I have to admit with the White Sox in the tank, I enjoyed last night's Bears game.  Here is Wisconsin, we don't get to see much of the Bears, and with former Packer hero Brett Favre playing for Minnesota, no doubt we will see less. 

I don't put much stock in pre-season football because it's just players getting reps at full speed.  A lot of the offense is still in the playbook, waiting for the first regular season game to be broken out.  Paranoia is king in the NFL and no NFL coach wants anything detected on film before the first regular season game.

I know Cris Collinsworth was complaining about the Bears running game in the first half, but I think that was not something the Bears were working on last night.

That said, some good things came out of last night's game.  After shaking off the boos in the first quarter, Jay Cutler showed what makes him special.  There was one play where he tried to force a pass into the end zone and even though it was batted away, you realize that you have never, in your lifetime, seen a Bears quarterback with an arm like his.  Later, Cutler ended the half with a 98 yard two minute drill.  Again, I can't remember the last Bear quarterback who could do that.

Devin Hester had a great punt return.  After having a terrible year as a return man last year, Hester gave us a glimpse of what he does best: Juke left, cut right and run, baby, run.  The Bears punched it over thanks to Matt Forte.

If the Bears have cause for concern, it may be Orlando Pace who was beaten like a drum all night by Elvis Dumervil. 

Before you run out and purchase your playoff tickets, you should probably be made aware that the Bears are about equal with the Packers and Vikings.  The Bears have the best quarterback (sorry Hillbilly fans), the Vikings have the best running game and the Packers have the best receivers.  Whatever team can play defense wins the division.  Usually with the Bears, that was never an issue, but given age, injuries and inexperience, it might be.