Bearing down for the second half

At the start of the NFL season, I predicted the Bears would finish 6-10. Looking at their roster, and their pre-season performance, it seemed unlikely that they would be able to score enough points to win more than that many games. Yet now, two and a half months later, the Bears are 5-3 and in first place in the NFC North. How did this happen? Let’s review the first half of the year with some midterm grades, followed by a preview of the second half.

Offense:
Considering the expectations were so low, almost anything this team did was considered a bonus. Yet even with that statement in mind, the offense has been pretty good. Rookie running back Matt Forte has been everything Cedric Benson wasn’t: fast, powerful, able to catch, a blocker, versatile, a favorite of the fans and his teammates. The offensive line, which was supposed to be the largest of the holes in the Bears’ canoe, has been effective and (with the exception of rookie first rounder Chris Williams) healthy. Devin Hester hasn’t done a thing on returns yet, but has improved as a wide receiver, and along with Marty Booker, Rasheid Davis, Brandon Lloyd and the tight end duo of Desmond Clark and G-Reg, the team has had a solid downfield attack.

But the biggest reason the team has been able to put up the yards and points that it has is because of quarterback Kyle Orton. I can’t state this strongly enough: It is so much more relaxing watching the Bears this year than in years past because we finally have a QB that understands how to read defenses and make safe calls. And I was one of the last people on the Rex-wagon. Of course Orton is now out with an ankle injury, and one of the biggest questions I have is if the Bears can continue to rack up points with Mr. Grossman callings the signals?

Grade: B+

Defense
Against the run, the Bears have been one of the best teams in the league. Defensive linemen Alex Brown, Tommie Harris, Israel Idonije and Dusty Dvoracekk have contained some of the league’s top runners, from Indianapolis’ Joseph Addi to the Flacons’ Michael Turner. Linebackers Lance Briggs and Brian Urlacher have helped out as well, and I have thought the play of young safety Kevin Payne has improved as the years has moved along.

The team’s problem has been against the pass. Some of the difficulties have been because of a weak pass rush (Paging Mark Anderson!) but also because of key injuries and bad play-calling. There is no excuse for letting Brain Griese turn into Dan Marino, or letting rookie Matt Ryan evolve into the 2008 version of Jim Kelly. I really think the lack of pass D will be the Bears downfall this year, because there’s no way a team can get through the NFC playoffs with QB’s like Eli Manning, Kurt Warner, Donovan McNabb and Aaron Rodgers (I realize those aren’t the greatest names, but in today’s NFL, those four are all among the top-ten in the league). The return of cornerback Nathan Vasher will help, but its offset by the annual Mike Brown injury.

Grade: C

Special Teams
Despite Devin Hester’s lack of highlights, the Bears most dependable unit has had another great year. From the blocked punt versus Carolina to the two lucky scores agains the Vikings, Bears fans know the special teams will never let the team down. Just check out these numbers:
Robbie Gould- 15/17 on field goals, 24/24 on extra points
Brad Maynard- Average of 41 yards per punt, 20 downed inside the 20 yard line, only two touchbacks

Grade: A-(If Hester had even one return score, this would be an A+)

The look ahead
The schedule makers did the Bears no favors with a bizarre second-half slate. After this Sunday’s home game with the only un-defeated team in the NFL, the Bears go on the road for three straight (including our two toughest division games). That is followed by three consecutive at Soldier Field, but all on different days of the week. Yes, you read that right. After a Sunday afternoon game with Jacksonville on Dec. 7, the Bears have three days to prepare for a Thursday nighter with the Saints on Dec. 11. Then the team gets what equates to an extra bye, an eleven-day layoff before a Monday night affair with the Packers that could very well decide the division. They then end the year on the road in Houston. Can they survive with the NFC North lead intact? I’m not so sure. But since I think the Vikes will be doomed by bad quarterback play and horrible play-calling and I have an obvious bias against Green Bay, I’ll say the Bears win the division at 10-6, beating the Rams, Vikings, Saints, Packers at Solider Field and Texans.


Week 10 winners: Atlanta, Tennessee, Jacksonville, Miami, Green Bay, New England, New York Jets, Houston, Carolina, Pittsburgh, San Diego, New York Giants, Arizona

Last Week: 9-5