Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger will put the Bears' Urlacher-less defense to the test.
We've had five days to wring our hands about Jay Cutler's postgame demeanor. Five days to fret about the season-long loss of Brian Urlacher. Five days to anguish over the importance of Sunday's game against Pittsburgh. A loss would leave the Bears 0-2 and facing a tough Week 3 road game at Seattle, where the Seahawks romped 28-0 over the Rams.
Can you say must-win game?
Stopping the Steelers means stopping quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who in his sixth NFL season already has won two Super Bowls. Pittsburgh's ground game was shut down by Tennessee in the season opener, but the Steelers prevailed 13-10 in overtime behind Roethlisberger's sturdy right arm. He completed 33 of 43 passes for 363 yards, finding Super Bowl hero Santonio Holmes nine times for 131 yards and Hines Ward eight times for 103.
The absence of Urlacher, who plays such a pivotal role defending the pass in the cover-2, will make containing Roethlisberger all the more difficult. But, on the other side of the ball, Cutler won't have to worry about Steelers All-Pro safety Troy Polamalu, who is sidelined with a sprained knee.
I chalked this up as a loss in my preseason game-by-game, predicting they would beat Green Bay but then lose the next two. That now sets up an 0-3 scenario, but I look for the Bears to play well against Pittsburgh. Polamalu will be missed, the Steelers' running game is stuck in neutral behind a struggling offensive line, and the Bears will be sky-high in their home opener. Look for the defense to give an inspired effort; Lance Briggs & Co. will be determined to prove they can be effective without Urlacher. Give me Bears 27, Steelers 23.
What say you? Post your prediction here, anytime between now and kickoff on Sunday.
REMINDER: Be sure to join our live Bears chat during Sunday's game, led by Adam Jahns. For the Bears-Packers chat, we had more than 2,000 comments. It's a great way to celebrate or commiserate with fellow fans while watching the action.
I'll predict Bears on top in this game, let's say 21-17. But no, this is NOT a must-win game. Come on now, let's be serious, not after only 2 games. Even if the Bears start 0-3, they can still make up for it.
Steelers 24, Bears 17
Same old Bears song and dance as 2005-Steelers ran all over Bears #1 D and they'll do it again. This is men vs. boys, really.
Bears HAVE NO RECEIVERS!!!! I don't care if you put Unitas or Montana in a Bears uniform, they'll throw 3-4 picks too with the likes of these amateurs.
Steelers will be able to comfortably contain Forte at the line, even without Troy. Tyrone Carter can easily contain Hester. Knox and Steelers linebackers will shut Olsen down.
Go ahead, sack Ben and overpursue with that silly archaic 4-3 line stuffing scheme and watch Ben torch your D for another 343 and 2 TDs.
Bears are all hype, and no substance and every NFL fan outside Chicago knows who will win this one.
Though I'm a Bears fan, I would also have to give the advantage to the Steelers in this one. That said, I think the game is still up in the air, and the team that makes the most or best adjustments will take it. The running game for both teams didn't get started in their openers - something that especially the Bears will want to get going. Although Polamalu is out, it doesn't weaken the Steelers secondary enough that the Bears should try to air it out. Cutler was under a lot of pressure in the opener, both from living up to everyone's expectations and from the Packers defense, so once again, it will make a big difference if they are able to get Forte (RB) going and get Cutler calmed down and into a rhythm.
On the flip side, Bears lost the anchor to their defense, and I'm not sure of the status of another Linebacker with the first name Pisa and a last name I'm not going to venture to spell right now, so the Steelers have the option of testing the Bears new linebacker core, or continuing with their success at the passing game against a sometimes shaky Bears secondary. On the plus side for the Bears defense, linebackers is the position with the most depth on the team, so even though Urlacher is a huge loss, it doesn't necessarily make them weak (and they might be adding a veteran LB too), and the Defensive line is showing pretty good this year, so if they can put pressure on Roethlisberger with a 4-man rush to disrupt the passing game and step it up even more and help the LB plug some gaps against the run it might make the difference.
Well, those are at least the adjustments that need to be made by the Bears - I'm sure a Steelers fan can fill you in on their adjustments that need to be made.
The Super Bowl Champs will have 15,000 fans at Soldier Field. Should I say more.
the Bears toughest opponent this year is themselves, and they already
beat them.....or lost to them...depending on how you look at it.
I just do not fear any team this year. The Steelers defense will be a huge step up from the Packers-even without Troy. The passing game
will be a step down...Roethlisraper is over-rated.
I was just thinking, maybe last week was an effort to let Jay Cutler humble himself. Maybe it was Jay calling all the passes. Perhaps now he will fall in line and get with the program. It takes
a team. Makes sense though. His confidence is due to him being the
only one at Denver. Now he has other teammates he can count on.
We'll...see.
i thjink the steelers r going to win
Packers-Bears was supposed to be a shoot out, but turned into a defensive struggle. This should be a defensive struggle, but will probably turn into a shoot out.
