Bears Head Into Bye Week 3-5

Had they won on Sunday, and entered their bye week with a 4-4 record, maybe things could work out and the Bears would still make the playoffs. But those of us who endured the Bears' 16-7 loss to the Detroit Lions know that the post-season is not in the cards this year.

Where to even begin with what went wrong?

How about the offense? Cedric Benson continues to reinforce the perception that he's a bust -- this time he managed 50 yards on 13 carries as the Bears offense totaled just 63 yards on the ground. He's still in denial, of course...

The Bears' passing game wasn't any better this week. Following two nice games, Brian Griese threw for 208 yards and four interceptions, earning himself a Rexian 38.3 QB rating. All four interceptions were with the Bears in Lions' territory -- three of the picks were made in the end zone! Not the that poor passing game was entirely Griese's fault--by our count the receivers dropped at least eight or ten catchable balls.

The defense held Detroit in check better than last time they met... though when they last they met, the Lions set an NFL record by scoring 34 points in the forth quarter. While the defense did hold the Lions to 16 points, they just have not played with the same intensity and skill we expected from this squad. Where are the interceptions? Where are the forced fumbles? Where is the big goal line stop? Even when the Bears were winning in recent memory, they relied on the defense to provide good field position and energize the crowd. That's not happening this year. And just as some of the walking wounded start to return to health, we learn that Brian Urlacher has arthritis.

With the bye falling exactly half way through their schedule, Bears players and fans now have two weeks to reflect on all that's gone wrong. Bears coaches and management must decide whether or not to come out of the week off already looking toward next year.

Photo by AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast