It will be a hot December for the surging Bears
The Chicago Bears have been the biggest revelation in the NFL this season. With an 8-3 record and winners of seven of their last eight games, the Bears are leading the NFC North Division. But now comes the hard work.
The Bears are now looking at their toughest 2005 month. Heading into the holiday season, Chicago is scheduled to face the Green Bay Packers twice in their next four assignments. The schedule also includes crucial matchups against the Pittsburgh Steelers and Michael Vick-led Atlanta Falcons. The Bears wind up their campaign against division rivals Minnesota Vikings - a game that could decide the both team’s playoff chances.
If offense has been the key for the Indianapolis Colts and Cincinnati Bengals, the same isn’t the formula for the Bears. Chicago has been beating sub-par NFL teams with suffocating defense. The only concern for the Bears fans is that all of their December opponents have the capacity to put up scores when they needed to. Even the hapless Packers are not an easy prey for the Bears especially if they’ll play against Brett Favre who can easily put up big numbers.
With Rex Grossman seemingly out for the entire season, the Bears hopes now lie upon the shoulders of young quarterback Kyle Orton. Orton has been relatively fine but not outstanding to match him with the likes of Peyton Manning and Carson Palmer. So the December question may be whether the Chicago offense can outscore better opposition than it’s been seeing.
Orton will be in the hotseat this December. Yes, the Bears are winning with defense but don’t expect them to hold their ground against Pittsburgh and Atlanta. Chicago needs Orton to create more offensive plays so that their defensive lineup can make crucial stops down the stretch.
Let’s see whether the Kid can do it. Is he the next Ben Roethlisberger? Too early to say but a December win sweep will surely skyrocket his career and prolong Grossman’s stay on the bench.
