The Blame Game
By Benjy Lipsman in News on Dec 12, 2005 6:13PM
Going into the game, most eyes were focused on Kyle Orton. With Rex Grossman healthy again and already having been bumped up to 2nd string QB, many wondered whether there'd be a changing of the guard running the offense before the end of the game. It never came, and it seems that Orton remains the starting QB for at least another week. Was Orton's performance a reason for the loss? His stats did improve over recent weeks. He threw for 207 yards on 17 of 35 passing, with no touchdowns but no interceptions either. On the other hand, the offense was able to only muster up 9 points. That wouldn't have won the game even if the defense held the Steelers to the 10.8 points they'd averaged this season.
The fact the defense allowed nearly double that many points has focused much of the blame on them. The front seven seemed incapable of stoping the Steelers' running game on a consistent basis, and the Steelers' early lead allowed them to run more than pass -- with passing comes sacks, fumbles and intereceptions. No big plays meant no shift in momentum. No defensive help putting points on the board. No short fields that'd allow Orton to drive the team into scoring position. Was it an off day for the defensive line? Did the defense miss it's two starting safeties that much? Are the Steelers just that much better than other Bears opponents?
This game brings us Bears fans back down to earth a little bit. It showed us that we do need a more prolific offense because the defense can't always deliver the big plays that help put points on the board. It also shows us that the defense isn't quite as invincible as we might have imagined. The Bears will need to improve if they hope to go far into the playoffs. Of course, they still need to get into the playoffs. The Minnesota Vikings, who looked like roadkill when the Bears beat them 28-3 in week 6 have gone 7-1 since then and at 8-5 are just a game behind the Bears in the NFC North standings.