Cedric Benson Reminds Bears Fans Why He’s a Bengal

Chicago has always been a city full of bars where after a few adult beverages, the inevitable conversation is about which former Chicago athletes should never have left.

There are Hall of Fame players that have left, like Lou Brock and Greg Maddux. There are also the All-Stars that were forced out of town in their prime, like Jeremy Roenick, Chris Chelios and Ed Belfour.

Chicago also has a list of All-Star players that left before they were a recognizable name to the main stream, like Tony Romo and Joe Carter. Some All-Stars barely got their careers going in Chicago, like Elton Brand.

And there are, on rare occasion, the blockbuster names that move in a big time trade, such as Olden Polynice for Scottie Pippen or Kyle Orton for Jay Cutler.

And then there are the busts that show up somewhere else and do something right.

Like Cedric Benson.

Something that’s troubled fans of the Chicago Bears throughout the early 2009 season has been the team’s inability to establish the running game. After a tremendous rookie season, Matt Forte has struggled.

Meanwhile, in Cincinnati, Benson is running like the kid the Bears drafted out of Texas. The kid that made quality veteran Thomas Jones expendable after running the Bears to the Super Bowl. The kid that was supposed to be the future in the Bears’ backfield.

Benson is currently third in the NFL in rushing with 531 yards, and is considered one of the big reasons the Cincinnati Bengals are competing for a playoff spot this year. He was the first back in a couple years to put a 100-yard game on the Baltimore Ravens’ defense, and has been the most consistent part of a good offense.

This week, Benson gets his chance to show the Bears they were wrong in person.

General Manager Jerry Angelo, during an interview with a Chicago sports radio show on Thursday morning, said the Bears changed their model for their offensive line this year, and are going through growing pains.

Guard Frank Omiyele has been blasted by fans and the Chicago media alike for his inability to do much of anything at the guard position next to a should-be-retired Orlando Pace.

According to Angelo, because of the number of 3-4 defenses the Bears will face this year and the size of some defensive interiors (specifically the Williams Boys in Minnesota), the Bears decided to go bigger at guard, using players that are closer to the size of tackles rather than smaller, quicker guard/center-type players.

So this is a learning curve.

The entire Bears offensive line has struggled to create lanes for Forte, and the hype around Cutler hasn’t taken the spotlight off the Bears yet. It doesn’t help, either, that two of the Bears first five games were losses in front of a national audience.

So here comes Benson, seeing an opportunity to break out his best “I’m classy, I swear” routine, and take advantage of a team that’s down a little bit.

Benson claims the Bears blackballed him while he was a free agent, which is why it took him almost all of last year to get back on an NFL roster.

Really, Cedric? Really?

I’m sure it had nothing to do with Benson pulling himself out of the Super Bowl because he had what has formally been described by the Bears’ medical staff as a “boo boo.”

I’m sure it had nothing to do with Benson performing at a Rashaan Salaam level once the Bears traded away Jones.

I’m sure it had nothing to do with Benson getting a DUI on a boat after having a poor season.

Benson held out after he was drafted, and immediately complained about how he was treated by the veterans on the Bears.

Brian Urlacher and Mike Brown were allegedly especially hard on him, knocking him around like a pinball in light-contact drills and, at one point, hurting Benson’s shoulder.

Benson also complained about playing time, and the media’s perception of him. He just didn’t seem to understand why the productive, professional, classy Jones was respected so much by his teammates, while the unproductive, unprofessional, immature Benson struggled to gain respect on the roster.

And here, again, is Benson throwing the Bears under the bus.

Well good for you, Cedric. Thanks for taking this opportunity to trash on the team that paid you millions of dollars to do absolutely nothing for their franchise. Sure, Benson’s had a nice season. But that doesn’t change the reason he’s no longer in Chicago.

Benson’s a Bengal because he has no class, no clue, and no heart. And I, for one, have not, and will not, miss him for a second.

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Chicago Bears Trade for…Gaines Adams?

In what can only be described as unsettling news, the Chicago Bears have reportedly traded their second round draft pick in the 2010 draft to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for defensive end Gaines Adams.

Adams, the fourth overall pick in the 2007 draft, has been a bust in Tampa in his first two-plus seasons, and comes to the Bears for what, on paper, appears to be way too much. Adams has one sack and 10 tackles through three games this season.

Adams, 26, is listed at 6’5″ and 258 pounds, and has 13.5 career sacks.

