Regaining Confidence: Bears look to get refocused against the Rams

For the fourth time this season, the Chicago Bears (5-5) find themselves with a .500 record. And with six games remaining in the regular season, they are once again tied for first place with the Green Bay Packers and the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC North. Over the past four weeks, the Bears put up a lot of points on the scoreboard for two of those games (48 against the Vikings and 27 against the Detroit Lions in Weeks 7 and 9 respectively), but the defense has been on the decline since their victory over the Lions in their first meeting in Week 5. But both the offense and defense hit rock bottom in last week’s loss to the Packers. If there is anything that Chicago needs to get things moving forward, maybe it’s the St. Louis Rams (2-8), who are ranked 29 th in the league in total offense (271.0 ypg) and 30 th in the league in total defense (392.1 ypg).

Chicago will once again start Kyle Orton under center in Week 12. Orton’s ankle didn’t seem to bother him in last week’s loss to the Packers, and shouldn’t be a major concern. Rookie Matt Forte will defiantly have a target on his back, since he is the Bears’ most productive asset to the offense. And with St. Louis’ banged up secondary, Orton and his receiving corps may have a field day.

Two major parts to the Rams’ offense won’t be on the minds of the Chicago defense. Rams running back Steven Jackson (thigh) and offensive tackle Orlando Pace (medial collateral ligament sprain) will be out for the game. But the Bears still have to worry about Pro Bowl receiver Torry Holt and speedy rookie receiver Donnie Avery. Maybe with Pace on the sideline, Tommie Harris and the rest of the front four might finally get the pressure that is needed on the quarterback in order to help out the struggling secondary. Hopefully, Lovie Smith will put Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs up on the line of scrimmage like they were doing earlier in the season when they were having a successful pass rush.

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Time is running out for the Chicago Bears. This six-game season is leaving small room for error, and eventually, depending on the Packers and the Vikings to lose will not work. If the gift of having one of the worst teams as their opponent this week isn’t taken advantage of, then it would be safe to say that the Bears’ season is pretty much over with.

By Clyde A. Speller
ProFootball-fans.com Chicago Bears Correspondent