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The 2012 Super Bowl is in the books and I’m finally finished writing. Took me long enough. (I was distracted by Puppy Bowl VIII.) So without further ado, here’s the season’s last edition of The Final Drive!

Continue reading "The Final Drive: Super Bowl XLVI"

It’s finally here. After a drawn-out lockout, a last minute deal, rushed training camps, an eventful regular season and a thrilling postseason, Super Bowl XLVI is upon us. On Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis the NFL’s elite will be decided. After breaking down the Patriots and Giants individually (as well as the Prop Bets), it’s time to actually analyze how this game is going to play out.  

Continue reading "The Opening Drive: Super Bowl XLVI"

After over 3000 words were spent on the Patriot and Giant previews, I needed to take a small break from the in-depth analysis for my favorite blog of the year: the Super Bowl Prop Bets. For those of you not in the betting zone, prop bets are side wagers on anything aside from the game’s final score or what team wins. There are some boring standards like first touchdown reception or most rushing yards, but there are plenty of non-sports related wagers in which to take part.

Continue reading "Breaking Down the Bowl: The Prop Bets of XLVI"

Following a dreadful loss to the lowly Washington Redskins to fall to 7-7 with only two games left, everyone had counted out the New York Giants.  That is, everyone except the Giants themselves, who kept their quiet confidence as they rolled off two victories to end the season and squeak into the fourth seed in the NFC. Then they mustered up two dominant performances as their defense shut out the Atlanta Falcons and stymied the 15-1 Green Bay Packers and Aaron Rodgers. Now they find themselves in a familiar setting: in the biggest game of the year against the New England Patriots, whom I covered yesterday. Now the Giants are up in the rotation!

Continue reading "Breaking Down the Bowl: New York Giants"

Shockingly enough, the supposedly ring-bearing Patriots haven’t won a Super Bowl since the 2004 season. As great as they have seemed in recent years, they’ve flopped when it comes to the postseason. This year has been different. They’re currently on a ten game win streak where they’ve avenged their horrible 2009 loss to the Ravens on their way to a rematch with the Giant team that stole their chance at immortality. In the first of my articles previewing Super Bowl XLVI, I’m breaking down the New England Patriots.

Continue reading "Breaking Down the Bowl: New England Patriots"

How many of you had to get an oxygen tank at some point today? These playoffs are been thrilling down to the wire in almost every game, and Conference Championship Sunday lived up to expectations. Both games went down to the wire and left us with two worthy Super Bowl contestants. Let’s break them down in The Final Drive!

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With the AFC spot in the Super Bowl currently being decided, the possible NFC participants are anxiously awaiting their turn in the national spotlight. And by national spotlight, of course I mean The Opening Drive!  

Continue reading "The Opening Drive: 2012 NFC Championship"

It’s time to decide the Super Bowl contestants! With four teams left in the tournament, the Conference Championships take center stage on the best Sunday of football all year. Up first, the AFC title game!

Continue reading "The Opening Drive: 2012 AFC Championship"

I have to say, I was skeptical that these four games could live up to the hype, especially after last weekend. But I’m happy to say I wasn’t disappointed in the slightest. I even gave myself a cushy lead for later poor postseason predictions. But I’ll tell you about that later. Right now it’s time for The Final Drive of the Divisional Round! (14-3) San Francisco 49ers 36

Continue reading "The Final Drive: 2012 Divisional Round"

Saturday’s NFL action started with a barn-burner and ended with a merciless slaughter. Sunday’s slate is going to have a hard time following it up, but that won’t stop me from writing another edition of The Opening Drive! 

Continue reading "The Opening Drive: 2012 Divisional Sunday"

After six long days of waiting, the NFL playoffs are back today with a great match-up in the NFC and a highly publicized showdown between Jesus and Satan in the AFC. It’s a great day for some football. That means it’s a great day for The Opening Drive!

Continue reading "The Opening Drive: 2012 Divisional Saturday"

Are you exhausted yet? There was TOO MUCH DRAMA! (That’s a lie. There’s never too much.) Both nights of Wildcard weekend ended in tremendous excitement, wrapping up with a dramatic overtime ending that didn’t even warrant explanation of the new rules. I’m still appalled. Let’s just get The Final Drive started.(11-6) Houston Texans 31

Continue reading "The Final Drive: 2012 Wildcard Weekend"

If Saturday’s games were any indication, then Sunday’s remaining Wildcard action should be entertaining as hell. Who’s got time for lengthy introductions though? Let’s break down this action!

