Bears vs. Redskins, a Preview...

I've heard enough negativity about the Bears offensive line and coaching staff this week (and all season) to last a lifetime here in Chicago.  I'm starting to think that the reason for all the negativity is it doesn't require analysis or thought--it is very easy and intellectually lazy to say "The Bears suck" or "The Bears Offensive Line sucks" but not as easy to say "The Bears will win/lose against the Redskins and here is why" or "The Bears are the best/worst team in their division and here is why".  So here is why the Hopeful Bears Fan sees that negativity as misguided, and how the Bears will begin to win back their fans this week (by the way, this is the first time in my life I've heard of a first place team having to "win back their fans" but so it goes in the Windy City):

1. The Chicago Bears offensive education of Mike Martz is now complete.  Martz has proven that he can adjust based on the strengths and weaknesses of both his team and the opponent (see Carolina game).  Last week, his gameplan revolved around the pass because that was the weakness of his opponent (Seattle was ranked near the bottom of the league against the pass going into week 6).  Where he faltered was in two areas: hubris and aggressiveness.  Hubris in that he gave too much credit to his offensive line (coming off of their decent performance against Carolina) and aggressiveness in that his gameplan was to get an early lead and pile on from there.  This week, he will scale back the passing game (though not too much because the Redskins are also near the bottom of the league against the pass) and create more balance.  This will keep the Redskins pass rush in check and Cutler on his feet.  It will also increase the offensive line's confidence and lead to their best performance of the year.
2. The Bears defense was FLAT last week, for the first time all year.  Part of that may have been due to the loss of one of their leaders, Lance Briggs, but it was mainly due to good old-fashioned overconfidence.  The Bears defense will have their sense of urgency renewed this week, and the Redskins offense will pay the price.
3. I am NOT impressed by Ryan Torain, RB of the Redskins.  Sure, he thrived last week against the Colts, and he is operating in a Mike Shanahan offense that has been very kind to running backs in the past.  But he was picked up off the scrap heap, and to me he looks slow and doesn't do anything particularly well.  The Bears defense gave up a couple of touchdowns to Seahawks running backs last week, but they still have been one of the best against the run.  Look for a bounce back game against this running game.  The Redskins passing game is nothing to write home about either, especially with Chris Cooley coming off a concussion last week.
4. Julius Peppers was shut down last week.  If you've watched Peppers this year, you know he has been a force in every other game.  I'll take the odds on Peppers being a force again this week, especially against a quarterback like McNabb who historically likes to hold onto the ball long to make something happen.  He is quick and athletic, but Peppers is better and younger and will take away that part of McNabb's game.
5. The relative balance (look for a 65-35 or 60-40 pass/run split this week) will benefit Greg Olsen and Johnny Knox.  Look for both to get in the endzone this week.

Updated prediction: Bears 27 Redskins 17