Panthers have early lead with Steve Smith touchdown 7-0. 12 minutes left in first. Panthers have ball at the Chicago 36.
Home-field advantage is looking to be non-existant this year... even Seattle struggled to win yesterday.
That was a huge three and out and an even bigger touchback on the punt. It turned what looked like sure points for the Panthers into absolutely nothing. I still like Chicago to win this game, but they don't need to get into a big early deficit... that's not their style at all.
I would love to see a Carolina Pittsburgh Super Bowl. Two grind it out teams with great defenses. And now Chicago gets a break.
Here's what I'm thinking. The Bears offense is absolutely craptacular compared to the Giants. And the Giants got shut out on their own home turf last week by the Panthers, whose offense, by the way, does *not* suck. I just don't see how Chicago has a chance of winning this. I've seen their offense come out a few times in this game and Grossman looks like a deer in headlights out there.
Chicago's defense is worlds better than that of the Giants, who were on third and fourth-strong linebackers. Also, while Grossman hasn't made a big play yet, he also hasn't made the big mistakes to give Carolina free points that Manning did. I think, or thought before that big play just now from Steve Smith, that Chicago at home with their defense could get it done. That said, what an incredible effort play by Steve Smith.
The Bears are such a pathetic, sh!tty playoff team. I want to see them play the Broncos so bad in the Super Bowl but it is too bad that they can't even reach the NFC Championship Game, LOL.
And that last series basically tells you exactly why the Bears are going to lose. In spite of an outstanding play by Urlacher, they were lucky to survive those 3 downs without a turnover. As good as Chicago's defense may be, the Panthers' defense may actually be better.
Steve Smith was 1st in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns, 3rd in yards per game. Shaun Alexander had a great year, but look at some of the teams he played... Arizona twice, SF twice, Houston, St. Louis twice, dallas at home, giants at home, their two losses (yes i know they lost to GB in week 17 but im not counting it) came to respectable teams in Washington and Jacksonville. None of those teams are regarded as "defensive juggernauts"
one thing to learn from the first game, it ain't over till its over. the short speedy wide receiver looked to be extinct until smith and santana moss this year.
