Last Minute Game Thoughts

• I truly expect to see the Bears re-install Matt Forte into the passing game. Since the return of Earl Bennett and as Cutler has become more comfortable with his receiving corps, Forte has been far less a factor in the screen game and as a checkdown. I think Hanie needs him today and I think he’s the difference.
• I expect a big game from Julius Peppers.
• I really believe a win here will put the Bears in the postseason. It’ll put them a game up on the Lions and next week the Bears have the Chiefs at home while the Lions travel to New Orleans in primetime. That means we could be up two with four to play. Playoffs.

Scoreboard Watch Alert!
Unless you think the Eagles are still a threat (they’re not) the only relevant game to Chicago is Minnesota at Atlanta. I tried to root for Les Frazier’s boys when they underused the now-injured Adrian Peterson and it is too frustrating for words. With Toby Gerhart starting who knows what Les will pull.

Don’t Think the Bears Are a National Franchise?
The Bears v. Raiders will be the nationally televised late afternoon game on Fox, making them a national game six out of the last seven weeks.