NFL Weekend Preview: Who Needs A Win - Brendan Darr's Blog

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NFL Weekend Preview: Who Needs A Win Stuck

Posted on December 16, 2012 at 12:40 PM.

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Matt � Chicago Bears

It�s crisis time in Chicago.

Having lost four of their last five, the Bears are fighting for the NFC North this week against the Green Bay Packers. The game, to Bears fans, is a foregone loss and many are riled sharpening their knives for Lovie Smith�s head.

For the second consecutive season, the Bears have collapsed at the wrong time. Last season after being 7-3, quarterback Jay Cutler and soon after runningback Matt Forte were lost for the year. Their injuries resulted in a six game losing streak to end the season.

Heading into a game against Green Bay, the Bears are again banged up. Their defensive leader Brian Urlacher is hurt, while starting Cornerback Tim Jennings is out as well. The Bears also lost longtime kicker Robbie Gould for the year as well as special team talents Craig Steltz and Sherrick McCanis.

If the Bears lose to Green Bay, it�s still possible for them to make the playoffs. After all, they have winnable games next against Arizona and Detroit.

However, the Bears had �winnable� games against a terrible road team (Seattle) and a divisional opponent they already beat (Minnesota). A loss to Green Bay would just be further evidence of the Bears� collapse.

It�s a must win for Chicago this week and everyone knows it.

Brendan - Pittsburgh Steelers

In what I feel is getting a repetitive statement from myself, the Steelers need to rack up a few wins here to get themselves into the playoffs, but with the AFC on such a down year, they look like they could sneak in at 9-7.

With the Bengals win on Thursday night, the Steelers now are actually in some jeopardy of missing the playoffs if the Bengals can keep putting together a consistent effort. The Colts have a difficult matchup on Sunday against the Texans, leaving them just slightly vulnerable. That said, the Steelers need to win out to make sure they guarantee themselves a spot.

On tap for the Steelers are the Cowboys, who are coming off a come-from-behind victory over the previously mentioned Bengals. You really don't know what to expect from the Cowboys, and despite being a favorite, the Steelers will be in for a tough game. Big Ben probably isn't 100%, but still gives the Steelers the best chance to win, and he'll need a big day against the Cowboys secondary.

For both of these teams it's do or die, and the Cowboys still have the death of a teammate fresh in their mind. The Steelers will be in for a serious fight today, and one of these teams will likely be eliminated from the playoffs with a loss.

Comments

# 1 BreaksoftheGame @ Dec 16

Lovie Smith is a defensive coach and there has been no decline in the defensive production. The issue is the offense and offensive line.

# 2 alemic @ Dec 16

Though most of you probably won't agree, as a Falcons fan they really need a win this week. If only for a morale boost after last weeks beat down the Panthers gave them a loss to the Giants pretty much assures another early exit for the Falcons.

# 3 Brendan Darr @ Dec 16

Ha, unfortunately we saw what happened to the Packers last year when they let up down the stretch, so as a Falcons fan I can see why you are concerned. But at least you know you're already in the playoffs, and anything -- in theory -- could happen when you're there. Neither of these teams have that sort of reassurance yet.