NFC Wild Card Matchup, #4 Bears host #5 Rams

[Morgan's Magic Snowplow]

Have at it.  If the two teams matching up could repost their PFF stats and their thoughts on the matchup to kick things off, that would be dandy.  I'm putting the poll up now (only 20 choices are possible, which is why it only goes up to +9) but people may want to wait to vote until a little discussion has occurred.  I'm making the voting public so that if something crazy happens we can see why.  Winner to be determined via powerball (see playoff proposal post).

 

[ragnarok725]

I think we probably need to add some additional element to the number generation here, given that we're dealing with Tony Romo in the playoffs. I fully expect a tight game with a Romo collapse at an inopportune moment, giving the Rams a victory and a ticket to being crushed by the Falcons.

 

[SMU_Sox]

Tony Romo curb stomped the Eagles in the playoffs. While he has a few losses under his belt do you really want to make that argument? I think you should seriously reconsider given SSS issues. That and statistically Romo is actually more clutch than well... a lot of QBs. But this isn't a referendum on Romo. Bears should give at least 3 here given that it is a home game and they have a very well rounded team. Frankly I would have seeded them 3rd and not 4th. Bears -3.

 

[ragnarok725]

Tony Romo curb stomped the Eagles in the playoffs. While he has a few losses under his belt do you really want to make that argument? I think you should seriously reconsider given SSS issues. That and statistically Romo is actually more clutch than well... a lot of QBs. But this isn't a referendum on Romo. Bears should give at least 3 here given that it is a home game and they have a very well rounded team. Frankly I would have seeded them 3rd and not 4th. Bears -3.

 
You're absolutely right. I've long defended Tony Romo and picked him in many a fantasy football league. But hey, my team is playing him in Real Fantasy. I got to take my cheap shots given the rep.

 

[SMU_Sox]

 
You're absolutely right. I've long defended Tony Romo and picked him in many a fantasy football league. But hey, my team is playing him in Real Fantasy. I got to take my cheap shots given the rep.

 
Cheap shot away my friend! Had I actually remembered you had the Rams (whom I voted for btw) I would have not been such a pompous ass about it.

 

[Dollar]

Matchup screenshot:
 

Spoiler

 

[Super Nomario]

Matchup thoughts:
When the Rams have the ball:
The biggest mismatch I see is the Bears' small corners (none taller than 5'10") trying to cover the Rams' big receivers (all at least 6'2"). The Bears' front can put some pressure on a suspect Rams' O-Line, but I think Cam can buy a little time and his receivers are not going to need much of a window to get open. I don't see the Rams running the ball well, particularly when Knighton is.
 
When the Bears have the ball:
The Rams have OK corners but their safeties are weak, which is a problem when you're going against a combo like Green and Jackson. Underneath coverage is also going to be an issue, with Sproles, Olsen, and Clay matched up against just so-so coverage linebackers. Bennett / Kruger / McCoy can get some pressure, but the Bears' OL is decent. I think the Bears would score points here, except ...
 
GUYS, TONY ROMO ENDED THE SEASON ON INJURED RESERVE. HE AIN'T PLAYING IN THIS PLAYOFF CONTEST.
 
This might be a pick-'em with a healthy Romo, but with a replacement-level QB I see the Rams running roughshod over the Bears. Rams by 9.

 

[SMU_Sox]

Holy shit. I just realized this. Yeah... Revote? I voted Bears -3. I am changing my vote to Bears +6. 
 
SN, once again you prove clutch. I wish I hadn't forgotten that.

 

[Eck'sSneakyCheese]

Wow. Totally forgot about that over here too. I voted Bears -4. Switch to Bears +4

 

[Morgan's Magic Snowplow]

I missed that too.  I voted Bears +1 but should switch that to Bears +6.

 

[Morgan's Magic Snowplow]

I will keep the polls open until 2:00 EST today.  But here are the tentative powerball numbers.  13 votes cast, throwing out the highest and lowest votes leaves us an average of Bears +5.  I think this one was affected by the Romo situation but not much we can do.
 
Bears win on balls 1-20, Rams win on balls 21-59.  Remember, the first white ball drawn (first regular number) is the relevant one.
 
Note: A lot of powerball results sites will not list the winning numbers in the order drawn, but in ascending order.  Here is one that lists them correctly in the order drawn.
 
Edit: Line moves up to Bears+3
 
Edit again: Line now up to Bears+5
 
Final edit: Voting now closed.

 

[Phragle]

I missed that too.  I voted Bears +1 but should switch that to Bears +6.

 
And me. I voted for zero but should have voted for +7 or higher..

 

[Morgan's Magic Snowplow]

 
And me. I voted for zero but should have voted for +7 or higher..

 
What do you want to change your vote to?

 

[Phragle]

 
What do you want to change your vote to?

 
Call it 8
 
I'm glad we're at least trying to fix this.

 

[Morgan's Magic Snowplow]

 
Call it 8

 
Sounds good.  Doesn't actually change the average (was about .67, now about 1.4 and I'm rounding) but if somebody else votes it probably will.

 

[Phragle]

I sent PMs to everyone that voted the Bears favorites. 

 

[DaughtersofDougMirabelli]

Yeah I f'd up, I'll change my vote too. Not sure how to handle this when they have no backup QB.
 
I guess they'd have some backup who's probably never played a game in their life.
 
Change mine to +8.

 

[Dollar]

I voted Bears -2.  Please change to Bears +5. 

 

[Morgan's Magic Snowplow]

Yeah I f'd up, I'll change my vote too. Not sure how to handle this when they have no backup QB.
 
I guess they'd have some backup who's probably never played a game in their life.
 
Change mine to +8.

 

I voted Bears -2.  Please change to Bears +5. 

 
Done.  Line is now currently Bears+3

 

[Mystic Merlin]

Bears +7.

 

[soxfan121]

I missed that too.  I voted Bears +1 but should switch that to Bears +6.

 
Ditto. But me screwing up a vote is a daily thing.

 

[Morgan's Magic Snowplow]

Bears +7.

 

 
Ditto. But me screwing up a vote is a daily thing.

 
Noted.  Line is now at Bears+5.

 

[RhaegarTharen]

Ditto. Please change me to Bears +6

 

[Morgan's Magic Snowplow]

First white ball is 49. Ragnarok's greatest show on turf marches onward.