Bears Must Win

With their only win in the last three games coming against the lowly Cleveland Browns, Chicago faces a must-win game in San Francisco on Thursday. The Bears defense is reeling after allowing Cincinnati to score on their first seven drives a few weeks ago and the Cardinals scored on their first six last week. Chicago is giving up an average of 43 points per game against opponents who aren't the Browns over the last three weeks. The scary part is that not only have the Bears been getting dominated in the passing game, but their normally solid run defense has been bad lately too.


The Chicago Bears Defense is awful.

Frank Gore is much better than any back on the Cardinals roster, and they averaged six yards a carry Sunday. Alex Smith is not an intimidating presence at QB, but the Bears have shown that almost anyone can throw on them. Jay Cutler shouldn't bank on getting much help from the defense.

Fortunately, the 49ers are on a skid of their own, losing four straight after starting the season 3-1. San Fransisco is not, generally speaking, an explosive team, and if the Bears defense can at least play like they belong in the NFL, the offense has a good chance of getting a win.

Ron Turner should look to have Cutler take advantage of the absence of Nate Clemens, who is out with a shoulder injury. I would say that Chicago has the best chance of winning if they force the game into the hands of Alex Smith by containing Gore and scoring early if the defense hadn't been so putrid lately. Not only is Gore tough to control, but lately the defense has looked like they would be outmatched by Smith too.

So, my revised strategy is this: Hope the defense shows some semblance of competency and pray that Jay Cutler gets a chance to lead a comeback.