Bears Blitz

Published by Bob Warja on November 7, 2010
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears

All season long—heck, for as long as I’ve been a Bears fan—it seems the defense has had to pick up the offense. Even in the Super Bowl seasons of 1985 and 2006, the defense was the main reason for the Bears’ success.

All that is fine, as long as the offense is at least pulling its share of the load. But lately, the offense has been less than non-existent. “Non-existent” would be an improvement over the harm they have caused by turning the ball over and failing to control the clock.

A schism between the offense and defense with this team is nothing new. Even the offense and defense of the great ’85 Bears were divided and used to fight among themselves. 

But as good as this current Bears defense may be, it is nowhere near as good as that team and is inferior to the 2006 version. All of which makes the contribution from the offense more important.

Don’t get me wrong, the defense is playing well. Just not great enough that it can overcome an offense that would be better off running the ball three times and punting.

As crazy as this may sound, there are games in which the Bears would be better served by an offense that does nothing and does not turn the ball over than what the Mike Martz offense is doing.

While that is a sad perspective on football in Chicago, it is the painful truth.

Starting this Sunday against the winless Buffalo Bills, it is time that the offense starts bringing something to the party.

I realize the Bills have played well lately, losing to Baltimore and Kansas City in overtime in their last two games, despite an 0-7 record. 

But this is a Buffalo defense ranked 26th in total defense. Plus, the Bears are coming off a bye week. So if the Bears cannot move the ball and score in the red zone against the Bills, then they may as well go home.

In short, the Bears are in a must-win situation. This is for a number of reasons.

First, they dropped to second place behind the Packers last week. In order for any team in the NFC North to make the playoffs, it will likely need to win the division.

Second, the schedule starts to get much tougher from here on out. After Sunday, the Bears schedule looks like this:

vs. Minnesota

@ Miami

vs. Philadelphia

@ Detroit

vs. New England

@ Minnesota

vs. Jets

@ Green Bay

So if the Bears lose to the Bills on Sunday, it would not be unreasonable to suggest that their season is as good as over.

Will Martz be persuaded to run the ball and get Chester Taylor more involved in the offense? Or will his stubbornness and ego make him throw the ball?

If the Bears lose this game, I would fire Martz and promote Mike Tice as offensive coordinator. He would at least play to the strengths of this offensive line: run the ball, and use quick, short drops and call for screen passes.

This is a game where the offense simply must step up. Or else make a change.

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