Week 4: Seattle @ Bears

Goody · 09-26-2006, 09:42 AM

This is going to be a very interesting match up.

You've got the usual Seattle haters refusing to recognize the Seahawks as an elite NFL team because of the weak schedule, weak division and poor showing against Detroit arguments. Because of Carolina starting out slow now the Bears are the new popular choice for the NFC top team.

You've got Shaun Alexander out. I believe Stevens and Mili are out at TE for Seattle as well...and they are beat up and inexperienced at the guard position

You've got Rex Grossman improving and performing well. It will be a test for him considering some still think he hasn't been pressured enough during his good performances. Seattle's defense is healthy, their D-Line no joke...and they'll surely focus on hurrying Grossman.

You've got Branch added to the mix and Nate Burleson seems to be stepping it up. So many options on the pass how much will Alexander missing really hurt? Especially since the Seahawks have new options...not much tape for opponents to review yet with Branch in the mix. On 3rd and 8 or something against NY they gave it to Mack Strong from a 4 receiver set and easily got the first down almost untouched. The receivers were so open on Hasselback's 5 TD passes it was almost comical.

The game is in Chicago so all bets are off.

Both defenses are great. One being very underrated and overlooked...

It will be physical, it will be fast, and both quarterbacks will have to keep their mistakes at an absolute minimum. I can't wait!

jaxmagicman · 09-26-2006, 09:45 AM

I am not sure Seattle can do it without Alexander.

Goody · 09-26-2006, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaxmagicman

I am not sure Seattle can do it without Alexander.

http://www.nfl.com/players/playerpage/302211

There's Mo Morris' card for those interested. You could be right. Alexander gone and the fact its an away game is huge.

How good is Morris? Good enough to match Alexander's production in the first 3 games? Or is just the focus of the Bear's defense not having to worry about Alexander that does it? Can the Bears treat Morris as a small threat?

marc · 09-26-2006, 09:53 AM

This isn't going to make much sense but I think the Bears win on Sunday but that the Seahawks are the better football team.

Goody · 09-26-2006, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marc

This isn't going to make much sense but I think the Bears win on Sunday but that the Seahawks are the better football team.

Makes a lot of sense. I think if the Seahawks win this one with needing to totally adjust their offensive attack from what they're used to, against a good defense, Holmgren will officially be THE MAN.

(That is, if the reason they win is not a Grossman meltdown)

MorseMoose · 09-26-2006, 10:26 AM

Without Alexander, the Seahawks still have a better team. The Bears just aren't that good. I'm sorry Bears fans, but after watching you play the Vikings; I see nothing that tells me they should be a playoff team. Now they might because of the division they're in and they may be better than the Vikings...but our division is teh suk this year. It pains me to say it, but it is kinda like the 1990s when the Indians were such a dynasty. They made the playoffs year after year, but they division was just that bad.

It was almost last week, but I think the Bears (had Seattle had Alexander) would have been in for a rude awakening this week. However, as Seattle doesn't have Alexander; the Bears might just squeek out another one and they'll be seen as "such a good team" for another week. Sure, going 4-0 looks good on paper; but you gotta consider the competition. Nevertheless, good luck to both teams next week. I really only root against one team in the NFL (the Packers), so I don't mean to bash the Bears to much.

jeheinz72 · 09-26-2006, 10:44 AM

In my pick 'em league I'm picking the Bears.

Gastric ReFlux · 09-26-2006, 11:11 AM

I really liked the Seahawks when Jim Zorn was his quarterback. I think all quarterbacks should have names beginning with Z. Zidane would make an excellent quarterback.

I think the Seahawks will win.

Raidergoo · 09-26-2006, 11:19 AM

I think the Seahawks win the NFC, but get lit up by the Bears this weekend.

