Oddly Rambles on about the Bears

I think the important point to be taken from this post is that Da Bears were happy to get the Lions game done with and happy to get the win, no matter how close it came to being a defeat rite at the end. Not for the first time this season the Bears cling onto a game they could have lost 75 different ways. However, as a sign of improvement as the season has gone on, the games they "cling onto" now are games in which they are clearly the better team and usually have the lead for most of the game. They are winning in the end, and this is a good sign. Their inability to put down these clearly inferior teams is troubling. However, I can imagine, well, 75 different ways in which the Bears can get into the Superbowl and one in which they can wn in all.

It seems that no team, including Da Bears, has been a clearly dominate force the entire season. The Bears were 'The Team' for awhile, but that passed. No team in the supposedly superior AFC has been 100% the entire season. Given the uneven state of competition in the NFC and homefield advantage, the Bears have at least a good chance of making a run for the Championship game. Then, the Bears may do what they have to do to win that game, versus whoever. It may be a stripped ball fumble recovery, a kickoff return, a missed field goal, or even a Devin Hester interception or fumble return (just imagine !!) -- or even something more that we can't even imagine yet -- I'm getting the feeling that these Bears may be able to do it.

The example of this winning complexion in the Bears can be seen in the last play of the game. Again, Bears winning and clearly the better, even dominate team, the whole game. Last play of the game: time runs out with a Lions pass into the end zone that had their reciever held onto it, would have beaten the Bears. The Lions reciever should have had it. Hester was right behind the reciever, apparently having blown the coverage. But when I look at the replays, I can't shake the feeling that Hester, in the end, had hung long enough and had applied just enough attention to the reciever to create the conditions for the miss. Even Hesters "Beatles-like" reputation as a returner may have preyed on the recievers mind. Hester was beaten for a touchdown pass in his signature game a few Monday nites ago in St. Louis. The Ram reciever who scored was picked up on mic on the sidelines saying to the effect of "Did you see who I beat? It was the rookie, Hester. #23." Note: Hester scord the first of his two return TD's on the ensuing kickoff.

Sometimes teams are dominate and are clearly the best and prove it on the field. Sometimes teams are dominate and are clearly the best but can't do it on the field. The Bears may be just good enough to apply some of their magic dust right through to the end.

Lets go Bears !

Rambles on about the game

As Jackson has noted in these pages before, the Bears defense has that permable look about it. In the end, as noted above, it was a "bend not break" game, but again against a team they should have put away early they allow the game to be decided at the end. Too scarey.

Griese got some nice playing time, and used it well. The offense moved under him. Rex also had a good game. In retrospect, I am glad Lovey mad the rite decision to play Grossman and stick with him after the last Vikings game. I called for Lovie to play Griese a portion of the next game v. St. Louis, which turned out to be one of Rex's better games. By sticking with him the entire game, Lovie is really telling Grossman that the Bears need him to win. Lets hope he responds.

The blocking went well most of the time.

Gould is great. Unnoticed was his 4-4 field goals and continued solid kicking.

Hester has not had a great return in 2 games!! What the hell !!? Where have all the good time gone ?

Bensen had some nice runs. Welcome is his putting down the shoulder and smashing his way to yards.

I love the instant replay. A call went against the Bears in the 3d Quarter, but I was happy the replay worked. Its good for the game, despite the delays inherent in using the system.