Why I Still Believe in the Bears
Curtis Compton (Atlanta Journal-Constitution/MCT)
Chicago Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery makes a first down reception past Atlanta Falcons' Jonathan Massaquoi during the second half on Sunday, Oct. 12, 2014, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.
The Bears looked like a professional football team Sunday afternoon, as they beat the Atlanta Falcons 27-13 in a very solid performance across the board. And because of this game and this game alone, I have hope that the Chicago Bears actually have a decent chance to go far in this league.
I’m not going as far as a Super Bowl Ring on the finger of Jay Cutler, oh no, not just yet.
Yet, look at the personnel. The Bears have 6’ plus wide receivers in Jeffery and Marshall, as well as a monster of a target in their tight end, Martellus Bennett, who currently has a touchdown in four games out of the first six played this season. Also, the Chicago Bears possess a Pro-Bowl running back in the elusive Matt Forte, who may have had a rough start in the beginning of the season, but has found his stride in the last two games. So how could their offense fail?
This lies in their “flip of a coin” quarterback, Jay Cutler. Cutler got paid a lot of money to lead this team to the promised land, and so far he has been “Good Jay Cutler” in three of their games played. Yet, his performance isn’t even the biggest question mark this year though…
The defense. Oh my. They were made a mockery by the Bills, Packers, and Panthers (all right, I don’t blame the loss against Carolina on the D. That one is all you, Cutler…), yet they have played consistently. Cornerback Kyle Fuller gives me hope for the future, as well as the “So-2012” Tim Jennings on the other side of the field.
Most of the controversy lies in the linebackers, led by captain Lance Briggs.
Yet, with Briggs being sidelined with an injury the last game, and possibly future games, the defense was probably shaking their legs pregame. How the heck were they to contain the high-flying Falcons to less points than Cutler could put up?
I watched the game, and I still have no clue how the Bears pulled off the victory. Their performance outmatched the above-average Falcons and they brought home the victory to bring themselves to 3-3.
Next week, the Bears come back to Chicago to play the Dolphins, a young squad who we should dominate, as long as “Good Jay” and “Good D” come to play. If I just jinxed it, my deepest apologies.
But after that, six of their next nine games are against teams who currently have more wins than losses, which is not too encouraging.
Yet, I still believe in Jay. I believe in our new-and-improved defense, and I truly believe in consistency, which the rest of our offense delivers day in day out. I believe that we can win six out of the next nine games, and propel to 9-6, barely making a Wild Card spot.
And we will go from there once we get there, but for now, bear down, Chicago, bear down.
Junior Mitch Stengel loves talking sports, debating sports, and most of all, playing sports. Journalism is what he wants to do the rest of his life.
Jackson • Oct 22, 2014 at 10:23 am
Very insightful Mitch, but I have to disagree. The inconsistent play of Cutler leads to far too many back breaking mistakes. A so called”offensive genius” who tries to outsmart the other team instead of using his talent to try and beat teams is alarming as well. Poor game planning and preparation leaves me concerned. I mean they ran the ball twice in the first half against Miami and he must have called a half a dozen screen passes as well. I just do not think Trestman is the guy until he proves to me otherwise. Also, the big hole and lack of talent recognition on defense leaves me quite concerned. They are stuck on playing Shea because he is a high draft pick instead of playing other guys whom have proven to play far better. I agree that their is a huge hole at linebacker on this team, and even with Briggs playing this team is slow and old there. Lastly, this team just is not gelling. Sometimes teams play above their talent level if they just have a great rapport with each other. Kinda like my baseball team’s run down state we just were so close when things went bad we were able to overcome it. This is just the opposite with this team. This offense cannot overcome one mistake. For example, Cutler threw one pick in the first half vs. Miami and it seemed to hold them back for the entire duration of the game. This, in my opinion, starts and ends with the head coach. I do not believe in him or this team. While I want you to be right because this team , as you said, is so talented especially on offense. Sometimes the most talented teams do not win because of leadership voids or the team not gelling. Both of which I have too put at the feet of Trestman.