SNF Live-Blog: Eagles @ Bears, 1st Half
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Brian Urlacher caught you a delicious bass. (The site I found the pic at describes it as a "King", but of course, I'm gonna use a movie line.)
I have the Eagles winning a low scoring game. There is nothing less exciting than having to watch the Bears offense work. At least when Rex Grossman was under center, you had something to watch for (in the inevitable dumb pick or two per game.)
The Eagles will start at the 20, and Brian Westbrook isn't in today with that bum ankle. McNabb's first is incomplete to the back-up TE (the one who isn't L.J. Smith.) 2nd down means not much, and Danyel Manning sacks Donny Mac on third down. Sav Rocca punts it, bouncing away from Devin Hester at the Chicago 41.
Orton hits Rashied Davis inside the Philly 30, Matt Forte gets seven more on the next play to get within the 20....and Orton rifles it to Greg Olsen for the TOUCHDOWN!
That was Sex Cannon-esque right there.....although they are gonna challenge it....what??? No flag?? I guess so. 7-0, Bears.
WTF?? Where did that offense come from? Is Neckbeard drunk or something? - Rob in WI
Plasma power, son. Plasma power.
Philly brings the ball back to their 28 on the kickoff. After a false start, Correll Buckhalter gets a few yards on first and 15. McNabb fires a bullet to DeSean Jackson. That thing looks like it makes hands hurt. 1st down after a gain of 23. Buckhalter brings out a screen pass past midfield to the Bears' 48. Reggie Brown gets five more after the catch for another 1st.
Sneaky, sneaky, end-around for DeSean Jackson, who sweeps around to the Bears 18. McNabb goes for it over the middle to the TE Schobel (?), who gets walloped by Mike Brown while trying to make the catch. Not much for Buckhalter on 2nd and 10. Donny Mac airs it to Jackson right in the back of the end zone, TOUCHDOWN. Kick by Akers is up and good, 7-7 tie.
Did I say something about this being a defensive game? Not right now, anyway. And that's very sneaky (or cliche) of you, NBC: using Steve Miller's "Fly Like An Eagle."
I'll say this much - love or hate the bears - you gotta admit their defense brings the lumber in the first quarters. Wow those boys can hit.
of course, they don't do much about protecting the endzone, but at least they hit.... - Gibbon Jockey
Sheldon Brown would like to speak up for the Eagles also delivering blistering hits. Twice.
Matt Forte starts with a short rush, and 2nd down will now move back 5 yards. Forte gets 13 of those back and then picks up the first down on the 3rd down carry. The ball's now out at about midfield. A short pass to Hester gets across midfield. Orton misses Forte on the sideline, and here comes the first punt of the game from Brad Maynard. DeSean Jackson is back to receive.
He fair catches at the 20. Jon Runyon gets flagged for the first time in 24 games, which Al and John apologize for jinxing (they mentioned it when they talked to Andy Reid last night.) McNabb hits Jackson for another first down; the next pass is incomplete to Buckhalter. Not much for Buckhalter on the rush, it's 3rd and 10 from the Philly 30. Alex Brown and Israel Idonije get the sack. Rocca punts all the way to the Bears 30; Hester fair catches, but there's a flag.
This looks like the 15-yard variety of roughing the kicker on Charles Tillman -- but there's an illegal formation on Philly, so they offset and they kick again. Hester brings the second punt out to the Bears' 45.
AA, what are the odds of NBC throwing in "Waltzing Matilda" as bumper music after a punt by the Eagles' Aussie punter? I hope they're not THAT cynical. - Jim Williams
We'll be on the lookout for that.
How does a personal foul and illegal formation offset? I thought the PF trumped the other penalty? - Rob in WI
A flag on each team on a play negates the other automatically, regardless of severity.
Forte starts with a rush and the Bears will get 15 extra yards thanks to a face mask. Orton skies one a bit too high for Hester (well, it looks like it went right through his hands.)
That prompts John to say, "Maybe there's a reason he was a corner." 3rd and 11 brings the first Eagles sack of Orton tonight, and Brad Maynard will be punting again. Jackson goes out of bounds at the Philly 12.
"There's Donovan's mom, she came to the hotel last night and made dinner for the whole team." - Al
"I must say, I had some of that meal." - John
(a bit later)
"She didn't make any soup, though, huh?" - Al
Three and out for the Eagles, here comes Rocca. Good coverage by the Eagles keeps Hester from advancing past his own 45. Forte gets two yards; Orton then gets sacked by Chris Gocong. By the way, Al and John, I know Gocong said "Cal Poly San Luis Obispo," but the university freaking hates that.
