10/10/2008 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Both the Chicago Bears and Atlanta Falcons entered this NFL season seeking redemption, and each team appears well on its way to achieving that goal so far. The two upstarts will attempt to build on their encouraging starts when they square off this Sunday at the Georgia Dome.
The 3-2 Bears presently find themselves sitting atop an NFC North division that was expected to be dominated by Green Bay and Minnesota, and enter this matchup riding a two-game winning streak. The club's surprising ascension has been made possible due to a defense that has regained the ferocious form that carried Chicago into the Super Bowl just two years ago, as well as quarterback Kyle Orton's emergence as a viable downfield threat.
Both elements were on display in the Bears' 34-7 pasting of Detroit last Sunday. Chicago limited the hapless Lions to 185 total yards of offense, while Orton threw for a career-high 334 yards and two touchdowns to help spur the rout.
Atlanta's rise to respectability has been even more startling, considering the franchise won just four times in 2007 and was breaking in a rookie quarterback (Matt Ryan) and head coach (Mike Smith). The Falcons have won three games already under the new regime, and the team furthered its progress with last week's breakthrough road win in Green Bay.
The youthful Falcons, who were outscored by a 48-18 margin during their first two away tests of 2008, showed notable resolve during their 27-24 decision over the defending NFC North champion Packers. Green Bay rallied from a 10- point halftime deficit to tie the contest at 17-17 early in the fourth quarter, but Atlanta responded with a pair of late scoring drives to move ahead to stay.
Last week's triumph was also aided by another outstanding performance from running back Michael Turner, the NFL's current leader in rushing yards. The offseason free-agent pickup amassed 126 yards and a touchdown on 26 carries against the Packers, and has eclipsed the century mark in all three of the Falcons' wins this season.
Atlanta's offense has churned out an average of 180.6 rushing yards per game, which trails only the unbeaten New York Giants for tops in the league, but figures to face a stern challenge from a Chicago stop unit that has yielded the fourth-fewest yards on the ground through the season's first five weeks.
SERIES HISTORY
Chicago has a 12-10 lead in its all-time series with Atlanta, including a 16-3 home victory when the clubs last met, in Week 15 of the 2005 season. The Bears have also won each of their two most recent trips to the Georgia Dome, in 2001 and 2002. The Falcons are 0-3 against the Bears since scoring a 20-13 home triumph in 1998.
The Bears' Lovie Smith is 1-0 against the Falcons as a head coach, while Atlanta's Smith will be meeting both the other Smith and Chicago for the first time as a head man.
WHEN THE BEARS HAVE THE BALL
Even though Orton (1100 passing yards, 7 TD, 4 INT) has stepped up his play as of late, Chicago's offensive game plan is still to control the clock with a persistent rushing attack featuring impressive rookie Matt Forte (383 rushing yards, 2 TD). The Bears are averaging a solid 126.9 yards per game on the ground (9th overall) and rank third in the league in time of possession, with Forte on pace for a 340-carry season. The second-round draft choice has cooled off some after a hot start to his pro career, having averaged a mere 2.8 yards per attempt over the last three games and managing just 36 yards on 15 rushes against Detroit last week. He's still been a big part of the team's short- range passing game, however, as the Tulane product leads Chicago with 22 receptions and has hauled in two of Orton's seven scoring strikes.
With Forte being held in check the last two weeks, the Bears have relied more on Orton, and the fourth-year signal-caller has delivered. He threw three first-half touchdown passes in the club's key Week 4 victory over Philadelphia, then followed up with a career day versus the Lions last Sunday despite not having top wideout Brandon Lloyd (15 receptions, 1 TD) at his disposal. Slot receiver Rashied Davis (15 receptions) and return specialist Devin Hester (10 receptions, 2 TD) came through with strong games in Lloyd's absence, with the former posting career highs of six catches and 97 yards and the latter contributing 66 yards and a score on five grabs. Tight end Greg Olsen (13 receptions, 1 TD) added a personal-best 87 yards on three receptions, and is averaging nearly 14 yards per catch this season. Lloyd, who's dealing with a sprained PCL in his left knee, is considered iffy to return this week.
