Bears Blitz

Published by Andrew Garda on November 6, 2012
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears

The Bears have had a great run the first half of this season and found themselves in charge of the NFC North and their own destiny.

With the exception of the loss to the Packers in Week 2, the Bears have dominated much of the competition with smothering defense and, more recently, good offense.

The next few weeks will be tough, but for now, they’re on top of the world.

Well, let’s hope that it doesn’t quite end up like it did for Cagney, but yes, the Bears are on top of the division and everyone will be looking to take their shots and bring them down in a hail of gunfire, flames and explosions.

Or touchdowns.

Whatever the method, be it firearms or passing yards, the Bears now have a target on their back and in a division like the NFC North. That’s both a blessing and a burden.

One of the biggest complaints I have heard since I said, maybe a week or so ago on Twitter, that the Bears were the best team in the division is that the strongest team they played (the Packers) is the only loss they have.

I respond to this in two ways.

First, you can only play the schedule you were given. You don’t always beat the teams you are supposed to—and the Packers themselves can tell you that (Indianapolis), as can the Vikings (also Indianapolis, plus Tampa Bay) and Lions (Tennessee).

So if that’s the criteria, then the ranking stands anyway because if I am rating losses, losing to the Packers in Week 2 in Lambeau?

Much more reasonable loss.

The second response is, this is not your Week 2 Bears anymore than it’s your Week 2 Bears.

While the outcome could be the same, the actual game will look much different.

Of course, the Bears are not perfect. The offensive line, while improving, still has issues at the tackles, while the passing game—outside of Brandon Marshall—is inconsistent and only recently started to get going.

They will be tested against Houston, though have the “luxury” of facing them in Soldier Field, which is a big advantage.

We’ll break that game down later this week, but we should get a good look at what the Bears are made of by the end of the game Sunday night.

The Week 10 Bears is a team which is pretty well-rounded and has shown the talent they have not just on defense, but offense as well. They are finally riding Matt Forte, and Cutler, despite the pass rush he faces, is looking more comfortable than he ever has.

This looks like a very, very good and very dangerous Bears team.

While other teams will take their shots, the Bears have the weapons to fend them off if they play like they have the last month.

Check out the B/R NFC North Facebook page—like us and keep up with everything NFC North on Bleacher Report.

Follow me on Twitter at @andrew_garda.

Read more Chicago Bears news on BleacherReport.com