Not The Greatest, But Maybe The Most Balanced Show On Turf
The Chicago Bears' offense underwent a transformation this season. They went from a pass-heavy to a balanced attacked, and that might be the best fit for the Bears.
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The Chicago Bears' offense underwent a transformation this season. They went from a pass-heavy to a balanced attacked, and that might be the best fit for the Bears.
Feel free to be as crazy as you want at Soldier Field on Sunday. Fortify yourself with your drink of choice, wave a sign with whatever risqué taunt you can create, wear your superfan-finest or be that shirtless guy, but promise one thing:
The beginning and end of the 2010 Chicago Bears' season look like complete opposites. And the defining change during the season took place during a week the Bears didn't play.
After losing the Super Bowl in 2006, the Bears selected Greg Olsen with the 31st overall pick in the NFL Draft. While some desire better stats and more blocking because of where he was drafted, his versatility should be the focus.
Solid pass protection usually portends potent offenses, and lots of points generally means lots of wins. In that regard, it's hardly a shock to see four of the top five teams in the New York Life Protection Index playoff bound.
Chicago Bears general manager Jerry Angelo announced that he has no plans to step aside after this season. He even seemed to be rejuvenated with the Bears' success this season.
The last time Jay Cutler played postseason football was when he was in high school. Despite that long break from playoff action, Cutler is poised and read to make a run deep into the playoffs.
Most things this season have gone the way the Bears wanted. But the offensive performance in the regular season finale wasn't the way a team wants to enter the playoffs.
One year ago today, the leaders of the Bears held one of the worst press conferences in Chicago sports history.
Sunday's win was impressive for several reasons. The most impressive, however, might have been the emergence of a quick-strike offense.
Mike Martz had doubts about returning to coach before he joined the Bears for this season. Martz was just happy to be with a team again, now he's enjoying the rise to the top with the Bears.
Monday night's game resulted in a few things for the Bears. Devin Hester is now, officially, the greatest returner of all-time, as if that was ever in doubt.
It can be said that the Bears' success this season is related to the way Jay Cutler has been playing. And if you buy into that logic, then things can get even better for the Bears.
This may be it – the best day of this bizarre, 2010 Bears' season.
The Bears' defense has been consistent all season long and they've re-established themselves as one of the league's best. The offense, on the other had, has struggled at times, but also has shown flashes of a high powered offense.
How bad was New England's 36-7 defeat of the Bears on Sunday? Figure this; the Patriots were leading 33-0 at halftime while Jay Cutler and Mike Martz could only lead the beloved to 33 yards of total offense in the first half.
One of the biggest matchups in Sunday's game will be the Bears' offense against the Patriots' defense. The longer the Bears can keep Tom Brady off the field, the better chance they have to win.
The Bears' offensive line was taking a great deal of criticism in the early part of the season. They gave up an NFL-record number of sacks in the first half against the Giants, but have slowly improved.
Prominent aspects of this year's Bears discussion are winding together for Sunday afternoon's game against the Patriots at Soldier Field.
Jay Cutler has been improving week to week, and by the numbers has been playing some of the football of his career. But his offensive coordinator, Mike Martz, still sees room for improvement.
If the Bears are going to beat the Patriots on Sunday, the offense will have to put up some points. We've seen the Bears try to throw the ball all over the field and we've seen them commit to the run. Which offense will we see on Sunday?
Since the bye week the Mike Martz offense has taken on a different form. Instead of "the greatest show on turf," we're seeing a balanced offensive attack with a quick hitting passing game. But is that the offense the Bears will show on Sunday?
The Bears' offense has been making tremendous strides over the past few games. Jay Cutler's improvement has been most visible and it stems from a change in the Martz scheme.
The Bears are finally giving Jay Cutler some protection after changing up the rotation several times due to player performance and injuries. They finally have the right mix.
The Bears have invested a lot in Jay Cutler, both monetarily and in terms of what it took to get him. Because of that big investment it was important to get the right coach for him.
