Bears would cruise on the night winning by a final score of 40-14 and with the win they clinched the North division title. More importantly for the Bears, at 10-4 they are tied with the Eagles, but since they own the tie-breaker they are currently the number two seed in the NFC playoff picture.
Rodgers Cleared To Play Sunday
After missing just one game, Sunday’s matchup with the Patriots, the Packers’ quarterback Aaron Rodgers was cleared on Tuesday and will be expected to start Sunday against the Giants. The good news could not come any sooner for the Packers who now trail the division leading Bears by two games. Even if they manage a tie the Packers can’t win the division. They will have to count on earning a wild-card berth which makes Rodgers return that much more important. They have the Giants (2nd ranked pass defense with 42 sacks) on Sunday and finish the season with the Bears on January 2nd. The Packers will need both games, but what makes Sunday’s matchup even more critical; the Giants (Sunday’s opponent) sit in the final playoff spot. Win and you take control, lose and you stay home.
The Injured Reserve List Grows
No Matter what precautions are taking, in such a violent sport as American football is there is now way of getting around the injury bug. It only makes sense in such a collision style game, where the players keep getting bigger, faster, and stronger. This weeks’ list of inductees to the injured reserve club include the Bengal’s wide receiver Terrell Owens (983 yards receiving, 9 touchdowns) who tore his MCL and had surgery Monday. The Cowboys also placed quarterback Tony Romo (1,605 yards passing, 11 touchdowns) on IR ending his attempt to return to action this season; the Cowboys will stick with Jon Kitna (15 touchdown passes) the rest of the way. Vikings’ starting left guard Steve Hutchinson was also added to the list on Monday.
Some notables that almost made this list and are listed as questionable at the moment include; the Colts Austin Collie may have never been in jeopardy of making it to the IR, but after three concussions this season it may be difficult for him to return this season. The always incredible Mr. Brett Favre seems to be always defying the odds, after his latest injury (concussion) he won’t see the IR, but can he really make it back to action? Head Coach Leslie Frazier has not ruled out the impossible, where Favre seems to reside from time to time. One last notable, the Steelers’ playmaking safety Troy Palomalu is expected to miss Thursday’s game with the Panthers, but the IR does not look like an option for him. This is great news for the Steelers defense; they need their playmaker.
By David Ortega
Some notables that almost made this list and are listed as questionable at the moment include; the Colts Austin Collie may have never been in jeopardy of making it to the IR, but after three concussions this season it may be difficult for him to return this season. The always incredible Mr. Brett Favre seems to be always defying the odds, after his latest injury (concussion) he won’t see the IR, but can he really make it back to action? Head Coach Leslie Frazier has not ruled out the impossible, where Favre seems to reside from time to time. One last notable, the Steelers’ playmaking safety Troy Palomalu is expected to miss Thursday’s game with the Panthers, but the IR does not look like an option for him. This is great news for the Steelers defense; they need their playmaker.
By David Ortega
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