Because the Bears defensive line has been playing exceptionally well so far this year under new coach Rod Miranelli, a flood of questions pour to the surface when reading this news.

Given the success of the line so far, what prompted the team to add an end?

At end, Alex Brown has played both the run and pass as well as he has in his entire career to begin the year, and Adewale Ogunleye has rediscovered his pass rush. The Bears also spent their highest pick in the 2009 draft on Jarron Gilbert, a defensive end from San Jose State. He’s listed at the same height as Adams but 30 pounds heavier. Are the Bears now formally jumping off the Mark Anderson Bandwagon?

The Bears have dealt with injuries at defensive tackle, where Tommie Harris has been limited and Isreal Idonije has been banged up. But Adams is not big enough to play tackle, which raises questions about where the future is for Gilbert, who could move inside.

Perhaps the biggest question from this trade is why the Bears would unload their highest pick in next spring’s draft for an underachieving, skinny defensive end? The Bears traded next year’s first-round pick to Denver in the deal for Jay Cutler, so losing their second round pick further limits the Bears’ ability to add talent through the draft.

This move is intriguing, if not questionable, especially for it to happen on a Friday night at the end of the Bears’ bye week. It’s now up to Marinelli and the rest of the Bears coaching staff to get Adams to play like the All American from Clemson, not the bust he’s been in Tampa.

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Tom Brady: Average, Not Fantasy Elite

You can read this and more fantasy football news and notes on Tab’s new home for fantasy football, Top Fantasy Football!

I’ll probably become the least popular analyst in America for saying it, especially to all those owners that took him over Peyton Manning, but Tom Brady is not an elite fantasy quarterback. In fact, he’s no better than average.

Through four games, Brady has thrown for 1,129 yards and just four touchdowns with two interceptions. Stretching those numbers out through simple math (we’re a quarter of the way through the season), Brady will throw for roughly 4,500 yards and 16 touchdowns this year.

Are those the numbers of an elite fantasy quarterback?

Indeed, 2009 is serving as a reality check for everyone that jumped on the Brady Bandwagon after his ridiculous 2007 season and anointed him the sacred hybrid of Marino and Fouts and Tarkenton rolled into one, model-dating man.

Sorry everyone; Brady’s never been fantasy elite and shouldn’t have been treated as such.

I’ll accept that Brady’s yardage is solid this year and that he’s played two of his four games without Wes Welker. I’ll also accept that Brady’s played some tough defensive teams so far this season.

My counterarguments, though, are looking at one player Brady does have in the huddle and a look at Brady’s history.

The smaller reason I’m not as excited about Brady this year is that Fred Taylor has played well for the Pats. Though his carries have been limited, largely because he’s not selling tickets like Randy Moss or Brady are, he’s averaged 4.5 yards per rush this season.

As the weather begins to play a bigger factor in the Northeastern region, Taylor’s strong start and Bill Belichick caring more about winning than individual players could lead to Taylor getting more touches.

The bigger reason I’m running away from the Brady Bandwagon is a look back at his career statistics.

If you take 2007 out of the equation, Brady has averaged 24 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. Put that into a context that shows Carson Palmer averaging 26 touchdowns and 15 interceptions per (healthy) season. Philip Rivers has averaged 25 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in his three full seasons as San Diego’s starter as well.

Does that mean we’re going to elevate Rivers and Palmer into that “elite” class of quarterback? Most leagues have 10 or 12 teams…are we going to have five quarterbacks being selected in the first round? I don’t think so. But if you look at Brady’s career, he falls more into a mid-round quarterback selection than his 50-touchdown season would lead the Brady Bandwagon to believe.

In fact, if you take 2007 off his résumé, Brady doesn’t have a single season with a passer rating higher than 94 in his career.

If you’re looking for a field general who’s going to win championships, then I would absolutely recognize Brady as being in an elite class with only Peyton Manning. But in Fantasy Football, you don’t get points for playoff wins or tough four-yard conversions in January. It’s about production, and Brady’s not an elite fantasy quarterback.

Source: Top Fantasy Football

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Jeff Garcia Should Replace Jake Delhomme: Round Two

On September 14, I ventured out on a limb and posed the idea that then former Oakland Raider quarterback Jeff Garcia should replace Jake Delhomme under center for the Carolina Panthers.

Today, I am going out farther on that limb by strongly suggesting that the Panthers take a look at the now former Philadelphia Eagles reserve.

