By: Kevin Anderson
The Chicago Bears just always know how to give their fans hope. After the 36-30 overtime victory over the Vikings on Sunday, I have heard a lot of positive talk about the future of this team.
Jay Cutler looked sharp and showed why we gave up so much for him.
Left Tackle Chris Williams kept the Vikings pro-bowl defensive end off of Cutler.
The running game looked above average.
The return game did its usual thing and kept the Bears alive in this game.
I am the last person in this city to ever rain on a big Bears win parade, but I have to this time. Too much has gone wrong this season to get excited about one game.
Let’s go over the game and some of the reasons the Bears walked away winners:
- A blocked extra point by Bears DE/DT Israel Idonije. I’m a strong believer in there is ‘no luck’ in football. Remember, if that XP isn’t blocked, there is no overtime.
- Vikings Pro-Bowl DT Pat Williams was inactive due to an elbow injury. With only half of the Williams wall (other being Vikings DT Kevin Williams) on the field, the Bears made the Vikings D worry about the run, more than the pass. Could you blame them?
- Over the last four years, Brett Favre hasn’t played well at Soldier field. He did have a great game on Monday, but all that came in the second half.
- Hunter Hillenmeyer punching the ball out of Vikings RB Adrian Petersons hands in overtime was a big play, right after a missed tackle.
Now ask yourself this: What was the score of the game going into the 4th quarter on Monday night?
It was 23 – 13 Bears.
Final score was 36 – 30. In overtime.
The second half of this game was all Vikings. The Bears D let up 30 points in the second half!
How can anybody be excited about that?
Yes, the D stepped up when they had to, to get the game won, but they never should have been in that position.
This brings me to my main concern: The Bears coaching staff.
Will this win give Jerry Angelo and Lovie Smith some leeway to keep their jobs?
It is possible.
The big picture is though; this defense is Lovie Smiths baby. He is the one calling the plays. Those 30 second half points by the Vikings were handed to them on a purple platter from Lovie & company.
Players don’t let 30 points happen in one half. Coaches do. That is the big picture.
Not the win, but how close they came to a loss.
Some thoughts:
- Bears Offense looked really good and Ron Turner called a great game. I thought I would never say this, but the Bears offense won this game.
- WR David Aromashodu will be a Bear next season.
- Sign Special Teams Coordinator David Toub to a ten year deal right now.
- Rookie RB Kahlil Bell runs hard and I would like to see him get some more carries against the Lions.
- Hunter Hillenmeyer. Don't you run off and start for another team next year.
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