Connor Bedard scored off a rebound off a post at 3:57 of overtime to give the Chicago Blackhawks a 3-2 victory over the Utah Mammoth on Thursday night.
Residents on the Far South Side of Chicago on Thursday were able to learn and ask questions about the long-awaited extension of the CTA Red Line.
Police and the Jewish community in the Chicago area said they are taking extra precautions after an attacker armed with a rifle rammed a vehicle loaded with explosives into a synagogue and Jewish school just outside of Detroit.
Dancing with the Chicago Celebrities, hosted by Arthur Murray Chicago, returns on Friday and CBS News Chicago's Sabrina Franza will be among those taking the stage at Navy Pier.
Bears general manager Ryan Poles said there was a common theme to the free agents they are bringing in this offseason, saying the team "wanted to get faster, more explosive" with guys that are "passionate about football."
The Senate failed for a fourth time to advance a funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security, with no deal in sight.
A new Iowa law bans local nondiscrimination protections on the basis of gender identity after the state became the first in the U.S. to roll back its civil rights code last year.
Illinois state Rep. Kam Buckner (D-Chicago) announced Wednesday that he has introduced legislation to rename part of Chicago's Dan Ryan Expressway in honor of the late Rev. Jesse Jackson.
A former Illinois mayor who is the subject of a federal investigation has taken her political aspirations to the metro Atlanta area.
Mayor Brandon Johnson has called off – for now – a bid to impose new polling place protections in Chicago in an attempt to prohibit federal immigration agents from entering so-called "democracy zones" while voters are at the polls.
It's become an annual March Madness tradition at CBS Chicago, pitting our city's best eateries in direct competition in a foodie bracket challenge. We did pizza, we've done Italian beef, we've done Chicago dogs. This year, we're taking flight with wings.
For Cook County residents hoping to lower their property tax bills, applications are open for exemptions.
Officials in the north Chicago suburb of Wilmette issued a warning Tuesday about scammers who are impersonating representatives of village departments.
The war with Iran is causing gas prices to surge, with motorists in Chicago and around the country guaranteed to feel the impact at the pump Monday morning.
There's no relief in sight for drivers at the pump as the war in Iran is directly driving up the cost of gas. Analysts expect more of the same unless something changes soon.
A new Iowa law bans local nondiscrimination protections on the basis of gender identity after the state became the first in the U.S. to roll back its civil rights code last year.
Food containing norovirus may smell and taste normal but still cause serious illness if consumed, FDA warns.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker on Monday announced a $1.5 billion investment from biotherapeutics company CSL for a new plasma therapy manufacturing plant in Kanakee.
When a doctor was told there was no cure for his daughter's condition, he was motivated to transform not only her health, but the lives of thousands of others.
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital announced this week that it is planning to open a new pediatric hospital in the west Chicago suburb of Downers Grove.
Despite a rash of restaurant closures, veterans of the plant-based food business pushed back against prophecies of doom — and in one case argued that such closures notwithstanding, plant-based eating is only growing.
Two popular Chicago craft breweries – Half Acre Beer Co. and Maplewood Brewery & Distillery – announced on Tuesday they are merging to create a new "premier Chicago beverage company."
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker on Monday announced a $1.5 billion investment from biotherapeutics company CSL for a new plasma therapy manufacturing plant in Kanakee.
Capital One is laying off more than 1,100 workers at the former Discover headquarters in north suburban Riverwoods.
A new development at the southeast corner of Chicago's East Lakeview community would clear away a medical office building and replace it with a residential high-rise.
Comedy power couple Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally are starring in the Goodman Theatre's new musical coming this summer.
A play inspired by the story of Emmett Till has now been extended twice past its initial run at Collaboraction Theatre in Humboldt Park.
Jennifer Runyon, a Chicago native who became famous as an actress appearing in "Ghostbusters" and "Charles in Charge," died last week.
