The Packers thoroughly dominated their NFC Rival Chicago Bears Sunday afternoon at Lambeau Field. They Ran, they passed, they tackled, they made plays, every Phase of their game was better than the Bears. Ryan Grant had a season High 145 Yards and the packers rushed for 200 yards against a Bears defense that had been stout against the run. This is a Bears team that held the Titans to just 20 rushing yards last week. The Chicago Defense was no better against the pass. The Packers did whatever they wanted to against the Bears soft zone coverage including converting on 50% of their third down plays, the Bears were a measely 25% for third down on offense. Aaron Rodgers finished the day 23-30 237 Yards 2 Tds and 1 Int. Kyle Orton returned to the line up but was mostly ineffective against the Packers stout pass defense, he was 13-26 for 133 yards and a fumble. Rookie Matt Forte had another solid outing with 104 total yards (40 receiving and 64 rushing). That would be the lone bright spot for the Chicago Bears Sunday as they were only able to muster 3 points on their second drive of the day.

The bottom line was the Packers were the better team, played with more discipline, tackled better, executed better on offense, and played their game plan to perfection.

The Bears on the other hand, look as if they need to go back to the drawing board on both offense and defense. But the defense has been underperforming all season and has all the talent and all the salary cap space, and the offense was expected to be horrible and has actually overperformed for the most part this season. This offense isn’t built to overcome a weak defense who gives up over 20 points a game and can’t stop the opposing offenses passing games if they do muster a lead. The Bears defense is 30th against the pass and gives up 23.1 points per game, the bears should break into the top ten worst defenses in points per allowed per game after this game is figured in. I think it is time for the Bears to go back to the basics, scrap the current scheme, simplify, and get creative with the defensive play calling. If the Bears defense doesn’t respond by seasons end, expect Defensive Coordinator Bob Babich to be under fire, there is simply no reason the defense should be performing this way considering the level of talent. Let’s hope we see a change next week, although it is against a horrendous St. Louis rams team.

The Packers appear to be on the rise with a young talented Quarterback and a stingy defense. The Bears appear to be a team on the decline, especially on the defensive side of the ball.

Next up the Packers go on the road to face the New Orleans Saints and the Bear head to St. Louis to face the struggling Rams.

Rex Grossman took most of the first-team snaps on Wednesday, but after his lackluster outing vs the Titans on Sunday, the team could really use a lift with Orton back in the lineup. Orton’s availability for the contest could come down to Sunday, as it will likely be a game-time decision. Here’s hoping that the ankle gets better between now and kickoff.

The Bears Defense has figured out how to stop the run, but now if they could only stop the pass. The Bears entered the League 30th overall in pass defense, and 6th against the run. The rest of the league has figured out that the Bears are soft against the pass, apparently everyone has, except the Bears Defensive coordinator Bob Babich and staff, and Bears head coach Lovie Smith. Kerry Collins threw for a season high 289 yards. Before this game Collins had not went over the 200 yard mark. Bo Scaife Titans tight end had a career high 10 catches for 78 yards, and Bears cast off Justin Gage had 4 receptions for 47 yards and a TD in the Titans 21-14 win. It appeared at times that the Titans were running a 7 on 7 drill against the Bears Defense. The Bears were dominant against the Titans rushing attack allowing Just 20 rushing yards, the stat looked impressive but the scoreboard did not. The Titans scored a touchdown in each of the last three quarters to total 21 points which were enough for them to get away from Soldier field with a win.

The Bears looked great on the first possession of the game going 14 plays for 75 yards ending in a 5 yard Rex Grossman touchdown pass to Matt Forte.

The next 11 Chicago Possession were an Int, 9 punts, and a blocked field goal. The Bears managed to get into the end zone one more time before the end of the game, and ended their last possession on downs.

Rex Grossman really showed us what we like about Kyle Orton, the ability to complete a first down, hit the open man, and not turn the ball over. All things Grossman fails to do consistently. Grossman was 20 for 37 with 1 Touchdown and 1 Interception. There were a few well thrown balls (most of them on the first drive of the game), but overall he was ineffective, missing wide open receivers, throwing jump balls turning the receivers into defenders, and a Interception saving catch of a tipped ball by Matt Forte. His lone interception was in Bears territory causing field position to change and eventually ending in a Titans touchdown. Matt Forte finished the game with 20 rushed for 72 yards and 7 receptions for 54 yards and a Touchdown, I am so impressed with him, he plays with fire, makes big plays, and when you see him come off the field, it is like you know the offense isn’t going to be successful.

Ok, I will go ahead and say it, the bears pass defense is officially in shambles. The cover two defense needs retooled, it should be the called cover who? defense, or the Donut defense because there is no one in the middle.

