The say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. If so, then perhaps the success the Bears are starting to find is a reflection on the success of the Cubs and White Sox. Before the playoffs, that is.
Before this NFL season began, many (including myself) were predicting doom and gloom for this Bears team. Without a proven running back, following the Cedric Benson bust, and with Kyle Orton throwing to a less-than-stellar receiving corps, it appeared that a three or four-win season may be in the offing for the Monsters of the Midway.
Instead, with the 34-7 trouncing of the disheveled Detroit Lions, the Bears moved to 3-2 and are atop the NFC North division. No, you don't need to adjust your eyeglasses, you read it right: first place! As amazing as that is, it is early, so let's not count our chickens just yet.
Even so, the Bears look so much better than we expected. Kyle Orton threw for 334 yards on Sunday. Sure, it was against a really bad team, but good teams are supposed to beat up bad teams. And Matt Forte has been running and receiving well all year, though he only averaged 2.6 yards per carry against the Lions.
While we watched the Cubs flame out against the Dodgers, and the White Sox stand on the brink of elimination against the Rays, here come the Bears to save our sports-loving day. Maybe we will have something to cheer for after all.
The Bears' defense has played well, forcing two turnovers against the Lions on Sunday. And their only two losses this season could easily have gone the other way, as the Bears blew late leads in both games.
Orton is leading a take-what-they-give-us offense. With Forte established as a legitimate threat, the Bears are seeing more run-oriented defensive looks. Orton has responded by throwing for 801 yards and seven touchdowns over their last three games.
It's true that the Lions looked like a team trying to get its head coach fired. Still, before this season started, the thought of a Bears offense, behind what was supposed to be a very suspect offensive line, producing 34 points would have been ridiculed. Nevertheless, there it was.
Looking forward, the Bears get the return of Tommie Harris this week. Harris should be sufficiently motivated after being suspended by the team for one game. Motivating the entire team are all the naysayers, like myself, who said that this would be a really bad team this year. I'm happy to report that I am wrong, at least so far.
Perhaps this is the tonic Chicago sports fans need. Hey, it's not the Cubs in the World Series, but we'll take it. Come to think of it, these Monsters are scary good right about now.
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about 1 month ago
less-than-stellar receiving corps thats has help Orton over preform.
from about 1 month ago
Perhaps, but you have to admit that going into the season, the Bears did not have a legitimate #1 or even #2 receiver on their roster.
about 1 month ago
I think it doesn't help that most of the receivers are speedy MFers. I think the receivers need to complement the quarterback and they only complement Grossman's long passes. Bears receivers should have had Booker, Lloyd, Hass, Rideau, Hester for Orton game managing ass
from about 1 month ago
Welcome to BR Waldo. I forgot to say that earlier. And thanks again for the comment. I guess my response would be that Grossman is no good, how many completely horrible games with a QB rating of zero must you see to realize that? Forget him, he sucks. Now Orton may not end up being much better but even Tom Brady wouldn't make those receivers you mentioned any good. They may be servicable but that's about it.
about 1 month ago
so his second stint as a starter last season didn't do anything for you, did it? I think lovie had it set that he was not going to have Rex as the starter from the beginning of season. They were even in both Preseason games and that bias will come back to Lovie in the end of the season with fool's gold Orton either misses the playoffs or one & done in postseason play.
Plus if you try to say Orton came out of his funk, you can save it, because the Lions have made every team they've face look elite by being out of every game before the half.
from about 1 month ago
Granted, the Lions suck. I was careful to mention that more than once in the article. But Grossman simply makes too many mistakes. I understand we get the big play occasionally with him, but he throws off the wrong foot a lot, and his bad mechanics lead to interceptions. Plus he gets scared when there is pressure in his face, the opposition has even noticed and said that. Do I think Orton is a franchise QB? No I don't. But Grossman isn't the answer either. In the meantime, I would continue to start Orton until we find a real QB (assuming they ever do). Thanks.
about 1 month ago
This division will go down to the wire. I like the Bears in the end, but the Vikings will make a run and Green Bay isn't going anywhere
from about 1 month ago
CEC, last week's loss to the Falcons shows how right you are my friend. Heck, a .500 team might win this division. I still think the Vikings have the best talent, but we'll see. Should be a good game.
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