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Quick review of first quarter: we are 3-1 with the only loss coming on the road in Green Bay. Despite the poor showing the offense showed its ability to move the ball late in the game and score when needed. The next two weeks the same late drive offense was needed to win the game. This week a poor first half defensively was reversed with a strong second half. The running game is still a work in process and we still need to improve on third down, however, I think thats where the running game will have its biggest impact. We need more 3rd and shorts and I think Forte can help us with that. Anyway, a 3-1 start after 4 games is very positive and we are on the right track. The bye week couldnt come at a better tne though with injuries at WR and LB.

With that said.

@Atlanta- This should be a tough game. Atlanta is 2-1 with the one loss coming against New England. The defense and even Robbie Gould cant forget the 11 second collapse last year. Containing Micheal Turner will be key. Matty Ice does not make too many mistakes. Add in Roddy White and Tony Gonzalez, and we have the recipe for a tough game

@Cincy- Crazy how things turn out when the games are actually played instead of looking at paper. Surprisingly the Bengals stand here after week 4 at 3-1 while being one unlikely play away from being 4-0. Defensively the Bengals are a good team with some good young players. Offensively they are making plays when it counts with guys like Ochocinco, Coles, Henry, Brian Leonard and yes, even Cedric Benson. Bears defenders and Benson will have a chip on their shoulder for this one.

Cleveland- Just played the Bengals into overtime with Derek Anderson at QB and Jerome Harrison having a strong game on the ground. Braylon Edwards has become a nonfactor while Mohammed Massquoi is stepping up. By the time this game comes around the Browns defense could be getting it together right now though they are one of the league's worst along with their offense. With the way Browns QB's have been playing, who knows will be behind center by that time.

Arizona- Hard to tell where this team is at right now. Offensively they have all the talent to put up 40 points on almost anyone. However, their offensive line is getting Warner hit alot and their running game isnt strong despite last years rookie back Hightower and first round pick Beanie Wells. Their defense gives up some points but gets to the quarterback and they are not a highly penalized team. Adrian Wilson is one of the better SS's in the league, Rogers-Cromartie is an athletic CB, and Antrel Rolle at FS can also make plays. Our secondary will have to bring its A-Game for this one. They have two WR's that could be #1 on most teams(Fitzgerald could be #1 on ANY team). If we can't get to Warner, could be a long day.

IMO, If we go at least 2-2 this quarter that puts us in decent shape at 5-3 at the midway point. But I also think that a win against Atlanta could be important down the road if we don't win our division, a wild card spot could be decided by such a game. I think that Cleveland should be a win and Arizona could be a team we can get to making it a long day for Warner or Leinart. Cincy is a big game for the Benson factor but other than that its not the end of the world if we were to lose that game as long as we handle business in Soldier Field, and maybe get that win in Atlanta.

Thoughts and/or comments?

yeah Atlanta is a hard matchup for us. Ryan shredded us last year. i agree 2-2 is pretty realistic. i'm going to the Cardinals game so especially looking forward to that. i think the obvious problem there is Fitzgerald. He's going to run wild. but hey we managed to win against Megatron and he's pretty good, too. my prediction is wins against the Browns and Cards and losses to the Falcons and Bengals.

Also to note, but not at the expense of looking too far ahead, every quarter henceforth will have 3 tough games and 1 game we should win

In the 3rd quarter we face: @ 49ers, Eagles, @ Vikings, Rams.

Then in the final quarter we face: Packers, @ Ravens, Vikings, @ Lions.

I'm not even sure if there isn't a tough game in the final quarter, because the Lions have an offense that can threaten, and that could easily be a trap game.

With the Eagles, oddly enough we've had success against them. We've defeated the Eagles in our last 2 meetings.

The 49ers, while I'm unimpressed with their offense, their defense is probably the most physical in the league.

The Ravens are actually capable of putting up points this year, while playing great defense. If its one game where I say, that we are doomed, it might be that one.

Of course when you're talking about @ Metrodome, the Bears seem to hate playing there. I expect the Top 3 teams in the NFC North to be all within striking distance of each other, so there's gonna be a lot of elbowing for the top. Tough division games. Even though the Packers would be at the top of the division, I'm hoping for a Packers win tonight. That would set the Bears and the Vikings even, and the entire division would be tied in the W-L column.

yeah our division is a battle royale this year. it's going to be a blood bath. though the vikings concern me a lot. i think we'll slaughter green bay when they come to soldier. that game has revenge written all over it. but i am gravely concerned about the viks. not sure if we can beat them.

The Vikings are doing much better than I thought they would, but I fully expect them to collapse towards the end.

As far as the upcoming games, it's hard to say these days. The whole league is flip floppy and unpredictable. Atlanta appears to be the hardest matchup, followed by Arizona if they get their act together, then Cincy, then Cleveland. And I only rank Cincy 3rd because that game is in Cincy. I don't necessarily buy their success lately.

1st qrt:

We managed to pull out some victories despite sub par front line play on both sides of the ball. We are to continue winning ....the line play must significantly improve. We must be able to effectively run the ball and block for Cutler to open the passing game more. We need balance to keep the defenses honest.

The WR play has been pretty decent despite the inexperience. We need more development and understanding of the game from the WRs to establish more continuity with Cutler. On defense we must be able to apply more pressure on the QBs to not allow them to be too comfortable and relaxed with extended time for receivers to find openings. We can not give QBs all day to throw.

We can have a probowl secondary and they still would look bad if the QB had all day to wait for a receiver to find a seam........ without pressure being applied to make things uncomfortable for him.

In the 2nd qrt. we need improved line play for us to continue our winning ways......in addition to minimizing injuries.

I actually think that we match up well with the Vikings. What are the two biggest weaknesses that the Vikings have?

1.) Farve has games where he turns the ball over multiple times. Although our defense hasn't been great at creating turnover so far this year, would it really surprise you if Farve threw 3 interceptions against us in one of the games?

2.) Their pass defense is good, but not great. We won't be able to run against them, but Cutler is capable of picking apart that defense all day.

I see us going 1-1 against the Vikings this year.

I hope Favre plays bad against us, but I wouldn't hang my hat on him having a bad game(Not saying that you are saying he will have a bad game).

Our run defense has been inconsistent at times. Not good news when Adrian Peterson is a homerun hitter everytime he touches the ball.

The good thing about Favre is that he's still Favre and he's gotten lucky two games in a row. He was SO CLOSE to getting picked off by San Fran at the end of that game before the big play and Woodson got jobbed on the pass interference. Everyone feels good about him now, but he's no better or worse than he always was. Everything will level back out. Remember, he only won one superbowl and that was because of Des Howard and his amazing return skills. Favre can only get you so far and this year is no different, just wait.

I still think the Bears finish with 10-11 wins. Our schedule is a lot tougher than it looked at the beginning of the season though but I still don't think the Bears have played their best football yet.

Atl put the wood to Iron Mike in his building 45-10

The Bungles are looking legit coming back to beat the Ravens .

the Vikes pounded the Rams

what seemed like a pretty easy schedule is turning into what looks like will have to be a fight to the finish .