Urlacher out? Colts can win opener...

[BProland85]

There are rumors Urlacher might miss week 1 with his knee injury. If he is out, and even if he plays, I think we have a good shot in this game. Here is why...

We have LUCK!!! We now have a QB who is mentally tough and works extremely hard on getting better every week. Kinda sound familiar?

I also think if we pressure Cutler like we are capable of doing with Mathis, Freeney, Hughes, and Addison, we can expose their OL and get to Cutler fast.

CB Vontae Davis is hopefully up to speed and can match up with Brandon Marshall, hopefully limiting his catches. If we can somewhat shut down Marshall with Davis, that will really frustrate Cutler since they have chemistry between them.

The one concern I have is our OL pass blocking for Luck. We all know we probably wont be able to run the ball that great in this game, and maybe this season unless our OL plays better. Without a servicable run game, other teams can tee off on Luck.

Overall though, I predict a close game, with Chicago winning 27-20. We'll get our first couple of wins at home against the Vikings and Jags before the bye.

[Colts20593]

Has anything new developed? last week I heard he was a go

[GoDeep]

Yes the news today is that he is a go...however, his knee will never be 100%.

[coltsfanatic24]

i simmed colts vs bears in m13 3x and the avg score was 24-17 colts win. luck throws for 290 yds 3td's 1int sacked 2x , fleener has a great game with 6 catches for 90 yds 2td's. cutler throws for 250yds 1td 3int's sacked 4x, 3 by mathis 1 for freeney. also vontae gets 2 int's with zibikowski getting the 3rd.

[Balzer40]

I really do think this is a very winnable game. I think we are a good matchup with them for the most part, with them having the upper hand on us with their D-line against our O-line. Honestly, I think if we can keep Forte under wraps, we have a very good shot at winning this game. Their O-line is no better than ours and if we can control the line of scrimmage and don't allow them to hold the ball all day by running it down our throats, we could easily come out on top.

[chad72]

The only difference is I feel their D-line is better than ours.

If we keep the game close and do not give up a big return to Hester, we can stay in the game. They are good at swarming to the ball or tipping the ball and coming up with it in traffic. So, we need to know our first down markers, make the catch and not try too much after the catch.

Our O-line vs their D-line, our run D and our special teams is where the game has to be won.

[mystrymaster]

If this game is a low scoring affair we have a shot, if it gets into a higher scoring track meet we can't keep up.

I think our offense will be a 21 point a game offense later in the year but earlier I think we will be a 14-17 point team.

If the Colts win I say 17-10.

If the Bears win I say 24-10

[chad72]

If the Colts win I say 17-10.

If the Bears win I say 24-10

If the Colts win, it would be something like 20-17. If the Bears win, it will probably be 31-17 or 31-20.

[braveheartcolt]

This comes too early for us. We'll take a bit of a pounding I fear, but all part of the learning curve. As long as we do enough to be positive going into our two winnable home games before the bye, I'll be quite content. Don't kid yourselves re Cutler. On his day he can be deadly. Hope it's not his day though.

[Jules]

Hey you never know, remember in 2008 Manning was coming back from missing the offseason with his knee. And surgery.

And now in 2012 Urlacher is coming back (maybe) with missing a lot of time with his knee. And surgery.

Deja vu for an upset coming for a home opener?

Yeah, I can dream.

[cmgww]

Per ESPN today, he says in his words "I will play Sunday." That may be at 70% though, which means Allen and Fleener (if he can hang onto the ball) should have a field day with him. Don't get me wrong, Urlacher was a stud, but he's on a bad stick and he won't be able to cover well. IF we can shore up the O-line I think we have a shot.

[Esquire59]

I think our Colts will beat the Bears anyway. Bears have zero idea what defensive looks we're going to come out with (which I believe weren't shown in PS). Bears are an average team at best. I've felt since the schedule came out, this is an upset special.

[deedub75]

Who cares if he plays or not? I don't think Urlacher will be the difference maker in whether or not Colts win this game. Our defense, or lack of defense, will be the difference maker. If our defense sucks, Cutler and Marshall will have a field day and Forte and Bush will put up 200 yards rushing.

[GoColts8818]

Hey you never know, remember in 2008 Manning was coming back from missing the offseason with his knee. And surgery.

And now in 2012 Urlacher is coming back (maybe) with missing a lot of time with his knee. And surgery.

Deja vu for an upset coming for a home opener?

Yeah, I can dream.

Well if Donald Brown plays like Matt Forte did that night I like our chances...

[krunk]

What is this fear about Urlacher? Since when have we become chickens worrying about one linebacker and associating it with our chances of winning the game? There's all kinds of ways to scheme around that guy, and we've played Chicago more than once and Urlacher never stood out very much in my opinion. Come on people let's get some swag and chutzpah!

Giving these boys too much respect...

[BrentMc11]

What is this fear about Urlacher? Since when have we become chickens worrying about one linebacker and associating it with our chances of winning the game? There's all kinds of ways to scheme around that guy, and we've played Chicago more than once and Urlacher never stood out very much in my opinion. Come on people let's get some swag and chutzpah!

Giving these boys too much respect...

I totally agree. Urlacher is already a step slow before this injury. My preference is for him to play and have a field day with Fleener and Allen....provided we can protect Luck from the infamous Julius Peppers....and Lance Briggs etc.

I am ready to go on a Bear hunt...GO !!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Balzer40]

What is this fear about Urlacher? Since when have we become chickens worrying about one linebacker and associating it with our chances of winning the game? There's all kinds of ways to scheme around that guy, and we've played Chicago more than once and Urlacher never stood out very much in my opinion. Come on people let's get some swag and chutzpah!

