Bears Win Seventh Straight

(AP Photo/Steve Nesius)

Da Bears are on fire. Winners of seven straight, the Chicago Bears are far ahead in the NFC North at 8-3. The current seven game winning streak is the best for the Bears since 1986. Unreal. And to top that off, the last two victories were against the ("best team in the NFC?") Carolina Panthers, 13-3, and at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Raymond James Stadium (#3 Defense in the NFL) this Sunday afternoon, 13-10. The Bears, as you most likely know, have the #1 ranked Defense in the NFL. At least at the Week 12 mark.

Eight wins, Three losses. That's music to my ears. To make the playoffs this year would be quite an accomplishment for Lovie Smith, Ron Turner, Ron Rivera and Dave Toub. To win the division would be outstanding. Who would have guessed it? Thomas Jones has grabbed the starting RB position with fervor and not let go. Kyle Orton has certainly done better than expected as well, especially considering he was not considered to be even 5% of the offense when drafted in the fourth round by the Bears last year. Instead, he's accounted for much more of the Bears production than #4 pick overall Cedric Benson. Although Cedric looked to be coming around just as his season was possibly cut short by a serious knee injury (could be back by mid-December). And I haven't even started on the Bears smothering defense.

Orton went 14-28 today for 134 yards with a TD and an INT. He also rushed three times for 19 yards. Thomas Jones ran 25 times for 72 yards and caught three passes for 50 yards. Today's Bears TD went to John Gilmore a one yard pass from Orton for the first touchdown in Gilmore's four year career (out of Penn St.). Robbie Gould (pronounced "gold") succeeded on both field goal attempts (a 2nd quarter 25 yarder and a 3rd qtr. 36 yd.) and his only XP att. Brad Maynard had eight punts, averaging 43.9 yards per.

How about that #1 D? Alex Brown had a helluva day today with two tackles, two sacks, a forced fumble and five "hurries". Adawale Ogunleye also had two sacks, the last of which ended the game when he took down Chris Simms as the clock ran out in regulation. They did allow their first touchdown in 13 quarters to Mike Alstott in the fourth quarter, but they held on for the win. Of course, it definitely helped that Matt Bryant missed a 29 yd. chipshot with 2:47 to go. CB Charles Tillman looked shaky a few times up against the Bucs' WR Joey Galloway (but who doesn't), but he dished out the hits, leading the Bears with nine tackles and an assist. However, you don't like the cornerbacks getting all those tackles. Means they Bucs got downfield a few times on 'em. Thats where third-year OLB Lance Briggs comes in, adding seven tackles and two assists. SS Mike Brown had six and one, and MLB Brian Urlacher had five and one.

Monsters of the Midway! Bring on the Packers! At least the Bears get them at home first, before a chilly rematch on Christmas Day on the Frozen Tundra at Lambeau Field. I can hardly wait.

Time to watch the Seahawks v. Giants game.

Later.

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