Strange Calls As Bears Fall in OT to Vikings

December 2, 2013 @ admin → No Comments

Monday meanderings: Yes, the Chicago Bears lost to the host Minnesota Vikings 23-20 in overtime Sunday. After almost losing to them 23-20 in overtime, only to have that kick waved off because of a facemask penalty on the Vikings. The game also featured a taunting call and a throwing-the-ball-on-the-ground call against the Bears. Calls that made some folks wonder whether the officials work on a commission basis with the men in the striped shirts receiving more money for the most obscure penalties that could call.

Next year is approaching rapidly. In more ways than one for some NFL teams.

* Speaking of unusual calls, Bears coach Marc Trestman came in for criticism for having Robbie Gould attempt a 47-yard field goal in overtime — on second down. Having seen Minnesota suffer a 15-yard penalty that led to a missed 57-yarder, you should be able to understand part of Trestman’s thought process. The other part has to do with an offense that was capable of losing yards on any given play. Not to mention the kick was within Gould’s range.

* With a 6-6 record, the Bears still can harbor postseason hopes. All they have to do, says Trestman, is win their four remaining games. Well, at least they won’t lose next Sunday. Mainly because they don’t play again till next Monday (Dec. 9) at home against the Dallas Cowboys.

* Speaking of the Cowboys, the Bears’ rushing defense is so bad that Emmitt Smith might want to think about unretiring (if there is such a word) to see if he could gain 200 yards.

* Bears quarterback Josh McCown did not have his best game vs. the Vikings. He was 23-of-36 for 355 and two touchowns with no interceptions (although he should receive partial credit when an ill-advides, desperation toss ended with offensive lineman Kyle Long catching the ball and losing it on a fumble). Yeah, McCown was no Jay Cutler. McCown had a quarterback rating of 114.9. Not being an expert, your humble correspondent will go out on a limb (not to be confused with a throwing arm) and conclude McCown played well enough for the Bears to win.

* Speaking of the Bears passing game, Alshon Jeffery set a franchise record with 249 receiving yards (12 catches). Brandon Marshall had four receptions. In case anyone was wondering who is yearning for Cutler’s return more than Bears fans.

* Speaking of Jeffery, the Bears are 0-5 when he has 100 or more receiving yards. Feel free to make sense of that statistic.

* Speaking of offensive stats, Bears running back Matt Forte rushed 23 times for 120 yards (5.2 yards per attempt). With a long run of 41 yards, that means on his other attempts he averaged 3.6 yards per carry. Vikings running back Adrian Peterson rushed 35 times for 211 yards (6.0 per attempt). With a long run of 23 yards, that means on his other attempts he averaged 5.5 yards per carry. In case anyone was wondering which player carries more of his team’s offensive burden and does it better.

* Folks who wanted to see Chicago native Anthony Davis when the New Orleans Pelicans came to the United Center to face the Bulls probably should look for the tall guy in street clothes. Davis suffered a fracture to his left hand in the Pelicans’ victory against the New York Knicks in Madison Square Garden. Entering the game, Davis was averaging an NBA-best 3.9 blocks per game. He also was averaging 19.6 points and 10.6 rebounds per game. Let the record show the Pelicans (8-8) enter Monday’s game with a better record than the Bulls (7-8).

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