The best thing about the Bears' miracle 24-23 victory over the Arizona Cardinals is that it has all the positive effects of a loss without a tally in that column.
Rex Grossman looked as confused as Jonathan Quinn, the Bears defensive line underperformed against a mediocre Cardinals line, the secondary didn't play well, plenty of missed tackles, no running game, six turnovers -- sounds like an embarrassment to me.
I bet Lovie Smith is already treating it like a loss. Let's hope the fans take a cue as well.
I've already seen enough footage of the 1985 Bears this season, which is amazing considering the season isn't even halfway over yet. They've beaten a bunch of nobodies, save the Seahawks game, and their quarterback is somebody who's never started three games in a row before this season. Tonight, Rex looked the part.
Not that I'm saying there isn't plenty to like. For instance, this is the first time since the '80s where I can remember the Bears having a surplus of above-average pass rushers. Mark Anderson already looks better than the guys the Bears have paid 10 times as much over the past 15 years. There's plenty of atleticism and a solid coaching staff. This team could contend for a Super Bowl.
They just haven't done anything yet. And they didn't do anything in this game worth bragging about -- they needed an All-Pro kicker to miss a routine field goal in a dome to beat a 1-4 team starting a rookie quarterback.
I think this team is good, and I'll leave it at that until they win a playoff game. When they show they can maintain a plan in an elimination game on both sides off the ball, then I'll start getting my hopes up.
This is why baseball holds the top spot in my heart, because it invites much easier dialogue. The season moves at a more relaxed pace, and there's 10 times less hype on a day-to-day basis, because each game is 10 times less imporant. That's fine with me, although I can understand why the 162-game schedule turns people off. At the same time, the NFL season moves like a baseball game -- maybe 10-15 minutes of prime action if you combine the highlights, and then the rest of the week is spent standing and waiting.
At any rate, it'll be interesting to see how the loudest Bears fan treat this. Chances are we'll either be hearing 1) the Bears are a team of destiny, and the rest of the league should watch out, or 2) Brian Griese should start getting ready, but maybe the most horrible win imaginable will provide some rare middle ground. With two weeks of talking and speculation before another should-win game, moderation may be hard to arrange.