Face the Nation

By Benjy Lipsman in News on Dec 19, 2005 5:43PM

For the past couple weeks, most discussions about the Bears involved the question, "Orton or Grossman?" Who should be the QB now that Grossman was healthy? At what point would/should coach Lovie Smith make a change? Chicagoist was torn -- while we didn't like Orton's production and wondered whether he was a liability in terms of a playoff run, we also wondered whether Grossman would be any better given his rust and lack of experience as a starting QB.

Lovie Smith finally made the change last night -- in front of a national ESPN primetime audience -- sending Grossman onto the field starting the second half. While the Bears held a 6-3 lead at the half, Orton had gone just 2-10 for 12 yards in the first half. The move looked like the right one, as Grossman marched the Bears offense down the field and helped extend the Bears lead to 13-3. A late Robbie Gould field goal gave the Bears a 16-3 victory over the Atlanta Falcons on a frigid night at Soldier Field.

The offense was only half the story last night, however, as the defense returned to familiar form. They held Michael Vick in check all night, allowing him to complete just 13 of 32 passes for 122 yards, no touchdown and 2 interceptions. The Falcons' league-leading rushing attack was held to just 114 yards and 3.7 yards/carry. And in the end, they were only able to score three points as the Bears proved they remain a team that has the potential to make a serious run towards Detroit.

So who will lead the Bears offense as they head into Green Bay on Christmas Day? Lovie Smith said during his post-game press conference that he'd have to watch the game film before determine who the starter was. But it's pretty safe to say official that this is now Rex Grossman's team.

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