Thought One – Overconfidence

I can’t recall a Bears game wherein the Bears were underdogs and an overwhelming number of Bears fans were predicting a blowout victory. Perhaps the expectations of 2014 have gotten the best of you? On face value the Bears would have no reason to blow out the Jets because the Jets do the two things that prevent blowouts: run the ball and stop the run. If the Bears win tonight I expect it to be a tough chore.

Thought Two – Opportunity

The Bears have a brilliant opportunity to seize control of the NFC North – almost unfathomable ten days ago.

The Packers should be 0-3, their offense is suddenly pedestrian and they just may be due for a down year. Teddy Bridgewater will struggle for the majority of the coming year. The Lions are the Lions. If they took a 3-4 game lead in the division, I don’t think a single person in Detroit would feel comfortable. If Bears win tonight it might be time to consider them the favorite to win the division.

Thought Three – Oh Shea!

I feel terrible for Shea McClellin. For the second consecutive year he’ll see the pine after something of a breakout performance. (If you didn’t watch tape from a week ago you didn’t see a Shea who looked disciplined and instinctual at linebacker.) But I wrote in the Game Preview I believed Jon Bostic would be challenged tonight in run defense. Now he’ll be on the field for double the expected snaps. One way or another he may be the story tomorrow morning.