Lethargic Bears caught looking ahead

By Paul Eide  |   Tuesday, November 07, 2006  |  Comments( 1 )

Chicago Bears
Got something to say?

Log In above and share your thoughts on this topic with other fans!

If you didn't know what a "trap game" was prior to this past weekend, the Bears' 31-13 loss to the Miami Dolphins gave you a great illustration of what happens when a dominant team overlooks a supposed weaker opponent.

After a game like that, seemingly devoid of anything positive for Bears fans, it's good to take a deep breath and reconsider the facts:

Positives

- The Chicago Bears still control their own destiny: One thing that can't be dispelled by this heinous defeat is that at 7-1, the Bears are still the No. 1 seed in the NFC and are in the driver's seat for home field advantage and a first-round bye in the playoffs. This weekend the Bears start a brutal three-game road trip against the Giants, Jets and Patriots, but after that, the Bears' next five opponents have a combined record of 15-25. How many people predicted the Bears would win seven of their first eight games? Yeah, me too. If you believe that I've got some beautiful, beachfront property for sale in Baghdad. It's the next Vegas. I swear.

- Brian Urlacher isn't hurt: In a play eerily similar to the one that knocked Mike Brown out for the season, the Bears were very fortunate to find out on Monday that Urlacher suffered no more than a sprained big toe and is probable for this weekend's showdown against the Giants. Urlacher's domineering energy has given this team an identity and a rallying point. If the Bears lose Urlacher, the season is lost. It's as simple as that.

- The NFL is the best professional sports league there is: The fact that the 1-6 Dolphins - who were averaging 14.5 points a game in their previous five contests - can come out, score 31 points and dominate arguably the best team in the league at home shows why the NFL is the most popular league going. Any team can win on any given day. Some people complain about parity and say the league is watered down, but what's the alternative? The Yankees versus the Royals? No, thanks.

Negatives

- Run defense struggling: In the last two games, Ronnie Brown and Frank Gore ran for a combined total of 268 yards on 41 carries, averaging 6.5 yards per rush. Is it a coincidence that Mike Brown missed both of those games? The Bears hope so. Tiki Barber will surely take notice in film study this week, as the NFL's leading rusher will look to exploit what is fast becoming a serious concern for the Bears' defense.

- Rex Grossman's regression: Over the course of a 16-game season, every player in the league has subpar performances. The thing about Grossman's subpar performances is how bad they have been. Grossman has turned the ball over 10 times in the last three games and looks a lot like a younger, but equally disoriented Kurt Warner. The Bears are in dire need of consistent play from Grossman and need to know if he is the guy who showed up two weeks ago and threw for 252 yards and three touchdowns against the 49ers, or the one who looked miserable against the Dolphins.

- Bernard Berrian's rib injury: Berrian is the only Bears receiver that has proven himself to be a vertical threat. Losing him for up to four weeks could ground the high-flying Bears' offense that has been their hallmark thus far in 2006. Rashied Davis seems the most likely candidate to fill the vacancy left by Berrian, but outside of him the Bears' depth chart is littered with oft-injured possession receivers. The job is Davis' to lose, but if he struggles, is it time to use Devin Hester on offense?

Ultimately, perhaps this loss was exactly what the Bears needed. They've been able to sleepwalk through multiple victories this year, but with the toughest games of the season yet to come, this loss could be the perfect antidote to ensure the uninspired, lethargic performance on Sunday is a one-time occurrence.

The Bears need to be in prime form if they are serious about entertaining the idea of playing in February. A midseason loss to Miami will either ensure a renewed focus or initiate an epic collapse.

Chicago Bears analysis, courtesy of RealFootball365.com
Got something to say?

Log In above and share your thoughts on this topic with other fans! (1)

Article Tools Share!   |  RSS  |  Bleacher Report About Bleacher Report