Lions-Bears: Chicago Win in Sloppy Fashion

The Bears held up a new-look Detroit Lions to secure a place atop the NFC North.

The Lions weren’t the same team the Bears blew out earlier this season. A new quarterback, an emerging running game and the loss of baggage (Roy Williams) gave the Lions a kick in their step and they almost took one from the Bears.

Lions QB Dan Orlovsky looked like a Pro Bowler as the Bears had no answer for the passing game. The few times Orlovsky was under pressure he was able to evade long enough to throw solid passes to his big receivers.

The Bears ground game reemerged as it took control of the game in the 4th quarter. It’s unfortunate that Matt Forte will probably be snubbed for Rookie of the Year voting by Matt Ryan but the young man has been as reliable as a veteran back this season.

All of Chicago held its breath as Kyle Orton was carted off the field. Orton has done nothing but improve his game this season. With our defense lacking he was the one leading this team to victories.  

Now I’m sure I’ll take some heat for this, but at the beginning of the season I wanted Rex Grossman to be our starting quarterback.

I just happen to think that Grossman is better than Orton in every aspect of the quarterback position. With that being said I believe that Grossman is more than capable of leading the Bears to victories this season if the defense can return to dominant form.

It all comes down to Good Rex and Bad Rex.

If Forte can continue playing the way he has then Grossman won’t have to try to win games with his arm. Let’s also not forget that the defense has to uphold its end of the bargain as well. If the defense doesn’t play well then the Bears aren’t going to win many more games.

While I’m maybe one of the only remaining Grossman fans in Chicago the bottom line is when Rex is good he’s very good.

Here’s to another season of hoping.

The Good: Matt Forte. He came out of his rushing funk to post his second career 100+ yard game. It couldn’t have come at a better time as the Bears needed a spark to help take the lead.

The Bad: Defense. I, and the rest of Bear-Nation, should continue to call these guys out until the prove they can stop somebody. The Bears gave up big play after big play and weren’t able to get to the quarterback on a consistent basis. With our corners and safeties banged up it is crucial that the Bears get pressure on the quarterback.

The Ugly: Defense. Is it fair to post them in both spots this week? Maybe, maybe not, but until they stop under performing they deserve it. Tommie Harris, Brian Urlacher and even Lance Briggs all need to play better. These are our big money guys on defense so it starts with them setting the example for the rest of the team, especially the younger guys.

The Difference: Turnovers. In a game this sloppy, to which the field conditions had conspired as well, the team who makes the fewest mistakes usually wins, as was the case this week.

Five Questions

When are the Bears going to stop the pass?

Is it time to part ways with Mike Brown?

Was that 1st round draft pick Chris Williams I saw suited up?

Should Lance Briggs and Tommie Harris be forced to pay back some of their big new contract until they play better?

Does Craig Steltz have springs in his cleats?