I heartily encourage all of you in the comments who are bitching about them talking about Mama McNabb and her cooking for way too damn long. There is a football game going on, gentlemen. While the greens and sweet potatoes looked good, there is a game on.
Like say, DeSean Jackson muffing a punt, and the Bears getting it back. (D'OH!) Bears start again at the 24, Forte grabs two yards. Orton just went all PLASMA POWER to Marty Booker, and that's a 23-yard SCORE!!!!
Kick is up and good, 14-7, Bears.
And, the Jekyll and Hyde complex that is Desean Jackson has returned.
Sincerely,
Frustrated Eagles Fan - Jim Williams
Brian Dawkins visited the Roy Williams School of Safety Coverage this week. - Rob in WI
+1.
Demps brings it out to the 33, McNabb incomplete to Reggie Brown. He then goes right back to Brown for a 16 yard gain and 1st down at midfield. Donny Mac must be a fan of UPS -- because Brown can get him another 31 yards on the next play. Touch floater to Buckhalter gets 19 yards, and Philly has a 1st and goal. Buckhalter then busts his way into in for the TOUCHDOWN. Kick up, kick good, 14-all.
American Hi-Fi's "Flavor of the Weak" for a bump -- the frontman used to drum for Veruca Salt, which was based in Chicago, but...not enough of a connection.
Hester brings the kick out to the 20. Orton rolls out and throws it away. He then hits Brandon Lloyd for a 1st down across the 30. Kevin Jones takes the next two carries and gets first down yardage.
3rd and 12 at the 50 -- and Orton gets picked off by Darren Howard, because he was under pressure and held the ball too long. McNabb threw to Brown for 4, but the third down rush by Buckhalter isn't close. Here comes Akers for an FG try...50 yards....up and wide right.
"Juqua Thomas changed his name to Juqua Parker. Tra Thomas changed his name to William Thomas and now back to Tra Thomas. It's a good thing Chad Johnson doesn't play on this team." - Al
Unlike the Bengals, the Eagles actually recognize it when players legally change their names. - JFein
I don't think that was so much the Bengals so much as it was the NFL insisting that Chad Johnson buy all the jerseys Reebok made with his now former last name. Let's just say that I don't think Juqua Parker's name moves a lot of merch.
Forte gets stuffed at the Chicago 40, goes on a screen for five tough yards, and then Orton goes all long bomb to Brandon Lloyd again, deep into Eagles territory -- and then Lloyd tweaks something.
DIE, FRANK CALIENDO, DIE.
Short passes to Jason McKie and Devin Hester follow. Matt Forte's screen pass looks short of the first down, honestly, but here come the sticks -- and that was enough for the first. The next two plays gain a yard total -- and Orton hits Devin Hester down the line, who keeps his feet in bounds for the TOUCHDOWN!!!
Kick up and good, 21-14, Bears.
Jim Williams alerts us to Al's use of "Rappin' Roberto Costas" when describing the upcoming halftime show. I proceed to gag. McNabb hits Jason Avant at the 28 yard line. Reggie Brown drops the 2nd and 5 pass. The 3rd down pass comes up short, and Devin Hester will get another shot at the football before the half. Short kick, ball winds up at the Chicago 37. He hits Forte for a few yards, and spikes it. 3rd down pass is incomplete....wait, they're calling that a fumble? At lesat they're reviewing it, but sheesh.
Of course, it's ruled an incomplete, Maynard punts, and it's downed at the 4 yard line of Philly with one second left. McNabb kneels, and we've got 21-14, Chicago at halftime.
See you in the second half post.
76 Comments:
You know... I fucking hate Bears fans. But I fucking hate all the Eagles fans I know.
I'm torn.
So, how many Fantasy Teams has Westbrook f'd over this week? A bit early in the season for him, isn't it?
As long the Bears win, I'm fine with that, because it helps my Skins. But that depends on the Bears displaying something resembling an NFL offense.
WTF?? Where did that offense come from? Is Neckbeard drunk or something?
7-0 Bears already.
hm.
Hmmm... Orton's plasma beam appears especially dangerous tonite.
It's 64 degrees in ChiTown, and the refs are wearing their black pants?
That sucks.
Rob, Westbrook being out didn't fuck me over. I anticipated that. It's Philip Rivers whom I'd like to metaphysically curb-stomp for fantasy results today.
Clearly olsen's feet were both down.
What are M&M on about?
S2N
Amen on the Rivers curb stomp.