Giving these boys too much respect...

I agree too. Don't understand all this Urlacher fear. Dudes old and is gonna play on 1 bad leg. People are acting as if the Bears are some kind of Super team that can't be beaten. The Bears find a way of messing things up every yr.. They are not that good.

[mystrymaster]

I expect the Bears to blitz Luck a ton so I see Allen and Fleener being huge guages to how the game will go, if Luck can hit them on short routes and let them lumber up the field for extra yards it will slow down the pass rush. If that does happen I can see Donald breaking a big run. Luck has to get the ball out quickly, he doesn't have to stay upright, he will take hits, he just has to get the ball out first.

[hawkeyes]

I dont see him as a difference maker either way ... IMO the difference maker in this game will be OUR defense! Can we stop the run or not? If our D plays a good game we can win the game, if they dont we likely wont.

[BrentMc11]

I expect the Bears to blitz Luck a ton so I see Allen and Fleener being huge guages to how the game will go, if Luck can hit them on short routes and let them lumber up the field for extra yards it will slow down the pass rush. If that does happen I can see Donald breaking a big run. Luck has to get the ball out quickly, he doesn't have to stay upright, he will take hits, he just has to get the ball out first.

Excellent point......live by the blitz....(Luck audible) die by the blitz.....and pick up the blitz...or we pick up Luck

[Tark The Shark]

I think with his knee, Urlacher will be a little more hesitant on plays. Not to say that he is going to take plays off, but cutting and and sprinting to the QB might be a challenge

[Gramz]

http://espn.go.com/chicago/nfl/story/_/id/8333126/chicago-bears-lb-brian-urlacher-vows-playing-sunday

[ericnan]

My thoughts go like this. As far as Vontae is concerned, put him man to man on Brandon Marshall, I would think he could be useful in the game without completely knowing the defense. As long as Vontae knows where the safeties are, this maybe could work. As far as Urlacher is concerned, I think we should throw/run everything, including the kitchen sink at him. Beat on him, let other teams know we are comin' for ya. Pound Ballard at him, then let Donald run loose. I dunno, maybe I am dreaming. I think our 3-4 package may make it difficult for the Bears to run. At least I hope so. I'm hopeful for a win. I think that if the Colts do win, all the analysts and blabber jabbers will be talking Colts in the playoffs. Just my opinion, I'm no the most well educated on the team.

LET'S GO COLTS!

[TKnight24]

Aging Bears vs Regenerated Colts (With the Exception of a Few Veterans)............... IF we can keep Andrew Luck upright, I believe we can Win this Game.

Cutler has been known to blow games when at Home against the Underdog. Just cause he now has Jeffery, Marshall, & Bush doesn't mean nothing if we want the Game more

[Andy]

Don't forget about Lance Briggs guys...

[TKnight24]

He's on a Bum knee, might as well say he's not playing even if he is playing.

Threats to our Offense: Peppers, Briggs, Roach, & that Boise Stat................... nevermind. Only the 1st 3 are Threats

[TKnight24]

Just my opinion, I'm no the most well educated on the team.

We know, you're still in Diapers.... You have a lot to learn young grasshopper

But we have the potential to Win this game. If we can just Tackle better on Defense, we'll be Fine

[ericnan]

We know, you're still in Diapers.... You have a lot to learn young grasshopper

I'm actually old enough to be your father, and have been a Colt fan since they came to Indy. I'm a home team kinda guy. In the 70's, when I was a kid. LOL I used to like the Steelers and the Dolphins. Once we had a home team, I was a home team guy. I'll admit I have always liked the Colts though, and Johnny U! ......young grasshopper. LOL I just don't want to project that I have some high football knowledge, but I do think I kinda have an idea of what I am talking about. LOL

[TKnight24]

I'm actually old enough to be your father, and have been a Colt fan since they came to Indy. I'm a home team kinda guy. In the 70's, when I was a kid. LOL I used to like the Steelers and the Dolphins. Once we had a home team, I was a home team guy. I'll admit I have always liked the Colts though, and Johnny U! ......young grasshopper. LOL I just don't want to project that I have some high football knowledge, but I do think I kinda have an idea of what I am talking about. LOL

Nothing wrong with spreading the Knowledge. You might teach me or someone else something

[BrentMc11]

Nothing wrong with spreading the Knowledge. You might teach me or someone else something

The young 'horned frog.....' is trying to ' HA HA!

[TKnight24]

The young 'horned frog.....' is trying to ' HA HA!

:lol: I'm just speaking the Truth

[BOTT]

What is this fear about Urlacher? Since when have we become chickens worrying about one linebacker and associating it with our chances of winning the game? There's all kinds of ways to scheme around that guy, and we've played Chicago more than once and Urlacher never stood out very much in my opinion. Come on people let's get some swag and chutzpah!

Giving these boys too much respect...

urlacher was a monster before genius lovie fired ron rivera and then put BU in the gary brackett position

[TKnight24]

Let the Smurfs Run Wild!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Gavin]

Whether or not Urlacher plays doesn't affect our win loss chances, great linebacker but easily can be avoided

[funktacious2]

Something tells me Urlacher being in or out has only a minor impact on the outcome of this game. Most of the game will be decided in the trenches and on QB play.

[chrisfarley]

Urlacher will play. he said he wants to destroy the Colts and their QB.

[Jackie Daytona]

Urlacher will play. he said he wants to destroy the Colts and their QB.

All that Toradol must be getting to him...... lol