The Titans converted on 7 of 17 third downs, but the worst part were most of them were on third and long. The Bears simply were no where to be found on pass coverage. At times you see 5 Bears Jerseys standing there watching a receiver catch the ball just a few yards in front of them in the soft part of the defense.

The Titans were the better team, and I would say the Better coached team today. They made the adjustments and were able to come out with a win. The Bears did not make the adjustments, could not stop the pass nor garner enough points to stay in this one.

Next up the Bears head to Lambeau field against the 4-5 Packers , and the Titans head to Jacksonville to play the 3-5 Jaguars.

The big storyline in this one is if the Bears are going to have the services of QB Kyle Orton, who was hurt with an ankle sprain last week. He has been a big reason the team has had a good season, and the team has won three straight at home, and Orton has been very good at home this season. If Orton can’t go, it’ll be Rex Grossman, who did step in next week and got the win vs the Lions.

For the Titans, it’s all about the run game of LenDale White and Chris Johnson. Kerry Collins is going to need to win a game at some point, and with the Bears run defense, it could be this week that he will have to step up and win this one. They will open up with Johnson and White running, but the team should allow Collins to throw more, and take a look at what Brian Griese did back in week three in the Bears only home loss of the year.

This has all the makings of one of those classic 17-14 or at most, 20-17 games. The Titans and Bears both have very good defenses, and it’s those playmakers that will step up and decide the game. The Titans with Albert Haynesworth, and the Bears with their stars like Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs.

Tennessee has played three close games this year, all three winning by three points. This will be another three-point game, but this time for the first time in 2008, the Titans will be on the short end of the stick.

The Chicago Sun Times reports that the injury to kyle Orton’s ankle may not be as serious as initially reported. He hasn’t ruled out playing against the Titans this week.

”I don’t know exactly what the timetable is going to be,” Orton said. ”I just feel like if I keep on making improvement, I certainly can’t rule out this week. It’s just going to go week to week.”

I don’t expect Orton to be a go this week. I certainly would love to see him suit up, but I imagine the Bears will give him another week to fully recover. So it is Rex Grossman that will most likely get the nod, and Caleb Hanie will enter as the back-up. Depending on how this game goes we might get a look at Hanie, although I imagine the Bears don’t want do anything to his confidence that he gained throughout the pre-season.

INJURY UPDATE: According to an inside source from the Chicago Tribune, Kyle Orton Could Miss Up To A Month With A High Ankle Sprain.

Mike Brown’s calf injury appears to be just fine - very minor, after speaking to reporters after the game.

Good teams beat the teams they are supposed to, even when they are not deserving.

It was one of those games in which the Bears should not have won. They came out victorious despite committing a false start on Detroit’s 1-yard line on 1st and goal, despite providing little to no pass rush during key stretches (once again), despite giving up 23 points to a lackluster Lions offense (all in the 2nd quarter), and to add on top of the obvious list of blunders, their starting QB went out with an apparent ankle injury. The difference this time - they overcame the mistakes and redeemed themselves quickly in a win they needed to stay ahead of Green Bay in the NFC North. Crowd-pleaser Rex Grossman came on in relief of Kyle Orton to lead the troops to two touchdown scoring drives in the 2nd half to keep the Lions winless, thus helping the Bears improve to 5-3.

In a contest which had Bears fans everywhere nervous and utterly shocked throughout, the division battle was just what the Windy City Soldiers needed on a cool Sunday afternoon at Soldier, where it seemed like the team looked to lose all the momentum they had carried over from the Bye week. Where they looking ahead or where they crushed because their leader and starting quarterback went down? Nonetheless, they certainly will move on and take the ugly win and look over the film in extreme preparation for next Sunday’s showdown against the unbeaten Tennesee Titans.

It sure looked like Detroit was the team with a record above .500 playing for sole possession of 1st place in the North. It sure looked like they were the team which was favored by 12.5 points. It sure looked like they were the team getting ready for the Titans. It also sure looked like they were the team with higher aspirations, hopes to play in January and advance beyond the regular season into the post season. That was for the 2nd quarter that is, definitely not in the 2nd half nor in crunch time.

Matt Forte ran for a career-best 126 yards on 22 carries (5.7 ypc), going over the centruy mark for the second time in his career, as he made sure his team did not have to rely on Rex and the passing game all that much. Devin Hester fumbled a kickoff return which let to a Detroit score. Mike Brown left with a calf injury. A healthy Tommie Harris gave the defensive line a much sought after lift, displaying good penetration, resulting in two sacks.

You can expect next week’s outcome against Tennessee to be decided by the team which displays the better and more efficient aerial attack. Both teams have stellar run stopping defenses, so look for each passing department to play a vital factor. Whichever defense stays out the field longer will lose this physical and grueling match-up - 3rd down coversions will be the main key.