Continue reading "The Opening Drive: 2012 Wildcard Sunday"

It’s time. Time for the select few to battle out for the most coveted prize in the NFL: the Lombardi Trophy. The playoffs begin today with the Wildcard round. I’m so excited I can’t even finish this introduction! Let’s just get right to these games, shall we?

Continue reading "Joe's 2012 Gameday Preview: Wildcard Saturday"

Well that didn’t take very long. After all of three days, Lovie Smith has found his next offensive coordinator. The big-time hire? Mike “Boat Show” Tice. (I would have also accepted “Ticket Scalper.” I hinted at Tice’s eventual hiring on Tuesday when I addressed the firing of Jerry Angelo and Mike Martz, but I suppose I should break down this “hire,” yes?

Continue reading "Bears promote Tice to OC: Right call?"

Black Monday came and went, but the coaching news continued on Tuesday with releases in Chicago and major retentions in San Diego and Philly. Were they the right moves? Let’s break ‘em down!

Continue reading "Reid and Turner back for 2012: Really?"

Woof. The news broke quickly today from Halas Hall as the Chicago Bears started their offseason with a major shake-up near the top of the organization with the removal of Jerry Angelo and the “resignation” of Mike Martz. No time to waste in breaking these moves down!

Continue reading "Wha??? Bears move on without Jerry ..."

Black Monday in the NFL is always chock-full of news and storylines and this latest incarnation is no different. Along with the two head coaching vacancies we’re already aware of (Miami and Jacksonville) two more holes opened up on Monday (with more likely on the way). Here’s my take on the day’s news.

Continue reading "Joe's 2012 NFL Black Monday Breakdown"

The 2011 NFL regular season ended with a bang with some great finishes and superb drama on Sunday. Records were set by a back-up QB, a team captain was benched for “quitting” and a fat-handed QB lost missed out on the post-season. The Final Drive must begin!(15-1) Green Bay Packers 45

Continue reading "The Final Drive: Week 17, 2011-12"

I’m not going to spend this Gameday Recap pontificating about what could have been this Bears season. That’s for later. In today’s contest, the Bears held onto the win over the struggling Vikings to get to 8-8 on the year.

Continue reading "Joe's 2011-12 Gameday Recap: Bears 17, Vikings 13"

Let’s get this over with.

(7-8) Chicago Bears at
(3-12) Minnesota Vikings

I am not going to waste your time with an in-depth analysis over a game without a crap-ton of starters on both sides of the ball. There’s a lot of “Joe Webb isn’t that bad” talk around the NFL, but I’m not totally sold. He’s probably a better option that Christian Ponder or Josh McCown though. But he’s missing Adrian Peterson, so you can’t totally rely on him this week. Chicago’s defense is the best unit in this game, and that typically goes a long way. The Odds:

Continue reading "Joe's 2011-12 Gameday Preview: Bears at Vikings"

I’ll bet you thought week 17 in the NFL was meaningless! Well I call shenanigans on that premise entirely, as I’m ready to touch on ELEVEN games going on New Year’s Day. How’s THAT for an Opening Drive?

Continue reading "The Opening Drive: Week 17, 2011-12"

It was a Christmas Eve of meaningful NFL action as all the remaining playoff spots were nearly filled and draft orders are beginning to finalize. Miss any of the action? No need to worry, because the Final Drive starts right now!(2-13) Indianapolis Colts 19

Continue reading "The Final Drive: Week 16, 2011"

It was closer than it should have been for longer than it should have been, but it ended just as it should have as the Bears lost in Green Bay and ended their hopes for a playoff berth in fitting fashion. Josh McCown mounted a valiant effort, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Aaron Rodgers’ five touchdowns.

Continue reading "Joe's 2011 Gameday Recap: Packers 35, Bears 21"

Merry Christmas! Did you get everything you wanted this morning? Was Santa kind to you? Well you better hold onto that feeling, because it’s about to get ripped away from you on Sunday Night Football as the “somehow still in the playoff hunt” Chicago Bears head to Green Bay to take on the rival Packers. Yikes. Break out the eggnog as you read this preview… it’ll ease your mood going into the game. 

