The Bears just might be facing a win-or-else situation when they play the Green Bay Packers Sunday night at Lambeau Field.
With a 1-3 record, the Bears will be facing a Green Bay team that is off to a surprising 4-0 start. Beat the Packers in the nationally televised (Channel 5) 7:15 p.m. game and the Bears will find themselves still within striking distance of the Packers in the NFC North Division race. Lose, however, and they would find themselves four games out of the division lead and their hopes for a playoff berth on life support.
"This is not how we had planned on starting this first quarter (of the season)," Bears head coach Lovie Smith said. "The good part about it is we have three quarters of the season left to go."
While the Bears realize they have to start turning things around if they want to make a return trip to the Super Bowl, they also realize that two years ago they started the season 1-5 and rebounded to earn a playoff spot.
"We're still early in the year," Smith added. "It's like a game you're playing when you're losing after the first quarter. You still have time."
If the Bears are to knock the Packers from the ranks of the NFL unbeaten, they will have to run the ball much better. In Sunday's 37-27 loss to the Lions, they ran the ball just 22 times for only 69 yards.
"In order for us to be successful, we have to run the ball well," offensive tackle Fred Miller said. That gives our defense a chance to rest up and stay fresh."
Smith said Brian Griese would remain at quarterback despite a 34-for-52, three-interception performance against the Lions.
"Brian is our quarterback," Smith said.
The Bears also might be using the explosive Devin Hester more on offense. Smith has hinted that Hester, who returned another kickoff for a touchdown last week, would get more chances with the offense this week.
"We've been talking about getting Devin more involved with the offense," Smith stated.
On defense, the Bears remain banged up, particularly in the secondary where cornerbacks Charles Tillman and Nathan Vasher are still hurting along with linebacker Lance Briggs.
The Packers, meanwhile, have been the talk of the league. They won their last four regular season games last season and their first four this season for an eight-game winning streak over two seasons.
Future Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre has been on fire for the Packers this season, throwing for 1205 yards and eight touchdowns so far.
Hester has been named as the NFL's NFC Special Teams Player of the Month for September.
He leads the league with 602 combined kick return yards and^ 239 punt return yards. He is the only player in the league this season to have brought back both a punt and a kickoff for a touchdown.
Hester credited his teammates for the award.
"It's not only me," he said. "First of all, I thank God for everything he's doing in my life. second of all, I want to thank my teammates. Those are the guys that deserve this award."
[Author Affiliation]
by Larry Gross
Defender Staff Writer
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