Sunday Recap

After watching the full Bears game for only the second time this year, I feel like its time to break down how the team arrived at 7-3. This Bears team seemed poised for a seven win year... total. Now, with six games left, they are already at seven. They are indisputably better than the lions right now, and they seem to have a schedule which makes 11-5 likely and 12-4 possible.

Still, one had to wonder what that means. Having watched this team closely today, I would give the following grades to their various units:

- quarter back - Jay Cutler has proven that he is tough, and capable of making any throw. In the last few games the offense has done better letting Cutler move the pocket, which has benefited the units ability to move the ball. If Cutler can stay upright he's slowly proving the sky is the limit.

- running back - Matt forte is among the top five backs in the league right now, but the team will need to get Marion barber worked in to the offense in order to avoid wearing forte down.

- wide receivers - Roy Williams is an enigma on a unit full of them. Having Earl Bennett back has been a huge help, and Johnny Knox continues to stretch the field. If Williams can stop dropping balls each game this unit might be sufficient.

- tight end and offensive line - I group these together because the team rarely throws downfield to the tight ends. The line is an are of major concern (more so now with the season ending injuries to Williams and Carimi ) but they are doing better with the move the pocket gameplans of late.

- d line - when peppers is on they get the requisite pressure to run lovie's defense. If he were to get hurt?....

-linebackers - urlacher and Briggs continue to be the best lb pair in the NFL. Roach is pretty decent himself.

- defensive backs - Tillman isn't great in coverage but he is physical, can tackle,  and he forces turnovers. The safety issues leave an otherwise good defense vulnerable. 

- special teams - good as Gould continues to be the Gould standard of NFL kickers under 50 yards. The punting game has improved this year, and the return game is still the best in the game.

In the whole,  the team feels like they have the ability, if they stay healthy, to position themselves for a run at the NFC again. They play Green Bay tougher than anyone, and on a cold day in Wisconsin this January anything could happen.... if only we can get there.