Continue reading "Joe's 2011 Gameday Preview: Bears at Packers"

Christmas Eve or not, there’s no way I’d let a schedule of great NFL action slip past my nets! The playoff positioning is settling in, but there’s some unresolved business in the NFC East with two pivotal games on Saturday. There’s plenty to talk about in week 16, so let’s get right to it!

Continue reading "The Opening Drive: Week 16, 2011"

A whopping nine wins separate Thursday Night Football’s combatants tonight as the AFC South Champion Houston Texans travel to Lucas Oil Stadium to take on the finally-not-winless Colts. Will this be a game… or a slaughter?

Continue reading "Joe's 2011 Thursday Night Preview: Texans at Colts"

I’m not sure what else you could have wanted from week 15 in the NFL. Two impressive streaks ended, the “Trap of the Week” proved to be true once again and one win never mattered as much as it did for Indianapolis. (And Candlestick Park was sans light… for a few second before auxiliary lighting come on. Not as much drama.) Many a-loser won on this day. Oddsmakers be damned! Get ready for The Final Drive!(1-13) Indianapolis Colts 27

Continue reading "The Final Drive: Week 15, 2011"

I’m sorry you had to sit through that Bear fans, but you can rest assured the 2011 season is over for the Monsters of the Midway. Their loss to the Seattle Seahawks may only drop them to a 7-7 record, but their unmistakably terrible quarterback play has clearly taken them out of the playoff picture. The offseason isn’t here yet though, so the Gameday Recaps continue!

Continue reading "Joe's 2011 Gameday Recap: Seahawks 38, Bears 14"

Week 15??? Really? Time goes by so fast! With the playoff races tight and Tebow versus Brady on the schedule, week 15 has everything you want. Let’s set-up for The Opening Drive! 

Continue reading "The Opening Drive: Week 15, 2011"

Losers of three straight, the Chicago Bears are trying to get back on the winning horse this afternoon against the rising Seattle Seahawks. Can you believe these two teams are actually still in the playoff hunt? They both need a lot of help to get there, but this game is too significant for either team to lose. Drop one more game… and you likely won’t see January.

Continue reading "Joe's 2011 Gameday Preview: Seahawks at Bears"

Thursday Night Football is back to start week 15 off right with the Falcons and… Jaguars? That’s right, the Jaguars, who dropped a season-high 41 points last week, albeit against the lowly Buccaneers. Atlanta is always a tough out at the Georgia Dome behind Matt Ryan, who just tossed four touchdowns in their comeback win over the Panthers.

Continue reading "Joe's 2011 Thursday Night Preview: ..."

Heart attacks were felt across the nation on Sunday (especially by me), leading to plenty of hospitalizations. While you’re incapacitated, why not get the full scoop on week 14’s heart-stopping action? 

Continue reading "The Final Drive: Week 14, 2011"

After a scoreless first half, I bet fans were just aching for this game to end in regulation. For Bronco fans, it was setting up perfectly for another installment of “Tebow Time.” Fortunately, the Bears had other ideas, forcing two turnovers from Timmy Teebs and shutting the Broncos down.

Continue reading "Joe's 2011 Gameday Recap: Broncos 13, Bears 10"

After the Big Ben-flavored drama on Thursday night, week 14 in the NFL season keeps on trucking in Sunday’s slate of games. While some will take a first glance at most of the games and shrug them off as meaningless, there are some hidden contests that could be much better than fans may expect. Plenty of options for “Trap of the Week.” 

Continue reading "The Opening Drive: Week 14, 2011"

HAHAHAHAHAHA. I’m sorry, did you want analysis of this latest edition of Thursday Night Football? …Really? Okay, here it goes.

NFL Network is the place for an AFC North division match-up that will serve as a measuring stick for both teams involved. We can see how serious Pittsburgh really is about winning their division by how hard they play against a supposed soft opponent. Cleveland can gauge itself versus the rest of their Northern brethren by mounting a valiant effort tonight.

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Week 13 in the NFL saw a variety of last second comebacks, including more “Jebus and Teebs” magic and a scare for the undefeated champs. Need to know more? Welcome to The Final Drive.

Continue reading "The Final Drive: Week 13, 2011"

Well it was a team effort today. It took all the Bears collectively failing in order to lose this in the fashion they did to Tyler Palko. The blame starts with the offensive play-calling, then shifts to the crappy play Caleb Hanie, veers towards horrible injuries and finishes with a pathetic showing from the offensive line. As much as you don’t need to be reminded, here’s the analysis of today’s clusterf*ck.

