Chicago Bears: 5 Difference Makers the Bears Need to Win

The 4-0 Detroit Lions are hosting a Monday Night Football game.  Let's think about that sentence for a moment. 

The Lions' first four games have proven that they are no longer the perennial losers of the NFC North.  In fact, we've now seen them erase large second-half deficits in two huge comebacks. 

The 2-2 Bears have left us with some of the same questions that we had last season.  The following five questions will be the difference between a Bears victory or loss on Monday Night.

5. Offensive Line

After looking much improved in Week 1, the Bears offensive line returned to a more familiar form in Week 2, allowing five sacks and Frank Omiyale doing his best impression of a Walmart turnstile. 

If the Bears are going to give the Lions their first loss Monday, the offensive line has to keep Cutler off of his back and give plays time to develop. 

4. Safeties

With Chris Harris listed as a game time decision, the pressure of containing Megatron falls squarely on the shoulders of Wright, Meriweather and Steltz.

The safety position was one of the Bears weakest heading into the season; losing their number one starter hasn’t helped.  The Cover 2 defense only works if the Bears get pressure on the quarterback and refuse to give up large chunks of yardage. 

Let’s hope the safeties can achieve the latter.

3. Wide Receivers

In the rare moments that the offensive line gives Jay enough room to breathe, the wide receivers have to be where they’re supposed to be and reel in the ball. 

Enough of Hester lining up in the wrong spot.  Enough of Roy Williams’ slow starts off the line. 

The Lions are particularly vulnerable at the safety position.  We need to take advantage of that match-up.  We also need to see this group play with a little embarrassment that our running back is again our best receiver.

2. Cutler Returning to Week 1 Form

Jay has to play like Week 1 Jay again.  His footwork had improved; his accuracy was there. 

Then in Week 2 his offensive line collapsed on him.  As soon as Cutler began running for his life again, he was throwing off of his back foot and overshooting receivers. 

Survival mode had kicked in, and can you blame him? 

1. Martz's Commitment to the Running Game

Lovie Smith and Mike Martz seemed to have had their annual “come to Jesus” meeting much earlier this year than last. 

Since the road loss to the Saints, the Bears have recommitted to the running game, a commitment that, like last year, is paying off. 

Martz is often described as an offensive genius.  A true genius will be able to swallow his pride, abandon what isn’t working and embrace what is.