We're halfway through the NFL season and it's time to look back and look ahead. The Bears have nine games remaining following last weekend's bye and everybody is wondering: Can the Bears win the division? Yes, they can. I like my crow nice and hot and I'll eat plenty of it if the Bears prove me wrong by playing into January. I pegged them for about six wins at the start of the season and then something strange happened in their first seven games -- they discovered an offense!
The Bears and Packers sit atop the NFC North at 4-3 and both teams are 2-0 in the division. The Bears have surprisingly done it with their offense and not their defense. Kyle Orton and company have one of the highest scoring attacks in the NFL. Give a lot of credit to rookie running back Matt Forte. Even though his yards-per-carry have dipped the last five weeks he's proving to be a key component in the Bears' offensive scheme with six touchdowns. He's also on pace for nearly 70 catches out of the backfield making him a duel threat.
Orton's progress has been fun to watch. Despite the lack of a "go-to" receiver, the fourth year quarterback has shown the poise and play-making ability that has fans partying like it's 1943. Remember that year when Sid Luckman threw for over 2,100 yards and 28 touchdowns? Boy that was a glorious time. For an organization that changes quarterbacks as often as Brad and Angelina add a new child to their collection, it's a refreshing sight.
The Bears' schedule gets tough after Sunday's home game against the Lions. The Titans come to town in week 10 followed by a three game road trip to Green Bay, St. Louis and Minnesota. If they can go 3-2 in that span they'll be in a good position entering the final month of the season. The Packers won't run away and hide with the division. Aaron Rodgers has been steady and Ryan Grant is finally getting on track with 195 rushing yards in his last two games, but Green Bay has had trouble stopping teams. The secondary is a mess without Al Harris and Atari Bigby and teams are crushing the Packers on the ground to the tune of 141 rushing yards-per-game.
The Vikings have their own problems and the Lions are the worst team in football. The NFC North is right there for the Bears. Let's see if they can go out and take it!
Looking Ahead
Let's start with the 6-1 Giants. Winning in Pittsburgh, the way the defending champs did Sunday, is no easy task. The G-Men have the best running attack in football and Eli Manning is the new favorite son in the first family of NFL quarterbacks. Not to mention the Giants have a nasty top five defense despite losing Osi Umenyiora to injury and Michael Strahan to retirement.
However, the Giants' quest to claim the NFC East is about to get tough. Real tough. New York has played only one game inside its division--opening night of the NFL season against the Redskins. The Giants host the Cowboys in week nine. The six weeks to follow are brutal with trips to Philadelphia, Arizona, Washington and Dallas. Not to mention home games against the Ravens and Eagles.
The easy part of the schedule for the Giants is over. The champs are sure to get knocked down a few times.
The NFC East is one tough division--and the Redskins may be the Giants toughest opposition. Rookie head coach Jim Zorn has his team 6-2 with zero road games left inside the division. That's right, the Skins went through the Meadowlands, Philly and Big D with a 2-1 mark.
Thanks to the improved play of quarterback Jason Campbell the Skins are legit. Veteran receiver Santana Moss has filled up the highlight reel with over 650 receiving yards and five touchdowns. He also had an 80-yard punt return for a touchdown against the Lions Sunday. Veteran running back Clinton Portis is an MVP candidate with five straight 100 yard rushing games. He's the NFL's leading rusher averaging a little over five yards-per-carry on the season.
Another surprise team in the first half is Dick Jauron's squad in Orchard Park. The Bills suffered a set-back Sunday losing in Miami--it was the first division game all year for the Bills--but Trent Edwards and a formidable front seven has Buffalo fans excited. I hate to rain on the parade but I'm not sure about the Bills' staying power. While second year back Marshawn Lynch finds the end zone nearly every week, they've been very average running the football. They have enough play makers on both sides of the ball to stay in the race, not to mention a favorable schedule which still features the Browns, Chiefs, Niners and Broncos, but New England remains the team to beat in the AFC East.
And finally, the last undefeated team in the NFL, the Tennessee Titans. At 6-0, with the Monday nighter against the Colts tonight, this team is for real. Defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth has become the most destructive force in the league. He's virtually un-blockable! The Titans have also put together a talented secondary consisting of Cortland Finnegan, Nick Harper and Michael Griffin. Tennessee is giving up just 11 points-per-game in '08. In the last 11 games going back to last season the Titans have allowed just 12.1 points-per-game. Pretty impressive.
Add rookie running back Chris Johnson and veteran quarterback Kerry Collins to the mix and you have a team with a very realistic shot of making it all the way to Tampa.
Maybe the Bears can meet them there. OK, let's not get ahead of ourselves.