Continue reading "Joe's 2011 Gameday Recap: Chiefs 10, Bears 3"

With their fourth loss in the rearview mirror, the Caleb Hanie-led Chicago Bears welcome the deceptively decent Kansas City Chiefs to Soldier Field. Oh yeah, and Kyle Orton might show up sometime today as well. Casual NFL fans may look at this game as an easy win, but it could be very, very ugly. My breakdown illustrates why.

Continue reading "Joe's 2011 Gameday Preview: Chiefs at Bears"

The weeks are rushing by in the NFL with the playoff picture beginning to take shape. Two 11-game streaks could push their way to 12 and an NFC contender tries to get by without one of their biggest stars.

Continue reading "The Opening Drive: Week 13, 2011"

Forget about the rest of your work week, Thursday Night Football is on tonight! The NFL Network has a pretty interesting contest for us tonight, as the imploding “Dream Team” travels northwest to far off Seattle to take on a young and “always tough at home” Seahawks squad. Who’s ready for the death of a dream?

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Another Monday night means another edition of The Final Drive! I’m going to skip right past the Thanksgiving Day games as we all saw what happened. (Right?) Lots going on in week 12, including another QB injury in Houston and more magic from Jebus and Teebs.

Continue reading "The Final Drive: Week 12, 2011"

As I assumed, today’s loss to the Raiders was a slow, painful death. Chicago hung around after several costly turnovers, but couldn’t mount the offense to overcome Sebastian Janikowski’s six field goals and a late touchdown from Michael Bush, halting their five game win streak. As much as I’d prefer not to, let’s get to the breakdown.

Continue reading "Joe's 2011 Gameday Recap: Raiders 25, Bears 20"

It had to come sometime. After a week of waiting, we finally have to watch what the Bears 2011 regular season looks like without Jay Cutler. Chicago travels to the Black Hole today, taking on the Raiders in a hostile environment, led by fourth year back-up Caleb Hanie.

Continue reading "Joe's 2011 Gameday Preview: Bears at Raiders"

It happens every year. Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends, football and food comas. Unfortunately, you’ll want to pay attention to all three games today as they all feature teams with something to prove. It’s time for a breakdown of the holiday’s action!

Continue reading "Joe's 2011 Thanksgiving Day Preview"

After a few days of attempting to drown myself in a (surprisingly deep) pool of my own tears, I figured it was time to comment on the impending thumb surgery of Jay Cutler and what it means for the Bears in 2011.

Continue reading "Picking up the pieces: Where do the ..."

There are plenty of close games to discuss from the week 11 slate, some with interesting consequences for the division races involved. The Final Drive. It’s on.(7-3) Detroit Lions 49
(2-8) Carolina Panthers 35

Continue reading "The Final Drive: Week 11, 2011"

Tied at 3-3 midway through the second quarter, this game tried to disguise itself as a defensive struggle as the Bears stumbled over themselves on several drives. But then the scoring came in bunches as the Chicago Bears held off the San Diego Chargers on Sunday afternoon, increasing their winning streak to five games despite numerous comeback attempts.

Continue reading "Joe's 2011 Gameday Recap: Bears 31, Chargers 20"

Riding high with four straight wins, the Chicago Bears welcome in the San Diego Chargers, who are sweeping the floors of the AFC West thanks to four straight losses. Can the Bears force more Philip Rivers turnovers in front of their home crowd today? Or will the Chargers begin their annual late-season winning streak? It’s time for another Gameday Preview!

Continue reading "Joe's 2011 Gameday Preview: Chargers at Bears"

After the (eventually) thrilling start on Thursday night, week 11 continues with a number of exciting games to keep your eye on this weekend, including several divisional match-ups with playoff implications. What else do you need? Time to start The Opening Drive!

Continue reading "The Opening Drive: Week 11, 2011"

What a game NFL Network has for us tonight. Two of the most scrutinized quarterbacks in the NFL take to primetime hoping to prove they’re passable NFL signal-callers. Tim Tebow is 3-1 this season a starter and won his last start despite only completing two passes. Mark Sanchez is under fire yet again after getting shelled by the Patriots in what ended up being a blow-out loss at the Meadowlands. Thank you NFL!