A woman was arrested on Sunday for firing multiple shots at the Beverly Hills home of Rihanna, Los Angeles Police Department officials say.
Actor and filmmaker Bruce Campbell told fans that he is in treatment for cancer and will cancel some upcoming public appearances.
The Big Dance is just a day away – and we're not talking basketball. Dancing with the Chicago Celebrities, hosted by Arthur Murray Chicago, returns on Friday and CBS News Chicago's Sabrina Franza will be among those taking the stage at Navy Pier.
Chief meteorologist Albert Ramon has the latest First Alert Weather forecast.
Bears general manager Ryan Poles said there was a common theme to the free agents they are bringing in this offseason, saying the team "wanted to get faster, more explosive" with guys that are "passionate about football."
Residents on the Far South Side of Chicago on Thursday were able to learn and ask questions about the long-awaited extension of the CTA Red Line. The CTA said it's committed to moving forward on the project despite uncertainty over funding from the federal government for the project, and more funding in limbo tied to safety and security on the system.
Police and the Jewish community in the Chicago area said they are taking extra precautions after an attacker armed with a rifle rammed a vehicle loaded with explosives into a synagogue and Jewish school just outside of Detroit.
Communities across Kankakee County, Illinois, are waking up to another day of cleanup after an EF-3 ripped through the area, leaving major damage.
Restoration efforts continued in Northwest Indiana on Thursday after a massive tornado ripped through the town of Lake Village earlier this week — leaving an elderly couple dead.
Jennifer Runyan, FBI Detroit's special agent in charge, said only one person was involved in the incident and confirmed that the person is deceased. His identity and motive are unknown.
Attorneys for the family of a woman killed in a crash during a high-speed police chase in 2017 say officers involved failed to activate their body cameras or turned them off during the pursuit.
Connor Bedard scored off a rebound off a post at 3:57 of overtime to give the Chicago Blackhawks a 3-2 victory over the Utah Mammoth on Thursday night.
Attorneys for the family of a woman killed in a crash during a high-speed police chase in 2017 say officers involved failed to activate their body cameras or turned them off during the pursuit.
A new specialized unit is being created to prosecute domestic violence homicides in Cook County, as these killings surged 15% last year, even as overall violent crime declined across Chicago.
After a year of water bill complaints in Lisle, Illinois, the village board is officially moving forward with a plan to review those issues and possibly have the village take over for the private utility that supplies water to part of the village.
Two separate child abuse cases in Lake County, Illinois, are prompting questions about the roles schools play in identifying warning signs and alerting authorities.
A Chicago senior citizen said his phone has been ringing off the hook with hundreds of unwanted spam calls that have made his beloved landline virtually unusable. New efforts in Springfield could bring real relief.
Connor Bedard scored off a rebound off a post at 3:57 of overtime to give the Chicago Blackhawks a 3-2 victory over the Utah Mammoth on Thursday night.
Bears general manager Ryan Poles said there was a common theme to the free agents they are bringing in this offseason, saying the team "wanted to get faster, more explosive" with guys that are "passionate about football."
Northwestern now has a seven-game winning streak against the Hoosiers.
Chicago's Jalen Smith converted two free throws with 1.4 seconds left in regulation to send the game into OT, and Tre Jones contributed 22 points for the Bulls
The Detroit Lions are losing another player, this time it's wide receiver Kalif Raymond, who is reportedly heading to the Chicago Bears.
A new specialized unit is being created to prosecute domestic violence homicides in Cook County, as these killings surged 15% last year, even as overall violent crime declined across Chicago.
The attacker rammed a vehicle into Temple Israel in West Bloomfield and was confronted and killed by security, Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said.
A man was shot and killed on the street in the midday hours Wednesday in Chicago's West Garfield Park neighborhood.
Park rangers cited the four visitors, all from Illinois, for collecting and defacing park resources.
A woman has been charged in a road rage shooting that left someone injured this past weekend on the Dan Ryan Expressway.