Posted by ESPN.com's Kevin Seifert After the Bears' 48-41 victory over Minnesota, here are three (mostly) indisputable facts I feel relatively sure about:
1. Quarterback Kyle Orton and offensive coordinator Ron Turner are carrying the Bears right now. Who would have thought it? Orton is throwing authoritatively and making more play-calling decisions on the field than you might think. Turner, meanwhile, has trusted Orton enough to make him -- and not the running game -- the thrust of the offense. This turn of events was hardly contemplated when the Bears took Orton and Rex Grossman to training camp with a group of unheralded receivers. But with an inconsistent running game and a defense that is giving up a high volume of yards, the passing game is the best thing the Bears have going.
2. Not sure if there was a reason why tailback Kevin Jones didn't play Sunday, but it might be time to give him a longer look. Rookie Matt Forte remains an important offensive weapon, especially in the passing game, but he simply hasn't been productive enough to merit every carry in the offense, as he received Sunday. Here are Forte's per-carry averages over the past five games: 3.3, 2.3, 2.4, 3.8, 2.4. Jones had offseason knee surgery and might not be ready for much action. But if that's the case, the Bears need to find another alterative.
3. Linebacker Lance Briggs made a great play to tip a Gus Frerotte pass late in the third quarter. Frerotte thought he had a big completion set up, but Briggs ran halfway across the field into an area where Frerotte didn't expect him. Briggs, reading Frerotte's eyes, leaped into the air to tip the ball. Safety Kevin Payne intercepted and returned the ball to the Vikings' six-yard line.
And here is one question I'm still asking:
Can't the Bears spread their karma out a bit? It seems they usually win -- and lose -- in bizarre fashion. So many crazy things happened Sunday that we almost forgot that Minnesota cornerback Cedric Griffin stripped tight end Desmond Clark at the goal line early in the third quarter. Instead of the Vikings recovering for a touchback, receiver Rashied Davis fell on the ball for a touchdown. The Bears could have used that kind of luck in some of their losses. Just a (somewhat nonsensical) thought.
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