The Falcons have hardly been a stone wall on defense early on, with the team ranking 23rd overall in total yards allowed (347.4 ypg), 22nd against the pass (221.6 ypg) and 21st in rushing defense (125.8 ypg) at the moment. The unquestioned standout of the unit has been end John Abraham (15 tackles, 2 forced fumbles), who has racked up a league-best seven sacks even with opposing offenses focused on containing him. Linebacker Michael Boley (21 tackles, 3 TD) has been an impact player as well, and the strongside starter came up with one of the biggest plays of last week's win when he intercepted Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers to set up a fourth-quarter touchdown. The young cornerback combo of Brent Grimes (26 tackles, 1 INT, 4 PD) and Chris Houston (10 tackles, 1 INT, 4 PD) has shown flashes of brilliance at times, but has experienced its share of growing pains as well.
Look for Chicago to run Forte heavily at an Atlanta defense that is surrendering a mediocre 4.6 yards per rush this season. Veteran weakside linebacker Keith Brooking (30 tackles) and rookie middle man Curtis Lofton (31 tackles) will be counted on to keep the ground game under control, and expect the Falcons to employ hard-hitting strong safety Lawyer Milloy (37 tackles, 1 INT, 3 PD) near the line of scrimmage to offer further support against the run.
WHEN THE FALCONS HAVE THE BALL
The unquestioned centerpiece of the Atlanta offense is Turner (543 rushing yards, 6 TD, 3 receptions), and it's no coincidence that the Falcons have won every time the ex-San Diego Charger has had a big day. The 244-pound bruiser is the physical part of a highly-effective backfield tandem, with Jerious Norwood (249 rushing yards, 1 TD) the home-run hitter of the duo. The third- year speedster has averaged a tremendous 6.2 yards per rush over his career and also ranks second on this year's team with 11 receptions in a third-down role. The Falcons have put up 318 and 186 rushing yards in their two previous home games of 2008, although those totals came against two of the NFL's dregs in Detroit and Kansas City.
The Bears certainly have the personnel to prevent Turner from running wild, as the defense has yet to allow a 100-yard rusher this year and is giving up a scant 74.2 yards per game on the ground. As usual, Chicago's stout play against the run has been spearheaded by linebackers Brian Urlacher (29 tackles) and Lance Briggs (32 tackles, 1 sack, 1 INT), who have nine Pro Bowl trips between them, while the return of nose tackle Dusty Dvoracek (10 tackles) from a knee injury that caused him to miss all but one game last season has certainly helped as well. The defense has excelled despite getting little contribution from three-time Pro Bowl tackle Tommie Harris (3 tackles), who has sat out the last two weeks with a sore knee and a team-issued suspension. He's expected to be back for Sunday's tilt but will likely rotate with capable reserve Israel Idonije (8 tackles, 2 sacks).
Chicago comes in ranked just 23rd in passing yards allowed (223.4 ypg), although that's a rather misleading statistic. Opponents have attempted more passes against the Bears than any other team, and the defense has surrendered just four touchdowns through the air while garnering six interceptions. Chicago limited the Lions to just 131 net passing yards last week despite playing without cornerback Nathan Vasher (13 tackles, 6 PD), who's slated to return opposite playmaker Charles Tillman (29 tackles, 2 INT, 9 PD) on Sunday after missing one game while recovering from minor wrist surgery. Tillman is coming off a banner day against Detroit in which he broke up four passes and returned an interception for a touchdown. Alex Brown (13 tackles, 3 sacks) added two sacks last week and will be called upon to apply heat to Ryan, as will fellow end Adewale Ogunleye (16 tackles, 1 sack).
Atlanta doesn't like to air it out a whole lot, as evidenced by the team's No. 25 ranking in passing offense (164.2 ypg), but Ryan (863 passing yards, 4 TD, 3 INT) and dangerous wide receiver Roddy White (26 receptions, 454 receiving yards, 2 TD) have begun to develop a strong rapport that's been detrimental to enemy secondaries. The pair has combined for 341 yards on 20 connections over the last three weeks, and White is fresh off an eight-catch, 132-yard outing in last week's win. Secondary receiver Michael Jenkins (9 receptions, 1 TD) is more valued for his blocking skills, but his 6-foot-4 frame provides an inviting possession target for Ryan, particularly within the red zone.
