Morning Box Score: Bears Maul Lions

Are the Bears really that good a team, or are the Lions that terrible? The Bears went into Detroit and mauled the Lions on Sunday 34-7 to improve to 3-2 on the season.

On defense, the Bears were without two starters -- the injured Nathan Vasher and the suspended Tommie Harris. Yet the team still allowed Detroit just 185 yards of total offense and one late TD.

Offensively, Kyle Orton was the star. The Bears QB had a career day by completing 24 of 34 passes for 334 yards and 2 TDs without any turnovers. And he did it without starting wide receiver Brandon Lloyd, who also missed the game due to injury. Devin Hester started at wideout for the first time ever in his place. Orton connected with seven different receivers, including four pass plays over 30 yards to four different receivers. And did you see that catch by Marty Booker?!? Initially called incomplete but with a pass interference penalty, coach Lovie Smith challenged the play just to get Booker the credit for an amazing catch even though the penalty would've resulted in the same ball placement and a first down.

The Bears now begin a week of preparation for their match up against the upstart Falcons down in the ATL. Prior to the season, we thought this would have been one of the few sure wins. But even with the Bears looking much improved over 2007, the Falcons have made tremendous strides in overcoming the whole Michael Vick debacle. With both teams entering the game with identical 3-2 records, it should be a good game.

AP Photo/Paul Sancya