Still hopeful!

I was at the game yesterday with my future brother-in-law, who had an extra ticket and was kind enough to bring me along.  Beautiful Chicago fall day, excellent seats (400 section--right on the 50 yard line) that offered a perfect perspective on the proceedings.  So I had the weather, seats and great company--now the Bears just had to do their part, right?  Well, the game started out promisingly, as the Bears went 80 yards in 4 plays to take the early 7-0 lead.  Things spiraled in the opposite direction pretty quickly, however, as the Seahawks took their next possession down the field to respond for a quick score of their own.  Again, there are plenty of places you can go online or elsewhere for a summary of the game and/or to read about how the sky is falling and the Bears won't win another game for the rest of the season.  But if you are interested in the opposite (and more positive/rational) perspective, read on my frents:

• The Bears are 4-2, and in first place in the NFC North all by themselves.  If the season ended today, the Bears would be in the tournament.  Period. (Also, the Packers kind of gave us a bit of a "Get out of jail free card" by losing at home to Miami--which we are happy to cash in).
• The Bears have two winnable games (Home against Washington, at Buffalo) sandwiching a bye week.  These are coming at the perfect time, as I'm hopeful that today's game completed an education that the Bears coaching staff, and particularly Mike Martz, needed to attain.  This education started with the Giants loss, and continued last week with the win at Carolina.  What Martz should have learned from these three games is as follows: :
• Running the ball is not optional.  Running the ball, as the Bears did with such success last week at Carolina, is critical in keeping the defense honest, slowing down the pass rush, improving the confidence and productivity of the offensive line and keeping Cutler in one piece.  The Bears have the horses in their running game to succeed, they just have to commit to it and strive for more balance in their offense.  
• Minimize "pass only" situations to keep opposing defenses honest.  It has been evident they don't yet have the experience in this offense to master the art of the "hot read" and when I can predict that the Bears are going to pass most of the time sitting in the 400 section, defenses are definitely "licking their chops" as the Seahawks Lawyer Milloy put it yesterday after the game.
• Keep a running back in the backfield.  This will give Cutler a dump-off to help limit sacks and/or an extra blocker.
• Utilize the shotgun.  I know this is a cliche for Bears fans over the years, but with the inexperience in this offense the shotgun would allow Cutler to get a better view of potential blitzers and distribute accordingly.
• Don't lose the creativity.  The Bears ran a sweet play in the first quarter, and it provided evidence of the potential that this offense has.  Hester shifted to the backfield pre-snap, and ran out into the right flat.  Cutler faked a wide receiver screen to his side and then threw back to his left to Chester Taylor for a screen to the other side.  Taylor, if not for an outstanding open field tackle by one of the Seahawks cornerbacks, would have gone all the way. 
• Pride goeth before the fall. It is now evident that the best way to win is to support the defense and special teams with the offense.  This means staying on the field and playing the field position game.  Mike Martz will need to swallow his ego, much like he did last week in Carolina, and grind out some wins.  Later in the season, this should open up the passing game again, but what is required now are old fashioned grind-em-outs, as the Offensive Line, QB, and receivers are not on the same page enough to pass the ball 80% of the time and expect come out with wins.
• Passion is crucial.  The most disappointing aspect of yesterday's game is that the Bears were flat (Brian Urlacher admitted as much after the game).  I expect a good week of practice and a sharp team next week, as they have given themselves a sense of urgency for the Redskins game that might not have been there had they won yesterday.  Getting Lance Briggs back won't hurt matters either.
• One more note on yesterday at Soldier.  There was a moving standing ovation for one of our fine serviceman and his wife (in an Urlacher jersey) before the kickoff.  Another display of how sports can bring us together.  We'll get em next week, don't worry my Bears brethren!!

Early Bears vs. Redskins Prediction: Bears 24 Redskins 16