Continue reading "Joe's 2011 Thursday Night Preview: Jets at Broncos"

Well that was easy. The Chicago Bears wasted no time it laying the wood to the Detroit Lions, paying them back for the Monday night loss earlier in the season and notching their fourth win in a row. The Lions were sloppy with the ball on offense and committed costly penalties of which the Bears were more than happy to take advantage. It was a defensive demolishing from Lovie Smith’s crew, who went to man coverage and shut the Lions down.

Continue reading "Joe's 2011 Gameday Recap: Bears 37, Lions 13"

Time for revenge! Following their ugly Monday night loss to the Lions in week five, the Bears have won three in a row and are nipping at the heels of Detroit in the NFC North standings. If the Bears win they’ll be tied with Detroit for second in the NFC North and in prime position for the first Wildcard slot come playoff time. Let’s break down this incredibly important contest.

Continue reading "Joe's 2011 Gameday Preview: Lions at Bears"

Thursday Night Football is back! And they’ve got an AFC West match-up on tap for us tonight. It could be sloppy, but it should be more than entertaining as the Raiders make the short trip to take on the Chargers with first place in the division on the line. Welcome back Thursday Night Football… we missed you.

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It’s the mid-way point of the NFL season this week, which of course means plenty of pontificating and meaningless award giving. I want in on the fun so here are the 2011 Midseason Musings! 

Continue reading "Joe's 2011 Midseason Musings"

Is everyone settled down now? Anyone still riled up? I have to say, there was almost no breathing during that final two minutes, but I’m relaxed enough to run you through how the Bears picked up their fifth win in eight games, dropping the Eagles on their home turf.

Continue reading "Joe's 2011 Gameday Recap: Bears 30, Eagles 24"

After resting on their collective butts during a much-needed bye week, the Chicago Bears head out to the City of Brotherly Love to take on Michael Vick and the surging Philadelphia Eagles. Can Lovie Smith’s defense repeat last year’s impressive performance against Vick and take their winning streak to a whopping three games? Let’s break this one down.

Continue reading "Joe's 2011 Gameday Preview: Bears at Eagles"

Week nine in the NFL season is chock-full of significant division match-ups that could go a long way in deciding seeding come playoff time. Let’s waste no time with introductory witticisms, The Opening Drive starts now!

Continue reading "The Opening Drive: Week 9, 2011"

Yeah week seven! We saw one incredible comeback (and man-on-man action), several first time-starters and more than a few clunkers in this latest weekend of NFL action. I still loved every minute of it. Let’s start The Final Drive!(4-3) Atlanta Falcons 23

Continue reading "The Final Drive: Week 7, 2011"

Were you sweating after that one? I’m pretty sure I stopped breathing for that last two minutes. It grew more uncomfortable than it needed to be, but the Bears pulled out a win on London Sunday afternoon, getting out early on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and hanging onto that lead for dear life. It took a helluva effort from Matt Forte and actual catches from Roy Williams, but Chicago got on the board early and played enough defense to keep the Bucs from completing the comeback late.

Continue reading "Joe's 2011 Gameday Recap: Bears 24, Buccaneers 18"

This week the Bears hop across the pond to visit London’s Wembley Stadium in the NFL’s annual UK event. Taking on the NFC South-leading Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Bears are still playing catch-up in their own division, but this game is a key component of determining their place in the NFC. Let’s analyze this shiz yo!

Continue reading "Joe's 2011 Gameday Preview: Bears at Buccaneers"

Week seven in the NFL features the annual London affair, an early battle for the AFC South, and Kyle Boller starting at quarterback. (And it’s not 2003. I know. So odd.) The Opening Drive gets you ready for the day’s action!

Continue reading "The Opening Drive, Week 7, 2011"

I originally mean to write this as a recap of the trade deadline deals, but since the only other Tuesday deal was just revoked because of Jerome Harrison’s brain tumor (how crazy was that), I can focus up on the big news of the day. Tuesday the Cincinnati Bengals finally traded disgruntled quarterback Carson Palmer. The deal? Palmer goes to Oakland, who sends back a first round draft pick in 2012 and a conditional second round pick in 2013 that could turn into a first rounder if the Raiders make it to the AFC title game in the next two years. A king’s ransom for an aging quarterback? Or a crafty move to save a season? Let’s break down this deal!The Winner: Cincinnati Bengals

Continue reading "Breaking Down the Palmer Deal: Who ..."

In the insanity of week six in the NFL, we saw two coaches sorta ge