Hey, What's Going on Here?

How long has it been since the Bears won in Dallas? The last time it happened, Walter Payton was the leading rusher and Doug Flutie started at QB. How does a team break a streak like that, especially when they're a seven-point underdog? Making solid in-game adjustments helps - having the QB use a short drop and quick release to counteract a vicious pass rush, and deciding it's OK to throw the ball near the goal line, for example. So does forcing three turnovers while not turning the ball over once. It all added up to a 27-20 win and a 2-0 start for the first time since the 2006 NFC champions did it.

When Calvin Johnson apparently grabbed the football in the end zone late in the game last week, it looked like a loss to the Lions, and with games at Dallas, home against Green Bay, and at the Giants looming, an 0-4 start seemed likely. Now, the Green Bay game next Monday will be for the early lead in the NFC North, and the worst the Bears could be after their tough-looking season-opening stretch is 2-2. And while the Packers look very good right now, the Giants didn't look so hot tonight. After that, the schedule softens up a bit (at Carolina, Seattle, Washington, at Buffalo). I don't want to get too far ahead here, but a 6-2 start is not out of the question. Granted, the second-half schedule looks imposing, but it's at least possible that I won't have to wait until college basketball season starts to have a little sports excitement.