Chicago Bears: Why They Are the Most Dangerous Team in the NFC

Ever since the Chicago Bears Week 5 loss to the Detroit Lions on Monday Night Football, Lovie Smith and Co. have made adjustments to the team's personnel, and the Bears look like the most dangerous team in the NFC and maybe the NFL.

Though the Bears are not guaranteed a playoff spot just yet, I would hate to be the team that has to go toe-to-toe against them in the postseason.

Chicago's blowout win at home against the Detroit Lions Week 10 increases the team's win-streak to four consecutive games.  The Bears are capable of adding another five games to that streak having to travel to Lambeau Field Week 16 to take on the Green Bay Packers on Sunday Night Football.

Monsters of the Midway

The Chicago Bears have prided themselves on their defense for as long as I can remember, and it doesn't seem like the Monsters of the Midway have any change of plans.

Chicago's defense was exposed in its three losses to the New Orleans Saints, Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions, but changes have been made that have proven to pay off.

The Bears have forced 20 turnovers, including one safety thus far in 2011, and there's still plenty of opportunities to come to increase that total before the 2011-12 NFL season comes to an end.

The Bears defense is mean, and no points come easy against the Monsters of the Midway.

Earl Bennett and His Orange Cleats

Earl Bennett returned to the Chicago Bears starting lineup Week 9 against the Philadelphia Eagles for the first time since he suffered a torso injury Week 2 against the New Orleans Saints. 

Bennett has since played two consecutive games wearing orange cleats, which earned him a $5,000 fine for wearing the cleats in Philly, and will most likely receive another notification informing him of a fine for wearing the same cleats against Detroit.

Bennett has been the Bears' leading receiver in his two games back from injury, totaling 11 receptions and 176 receiving yards, including a touchdown, during that time.

It's clear that Bennett is Jay Cutler's favorite target that the Bears provide him, and it makes a lot of sense, considering the chemistry they developed together while playing on the same college football team at Vanderbilt.

Bennett's presence provides the Bears with another weapon on offense that will take a lot of pressure off running back Matt Forte.

Matt Forte Is an NFL MVP Candidate

Despite the fact that Matt Forte has only found the end zone four times for the Chicago Bears during the 2011-12 NFL season, his production has deserved consideration for the NFL's MVP.

Forte has over 1,300 yards of total offense, and he's the Bears' leading runner and receiver.

Now that the Bears have Earl Bennett healthy, Forte will not have as much pressure to put the team on his back because of the offensive threat Bennett provides.

Maybe, just maybe, the Bears will actually be able to have a well-balanced offensive attack.

Jay Cutler Is Happy

It's no question that Jay Cutler is a happy camper right about now.

The Chicago Bears offensive line has allowed just two sacks on Cutler in the last two games.  Cutler has never received that kind of protection from his offensive line since he's been on the Bears.  In fact, Cutler had been sacked at least one time 29 consecutive games prior to being sacked zero times against the Philadelphia Eagles Week 9.

Also, judging by Cutler's tweets, he's been spending time with Kristin Cavallari.  Him and Kristin were supposed to get married this past summer but ended up calling the wedding off.

If Jay Cutler is happy, everyone is happy.  Ain't that right, Mike Martz?

Teams Still Kick to Devin Hester, the Best Return Man Ever

I don't know why, but teams continue to kick the ball to Devin Hester, the best kick-returner in the history of the NFL.

Even if Hester doesn't return a kick/punt for a touchdown, more times than not he provides the Chicago Bears with great field position to start their offensive drive.

Maybe one day teams will learn, but it doesn't seem like Hester and the Bears are complaining about teams kicking to Devin.