Steelers 35 - Bears 24
Bears could win this one, but not by that score. If Chicago gets 27 points I'll eat my Roethlisberger jersey. Maybe I'm boiling polyester next week, but we'll see.
I doubt Cutler will have much luck against the Steelers even without Polamalu. The Bears should keep it close due to homefield advantage but if the Steelers can run the ball it will be a long afternoon for Chicago.
Steelers 24
Bears 13
My heart says Bears but my head says Steelers.
Steelers 14-10 in another low scoring effort.
Stu, how come Cowley hasn't blogged on here yet, to taunt and jeer all Bears fans? Taunt and jeer is his style, you know.
Bears will win 27-21.
Stu responds: You're right, Bubba's Mom ... Joe has been Twittering up a storm this week about his beloved Steelers (as Sox fans who follow his daily tweets know). Hopefully, he will get his comeuppance on Sunday.
Steelers look to re-establish the run and will have success against the bears up the middle.
Bears d-line is too much for the Steelers O-line and Ben will be sacked 3+ times, but pressured even more. Big Ben throws for 2 touchdowns.
Cutler will still throw at least 1 pick but will throw for 300 and 3 touchdowns.
Forte will be stopped again but have success in the passing attack.
Pittsburg will sack Cutler at least 4 times.
Bears 30 Pittsburg 24
this is going to be an absolute beat down....Pittsburgh jumps all over the bears early....OLine and Cutler take a beating
Steelers 38
bears 10
#1- I'm hoping Bears, are victorious! #2- Bears, are home. Only Bear, advantage. #3- AFC, usually victorious over NFC.
I feel good about this one. The Bears D proved to be decent without Urlacher playing last week in the 2nd half, so as long as Bowman makes an impact I think the Bears D will stuff the run and contain the pass. I'm betting this will be an overall low scoring game, and as long as Cutler and his receivers manage to get somewhere close to being on the same page I think the Bears will edge out the Steelers, say 13-10. fingers crossed
Pitts running game was pretty shaky last game and Roethlisberger was lucky to avoid a handful of sacks. Their 'D' line is solid but they can be beat.
The key to the game rests on the defensive line to, not only apply good pressure, but wrap Ben up!!!
We also need to utilize our tight ends and backs over the middle a bit more this game. Their linebacking and safety corp is not at full speed.
It's gonna be a close game. Lovies' 'D' is gonna go all out. It's the work-in-progress offense that worries me. If we win the turnover battle, we win this game.
Bears-23 Pitt-17
Bears will win by four, they are hyped up, get rid of the stress and nerves and yes they will win from here on....
Steelers should win this one.
Cutler will try to do too much like he did in Green Bay. He's prone to mistakes when he's rushed. Did you see some of those poor throws against GB?
The Steelers defense is controlled by LeBeau who always does a brilliant job confusing the quarterbacks of opposing teams. He will devise schemes that confuse Cutler.
You could see at the end of the Green Bay game that GB started to figure out the Bears defense Roethlisberger should do it sooner and with a weakened Bear defense find several holes.
Steelers will WIN.
LeBeau will confuse Cutler, who has shown he's easily confused.
Roethlisberger will eat up a weakened Bear defense.
the bears are agood team but the steelers are a great time big bens is a better quaterback than culter if pittsbergh cant run the ball it will be close if not not its a blow out steelers 24 bears 10
The steelers are the most overrated team in the NFL. I dunno, maybe its because of all the super bowls they have won over decades. But da bears will win on sunday by 21. Ben was pretty bad his last game, and cutler will shine on a clear day at soldier field.
If the bears perform as they are capable of doing, they will win this game. The bottom line is performance, predictions are like straws upon the water surface
City of Chicago and Bears fan, you have been warned. You were asked to surrender, forfeiting the game and simply walking away. You were told of what was coming your way. You were told to hide the wife and children. Now, there will be no more warnings. Be prepared for hell to be unleashed. Remember this day, Bears fan. This is the day you have been destroyed by a team predicated on violence. Be afraid, be very afraid.
Steelers all the way in this GAME!
If the Bears D can get after Roethlisberger like they did against Rodgers then they should win. The Steelers running game has been dead and with Roethlisberger being less elusive than Rodgers they should be able to get to him.
Troy Polamalu being out off sets Urlacher missing from the line up.
The Bears should have learned a thing or two about the 3-4 defense after the Packers threw everything they had at them.
The WRs need to finish the damn routes because that killed them last week.
I say Bears 20 Steelers 13.
The Steelers needed a last second TD to beat the 9-7 Cardinals in the Super Bowl and were not all that impressive last week either.
They can be beat.
By the way... I loved Roethlisberger in "Knocked Up" and "Pineapple Express"
I'm lucky ... I have to work tomorrow.
If they win, I'll watch the game when I get home, or maybe Monday evening if the MNF game sucks.
If they lose, I'll delete it.
In either case, I make a little money tomorrow.
Win/Win!
Oh! I forgot to make my prediction.