FANTASY FOCUS
Both Turner and Forte have developed into bona fide No. 1 fantasy running backs and clear-cut, every-week starters, and Turner owners should only be mildly concerned about his tough matchup this week. Forte appears to be set up for a big day against a soft Atlanta run defense, and the rookie has even been getting looks as a receiver in the red zone lately. Orton should make a decent starting option at quarterback, although he probably won't throw as much on Sunday as in previous weeks with the Bears likely to find success running the ball. Ryan is still only a lukewarm play right now, but White is a must-start as the Falcons' lone productive receiver. For those involved in leagues that count return yardage, Chicago's Hester makes for an excellent start at wide receiver and Atlanta's Norwood a candidate as a flex. Also use the Bears' defense if you've got it and consider Olsen, who's becoming more involved in the game plan, at tight end.
OVERALL ANALYSIS
Turner has averaged over 148 rushing yards in Atlanta's three wins, and less than 50 in the team's two losses, so it doesn't take a genius to figure out the key to the Falcons' success. The Bears are one of those teams capable of neutralizing Atlanta's running game, which will in turn make the still- learning Ryan a less effective passer. Chicago won't need to score a lot of points to extend its winning streak, but it should be able to get more than enough against a Falcons' defense that has yet to prove it can hold up against the run.
Sportsbook Betting Lines Predicted Outcome: Bears 24, Falcons 13
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Terrell Owens will address the media at a 3:15 p.m. ET news conference outside the Cowboys' practice facility after an internal police report indicated he tried to kill himself by overdosing on prescription pain medication, even putting two more pills into his mouth after a friend intervened.
The Dallas police report said Owens was asked by rescue workers "if he was attempting to harm himself, at which time [he] stated, 'Yes.'"
Owens left the hospital late Wednesday morning, giving reporters a "thumbs up" but making no comment as he was driven away in an SUV.
Michael Irvin said that Owens denied he attempted suicide and said he was rushed to the hospital as a result of an adverse reaction to medication. And a source close to Owens told Michael A. Smith that Owens wasn't attempting suicide.
NFL Network analyst Deion Sanders said he spoke with Owens shortly before his release from the hospital and that Owens was in good spirits.
"The fact that it has been reported a suicide attempt, he's laughed at that notion. It was a case that medication that was taken wasn't accepted well in his system with the other vitamins he's on," Sanders said.
The series of events began a little before 8 p.m. Tuesday.
Owens' publicist, Kim Etheredge, said she was at Owens' home when he took pain medicine for his broken right hand. Concerned by how he began acting, Etheredge said in various interviews Wednesday with Dallas-area media that she called 911. Owens was taken to a hospital, with Etheredge saying it was an allergic reaction to the medicine.
But early Wednesday, several media outlets received a police report -- that had yet to be released by the authorities -- saying Owens had attempted suicide by overdosing on the painkillers, even putting two more pills into his mouth after an unidentified friend intervened.
The police document, first reported by WFAA-TV, said Owens was asked by rescue workers "if he was attempting to harm himself, at which time [he] stated, 'Yes.'"
When officially released by police, about half the document was blacked out, including the phrases "attempting suicide by prescription pain medication" and "a drug overdose," as well as the details of Owens having two pills pried from his mouth and Owens saying "Yes" when asked if he intended to harm himself.
Etheredge, who said she was the friend cited in the police document, told Dallas-area media Wednesday that the police got the story wrong.
The tape of the 911 call could help clear things up. The Associated Press filed a request under the Freedom of Information Act to get its contents, but fire department officials said it would not be available before late Wednesday.
The police report said the 32-year-old Owens told his friend "that he was depressed." Details of the police report were first reported by WFAA-TV.
