Thread: 8 & 4 with the Vikes - GB - Arizona - Detroit left.

7-1 was against mostly weak teams. I think everyone knew it was going to change. Honestly, although I expected the Bears to win against the texans and Seahawks, the record right now is about right for the talent level of the team.

The one thing that doesn't add up -- for me anyway is the lack of offensive production when Cutler has protection. I did not expect to see it stay low. That bothers me. We are all counting on: better protection = higher scores, but I don't see that when we do have better protection.

Something is still wrong and I hope someone smarter than me can see it and fix it because otherwise we are going to have a better line, better protection and continued low scoring games.

Originally Posted by hoth

I was surprised & excited at 7-1.
7-1 probably gave alot of people unrealistic expectations, I know I fell victim to that.
Now reality has come crashing in & I'm depressed at 8-4.

Back in August, I probably would've been happy if ya told me a 8-4 start was in the cards.
Going into the season, I didn't think this was a Superbowl team, but I did think #2 in the division was likely.
At 7-1, I kinda bought in to other people's hype & exuberance, I was hoping they knew better than I did.

The losses before today were all to teams I thought the Bears would probably lose to.
Not today though, this was really a huge opportunity missed in the now semi-unrealistic hope of a 1st round bye.

Originally Posted by BearJim

I really like your positive attitude 99. I wish I had it too. Maybe if we beat the Vikes I'll get it back. We lost a game we had no business losing today & it will be at several days until I get even begin to think positive. Going to work tomorrow it going to suck big time.

It was a tough loss to be sure. Seattle often plays us tough. I was at the game last year when they broke Johnny Knox' back - and blew us out.

What we are seeing is that the margin of error is small against good teams (and Seattle is a good team IMHO). Even with our injury situation, we have enough to beat good teams if we can limit stupid mistakes. The coaches and the players are capable of cleaning up the mistakes - at least enough of them to win as we move forward. Otherwise, a few stupid brain farts can kill us like it did yesterday. Obviously we could have won yesterday.

Getting Alshon back will be a boost. With Marshall, Alshon & hopefully Bennett back, Cutler can move the ball on anyone. Certainly we can score points better than yesterday. If we can do this, it will also let our defense avoid getting gassed like they did yesterday. All 4 of the remaining games are ones we can win if we limit stupid mistakes. But we'll need to bring our "A" game to each one.

On a positive note, the OL protection was adequate. Cutler had all day to pass. The run blocking needs to be better, but the present lineup is set with guys who can run block better than pass block. Yesterday we had 132 yards (4.1 yards per attempt). This cobbled-together oline will definitely need to get better at run blocking.

The defense can (and will) play better.

People are acting like the season is over after yesterday's loss. We are tied at #1 in our division, with a fairly decent schedule in December. It's too early to give up on the 2012 season. Not now.

Originally Posted by Smoking Jay

I think playing in minnesota this weekend will show us how we are going to show up for future weeks. Divisional games on the road will be tough. I know we played pretty well vs detroit and minnesota but now on the road and they are playing much better. So if we come out and crush minnesota on the road in a loud dome, will will say 11-5. If we look terrible and old again will say 9-7 and miss playoffs.

That may be how this unfolds. The Metrodome is a tough place sometimes. I think you nailed it. After this game we'll pretty much know how this season is going to end.