* UPDATE * Former Lions and Cardinals free safety Terrence Holt has been signed to the active roster.
5th round draft choice Zack Bowman will have to wait again until next year to make an game-changing impact like he did Sunday against Minnesota, as the former Nebraska Cornhusker standout will now prepare for the ‘09 campaign after he learned about his torn right bicep which he will undergo surgery for to repair the muscle, thus finishing his season. Bowman made his presence felt in his first NFL appearance by picking up a special teams touchdown and catching the game-clinching interception in Sunday’s 48-41 thrilling victory over Minnesota.

The loss should not be too burdensome, as the Bears expect all three missing members of the secondary (Tillman, Vasher, Manning) to return Week 9 at Soldier Field against Detroit. After hearing about this devastating injury, I gained a ton of repsect for Bowman - seeing that he played through tremendous pain and came up with the biggest defensive play of the year next to the goal line stop against Philly. Bowman’s a warrior and a true keeper for down the road. As for now, I wonder if we’ll see more of another rookie - 4th round safety (LSU) Craig Steltz or a veteran picked up like Ty Law?

The secondary injuries continue to mount up for the Bears. This time it’s a different story, as I look for Corey Graham to keep impressing and for the team to get its healthy starters back for Week 9. Keep in mind McBride had a good game and the safeties are still healthy and playing well. The defensive line is the unit on D that needs to step their game up.

The Windy City Flyer Devin Hester was sidelined for Sunday’s second half with a bruised left quad which was caused by a helmet hit to his thigh. With an extra week off due to the Bye, He expects to be on the field for the Lions. “I’m feeling a lot better than I was [Sunday],” Hester said.

No D, No Starting Corners, No Excuses - No Letdown:

Many expected a typical black ‘n blue, NFC North slug fest between Chicago and Minnesota. Few imagined the battle to see more than 48 points, let alone a single team reaching that mark. Even less envisioned the offensive show which was on display at Soldier Field to produce what turned out to be the second highest scoring game of the season. Both legendary coaches George Halas and Bud Grant would’ve been mightily frustrated to witness what 62,235 fans in attendance viewed this afternoon, as the Kyle Orton-led Bears outscored, outlasted, and outmaneuvered the Vikings 48-41. Those who were looking for the high-priced defenses to finally step up and earn their money’s worth went away utterly shocked and surprised. Needless to say, the result was mind-boggling and baffling to two teams that pride themselves on defense.

Various experts thought the match-up would be decided in the trenches - not through the air. Nonetheless, the contests between the two fierce rivals saw more “twists & turns” than a dance floor occupied on a Saturday night by “SoulTrain”. Thus, lead changes and ties were aplenty, while defensive miscues and errors were a many, in a game which saw more than its share of plays over twenty. The recurring and popular theme of the day seemed to be the pathetic performances of the defenses, as they were picked apart play after play, a sharp contrasts for two units who were described as formidable rather than lackluster in September. Disappointing, considering all the cash handed out during the off-season for both of these squads.

This game was a matter of who would finish or blink first, and in this case neither team did - it justs so happened that Minnesota ran out of time and rookie CB Zack Bowman (recovered punt in end zone for TD) chose the best time to come up with the first pick of his career. On a day where the Bears where missing both their starting corner backs and nickel back, (not to mention Devin Hester left with a quad injury - already with Brandon Lloyd out) they received unexpected help from an inexperienced (first career game) source - who knows, maybe if they would’ve received this type of play from a veteran we could be hyping them as legitimate NFC contenders.

For now, this just goes to show you why depth is such a key, important factor in succeeding in an injury-plagued NFL on a week-to-week basis. Who knows what Chicago will need from on out if they want to win the division and compete in post season play. What we do know: Both these teams have gone away from relying on their supposedly strong and stingy defenses to their new and improved offenses. If you liked Part 1 of the rivalry, than plan ahead for the sequel and circle your calendars for November 30th, where the two rivals will collide that Sunday Night in the Metrodome.

As for the Vikings, Adrian Peterson ran for 121 yards and 2 touchdowns and Gus Frerotte threw four interceptions. The defeat drops Minnesota to 3-4 entering next week’s Bye. For the Bears, Kyle Orton threw for 283 yards and 2 touchdowns and the Special teams tacked on two scores to help the cause. The victory improves Chicago’s record to 4-3 and moves them atop the division entering an off-week. Who would’ve thought that through 7 games the Bears would be averaging 28 points per game! Interesting Note: The Bears also put up 40 + against SF in ‘06 with the * eye sore * orange jerseys.