The Bears' offense once again proves it's going to be good

I pretty much covered the Bears' offense at FCP last week, and last night's game in Denver only reinforced those feelings. For maybe the first time in my life, Bears football is going to be fun. Oh sure, 2006 was great. But no one ever felt comfortable if the Bears got behind. This year, we'll be introducing a new word into our football vocabulary: comeback.

In the last 10 or 15 years, "comeback" for the Bears meant a Devin Hester punt return, a Mike Brown interception, a Charles Tillman forced fumble. It was great to watch, it couldn't have been more exciting. But, you know, it wasn't very reliable. And it was the only way the Bears could make up ground late in a game. Turnovers and game-changing special teams plays. It was more of a prayer than anything.


Not anymore. In each of the last two preseason games, Cutler has ignited a 90 + yard drive. These weren't the garden variety "chuck it 60 yards to Berrian and maybe we'll get a pass interference call" long Bears drives of the past, either. Jay Cutler slices and dices defenses. He's like a football ninja. If he gets enough protection - and I'd give the offensive line a solid B so far in the preseason - Cutler is going to move the chains.

For the first time in the Love Smith Era (or the Dick Jauron Era, or the Wannie Error...), this team isn't about defense and special teams. It's about Cutler, and Forte, and Olsen, and Hester. When the Bears win, it's likely going to be because of the offense.

In the 2006-2007 days, the Bears' defensive braintrust - Lovie, Ron Rivera, Babich - would say the D had to hold the other team to 17 points for the Bears to have a chance. The offense - led by the likes of Rex, Griese, Cedric Benson and Moose - simply were never going to score more than three touchdowns.

Now, I feel like we can tack on an extra touchdown to that total. With this offense, the Bears can win a shootout. They can have a fourth quarter comeback where the offense actually scores more points than the defense.

It's going to be awesome, and I wish it were real already. Just two more weeks.