Whew!  After 10 days to mull over a Week 2 loss to the Packers, the Bears bounced back with a decent 23-6 win, due in large part to a dominant defensive performance.  You’ll notice a theme to the nominees for our Week 3 Game Ball.  Check out the choices and vote for your favorite.

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Major Wright (21)- Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-US PRESSWIRE

The Monsters of the Midway are still with us in Chicago.  The defense that was too old and was allegedly diminishing in skills was not the talk of the town all off season (except for Urlacher’s knee)   The offense was going to have to carry the defense to victories this season. Brandon Marshall, Alshon Jeffery, and Michael Bush were all going to spark the new and exciting Bears offense. Well a strange thing happened on the way to the fireworks show.

The Bears defense has been the stars of the show as always in Chicago including their 23-6  today at Soldier Field against the St. Louis Rams.  The Bears defense that routinely had to win game after game during Lovie’s tenure did it again today with 6 sacks while stopping the Rams dink and dunk and dink again offense.  The play of the game was made by Major Wright on a tip pass from Tim Jennings, Wright returned the interception 45 yards for the game clinching touchdown. Tim Jennings also picked off his 4th pass of the season in the last few seconds.  The defensive line was very impressive today with Israel Idonje collected half of the 6 sacks with Julius Peppers Amobi Okoye, and Stephen Paea getting the other sacks.  The defense limited Sam Bradford to 152 yards passing and 2 interceptions while Stephen Jackson piled up all of 29 yards on the ground.

The offense was another issue. Where is the explosion? They had some great success early in the game running, but they didn’t stick with it. Michael Bush did get a touchdown in the 2nd quarter but ended up with only 55 yards rushing.  Cutler never got into a great rhythm and finished with only 183 yards passing with a pick.  The offensive line only gave up 2 sacks, but it was under duress most of the day.  The play calling still needs some work.

A win is a win and we will take it.  Look for more stories and updates about the Bears much needed home win later today!

Da Bears!!

But what about the players who aren’t as revered nationally? The players who don’t popup in Comcast Infinity commercials, or the ones who get pub for impregnating their soon to be wife and once a reality star.

Here are five under the radar Chicago Bears whose performances will impact the course this season takes.  And if they fail, they’ll be making headlines for all the wrong reasons. (more…)

August 9, 2012, San Diego, CA: Green Bay Packers linebacker Desmond Bishop (55) is carried off the field after being injured in the first quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jody Gomez-US PRESSWIRE

The best news coming out of last night’s Bears vs Broncos match-up last night was that there were no significant injuries for the Bears depending on the severity of Major Wright’s hamstring issue.  The Green Bay Packers were not that lucky last night in their match-up versus the San Diego Chargers.

Packers starting linebacker Desmond Bishop was injured in the first quarter of the game.  He injured his knee/hamstring and even the day after the injury there hasn’t been any updates on his condition or how long Bishop will be sidelined.  All that was said about Bishop’s knee is that it didn’t look good.  Bishop missed three games last season with a calf injury, and he’s hopeful that last night’s injury isn’t a season ending one.  He was replaced last season by then rookie D.J. Smith, and Smith would be his replacement until he returns from this injury.

The Packers are getting nicked up in the pre-season already, but Bishop’s injury could be a lot more significant.  It’s unknown at this time if Bishop’s condition will be updated again before Coach McCarthy’s press conference tomorrow.

It was BEARly worth mentioning, but they are our biggest rival!

Da BEARS!!!

The Bears defense needs to play like they did in the first half of the season if they want to get to the Super Bowl. (photo courtesy of AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato)

In a season of anomalies and happenstance, it’s hard to believe in trends, but the Chicago Bears defense is starting to be a concern.  While, we all know that they can change games with turnovers and big plays, those have been few and far between recently. Take away the five turnovers they had against the Minnesota Vikings two weeks ago, and they only have four turnovers since Week 12.  They are also giving up 23.2 points, 368.2 yards and 21.4 first downs per game to opposing offenses. This is not the Bears defense that we are used to.

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As I took a look back at the 2010 Chicago Bears season to date, I found myself wondering, how did this rag tag group of players win seven games?  Then, as I read about the Eagles CB Ellis Hobbs being out for the season and CB Asante Samuel possibly out this week, it hit me.  The Bears have been unbelievably healthy all season and the familiarity they have had with each other has bred success.  That worries me the most.

The only significant injuries that the Bears have sustained were LB Hunter Hillenmeyer’s concussion, which landed him on the IR during the preseason, and a finger injury to untested, but talented rookie S Major Wright, who has missed five games.  Other than that, a guy or two have missed a game here or there, every once in awhile.  To put it simply, the football gods have been nice to the Bears this year.  To me, it just sounds a little too good to be true, don’t ya think?

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Giants DE Mathias Kiwanuka is OUT for the Sunday night game with a bulging disc.  With Osi Umenyiora listed as questionable with a foot injury, the Giants defensive line definitely limps into this contest.  Jay Cutler thanks you in advance.

Also out for the Giants are center Shaun O’Hara with an Achilles and tackle Will Beatty with a foot.  Maybe that will help the Bears’ D-line get to Eli.  Linebacker Keith Bullock is doubtful as well.  Those are the most likely to miss.

Defensive tackle Rocky Bernard is questionable with a back.  The probables are WR  Mario Manningham coming off a concussion, linebackers Chase Blackburn has a knee  and Phillip Dillard has a hammy and kick returner Darius Reynaud is ill.

As for the Bears, the news is much better.  The hamstring bug will keep left tackle Chris Williams and safety Major Wright out but that’s about the extent of any substantial injuries.  Roberto Garza returned to practice on a limited basis, but  all indications are that he will suit up.

BEAR DOWN!!!

Through the month of October, my usual BEAR DOWN signoff will be in pink to raise awareness for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.