Bears v. Lions

I should be happier about a win, but I just can seem to get over the fact that we now know what kind of team this is.  It's as if the Lions game confirmed everything I suspected about this team.  This is a team that will be limited by its offense and defined by its defense.  Its a team that is led by defense and supported by offense.  In the spirit, but not the quote, of a former Cardinals/Vikings coach, "They are who we thought they weren't, and they almost had us hooked".  I feel like a broken record, but the expectations for this team were supposed to be blossoming offense and a defense which is holding the dam together.  Instead, the offense struggles with consistency and the defense has nearly proven the Lovie Smith "Bend, but not break" theory of sound defense.    

Bears Defense

Let's face it, this defense is good.  Currently, the Bears lead the league in points per game (13.9), takeaways (21), defensive TDs (5),  and rushing defense (71 yards per game).  7 points and 4 turnovers, pretty much tell the story, but the Bears still gave up 340 yards (see Bend, not break theory). In first quarter the Bears dominated on both sides of the ball.  For the rest of the game, they were able to stop the Lions on defense whenever ever they got close to the endzone.  One time literally at the endzone.   The defense played spectacular bend, but not break, however it would have been a different story if the Lions weren't so fumble happy and were able to put in a few field goals to make it more interesting at the end of the game.  

Bears Offense

Let's just call it enough at this point.  The Bears are decent in the run game, but underperforming in scoring.  It seems like they can move the ball by running, but tend to falter before the end zone or Gould-kicking zone.  

296 yards against the Lions isn't bad and with a solid run game of the 171 yards on the ground, the Bears did enough to win the time of possession battle 34:25 to 25:25.  It would be nice to see Cutler have more than 150 yards passing.  Right now this is a team that will beat you, but it won't stomp on you.  The reason for that is an offense which can't throw the final punch.  The defense provided plenty of opportunities  for the offense to put it a way with a TD, but the Bears had to settle for Robbie Gould field goals instead.  I get the feeling like the this team is underperforming when it comes to putting points on the board.

I don't think we'll learn much more against the 1-5 Panthers.  We'll hopefully only learn that the Bears are a veteran team that will take care of the games they are supposed to win.  The Bears just need to focus and put this one in the win column so we can take a commanding lead in the NFC North