The Panthers are putting perhaps their final season with Julius Peppers in serious jeopardy by keeping Delhomme as their quarterback. Despite the organization’s assertion on Wednesday that it wasn’t looking to make a change, now that there’s a proven winner on the free agent market (again) like Garcia, the Panthers need to think twice.

Earlier this week Steve Smith admitted that he bailed on his route on a play that turned into an interception returned for a touchdown by Dallas corner Terence Newman on Monday night. But Smith was seen earlier on Monday evening barking at Delhomme.

Delhomme turned the ball over three times on Monday night. His footwork has become poor and he’s started making mental mistakes that have most of the southeastern region of the country wondering whose idea Delhomme’s contract extension was this spring.

The Panthers had one of the best running games in the entire NFL last year, with DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart both having strong seasons.

But now, with the Panthers unable to convert on third down (one for eight on Monday), their running game has suffered. Smith’s production has also disappeared.

These are the same Panthers who were confident in their offensive line after securing tackle Jordan Gross this past spring. Coming into a season with lots of cause to be excited, the Panthers are winless after three weeks.

The Panthers have scored the second-fewest points in the NFC so far (37 through three games) and are tied for last in their division with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who will start a relative unknown at quarterback this weekend.

Tampa, however, is entering into a rebuilding time. They have moved on from the Derrick Brooks-led defensive teams and are searching for an identity. They have a rookie head coach and spent a high draft pick on a quarterback this year.

The Panthers have a veteran roster and don’t have the same grace with their fan base that Tampa does; they’re not getting younger and they won 12 games last year.

But their promise seems to be moving backwards with Delhomme under center.

They need a change.

When I wrote this piece a couple weeks ago, the biggest objections (that didn’t come from Eagles fans in the wake of Donovan McNabb’s rib injury) was that Garcia is wrong for the Panthers’ system. He’s a mobile quarterback who needs to be in a West Coast Offense to be productive.

My response two games later is: How productive has Delhomme been in this system?

Garcia might not be younger than Delhomme, but he’s a fresh face and could spark confidence with the veteran roster. His legs might even become an asset in the running game that’s stalled in the midst of Delhomme’s poor decision making and fumble-itis.

The Panthers are off this week for their bye, and then have the failing Washington Redskins and the wandering Bucs. Those are two games the Panthers could, and should, win. But they’re also games against opportunistic defenses that will prey on Delhomme’s judgement.

The time is now for Carolina to make a change, and they’re getting a second chance to bring in Garcia. They made the mistake two weeks ago, and have lost twice since Garcia went to Philly.

With quarterback changes happening in Miami (due to injury) and Tampa (due to ineffective play), it’s time the Panthers follow Tampa’s lead before they’re forced to follow Miami’s.

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Breaking News: Tampa Bay Bucs Demote QB Byron Leftwich

Various media outlets are reporting that the Tampa Bay Bucs are making a change under center.

Byron Leftwich, who was named the starter by Coach Raheem Morris in the pre-season, has been demoted from starter to third string; with third string quarterback Josh Johnson ascending to the top of the depth chart. Rookie Josh Freeman will remain the second string quarterback.

The move comes a day after the New York Giants destroyed the Bucs, shutting them out and holding their offense to just five first downs and 86 total yards.

By moving Leftwich to third string, though, there will undoubtedly be questions raised regarding his future with the organization.

The new starting QB, Johnson, is in just his second year in the NFL, and Freeman was a high draft pick this year. One of those players are the future of the team, and by making this change now, the Bucs might be taking steps toward blending that future with the present.

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Chicago Bears: A Kicker’s Nightmare?

Two weeks, two wins, four missed field goals.

Thus is life for the Chicago Bears.

After an absolute disaster in Week One at Lambeau Field, the Bears have now won consecutive games in large part because their opponents’ kickers have failed.

In the Bears’ home opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Chicago won by just three points after the Steelers missed two field goals. On Sunday, the Bears won by six after Seattle’s Olindo Mare missed two field goals of his own.

Do I sense a trend?

Probably not. To expect missed field goals would be a little naive at this point in the season. Indeed, the fact that it’s happened in favor of the Bears in consecutive games is odd to say the least.

There do appear to be some developing trends for this Bears team, though—and they appear to be good trends.

Jay Cutler led a game-winning drive late in the fourth quarter for a second consecutive week and put the Bears in position to win against Green Bay despite his own miserable performance. He’s proving to be worth everything the Bears traded for him.