Hellion9 · 09-26-2006, 12:08 PM

I like the Bears defense and Seattle's running game really hasn't come round yet so I'll take the Bears in this one. The Bears will, I think, be tough all year, but they look like they will be offensively inconsistent.

my 2p.

billethius · 09-26-2006, 12:19 PM

I don't think Mo Morris will have much of a problem equalling what Alexander's production would have been this week. I think they'll go with more 4-wide sets this week that'll stretch the Bears' defense this week and open some running lanes for Morris and Strong. If the Seahawks lose, it'll be because they're defense let them down. I'm not concerned about the offense whatsoever.

eriqjaffe · 09-26-2006, 12:28 PM

I wouldn't be surprised if Hasselbeck puts up a lot of yardage given the Bears relatively weak secondary, but the Seahawks might wind up having trouble in the red zone without Alexander.

jaxmagicman · 09-26-2006, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billethius

I don't think Mo Morris will have much of a problem equalling what Alexander's production would have been this week. I think they'll go with more 4-wide sets this week that'll stretch the Bears' defense this week and open some running lanes for Morris and Strong. If the Seahawks lose, it'll be because they're defense let them down. I'm not concerned about the offense whatsoever.

If Maurice Morris can match Alexander's production, why pay Alexander all that money?

billethius · 09-26-2006, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaxmagicman

If Maurice Morris can match Alexander's production, why pay Alexander all that money?

I don't think Morris could match a healthy Alexander, but he certainly won't do much worse than Alexander did last week on the fractured foot.

jaxmagicman · 09-26-2006, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billethius

I don't think Morris could match a healthy Alexander, but he certainly won't do much worse than Alexander did last week on the fractured foot.

Ah, I just think Seattle needs a healthy Alexander production day to beat the Bears in Chicago.

JDOldSchool · 09-26-2006, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MorseMoose

I'm sorry Bears fans, but after watching you play the Vikings; I see nothing that tells me they should be a playoff team.

Yeah, because that 9 points the Vikings offense scored just proved the Bears defense is actually terrible.

The Bears are a significantly better team than last year, when they ran away with the division.

Goody · 09-27-2006, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JDOldSchool

Yeah, because that 9 points the Vikings offense scored just proved the Bears defense is actually terrible.

The Bears are a significantly better team than last year, when they ran away with the division.

On that note, the Seahawks defense is significantly better than it was last year...when they ran away with the division.

JDOldSchool · 09-27-2006, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 9lives

On that note, the Seahawks defense is significantly better than it was last year...when they ran away with the division.

Oh, I think Seattle very well could win Sunday night. I was mostly taking issue with the argument that the Bears aren't a playoff team, but they're in a bad division so they'll make it by default.

Raidergoo · 09-27-2006, 10:14 AM

Swap either club out of their respective divisions and replace the Browns in the AFC North, and they are .500 clubs.

JDOldSchool · 09-27-2006, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raidergoo

Swap either club out of their respective divisions and replace the Browns in the AFC North, and they are .500 clubs.

I think the only AFC North team that's better than either is the Bengals. Both the Bears and Seahawks would still be 10-11 win wild card teams in that division.

09-26-2006, 09:42 AM	#1
Goody Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: South Korea Posts: 3,530	Week 4: Seattle @ Bears This is going to be a very interesting match up. You've got the usual Seattle haters refusing to recognize the Seahawks as an elite NFL team because of the weak schedule, weak division and poor showing against Detroit arguments. Because of Carolina starting out slow now the Bears are the new popular choice for the NFC top team. You've got Shaun Alexander out. I believe Stevens and Mili are out at TE for Seattle as well...and they are beat up and inexperienced at the guard position You've got Rex Grossman improving and performing well. It will be a test for him considering some still think he hasn't been pressured enough during his good performances. Seattle's defense is healthy, their D-Line no joke...and they'll surely focus on hurrying Grossman. You've got Branch added to the mix and Nate Burleson seems to be stepping it up. So many options on the pass how much will Alexander missing really hurt? Especially since the Seahawks have new options...not much tape for opponents to review yet with Branch in the mix. On 3rd and 8 or something against NY they gave it to Mack Strong from a 4 receiver set and easily got the first down almost untouched. The receivers were so open on Hasselback's 5 TD passes it was almost comical. The game is in Chicago so all bets are off. Both defenses are great. One being very underrated and overlooked... It will be physical, it will be fast, and both quarterbacks will have to keep their mistakes at an absolute minimum. I can't wait! __________________ In the past: Laseron Baseball Association creator. Present: I am Rezulm on PT and OOTP Discord. Future: I wish it was the past.

