We’ve had the bye week to prepare, and that’s not to be discounted. Also, I think there’s still a bit of anger about have the game last year robbed from us by the refs.

On the other side of the field, I don’t think the Bear’s fortunes rest on Cutler. They rest on Forte. He has to get 100yds + rushing, and at least 30 total touches of the ball (rushing and passing). If the Bears decide to pin their hopes on Cutler’s arm vs. Forte’s legs, they lose.

There is a huge difference between a head coach and an assistant coach. These guys should all be judged for what they’re doing as assistants. I suppose you think that because Wade Phillips was a dog of a head coach that Houston erred in bringing him this year?

Chicago has for years failed as they’ve hesitated to pay up for top notch assistant coaches. Two years in a row they are overachieving the general expectations because they do have a staff of experienced coaches who are talented at what they are doing, and happy to have those jobs.

Just because someone makes a bad head coach does not mean they’re a bad coach. Some of the worst head coaches in the league are also some of the best coordinators.

Tice is a great o-line coordinator. Marinelli, likewise, a great defensive coordinator.

And Mike Martz is an offensive coordinator who has been coasting on the great job he did 12 years ago.

46% of the offense goes through Forte when a legit QB takes the snap. Any guesses how much of the offense Forte’ll get when it’s Earl Bennett getting the snap?

It seems to me that Cutler’s protection improves greatly when he has 7 blocking the pass rush. I’m just glad he survived the period of time it took for the coaches to figure that out.

I have my Packers going 14-2, enough for the #1 seed. I can see a scenario in which the Saints, Niners, and Giants all finish 12-4, so who knows how the 2, 3, 4 seeds end up.

Wildcards: Lions and either Bears, ‘Boys, or Falcons

Lucky they get to play alot of mediocre teams after Det. they run through a AFC west gauntlet in thier schedule in consecutive weeks, Seattle, GB on Christmas, and Minny. to finish it out.

They should be able to be 10-6, but it all depends on how Cutler plays.

Bears are still in third place in the division and 3.5 games behind the division leader. Every GOOD team they’ve played, (NO, GB, DET), they’ve LOST to but let’s not let that get in the way of the celebration…

The only good news about this mid-season winning streak against losing teams is it should guarantee the Bears keep Lovie, Martz and Jerry Angelo in place for another 2-3 years…

People questioned his toughness last year and instead of whining in the press, he kept working and responded well when getting pounded earlier this season. Nobody (objectively) can question his toughness.

Many critics also claimed he’s not a leader, but it’s so obvious he commands the huddle and is the leader on offense. Note how well he’s handled working with Martz. Cutler never rudely or disrespectfully called out Martz in the press, rather he pointed out that they are working together on what the Bears can and cannot do. Being direct, fair and honest without being a whiner is leadership. Cutler is growing up right before our eyes, so let’s give him the credit he’s earned.

They may make the playoffs, maybe, but they won’t make any noise.

Martz is the wrong OC for this team and Jay Cutler. Like a handful of other teams, they cannot be trusted week to week and I’m not buying.

The last time the Lions were 6-2, Martz all of a sudden decided to go pass crazy with us and completely forget about the run game. Will be interesting to see if Lovie and the Bears can keep the Mad Scientist controlled!

Check out my article on Lovie Smith in the Jerry Angelo era by clicking on my username at the top of this post.