#jerrell freeman

Chicago Bears training camp

Bears Lost to 49ers? How’d that Happen?

I’m dumbstruck, or maybe I’m just dumb. I didn’t see the Bears losing at Soldier Field to a 1-10 team this week. Yet that’s exactly what happened. The Chicago Bears (3-9) lost to the San Francisco 49ers (2-10) on Sunday by a score of 15-14. Former Bears star kicker Robbie Gould hit 5 FG’s in 5 tries to give the Niners all the points they would need to get a road victory over a distraught Bears…

Almost Home…….Bears stopped by Falcons in Opener

The Chicago Bears almost finished off an amazing NFL Kickoff Weekend upset against the defending NFC Champion Atlanta Falcons. They were almost home. They had 4 chances from the 5 yard line in the last minute to score a game-tying touchdown but just couldn’t quite finish. Falcons won 23-17. If the Bears could have just scored on any of their final 4 plays, Connor Barth would’ve had the chance…

Bear Down: The Tale of Two Tapes

On Sunday vs. Washington, Bears fans found out what Matt Barkley is, not a starting quarterback in the NFL.  

In his first four starts, Barkley impressed. He did a lot more than people expected. From accurate throws to near comeback victories, the former USC Trojan seemed to get better every game. But the NFL is not easy. It’s a tough league and not everyone is cut out for it.  Barkley’s five…

Bears Get Pounded by Redskins on Christmas Eve 41-21

The Chicago Bears got pounded by the Washington Redskins on Christmas Eve 41-21 to close out the home schedule at Soldier Field this season. I did not expect this kind of pounding for the 3-12 Bears. This team may have finally hit the wall in what has been an awful season, mostly filled with close losses. There have been more “heartbreakers” than “backbreakers” so the blowout at home was somewhat…

“Once More….With Feeling!” Bears/Redskins Preview

  The Chicago Bears (3-11) close out their 2016 home schedule as they host the Washington Redskins (7-6-1) at Soldier Field on Saturday at Noon. Saturday is Christmas Eve and most of the Week 16 NFL schedule will be played on this day. However, there are still two games the following day on Christmas Day for television reasons. How will the Bears close out their home slate in 2016? They’re…

Nonetheless, Barkley has been put in a tough situation starting for the first time in an offense that has 6 other starters out of his 10 surrounding teammates in the huddle who are also out with injuries or suspensions. Starting WR’s Alshon Jeffery and Kevin White, along with TE Zach Miller are out as potential pass catchers while Barkley will likely have less time to throw because of 3 injured linemen in LG Josh Sitton, RG Kyle Long, and RT Bobby Massie. Hmmm, better get backup QB David Fales ready. He may need to relieve Barkley before too long.

Meanwhile, the Tennessee Titans are a young team that is improving with each and every week. They are the 5th highest scoring team in the league with 281 points scored in 11 games for a 25.5 ppg average. Only Atlanta, San Diego, Dallas, and New Orleans have scored more total points. The Titans are led by their 2nd year QB #8 Marcus Mariota who is on the verge of becoming a superstar. Already this season he has thrown for 2,772 yards (7th in NFL), 23 TD’s (4th), and just 8 INT’s. His QB rating is 100.3 (7th). He has also run for 264 yards with 2 more scores on the ground. Add it all up and it makes Mariota not only one of the best “young” Quarterbacks in the NFL but one of the best QB’s period.

For those of us that watched him play in college at Oregon, this comes as no surprise. “Maserati” Mariota has all the tools: speed, arm strength, accuracy, brains, even humility. I think his personality is one of his greatest assets. He comes from a great family in Hawaii who raised him well. He’s a student of the game. From all accounts, the reason he vaulted to the starting spot as a redshirt freshman at Oregon was more than his supreme athleticism. It was mainly due to the fact that he knew the playbook better than anyone else. He memorized it through voracious studying. He translated it to the practice fields in Eugene and once he started driving the offense, nobody was going to stop him. Despite the obvious talent and success, Mariota doesn’t let fame get to his head. He’s very well grounded, despite winning the 2014 Heisman Trophy as the college game’s greatest player. Tennessee made the right move in drafting him 2nd overall behind Jameis Winston, the #1 overall pick by Tampa Bay. I know Winston is also doing well in his 2nd season, but if you ask me Tampa picked the wrong guy. Mariota is the man and if Tennessee keeps surrounding him with the right complementary parts, “Maserati” will drive the Titans to new heights.

Aikman Efficiency Ratings

Chicago : 26th Offense, 18th Defense, 27th Overall

Tennessee : 3rd Offense, 19th Defense, 4th Overall

These AER numbers are surprising. Tennessee is the 3rd best offense and 4th best overall team in the NFL!?! Yet they are only 5-6. Sounds like they are due for some more wins in their last 5 games. After playing the Bears and then getting a late bye week, the Titans play vs Denver, at Kansas City, at Jacksonville, and vs Houston. They will probably only be favored against Chicago, Jacksonville, and possibly/probably Houston. So they are likely to go 3-2 to even their season record at 8-8. Will that be enough to win the AFC South? Currently they are in 3rd place behind Houston (6-4) and Indianapolis (5-5). So that season ending game at home vs Houston could be huge.

Keep An Eye On : ILB #44 Nick Kwiatkoski

Now that starter #50 Jerrell Freeman is suspended for the next 4 games for PED use, expect Kwiatkoski to get plenty of experience next to #59 Danny Trevathan in the middle of the Bears defense. I have a friend who has been clamoring to see more of Kwiatkoski all season! I’m also excited to see this guy play. Freeman has made a team-high 91 total tackles which ranks 5th best in the league. Can Kwiatkoski pick up where Freeman left off?

Prediction

Tennessee is favored by 5 points at Soldier Field. With all of the injuries, suspensions, and drama surrounding these Bears, I expect the Titans to handle Chicago. Even though the Bears defense is really starting to gel as of late, the Titans offense has too many weapons in QB Mariota, RB’s DeMarco Murray and Derrick Henry, WR’s Rishard Matthews and Kendall Wright, and supreme TE Delanie Walker. With the Bears offense unlikely to put up more than 2 touchdowns at most, look for the Titans to not only win but possibly stick the dagger in the Bears. However, a bear can be tough to kill. Do the Titans have the strength to finish off a wounded bear? I think they can and I think they will.

Tennessee Titans 31 Chicago Bears 13