The Bears Roar: The Colts Collapse

They looked like the Super Bowl Bears of yesteryear. Not the bad news Bears that drew fans frustrated tears last year.

The defense was swarming. By beating the Colts tackles on the edges and pushing the pocket backwards with a strong interior rush the Bears disrupted the Colts precious timing and knocked Peyton Manning around.

Peyton Manning doesn't like being knocked around. The Colts offense depends on timing. Manning loves beating the blitz with the quick hit pass that his receivers often break for long gains. The Bears defenders disrupted that rhythm.

LB Lance Briggs had a great game even scoring a key TD and the Bear's defensive backs banged around the Colts receivers all night long.The defense tackled well and they tackled hard.

Matt Forte isn't Walter Payton, who is?, but he sure did a nice Neal Anderson impression in his pro debut.

The offensive line did a solid job, especially with run blocking. QB Kyle Orton stood tough in the pocket, utilized his active tight ends well, and most importantly protected the football.

No turnovers makes Lovie a happy, happy coach.

Forte and Orton sure look better then Grossman and Benson. And the defense is deadly as long as its health holds.

The Bears roll to Carolina to try to rattle the Panthers Jake Delhomme who gave Norv Turner his usual early season upset Sunday.

Left Tackle John St Clair, fresh from facing Dwight Freeney, draws another premier pass rusher in Julius Peppers. The secondary faces ex Bear Muhsin Mohammed. Luckily they don't face still suspended WR Steve Smith who devastated their defense in the playoffs three seasons ago.

The league looks wide open this year. Tom Brady's injury proves all teams are only a few injuries away from mediocrity. The league is designed for parity. With a little luck and less injuries any team can make a run.

The NFC, aside from the Dallas Cowboys who have not won a playoff game in over a decade, appears to be the premier NFC team. The New York Giants are the defending Super Bowl champs. The Philadelphia Eagles looked dangerous but perhaps the St Louis Rams are actually just that bad. The Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings both have big question marks at the key position, QB.

The Bears, of course, still have question marks. But if they keep playing in a defensive frenzy and the offense runs the balls without turning it over the awakened Bears could roar loud and long this year. 

Pass me a plate of Chicago Crow for doubting ya, Lovie.