Five Reasons Why the Chicago Bears' Season Isn't Over

Sunday night's game against the Giants sent the "season's over" fighter jets scrambling for Bears fans across the country.

The Bears simply collapsed. Period. Ten sacks allowed, 110 total offensive yards, and not a single third or fourth down converted the entire game.

Statistically it was dire straits for any team's fans, and that's not even including losing your first and second-string quarterbacks.

Yes, I, like many other Bears fans, was shouting expletives at my television, yet I somehow hold hope for the Monsters of the Midway.

Sunday's game was one of the worst Bears games I've ever witnessed, but I don't think it means the season's over like so many other talking heads and analysts are saying. Here's why.

It Was One Game

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 03: Jay Cutler #6 of the Chicago Bears gets chased by Osi Umenyiora #72 of the New York Giants at New Meadowlands Stadium on October 3, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

Yes, it fell apart, and yes, it was very ugly, but it was one game.

The Bears came into New York undefeated yet were the underdogs. The media seems to think that the Bears are running on luck and luck alone, yet Chicago has three wins against three NFC teams, two of which were considered by many to be Super Bowl contenders.

It's one game. This game will be a major learning lesson and will fire the Bears up. Remember in 2006 the Bears lost to a grossly underwhelming Miami team in Week 8 and went on to finish the season with an impressive 13-3 record.

Mike Martz Offensive System Is Still Meshing

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CHICAGO - AUGUST 21: Offensive coordinator Mike Martz of the Chicago Bears talks with Jay Cutler #6 during warm-ups before a preseason game against the Oakland Raiders at Soldier Field on August 21, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Get

It's only four weeks into the NFL season. Yes, it seems late for an offense to still be meshing, but this a complex Mike Martz system and a very young offense.

The Bears went 0-4 during preseason and showed very little of their offensive scheme, which means the Bears were literally trying their offense out for the first time in Week 1. The offense is just now starting to feel out routes and settle on timing.

Martz is a tinkerer and will continue to make changes until his system works. The offensive line will come together as the season progresses.

Julius Peppers Is Playing Like a Man on Fire

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 03: Ahmad Bradshaw #44 of the New York Giants runs with the ball against Julius Peppers #90 of the Chicago Bears at New Meadowlands Stadium on October 3, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Im

Julius Peppers has brought an attitude and work ethic to the Chicago Bears that hasn't been seen since the early days of Brian Urlacher. Peppers makes the Bears entire defense better when he is on the field.

Although his statistics may not stun anyone yet, they will as the season continues. He has been unstoppable on both ends of the defensive line, getting double-teamed, drawing penalty flags against opposing linemen, and even taking out Matt Stafford, the starting quarterback for the Detroit Lions.

He will only play better, as his reputation will bring fear to opposing offensive linemen well before the games kick off.

Brian Urlacher Is Back to His Old Self

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CHICAGO - AUGUST 28: Brian Urlacher #54 of the Chicago Bears sits on the bench during a preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals at Soldier Field on August 28, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Cardinals defeated the Bears 14-9. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel

No. 54, Brian Urlacher, sure has noticed the difference Julius Peppers is making and has in turn stepped up his performance. Urlacher has already racked up 30 tackles and has one forced fumble for the season.

He led the Bears defense in tackles against the Green Bay Packers in Week 3 and was a crucial part of a tide-turning fumble in the fourth quarter.

Urlacher is all over the field making big plays and helping the Bears defense limit the opposition's running game to minimal yards.

Jay Cutler Is Improving

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CHICAGO - SEPTEMBER 27: Jay Cutler #6 of the Chicago Bears throws a pass in the first quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field on September 27, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Although Cutler had a rough year in 2009, this season he is off to a much different start.

Cutler currently sits at a 102.2 passer rating, which isn't great, but it is a marked improvement over last season. Cutler finished the 2009 season with a 76.8 passer rating and league-high 26 interceptions.

The Giants game aside, Cutler has shown maturity in Mike Martz's new offensive system and has had many explosive moments. Cutler was named the FedEx Air Player of the Week for the first two weeks of the season.

Look for Cutler to recover from his missteps in Sunday's game and prove his worth as one of the best starting quarterbacks in the NFL.