Caleb Hanie please stand up

Who remembers the 11 win Bear team under rookie Kyle Orton? 2005 The Bears were able to do just that.  Who remembers the Super Bowl team that lost to the Colts led by gulp Rex Grossman.  Or even better yet who Remembers the Ravens team that won a Super Bowl with probably the worst QB ever to be in one in Trent Dilfer. All of these teams did so with a stout running game, hard nosed defense and spectacular special teams.  Does any of this sound like any team we know?  This Bears team has been winning with defense and special teams all year and Matt Forte looks to be the first Bear running back headed to a pro bowl since Neal Anderson ( for those who do not know Anderson was the Bears running back right after Walter Payton) So the formula is there it is just a matter of execution.  Full disclosure the 05 Bear team was upset in the first round at home to the Carolina Panthers.

When Cutler went down I like I assume many of you was down.  The season is over, this stinks we were coming together so nicely and so on and so on..  But after the initial shock wore off I was able to think about it, and all is not lost.  Lets look at the remaining games on the schedule and think about it.  Of the six remaining games the quarterbacks the Bears face are not all, all pros.  Lets compare the QB's to Hanie.

@Oakland


This is the first of two games I have that the Bears could lose and coincidentally the first of the only two QB's the Bears will face that I may rather have then Caleb Hanie.  Carson Palmer is starting to come into form a bit with his Raider teammates and the Raiders are the best of the four AFC west teams the Bears face.  While I am not saying this is an automatic loss it will be a tough win.  Edge Palmer. Record after 7-4

Kansas City


This team is a mess plan and simple.  They were only able to get 3 points against a New England defense that has been giving up a lot of yards and points.  Matt Cassel was lost for the season with a broken hand and they have handed the reins to Tyler Palko.  This should be a win for the Bears.  Palko threw three picks against the Pats and KC's season is pointing down.  Edge Hanie. Record after 8-4

@Denver

Tim Tebow.  Ok so the guy is a winner I will give him that but he as of right now is not an NFL quarterback.  The Bears defense is going to eat him alive.  Tebow is a poor mans Mike Vick and we all know what the Bears do to Vick so I think this is a win.  BIG Edge to Hanie here.  Record after 9-4

Seattle


Here is another game the Bears should win.  Now on any given Sunday it is hard to win in the NFL but the Bears are head and shoulders above this team.  Tarvaris Jackson is not good and the Bears will pick him off a couple times in the last home game of the year.  Edge Hanie.  Record after 10-4

@Green Bay


This is a tough game with Cutler healthy and playing well so lets not kid ourselves.  Unless Green Bay has home field locked up and Aaron Rodgers is at home with the flu this game is a loss.  Edge Rodgers.  Record after 10-5

@Minnesota 


While Christian Ponder has been an upgrade to an old Donovan McNab and looks to be what will be a solid starter this should be a win for the Bears.  And as of now as we sit I would take Hanie.  Edge Hanie.  Record after 11-5

11-5 and the Bears are invited to the dance.  I still think that they could even finish 12-4 but we will see.  The real question becomes if Cutler will be ready for that first playoff game or not.  History tells us we have about 7 weeks before a wild card game, is that enough time for Cutler to come back and have full strength back in his thumb?  We will see.  Not to mention will he be in shape otherwise in time as well?  Lots of questions but if you look at the last few years the best team during the regular season is not the Super Bowl champs at the end.  If the Bears can get to a Super Bowl with Rex Grossman at the helm or even further back and a worse QB the Ravens got their and won with Trent Dilfer who is and was horrible.  I like our chances with Hanie.  Let me know what you think and as always BEAR DOWN!!