NFL Football Chicago Bears are loaded with skill by The Gaming Today’s Ted Sevransky

Chicago Bears

Prior to the season, I read several reports indicating that the
Chicago Bears didn’t have enough quick strike, big play ability on their roster.
That has not proven to be the case – this team is loaded with skill position
talent.

Matt Forte is as dynamic as any back in the league these days.
The receivers are a big play waiting to happen in Mike Martz’s vertical passing
game offense. Jay Cutler hit six different receivers with his first seven
completions. It’s not just Devin Hester either – Roy Williams made a nice
touchdown catch and Johnny Knox has some serious game-breaking speed.

This defense played as well as they have all year; blowing up
the line of scrimmage and shutting down Tampa’s receivers in the secondary;
notching four interceptions in the process. I was really impressed with this
secondary today!

Chicago has basically been under-rated for the last two
years.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have spent the entire season getting
off to slow starts, and this was no exception. With LaGarrett Blount unable to
suit up today and Earnest Graham going down with a first quarter injury, this
was one of the rare games where running backs did matter. The Tampa Bay
Buccaneers had none.

Kregg Lumpkin, with 39 career rushing yards coming into the
game, was a complete non-factor, forcing Josh Freeman to throw the ball on
nearly every play.

The results were predictable. Freeman looked like he was
regressing, suffering from bad footwork, poor accuracy and lousy decision
making.

This Tampa-2 defense struggles against strong downfield passing
games. The run defense was even worse. The lone defensive bright spot against
the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was Tenard Jackson in only his second game back on the
field in over a year notching a beautiful interception.

Arizona Cardinals

Kevin Kolb is looking less and less like a legitimate NFL
quarterback. He’s missing open receivers, holding the ball too long and not
demonstrating any of the intangibles that might inspire confidence in his
teammates. Intentional groundings in the end zone (resulting in an automatic
safety) are not a positive for any offense.

These young cornerbacks are getting torched, week after week.
Rookie Patrick Patterson had two pass interference calls on one Pittsburgh
Steelers touch down drive. The equally inexperienced AJ Jefferson got burned on
Mike Wallace’s 95 yard catch and run touch down.

We finally saw something positive from Beanie Wells against
Pittsburgh. Then first round bust at running back left the game before halftime
with yet another injury.

The Arizona Cardinals are 6-16 since Kurt Warner retired and
look a long, long way from the squad that went to the Super Bowl just three
years ago.

Atlanta Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons are getting good pressure with only a four
or five man pass rush, not forced to rely on excessive blitzing in order to get
hits on the opposing quarterback. They are scoring touchdowns in the red zone –
a Top 5 NFL football team in that department and another positive sign moving
forward.

The Atlanta Falcons show a very impressive red zone defensive
performance as well, not giving up many easy scores these days.

We saw an under-the-radar potential impact injury to the
fullback Ovie Mughelli, who was helped off the field. Atlanta Falcons have a
fullback driven running game and Mughelli was the only fullback on the
roster.

Detroit Lions

The opposition was called for 14 false start penalties in the
two NFL football games coming into this ballgame, and the crowd was a factor
again today. The combination of the best defensive front in the NFL football and
a suddenly strong home field has made it increasingly difficult for opposing
teams to get their snaps off without a hitch.

These false start penalties matter and they’re not something
that will be readily apparent from looking at a box score. Detroit Lions
defensive front has ‘Fearsome Foursome’, ‘Steel Curtain’ or ‘Purple People
Eater’ capabilities – quite possibly one of the best defensive fronts in the NFL
football since those legendary units in the 70’s?

Detroit Lions defensive pressure caused both Matt Ryan
interceptions, forcing him to throw too quickly. Too bad their offensive line is
as weak as their defensive line is strong – left tackle Jeff Backus continues to
get eaten up. Matthew Stafford took back-to-back sacks on the Detroit Lions
first drive and looks uncomfortable in the pocket. The red zone offense is
struggling right now and Detroit is not converting on third downs.

Carolina Panthers

The run defense isn’t showing many signs of improvement. Facing
a Washington offense missing half of its first string blockers due to injuries,
Carolina Panthers got gashed all afternoon long. The Carolina Panthers have had
eight different starting linebackers already this year, due to injuries and
ineffectiveness.

Defensive penalties don’t seem to stop for this Carolina
Panthers. This defense isn’t good enough to overcome those errors! They gave up
a field goal on a drive where they had forced a punt, thanks to a silly personal
foul call. Carolina Panthers had forced only five turnovers coming into the
game.

Only three of Carolina’s 16 touch down drives have been less
than 74 yards. Facing an inexperienced QB (John Beck), the ‘D’ forced three
turnovers; without a doubt the difference in this ballgame.

St. Louis Rams

The Jags and Dolphins hold the pole position when it comes to
the “worst team in the NFL” race, but the St. Louis Rams are certainly making it
a three team race. The real disappointment here was their defensive performance.
Of course this offense is going to struggle – they’ve got a backup quarterback,
an injury riddled line and a bottom tier receiving corps.

St. Louis Rams doesn’t have the worst red zone offense in the
NFL football by accident, failing on another first and goal opportunity against
Dallas. This offensive line isn’t going to get any better now that Jason Smith,
the second overall draft pick in the first round back in 2009, was carted off
the field.

The receiving corps should improve at some point, with Brandon
Lloyd arriving in St. Louis Rams this past week and Mark Clayton almost ready to
get activated. But this defense hasn’t been close to keeping St. Louis Rams
within striking distance. Where’s the pass rush? I know the injuries and
schedule have been tough – their top three cornerbacks are all on IR – but this
is not a confident or a well-coached teams.

Seattle Seahawks

There’s a legitimate drop-off between starting QB Tavaris
Jackson and his backup, Charlie Whitehurst. Jackson was hurt, unable to play
this week, and a suspect offense looked even worse. Whitehurst had only one
completion longer than 11 yards, and that came on a blown coverage.

The defense is looking really stout. Pete Carroll’s secondary
was draped around the Browns receivers like a wet blanket – no open receivers
anywhere, all day, despite playing more than 80 defensive snaps and being on the
field for nearly 43 minutes.

That pass defense will be challenged moving forward after
starting CB Walter Thurmond broke his leg and expected out for the season.

The Gaming Today’s, Ted Sevransky will be contributing to www.aasiwins.com. At www.aasiwins.com, you can find FREE NFL articles, free NFL winners, news, and updates.