Rookie receiver Johnny Knox caught another touchdown pass and continues to emerge as a key contributor to the Bears’ pass-happy offense. The sweet irony is that Knox was selected in the fifth round this year with a pick the Bears received from Denver with Cutler.

Devin Hester was very impressive Sunday. His hands, which had been questioned in the past, now appear to be solid, and he’s running good routes. He might justify GM Jerry Angelo giving him a contract to become a receiver after all.

The Bears defense continues to get stops. They did a good job against Pittsburgh last week and made the plays they needed to against Seattle. In fact, if you take away Nathan “I Should Have Been Cut in August” Vasher’s busted coverage on Greg Jennings, the Bears defense played exceptionally well against Green Bay as well.

The only developing trend that causes some concern is the Bears’ offensive line continuing to struggle with run blocking. Matt Forte played a bigger role in the offense against Seattle, accumulating 40 receiving yards and running for over 50, but there continues to be too much penetration on run plays.

Next week the Bears will try to stop the Detroit Lions’ winning streak at one game. Smart money says don’t bet on Jason Hanson to make all of his field goals.

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

Chicago Bears: A Kicker’s Nightmare?

Two weeks, two wins, four missed field goals.

Thus is life for the Chicago Bears.

After an absolute disaster in Week One at Lambeau Field, the Bears have now won consecutive games in large part because their opponents’ kickers have failed.

In the Bears’ home opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Chicago won by just three points after the Steelers missed two field goals. On Sunday, the Bears won by six after Seattle’s Olindo Mare missed two field goals of his own.

Do I sense a trend?

Probably not. To expect missed field goals would be a little naive at this point in the season. Indeed, the fact that it’s happened in favor of the Bears in consecutive games is odd to say the least.

There do appear to be some developing trends for this Bears team, though—and they appear to be good trends.

Jay Cutler led a game-winning drive late in the fourth quarter for a second consecutive week and put the Bears in position to win against Green Bay despite his own miserable performance. He’s proving to be worth everything the Bears traded for him.

Rookie receiver Johnny Knox caught another touchdown pass and continues to emerge as a key contributor to the Bears’ pass-happy offense. The sweet irony is that Knox was selected in the fifth round this year with a pick the Bears received from Denver with Cutler.

Devin Hester was very impressive Sunday. His hands, which had been questioned in the past, now appear to be solid, and he’s running good routes. He might justify GM Jerry Angelo giving him a contract to become a receiver after all.

The Bears defense continues to get stops. They did a good job against Pittsburgh last week and made the plays they needed to against Seattle. In fact, if you take away Nathan “I Should Have Been Cut in August” Vasher’s busted coverage on Greg Jennings, the Bears defense played exceptionally well against Green Bay as well.

The only developing trend that causes some concern is the Bears’ offensive line continuing to struggle with run blocking. Matt Forte played a bigger role in the offense against Seattle, accumulating 40 receiving yards and running for over 50, but there continues to be too much penetration on run plays.

Next week the Bears will try to stop the Detroit Lions’ winning streak at one game. Smart money says don’t bet on Jason Hanson to make all of his field goals.

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

NFC North Fantasy Preview: Week Three

This, and more Fantasy Football articles like it, can be found on Tab’s new home for fantasy football analysis: Top Fantasy Football.

Now what?

In the NFC North, two teams were thought of as sure-fire winners entering last week, and two were thought to be dead in the water. While the Vikings and Lions lived up to their end of the bargain in their game against each other, the Packers disappointed against the Bengals while the Bears showed more fight than many pundits thought they would in their post-Urlacher 2009 home debut.

So now we have to ask, where do we go from here?

The Vikings are off to a predictable 2-0 start, and have been every bit the dominant team they appeared to be capable of being on paper. The Bears and Packers are both 1-1, which is disappointing for the Packers and somewhat comforting for the Bears. The Lions are 0-2…go figure!

There are, however, a lot of fantasy studs in this division still. Some studs have shown up as advertised (Adrian Peterson), but Chicago’s Matt Forte and Detroit’s Calvin Johnson have left something to be desired through a couple games. Will this week be their coming out parties?

Let’s look at the matchups for Week Three.

Washington @ Detroit – Sunday, 1:00 PM EST

Where’s Harry Caray when you need someone to exclaim “It might be…it could be…”? Is this the week the Lions get back on the horse and put a number on the W side of the ledger? Based on this week’s media clips, it sounds like Hall of Fame Redskins quarterback Sonny Jurgenson would believe so.

