Bears Will Hand Titans Their First Defeat

Yes, we'll just get this outta the way immediately, before all the polite commenters tell me what I already know: I'm a Bears homer.

Here's what else I know:

1. The Titans aren't really playing for much. Does it benefit them to head into Weeks 15, 16, and 17 undefeated -- look at their schedule after this game -- and have to decide whether or not to try and go undefeated or rest the starters to avoid injury? The Patriots went for broke last year. While they didn't get anyone hurt, they showed their hand to the Giants in Week 17, aggressively going for the win. Maybe the Super Bowl would have turned out differently for the Pats had they lost a game earlier in the season and just rested starters in Week 17.
Someone won every regular season game last year, so it's not like they are shattering some long-standing record. The prize for the Titans is a Super Bowl championship. Jeff Fisher knows this. I'm not saying they won't play to win. I'm just saying the Bears have a lot more riding on this game. The AFC South is already virtually locked up for Tennessee, and they're playing on the road.

Bears Will Hand Titans Their First Defeat originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sat, 08 Nov 2008 17:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.