09-26-2006, 09:45 AM	#2
jaxmagicman Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Retired defloration-maker living in Myrtle Beach, SC Posts: 7,801	I am not sure Seattle can do it without Alexander. __________________ See ID Major League Baseball trademarks and copyrights are used with permission of MLB Advanced Media, L.P. Minor League Baseball trademarks and copyrights are used with the permission of Minor League Baseball. All rights reserved.

09-26-2006, 09:53 AM	#4
marc Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 7,505	This isn't going to make much sense but I think the Bears win on Sunday but that the Seahawks are the better football team. __________________

09-26-2006, 10:44 AM	#7
jeheinz72 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Fresno, CA Posts: 2,163	In my pick 'em league I'm picking the Bears. __________________ Join The Dugout!

09-26-2006, 12:08 PM	#10
Hellion9 Minors (Triple A) Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 222 Infractions: 0/1 (1)	I like the Bears defense and Seattle's running game really hasn't come round yet so I'll take the Bears in this one. The Bears will, I think, be tough all year, but they look like they will be offensively inconsistent. my 2p. __________________ They still believe that they can hold the reins, but then they've got no sense of history.

09-26-2006, 10:26 AM	#6
MorseMoose Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 6,023 Infractions: 1/1 (1)	Without Alexander, the Seahawks still have a better team. The Bears just aren't that good. I'm sorry Bears fans, but after watching you play the Vikings; I see nothing that tells me they should be a playoff team. Now they might because of the division they're in and they may be better than the Vikings...but our division is teh suk this year. It pains me to say it, but it is kinda like the 1990s when the Indians were such a dynasty. They made the playoffs year after year, but they division was just that bad. It was almost last week, but I think the Bears (had Seattle had Alexander) would have been in for a rude awakening this week. However, as Seattle doesn't have Alexander; the Bears might just squeek out another one and they'll be seen as "such a good team" for another week. Sure, going 4-0 looks good on paper; but you gotta consider the competition. Nevertheless, good luck to both teams next week. I really only root against one team in the NFL (the Packers), so I don't mean to bash the Bears to much.

09-26-2006, 11:11 AM	#8
Gastric ReFlux Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Member #3409 Posts: 8,350	I really liked the Seahawks when Jim Zorn was his quarterback. I think all quarterbacks should have names beginning with Z. Zidane would make an excellent quarterback. I think the Seahawks will win.

09-26-2006, 11:19 AM	#9
Raidergoo Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 9,005	I think the Seahawks win the NFC, but get lit up by the Bears this weekend.

09-26-2006, 12:19 PM	#11
billethius All Star Reserve Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 822	I don't think Mo Morris will have much of a problem equalling what Alexander's production would have been this week. I think they'll go with more 4-wide sets this week that'll stretch the Bears' defense this week and open some running lanes for Morris and Strong. If the Seahawks lose, it'll be because they're defense let them down. I'm not concerned about the offense whatsoever.

09-26-2006, 12:28 PM	#12
eriqjaffe Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2003 Location: Under The Christmas Fish Posts: 7,645	I wouldn't be surprised if Hasselbeck puts up a lot of yardage given the Bears relatively weak secondary, but the Seahawks might wind up having trouble in the red zone without Alexander. __________________

09-27-2006, 10:14 AM	#19
Raidergoo Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 9,005	Swap either club out of their respective divisions and replace the Browns in the AFC North, and they are .500 clubs.