Not Dead Yet: Bears Beat Broncos
Devin Hester returned both a punt and a kick for touchdowns today as the Bears came from behind to beat Denver in overtime, 37-34. At 5-6, they are only one game out of the playoffs in the NFC. I guess you can say I was premature in declaring the season dead in my recap last week. I was right about one thing, though. This team has not played at a high level at all, even today. They're only in it because everybody else sucks just as much. If they somehow sneak in at 9-7 or even 8-8, they will get smoked in the first round. To the notes:
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Hester had quite a day. After fumbling while inexplicably trying to knock the ball down like a third baseman in the first quarter, he came back to single-handedly keep the Bears in the game. Why does anyone ever kick to him? What was Todd Sauerbrun thinking as Devin dashed past his outstretched limb?
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Cedric Benson got carted off in the first half after a pretty impressive 25-yard run. Now that we've been finally seeing some flashes of brilliance from Benson, it's only fitting that his season is likely over. His Bears career could very well be over, too. Did the Bears see enough this year to bring back Benson next year? Before the last two games, I'd say the answer was a resounding "no." But after the recent handful of truly impressive runs? I don't know. One thing I do know is Adrian Peterson came in and they barely skipped a beat. Benson dreams of the way Peterson moved the pile on that TD run. Peterson wasn't able to get into the open field, though, so we didn't get a chance to see that burst that Benson had on his one good run. Which leads me to my next point.
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The offensive line is still awful. Fred Miller is doing his best to invoke the memory of Stan Thomas. His hold on the Grossman TD to Olsen was sick. (not in a good way.)
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Lots of dropped balls today, from virtually everyone. The game-tying TD catch in the end zone, though, by Berrian was one of the best catches you'll see all year. How can he make catches like that and yet drop the routine ones. Such a frustrating season.
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Over to the defense...they made some big plays today. I can't say that they played "well," because they let some nobody run all over them. And if not for some terrible throws by Cutler they would have given up more. But they forced turnovers, and they got a few sacks and big stops when they needed them most. Still susceptible to the long ball. Still susceptible to cutback runners. But they can hang with anybody when they force a couple turnovers.
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Adam Archuleta needs to be released as soon as the offseason starts.
And so it goes. The Bears host the Giants next week for another 3:15pm game. I'm getting used to these late games. It'll be a shame when the Bears go back to all the nooners next season when they get booted off national TV. And, back to the Giants game, let it be known that I fully expect the Bears to lose next week. The Giants obviously aren't as good as their record, having beaten a bunch of stiffs before losing at home to Minnesota today. But the Bears being the yo-yo team that they are, they are just incapable of winning two in a row. Here's to hoping they break that streak.
Bear down.