Good News...Its Over

It seems that this 2 game road trip was enough for the Bears to forget their fight song. Somehow they forgot the line, "Put up a fight with a might so fearlessly". Now I don't know how many other people laugh when they're team is getting is getting embarrassed, but I couldn't help myself. Carson Palmer marched down the field every time they had the ball, but it wasn't until he threw his third touchdown pass that I began to chuckle. It didn't matter whether the Bears were in their 'unbeatable' Bear-2 zone or if they were man coverage, Lovie Smith had no answer for any offensive play the Bengals ran. After this kind of a game, I asked myself, was there anything good that happened on Sunday that maybe could be a small bright spot for what happened yesterday? I came up with three quite pathetic answers. 1) Earl Bennett has showed time and time again, he will go get any ball put in his general direction, even if he has to sacrifice his body to do so. 2) Devin Hester could be a legitimate receiver if he could just hold onto the football. He's reading coverages pretty well and looks as though he should be getting the ball more when the defense is in zone coverage. 3) Last year in Green Bay when we got embarrassed we only put up 3 points, this year when we got embarrassed we put up 10.

Good news though, our next game is at home against the Cleveland Browns, one of about 5 teams in the league, the Bears actually stand a chance at beating. If the Bears don't completely rip apart the Browns next week, don't expect them to do much with this year. Looking over our schedule, of all the remaining teams their combined record at this point is 31-32* (the Philadelphia Eagles have a Monday night game after this article). Now there is still games left this season so there is no need to really count the Bears out of it just yet, but, that total record includes the St. Louis Rams 0-7, the Cleveland Browns 1-6 and the Detroit Lions 1-5. A combined 2-18 record amongst those clubs.

Here's what I'll say. Its way, way too early in the season to start picking playoff teams. The great teams are beginning to separate themselves from the mediocre teams. This is the game for the Bears to turn their season around, play football, and start separating themselves. I know I've been calling for Lovie Smith to get fired, and his whole coaching staff with him, but if that offensive line gives Cutler a little more time to throw and opens more holes for Matt Forte and defense remembers what a takeaway is, the Bears will be right back on track. This is their chance to make their statement. Don't be surprised if they start bringing in old veterans to help them out. Maybe Mike McKenzie to help at cornerback or Derrick Brooks to plug up that middle. Just some random names that are out there that I think they should look at. This week should be placed under the forgettable category, but its time we start playing Bear football.