Middling

This week's Bears review is going to be about the bottom line, because reading reviews and hearing comments you would have thought we lost the game. Bottom line: The Bears won the game and are now 4-3. Was it a spectacular dominating performance? No, but remember this is a team that plays to the competition. Was it a win? Yes. Does the NFL judge based on the quality of a win? No. I was planning on doing some kind of quarter review after Week 4 or after Week 9, but this seems like a good point seeing as how the doubters are rampant and the teams only get tougher (Cards, Niners, Eagles, Vikes). So I'll say it was a win. Did we struggle in the Red Zone? Yes. Did the Defense play well after looking like they were going through a scrimmage last week? Yes. Do I wish we played better? Yes. Did we win? Yes. Part of being a good team is beating the teams you are supposed to beat and the Bears took care of business. All the rest, well that's to prove for next week.

• The Basics. Wins against the Steelers, Seahawks, Lions, and Browns. Losses to the Packers, Falcons, and Bengals. So I'll say 1 quality win and 1 utter defeat. Losses to the Packers and Falcons were by about a touchdown. Against the Packers, Steelers, Seahawks and Falcons the Bears have shown they can play to the competition, whether that be up or down.
• The Passing. In my view, this has the potential to be a very good offense, maybe this year, maybe next year but there is potential. Cutler has thrown 11 TDs and 11 INTs for an average of around 240 yards per game and a passer rating of 80.8. Not to impressive, but with more protection I think he could start to pick apart defenses. The receivers as I have said many times are better than advertised, thanks in part to Cutler. While Knox, Devin, Earl, Olsen, and Dez have made some spectacular catches, Jay made it possible. With the time he has to throw, he has been as good as I thought. If Kyle Orton was back there would he do the same, no. Don't get me wrong I like Kyle and always thought he was miscast here due to his rookie year, but he has had much more time this year than in past years. Does Kyle make some of those crucial 3rd Downs or make a quality pass while getting blown up? I think not.
• The Running. I saved the O-line part mostly for here, because this is the biggest hole in the team thus far. The O-line has struggle with rushing and passing. Forte did break free for 90 yards and 2 TDs, but still too many times he has looked like Anthony Thomas running into the offensive line at the line of scrimmage. It doesn't get much better when they provide pass protection either. If Jay had more time, just think of how dynamic the passing game could be (I'm aware I titled this section Running.) The fact remains that the Bears have been a running team traditionally and I believe you must have a strong running game to be a good team. How else are you going to put teams away with a lead?
• The D. Fairly decent. The strongest position is Linebacker which is also the most injured. Hunter provided some stability this week and Lance Briggs is the MVP of the D if not the team. The line has provided some pressure, but not as much as necessary. The also need to try and stop the runner at the point of attack. The secondary is young, but I think it has some potential. Danieal Manning had a good game against the Browns. Bowman I think has played decent. He's gotten burned a few times, but generally keeps things in front of him.
• Special Teams. Special Teams is generally pretty solid with a couple glaring missteps (Mannely's audible and Maynard's punts this week). Gould, Maynard, Hester, Manning, Knox, and company are usually pretty good.
• Solid. The linebacking and receiving corps, special teams, and the quarterback have been solid. Also, in general the 2nd halves of games have been better as well.
• Needs some polish. When my junior coach cut me from the basketball team, he told me along with the others that we need some more polish. So the following areas need some polish: O-line, D-line, the running backs, and the secondary. 1st halves and red zone scoring also need to improve.

Overall, its not time to panic we have a team that has shown thus far that it can stay in games against some of the best teams. Whether or not that continues is another story. The word to describe this team: Middling. A team that can look great some halves and look like the Browns in others. If the Bears can perform more consistently, they have a chance. And not like the Bulls have a chance. Because lets face it, it will probably be the Celtics v. Lakers. In the NFL, with parity the way it is, a key injury here, a nice run of wins there can make a season and produce a title.