So, according to Al and John, there was no conclusive replay that they saw that would have overturned it, but they're surprised that Andy Reid didn't challenge it, knowing it probably wouldn't have gotten overturned? Huh?
To be fair, I'm surprised that Andy Reid didn't challenge it, only because it would have been the easiest way to waste a timeout.
I'll say this much - love or hate the bears - you gotta admit their defense brings the lumber in the first quarters. Wow those boys can hit.
of course, they don't do much about protecting the endzone, but at least they hit....
you know, seeing the Syphlittic LB getting beaten for a TD makes me smile. I approve.
@rob
as does the random popping gunfire from suicidal packers fans learning their gunslingah threw 6 td in a winning effort for a team not named packers. Rodgers injured shoulder is just icing on that cake.
It's good to see Neckbeard overthrowing/missing badly. The world is returning to normal.
I really can't stand the stupid Commish and his More Taste League. How many times are we going to hear that "It's funny faux pas, not funny ha-ha". Stupid. Absolutely stupid.
Anyone else starting to feel like Madden is cheating on Favre with his constant gloating of Desean Jackson?
Anyway, I guess I'm one of those to be villified in the commenting sections, for I am indeed an Eagles fan.
@gibbon
Suicidal? Probably not, the random gunfire is probably for some wildlife runnign across the lawns.
I'm a pro-Rodgers guy, so I'll take whatever medicine I'll need to this season.
AA, what are the odds of NBC throwing in "Waltzing Matilda" as bumper music after a punt by the Eagles' Aussie punter? I hope they're not THAT cynical.
How does a personal foul and illegal formation offset? I thought the PF trumped the other penalty?
@jfein
and this pizza hut pasta commercial is awful too. Notice how all the white people act embarrassed like they got punked and the token black guy is LOVIN it.
racists
rob 8:53
Does that medicine include the upcoming Flynn or Brohm starts ?
gibbon
The best part of the pizza hut commercials is it was done to a bunch NYCers.
@JG
Flynn/Brohm or Head Butt Gus? Or Kerry AA Collins?
Seriously, I had arguments at work about keeping both the rookies because they might have some kind of talent versus bringing in a veteran who I KNOW will suck simply because he's a veteran. And that was with knowing Rodgers probably wouldn't start all 16 games this year.
Of course, Favarro retired, so it was all a ridiculous argument anyway :)
That was some nice shadowboxing from the umpire on that roughing the punter call.
@S2N
There is a case of a 15 yard penalty trumping another penalty, but it MIGHT be in college. Having watched some 14 hours of college games yesterday, I might have gotten brain slag.
Pefect pro football mom?
because she brought everyone orange slices yesterday?
Fuck it, can I root for a bomb to go off at Soldier field?
I wish the syphillitic lb would break Donovan McNabb' s moms cooking arm. Pretty sick of hearing about her.
And Madden creamed himself over the B-roll footage of the Eagles dining experience. Seriously, how has he NOT had a heart attack?
Madden scarfing free food, file in the category of not shocking news
And.... cue the Desean video from the Dallas game in 3...2...1...
Diving facefirst on the muff.
that phrase never gets old.
Deshean Jackson is kind of a moron, isn't he?
Also, Madden has an interesting theory of what "perfectly" is.
And, the Jekyll and Hyde complex that is Desean Jackson has returned.
Sincerely,
Frustrated Eagles Fan
FYI Urlacher is holding a king mackerel in that picture. I guess whoever captioned the original pick just abbreviated it as "king." (Personally, I associate "king" with king/chinook salmon, but there aren't any mackerel in the Great Lakes....)
Brian Dawkins visited the Roy Williams School of Safety Coverage this week.
@jay
I just assumed that was what he found when he went spelunking inside paris hilton.
"Like I said in the beginning of the year, nobody knows squat." - Al Michaels
Heed you own words, Albeeno.
is Orton possessed by the spirit of Jim McMahon tonight ?
Great little dink and dunk by McNabb to Buckhalter. Talk about a guy who's a weapon, Buckhalter can be huge for the Birds...provided he STAYS HEALTHY!
Is it wrong to be so giddy watching the Syphlitic LB miss so many tackles?
Westbrook will be healing rather quickly after those runs by Buckhalter
"Donny Mac must be a fan of UPS -- because Brown can get him another 31 yards on the next play." - AA
Well, it looks like our moderator went to the Chris Berman School of Broadcasting...or he's down with the Brown.
@rob
considering that even the Bears fans I've ever talked to think he's a grade A douche, no it isn't wrong.
Hey, S2N has an exciting game to blog! REJOICE!