Former players aren’t the only people showing a lot of doubt in the nation’s capital these days, but the Lions could be equally satisfying tonic to the Redskins’ woes as Washington could be for the Lions.  Remember, they haven’t won in 19 games.

Either way, this could be a fantastic week for fantasy owners.

Prediction: Detroit 31 – Washington 20

Green Light: Calvin Johnson, Kevin Smith, Clinton Portis

Yellow Light: Matthew Stafford, Brandon Pettitgrew, Santana Moss, Chris Cooley, WAS DEF

Red Light: Jason Campbell

Sleeper: Antwaan Randle-El

San Francisco @ Minnesota – Sunday, 1:00 PM EST

Who would have thought a month ago that this would be a battle of undefeated teams? While the Vikings figured to be 2-0 to start the year, Mike Singletary’s 49ers are playing inspired football in a division begging someone to win it this year. Could this be the Niners’ year?

While the Detroit-Washington game could have some fantasy studs, this game presents issues for fantasy owners. Last week, Frank Gore blew up against Seattle for over 200 yards, but Minnesota has what has been advertised as an elite run defense.

The stats after two games, though, would indicate otherwise; Minnesota ranks 15th in the NFL so far, allowing 104 yards per game on the ground.

Meanwhile, Peterson was described by Brett Favre this week as being a more complete football player than Walter Payton. How better could Favre motivate a Niners’ defense that ranks third in the NFL so far in run defense (53 tards per game)?

This game could be a defensive battle that’s a lot of fun to watch for fans, but not so much for fantasy owners.

Prediction: Minnesota 16 – San Francisco 13

Green Light: MIN DEF, Peterson

Yellow Light:SF DEF, Gore, Percy Harvin, Bernard Berrian, Visanthe Shiancoe

Red Light: Shaun Hill

Sleeper: Favre

OK, I know saying Favre is a sleeper is like saying midnight’s the best time to get a sun tan, but he might be called upon to earn his salary this week because of San Francisco’s solid run defense. Odds are just as good that Favre has a passing touchdown this week, if not better, than Peterson getting into the end zone.

Green Bay @ St. Louis – Sunday, 1:00 PM EST

If you own anyone on the Packers’ offense, you LOVE this week’s opponent. The Rams are one of the worst teams in football. There’s little reason to believe the Packers shouldn’t be able to run and throw as the please on Sunday; the Rams are allowing 146 yards per game on the ground (25th in the NFL) and 258 yards per game passing (also 25th in the NFL).

What’s worse for the Rams is that they’ve given up these astronomical numbers against Seattle and Washington, both of whom aren’t anywhere close to as offensively explosive as the Packers.

The only bright spot for the Rams this week might be Steven Jackson. If Cedric Benson can put 141 yards on the Packers defense, Jackson could be set for a really nice fantasy week. He stands to get plenty of carries if the Rams have a clue and try to keep the Packers offense on the sidelines.

Prediction: Green Bay 50 – St. Louis 17

Green Light: Steven Jackson, GB DEF, Aaron Rodgers, Greg Jennings, Ryan Grant

Yellow Light: Donald Driver, Donald Lee

Red Light: Everyone on St. Louis except Jackson

Sleeper: Kenneth Darby

Chicago @ Seattle – Sunday, 4:15 PM EST

On paper, this is the week Forte owners have been waiting for all year. The Seahawks defense is more banged up than the Bears, and their quarterback is debating whether or not he should play with a fractured rib.

This week should be a big win for Chicago, and fantasy owners of Bears players. If you’ve jumped on the Johnny Knox Bandwagon, good luck, though. This should be the week the Bears re-establish their ground game.

Prediction: Chicago 34 – Seattle 9

SOLID GOLD LOCK: CHI DEF

Green Light: Forte, Jay Cutler, Greg Olsen,

Yellow Light: Devin Hester, Johnny Knox, Earl Bennett, TJ Houshmandzadeh

Red Light: SEA DEF, SEA OFF

Sleeper: Deion Branch

Source: Top Fantasy Football

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AFC North Fantasy Preview: Week Three

This, and more Fantasy Football articles like it, can be found on Tab’s new home for fantasy football analysis: Top Fantasy Football.

Another week, another set of mixed reviews from the AFC North.

The defending champions went into Chicago and lost to a wounded Bears team, while the Bengals got over their dramatic loss to the Broncos and pulled off a huge win at Green Bay. Meanwhile, the Ravens, specifically Ray Lewis, reminded everyone that their core is their defense, while the Browns were…the Browns.

