When it comes to offensive football, the Bears have built a dynasty of fear and recrimination. Chicago isn't just the place where receivers go to die; the painful fact is that most anyone on that side of the ball is in danger of (poor) execution.
Mike Mulligan: The progress of the Bears' defense has been treacherously betrayed by the man running it. The supposed improvement in the NFL rankings this year -- they jumped from 16th to 11th after beating woeful Cleveland on Sunday -- is nothing but a mirage. Sure, you take progress where you find it, even in a hollow run up the table to the defense's highest ranking since the Super Bowl year.
The Bears beat up a feeble Cleveland Browns team almost as much as the Browns beat up Jay Cutler on Sunday at Soldier Field. A 24-point victory didn't tell the whole story as Cutler looked more like a mugging victim than a guy who directed a winning effort.
Nobody likes a bully. There can be little appreciation for those who use strength or power to harm and intimidate the weak. Unless, of course, you're talking about the NFL.
It's always tough to win, to force your will on an opponent, but it's nearly impossible when you create a reward system based on draft status, contract numbers or personal ego. Bears coach Lovie Smith seems to understand. He was asked if he was worried about looking as if he's playing the blame game by benching left guard Frank Omiyale in favor of Josh Beekman.
Mike Mulligan: The Bears are finished in everyone's mind but their own. A dreadful defeat to the Cincinnati Bengals is sure to awaken self-doubt and invite a collapse of confidence, but the perfect elixir comes in the form of the Cleveland Browns, who turn up Sunday at Soldier Field.
The temptation is to issue a threatening proclamation of sorts -- something along the lines that if the defense suffers another collapse like it did in Cincinnati on Sunday, then Lovie Smith needs the ''Jim Zorn treatment,'' meaning someone from ownership or management has to pull play-calling duties from the coach.
The red zone turned into a no-man's-land for the Bears' offense last Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons. And if the team wants to get back on a winning streak, it will need to shore up its problems in that crucial area between the 20-yard line and the goal line.
Mike Mulligan: With the Bears playing the Cincinnati Bengals and Cedric Benson on Sunday, it's a perfect time for one of those ''Where Are They Now?'' features about former Bears running backs. Benson has resuscitated his career and ranks third in the NFL in rushing this season. Matt Forte ... whatever happened to that guy?
ATLANTA -- If there is a major flaw in the Bears' defensive system, it's that designing a team that creates turnovers relies heavily on spontaneous, improvised, opportunistic plays. You can't rehearse the setup, but you have to be ready to strike when the moment arrives.
Here's a bold prediction for the Bears' game tonight at Atlanta: If it comes down to the Bears protecting a lead with 11 seconds left, they'll walk away a winner.
There's something weird going on with the Bears' defense that might require an explanation from a parapsychologist as opposed to a statistician. The defense has been dropping steadily in the NFL rankings, particularly against the pass, while somehow seeming to get better.
The Broncos' Kyle Orton and the Bengals' Cedric Benson have solidified their statuses as blossoming stars on their respective teams and top players in the league. But you won't hear a lot of people lamenting that those guys are no longer in Chicago.
Mike Mulligan: A funny story came out of Seattle regarding the only replay challenge against the Bears this season. Seahawks coach Jim Mora threw the red flag after a Johnny Knox touchdown early in the third quarter gave the Bears a 14-13 lead they never relinquished in Week 3.