Any insights yet on to who Albeeno bet on in this game?
what's the secret code on Madden to get a RB to barrel roll like that. Good for a few more yards.
Brandon Lloyd has not lived up to his potential" - AM
As a Skins fan, I can bear witness to that.
Did AM just put in a plug for the Chicago olympics? The fun just never ends...
And here comes Ganggreen!
There's the Neckbeard we all know and love so dearly.
Jim, I'm a sucker for cheap jokes. The UPS joke was easy.
"Juqua Thomas changed his name to Juqua Parker. Tra Thomas changed his name to William Thomas and now back to Tra Thomas. It's a good thing Chad Johnson doesn't play on this team".
Unlike the Bengals, the Eagles actually recognize it when players legally change their names.
Al has come a long way from "Do you believe in miracles ?" but not in a good way
*shakes head at McNabb* Don't signal unless you KNOW you have it.
Electric Light Orchestra for a football game.
Who is picking these songs for NBC?
Every damn season I'm amazed at how gutless Andy Reid is. 4th & 1 and I'm shocked he sends Akers out there. It's obvious I'm the bigger idiot for thinking Reid do the right thing for once.
There has always been some sort of smugness (maybe that's not the word to define it) about Al Michaels that I don't like.
How many times does he make political references when he states he is a republican, or just take any shot at an NFL player?
"From this position in, Orton can make all the throws." - JM
If Orton is so good on a short field, let him go to the Arena League.
Rappin' Roberto Costas? Seriously, Al? Someone put some mind altering chemical in Albeeno's hair dye and fast!
Place your bets on the Super Bowl Halftime Entertainment -
9/5 - Bruce Springsteen
2-1 Dave Matthews Band
3-1 - The Police
4-1 - LL Cool J
10-1 - Led Zeppelin
gibbon, I'm going off the board and going with Hootie and the Blowfish.
Gibbon
If its Springsteen or Zeppelin, Im OK with it. Any of the others and I'm switching to Lifetime at the half.
But the Rappin Roberto might be a clue
TUCK RULE TIME!
Where's the Super Bowl this year?
F-it, if it's not Springsteen, it'd be a huge surprise.
And, Al didn't get the cue to stand up when the camera's on him. Oh wait, he got the cue, but he doesn't give a damn, because he's better than the folks in the truck.
He kinda looked like Tiny Tim from A Christmas Carol there.
ss 9:55
good call
Rob - Tampa.
you know what I gag at AA? Effing Keith Olbermann. WTF is wrong with NBC? It doesn't matter whether or not you agree with him; the fact is that half the country does not like him.
Why on earth would they make half the audience tune out of their pre-game, halftime, and post-game shows?
Effing idiots they are.
"Garrard not throwing it with his arms, but with his legs" - Dan Patrick.
Man, Garrard is talented.
The Line of Scrimmage needs to be sacked. Heartwarming stories or not, sack it.
@ not a fan of olby: The fact that half the country does not like him means that the other half must like him (myself included in that latter half). I'm sure that NBC will happy to know that even people who don't like Olbermann recognize that half the country likes him...
Alright, the Boss! No complaints from this New Jerseyan.
Now, to find those pictured from the seocnd annual Phillies / Jade McCarthy bukkake-fest from yesterday's division title celebration...
jfein....your point is valid, and they certainly have the right to have him on. But is he their because of his sports expertise, or because they want to cross-promote their last place news organization? Really, I want you to tell me the truth.
I'm from NJ but never was a big Boss fan. It's better than [insert current untalented hot pop singer here], but it is kinda lame that the NFL is deathly afraid of another controversial halftime show. Bruce looks good for his age, but he's like 134 years old.
Oh, and re: Olbermann: Actually, I think a lot less than half the country likes him. Personally, I mostly agree with him on politics but he's a smarmy sonofabitch. Same with his MSNBC cohort Chris Matthews. Pundits suck!
@ Not a fan of olby: I would say it's a combination of both. Cross-promotion and because of his time on SportsCenter.
not a fan of olby - wait 'till he gets the hate e-mail - today's WORST... PERSON... IN THE WORLD!
Consider that a FU from me to you.
8:56: The play involved a change of possession, thus the 2 penalties were offsetting.
9:47: Bob Raissman of the NY Daily News came up with "Rappin' Roberto". Must have heard Costas/Trumpy in their NBC heyday (1981-83). BTW Costas/Trumpy trumps Michaels/Madden any day.
Boceefus needs to kick Tug Jr. in the marbles and have his way with Faith as retribution for trying to usurp his national football music intro dominance.