The friend, who is not identified in the report, "noticed that [his] prescription pain medication was empty and observed [Owens] putting two pills in his mouth," the police report said.
Using her fingers, the friend attempted to pry them out of Owens' mouth. Owens told police he had taken only five of the 40 pain pills in the bottle he'd emptied before the incident.
Etheredge told the Star-Telegram that Owens was "fine."
Etheredge said she called 911 because Owens was groggy and lethargic. After taking some supplements "it kicked in a reaction" with the painkillers, she told the Star-Telegram.
"Here's a person whose body is so clean, it really had a negative reaction to the medication and supplements he was taking," Etheridge told The Morning News. "Thank goodness someone was there to call an ambulance."
Police Lt. Rick Watson said he could only confirm that paramedics called police to say they were taking Owens to the hospital. He said no more details would come from the police because no laws were broken.
It is not a crime in Texas for a person to attempt suicide.
"This is a high-profile person. We looked into it and we determined it is not a criminal offense," Watson said. "This a medical type of situation that occurred."
Watson and fire department spokesman Joel Lavender cited privacy laws for the lack of information they could provide. Lavender said more details could come from the 911 call. The Associated Press filed a request under the Freedom of Information Act to get the contents of the call.
"Let's just look at the tape, review the tape," Lavender said. "I'll give you an honest answer once I know something."
At the police news conference, Watson released a version of the police narrative with certain sections blacked out. The full report was obtained by several news outlets and reported first by WFAA. The AP received the full version from WFAA.
According to the police report, Dallas Fire and Rescue was called regarding someone "attempting suicide by prescription pain medication." Officers arrived to find Owens being stabilized by ambulance workers, who then took him to Baylor University Medical Center.
Owens was hospitalized late Tuesday because of what his publicist said was an allergic reaction to pain medicine he was taking for a broken hand. Doctors reportedly tried to induce vomiting.
Owens, one of the league's top receivers during his 11-year NFL career, is best known for wild stunts on the field and other publicity-seeking antics off it.
When the Cowboys signed him to a $25 million, three-year deal in March, they said their background checks indicated no red flags. In fact, team consultant Calvin Hill -- who mostly deals with troubled players -- said during training camp that his department was not involved with Owens because he didn't have a history of those kinds of problems.
He missed most of training camp, and three of four preseason games, because of a hamstring injury. He was late for work during his recovery and was fined for it, but Owens laughed it off, saying he overslept. He said it had happened before, though not with Dallas, and would probably happen again.
Owens broke the bone leading to his right ring finger during a game a week ago Sunday. The next day, doctors screwed in a plate so the bone could heal without fear of further damage. Cowboys coach Bill Parcells said last week that the pain medicine made Owens ill.
Owens had not practiced since the injury, but because Dallas had a bye this past weekend he did not miss a game. He was expected to practice Wednesday, and Parcells had said there was a chance Owens could play Sunday against Tennessee.
Owens had been especially looking forward to the Cowboys' game after that -- Oct. 8, in Philadelphia, against the team that dumped him midway through last season only months after he helped them nearly win the Super Bowl.
Owens was seen laughing and joking on the practice field Tuesday morning. He chatted briefly with reporters in the locker room in the afternoon and seemed fine. A 2-inch scar on the top of his hand was puffy but not wrapped, and he said the swelling was doing down.
While in the locker room, he took a pill from a white paper bag and looked at another medicine bottle that was in the bag. He also called a business partner about a towel-wrap venture they're starting and joked to TV cameras that he wasn't talking until Wednesday and it was only Tuesday.
"My little boy knows better than that," he said, laughing, as he plopped onto a sofa in the middle of the locker room.
Also Tuesday, Owens was involved in launching a national campaign for the National Alliance to End Abuse, an organization aimed at helping at-risk youngsters. He appeared at a high school Tuesday morning and was scheduled to visit others but had to cancel because of changes in the team's practice schedule.
Owens has played two games for the Cowboys, catching nine passes for 99 yards and a touchdown. For updated football betting lines and Dallas Cowboy Superbowl odds visit online sportsbook MySportsbook.com
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