In my predictions last week, I’ll admit right out of the gate that I was wrong on Chad Ochocinco. I thought Green Bay’s secondary would hold him and his mouth at bay last week, but he found a way to make his promised Lambeau Leap. Moving forward though, I don’t see any reason to bet against Charles Woodson and Al Harris.

As we look forward now to Week Three, there are some more intriguing matchups. The division is keeping the action in-house this week, and there could be some big-time fantasy points found in this division.

Cleveland @ Baltimore – Sunday, 1:00 PM EST

Talk about a bad week for the Cleveland media to start asking questions about Brady Quinn’s job security! Not only are the Browns 0-2, but now they travel to Baltimore to face perhaps the hottest team in the NFL.

There is no question that this game would mean more to Cleveland if the Browns can win than to the Ravens if they lose. With that in mind, it will be interesting to see how much Cleveland coach Eric Mangini throws to the wind in trying to get a huge upset this week.

The follow-up question to that is whether or not the best Mangini has to offer is good enough to beat a Ravens team that’s rolling on all cylinders right now. While they did allow San Diego’s Philip Rivers to throw for a career high in yardage last week—and Darren Sproles had a nice game catching the ball and returning kicks—they did their job and kept the Chargers out of the end zone.

If the Ravens can contain the electric Chargers’ offense, what can the Browns’ struggling group do? And can the Browns stop a suddenly confident offense, with both Ray Rice and Willis McGahee becoming impact fantasy players? I wish Cleveland good luck, but wouldn’t bet my house on them this week.

Prediction: Baltimore 34 – Cleveland 13

SOLID GOLD LOCK: BAL DEF

Green Light: Joe Flacco

Yellow Light: Ray Rice, Willis McGahee, Todd Heap, Joshua Cribbs

Red Light: CLE DEF, Quinn, Jamal Lewis

Sleepers: Derrick Mason, Braylon Edwards

Pittsburgh @ Cincinnati – Sunday, 4:15 PM EST

This is an intriguing matchup that, six or seven days ago, I wouldn’t have thought of as much as I do now. With Troy Polamalu out still for the Steelers, and the Bengals’ ability to throw the ball on the Packers’ good secondary, this could be a fascinating game from both a competitive and fantasy point of view.

Ochocinco and Laveranues Coles could be solid players against Pittsburgh’s secondary that allowed Chicago rookie Johnny Knox to become a trendy fantasy add this week. I wouldn’t put a ton of faith in Cedric Benson to repeat his 141-yard performance from a week ago against the Steelers’ front, though.

On the other side, the Steelers continue to struggle moving the ball on the ground, which opens more opportunities for Ben Roethlisberger to make plays. If the Steelers struggle on the ground early, they might abandon the run again and let Roethlisberger win another game for them in the air.

Prediction: Pittsburgh 27 – Cincinnati 24

Green Light: Ochocinco, Coles, Carson Palmer, Roethlisberger, Santonio Holmes, Heath Miller

Yellow Light: Willie Parker, Rashard Mendenhall, Hines Ward, Benson

Red Light: CIN DEF

Source: Top Fantasy Football

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Chicago Bears Getting All The Breaks?

After making a huge splash in the off-season by trading for quarterback Jay Cutler, could it be the injury bug that most helps the Chicago Bears compete in the NFC North this year?

Yes, injuries have taken superstar middle linebacker Brian Urlacher off the field for the rest of the season, as well as Pisa Tinoisamoa until November, but injuries have taken a significant toll on Bears’ opponents early this season, as well.

Heading into Week Two, the defending champion Pittsburgh Steelers were without star safety Troy Polamalu. The Bears were able to put together a game plan to take advantage of Pittsburgh’s disadvantage, and Cutler threw the Bears to a thrilling victory.

Now the Bears’ Week Three opponent is likely to be without one of its key players as well.

Seattle quarterback Matt Hasselbeck cracked ribs in the team’s loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.

The loss of Hasselbeck, coupled with the Bears’ improved pass rush early this season, could spell trouble for Jim Mora Jr.’s offense. Seneca Wallace is a veteran of the league, and is certainly more mobile than Hasselbeck, but is not as accomplished in the passing game.

The Bears play the win-less Detroit Lions in Week Four before their bye week. Though they are still healthy, at the rate Bears’ opponents are going, it would be wise to keep an ambulance handy for the Lions game this weekend.

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