Although I know that the Steelers "should" win the game, I'm picking the Bears ... 35/17.
Cutler and the defense are going to show up, big time.
Go Bears!!!!!
Joe Cowley,
Get off the Sox beat. I still relish when I saw how much A.J. Pierzynski made you eat crow during spring training one year easily throwing your butt out time after time at second base because of your big talk...yet another reminder how much better major league athletes are over the rest of us "wannabe's."
bubblegum and paperclips flying everywhere....and it won't just be the little kids wearing a #6 jersey balling their brains out
The Putz at the Podium Show
Just Tivo the post game, Villano
I am going to that game. My first since 89. I'm going to will them to win. I think losing Troy is way worse than losing Urlacher. To me it's akin to losing Mike Brown a week after he had those two games where he ended them with INTs for TDs. Yesterday did anyone catch NFL network's replay of 1995 week 10 Steelers/Bears game? Man did I think we had a good team at that time. Looking at it now I see we weren't good at all. Ryan Wetnight and Keith Jennings as the Tight Ends? Joe Cain, Barry Minter and Smith as the LBs. Limuel Stinson and Jeremy Lincoln as the corners. Marty Carter and Mark Carrier as the Safeties. And the D line with Jim Flanagan, Chris Zorich, Carl Simpson and the world famous bug-eyed muscle-bound Alonzo Spellman. We never had a chance. I say it's going to be close. Down the wire... Bears 20-17
I'm with you William. Use all of your mental powers of persuasion to bring about a victory.
And in any event, at least have a damn good time.
BTW ... I liked Chris Zorich. He had the heart of a lion; and I don't mean a Detroit Lion. Too bad he didn't have the physical skills to match.
I'm going with the Bears. I wasn't impressed with the Steelers all that much in their first game and think the Bears are going to come out Steaming hot.I think you're waffling a little, Stu. You must have been paying too much attention to #4. I'll predict a bear win 24 to 17, although I'm tempted to go higher.
By the way, I'm also picking Carson Palmer and ocho cinco ( to be accurate it should be ochenta y cinco )to upset the Packers and look for #85 to be pummeled when he does the Lambeau leap. Never trust a Packer fan.
before last weeks game...e1 at espn was picking the bears to go to the superbowl......NOW...they act like the bears are the worst team
to ever step on the field......it's like listening to Hitman over
and over. WTF.....how bad have these 'analysts' become? You can't watch anything ontv anymore. Junk....these people must have no
repect for themselves....all this flopping, and talking through their
a@@holes. What am I not seeing? The steelers don't look very good
at all. I doubt they will even finish with a winning record.....
I think this game is over hyped--ala bears vs. seahawks in 06....
before they were who Dennis Green thought they were. Just don't
let the steelers off the hook.....ala the Packers last week.
Joe Cowley, what are you like the wicked witch of the east? Are you going to fly over Soldier Field on a broomstick and skywrite "surrender Bear fans" hoping to instill fear into both the fans and the team? Don't you realize you're dealing with the city that has seen the likes of Big Bill Thompson, Al Capone, Bugs Moran and 40 years of the Daley machine? Chicago is where the drive-by shooting was invented, take your feeble warning and stick it where the sun don't shine. Win, lose or draw the Steelers will know they've been in a fight, that's the Chicago way.
Come out, lil' Joe Cowley, and take your lashing like a man. As Tim said, "SURRENDER"
Bears 17-14. Yea! Perhaps more importantly, Jay Cutler showed folks why we got him. That's a Pro Bowl-caliber quarterback--not that he needed to impress me as much as so many other naysayers including our resident football expert "Hitman."
Cutler has no running game mostly because his lineman haven't been run blocking and I still think Kreutz is overrated by the way.
He still has a questionable WR corps which could get markedly better before season's end. We're seeing some signs. How 'bout that Johnny Knox? He also has some hands!
Let's start giving our kicker some kudos! Robbie Gould's the best kicker the Bears have had. He is Mr. Automatic in probably the worst kickers' field in the NFL. I have total confidence in him regardless of the conditions.
Yeeeeeeee Haaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Caught the fourth quarter live, and I'm glad I taped the entire game.
I guess the Bears sucked .... until the end of the first half.
97 Yd. drive!!!!
Answers their TD in the second half!!!!
Finishes them off!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I stand corrected; Gould IS a stud!
Sod off Hitman.
You beat the friggin' Chiefs. That's almost as impressive as the Vikings beating the Lions!
LOLOLOLOLOlolololololololol
We beat the WORLD CHAMPIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Eat it, Hitman!
Say it ain't so, Joe.
Oh, wait a minute .... IT IS!!!!!!!!!!
You big mouthed LOSER! Come take your whuppin' from Bubba's Mom.
Tell us all about your World Champion Steelers, and how we'll all, "Remember this day".
Personally, I doubt that we'll ever hear from you again, and that's just fine with me.
On second thought, stick around.
We all need a good laugh once in awhile.
LOSER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!