Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2010
11:10 AM
By John Mullin
CSNChicago.com
A 4-0 November and a 1-0 start for December have positioned the Bears within a game of the NFC overall lead. The wakeup call in Detroit should serve them well heading into the final quarter of their schedule which includes three teams (New England, Minnesota, Green Bay) that are playing very well lately.
W 9-14 Sept. 12 vs. Detroit Lions (2-10)
Bears survive 4 turnovers and red-zone failures to escape with a 'W' after officials rule Calvin Johnson did not complete a potential winning TD catch. Jay Cutler passes for 372 yards, Matt Forte nets 201 yards on 24 touches.
W 27-20 Sept. 19 At Dallas Cowboys (4-8)
Cutler's zero INT's plus in-game adjustments to Dallas pressure produced TD passes to Devin Hester, Greg Olsen and Matt Forte. Physical defense forced 3 Cowboys turnovers, all involving nickel back D.J. Moore who gets his first two career picks.
W 20-17 Sept. 27 (Mon.) Green Bay Packers (8-4)
Nothing like a truly 'pivotal game' just three weeks into a season. The winner gets the first tiebreak edge and the Bears have a chance to go 3-0 in the NFC. All games are statement games; this one comes with an exclamation point.
L 3-17 Oct. 3 At New York Giants (8-4)
The missing pass rush returned to get Jay Cutler and vault the Giants squarely back in the midst of a very tight NFC East race among non-exceptional teams. Jay Cutler was sacked nine times and left at halftime with a concussion that ruled out realistic chances for a comeback.
NFL
W 23-6 Oct. 10 At Carolina Panthers (1-11)
A horrendous, 4-interception performance by Todd Collins was offset by 218 rushing yards, 166 by Matt Forte who scored twice, and the defense shutting down the Panthers with 147 yards. Bears finally exploded in a first quarter and stayed with a run commitment with changes in the OL.
L 23-20 Oct. 17 Seattle Seahawks (6-6)
Seattle bumbled to 3 points in a loss to St. Louis, then came in from the week off to handle the Bears everywhere but special teams. Bears play calling (12 runs, 47 pass plays) becoming an issue as Cutler was sacked six times and Bears rarely got close to laying a hand on Matt Hasselbeck.
L 17-14 Oct. 24 Washington Redskins (5-7)
Jay Cutler throws 4 INT's to DeAngelo Hall and fumbles at the goal line in another game in which Mike Martz refuses to run the football. Bears lose at home for the second straight week, first time since Lovie Smith's rookie year (2004). Questions now are whether Bears can change course on offense after three miserable performances in last four games.
Oct. 31 Off week
W 22-19 Nov.7 At Buffalo BillsToronto (2-10)
Tim Jennings' interception led to a game-winning touchdown in a game that the Bears nearly let get away and gave up 3 TDs on defense for just the second time this season (Seattle). Jay Cutler managed the offense with some control and the offensive line allowed just one sack while coaches committed to the run enough to call 26 plays on the ground.W 27-13 Nov. 14 Minnesota Vikings (5-7)
In a best game of the season with all three phases playing well, the Bears all but bury the season for a dysfunctional Vikings team that has a quarterback done after the season and head coach possibly sooner. Jay Cutler throws 3 TD passes and backs carry 32 times; defense gets 4 takeaways; and Devin Hester shows he hasn't forgotten how to return kickoffs as well as punts.
W16-0 Nov. 18 At Miami Dolphins (6-6)
The defense recorded the first shutout since '06 and the offense, while not punching in red-zone opportunities the way it needs to, was efficient. A third straight game with 30 or more rushes was a first for a Mike Martz offense and has helped the offensive line settle in and taken pressure off Cutler. The result is another solid game of third-down conversions against a respectable defense.
W 31-26 Nov. 28 Philadelphia Eagles (8-4)
The building continues with a new high for Jay Cutler passing as he throws 4 TDs on just 21 attempts and Matt Forte runs for 117 yards in 14 carries. The defense stays basic to deal with Michael Vick, who gets some passing yards but into the end zone only twice.
W 24-20 Dec. 5 at Detroit Lions (2-10)
With third-stringer Drew Stanton in just his second NFL start, the Lions ran over the Bears for 253 yards in the first half as the Chicago offense had to prop up the D for a change. Jay Cutler was sacked four times but big defensive plays in the second half held Detroit to 49 yards and 3 points as the offense turned in a workmanlike performance with more of the run-pass balance that has worked.
Dec. 12 New England Patriots (10-2) Next: at BEARS 3:15 p.m.
The Pats thoroughly stomped the N.Y. Jets 45-3 in what was supposed to be an AFC East title match. Tom Brady threw for 4 TD's and the Jets were thoroughly handled by a New England defense that showed the Bears that statistical rankings wont mean much.
Dec. 20 At Minnesota Vikings (5-7) Next: vs. New York Giants
The previously moribund Vikings are 2-0 under interim Leslie Frazier and showing some of the pop that they were supposed to have after their near-title run of '09. Brett Favre remains an ongoing diva situation with his injuries but the rest of the Minnesota focus has come together. The Giants will be a major test compared to the Bills, an easy double-digit victory even with Tavaris Jackson at QB.
Dec. 26 New York Jets (9-3) Next: vs. Miami
The hot-cold Jets were thrashed on MNF by New England in their first road loss of the year. Mark Sanchez is looking suddenly very pedestrian and heading a team that is 4-2 since its break but not playing especially well on either side of the ball.
Jan. 2 at Green Bay Packers (8-4) Next: at Detroit
Getting by San Francisco in Lambeau Field was no problem and the Lions' performance against the Bears should alert the Packers to a possible nuisance that has given them trouble in Detroit. Aaron Rodgers is playing as well as any quarterback in the NFL and the absence of Ryan Grant in the run game continues to be a problem the Packers find ways around.
John "Moon" Mullin is CSNChicago.com's Bears Insider, and appears regularly on Bears Postgame Live and Chicago Tribune Live. Follow Moon on Twitter for up-to-the-minute Bears information.