Forget Rex - The Defense is the key

Everyone is focusing on Orton's injury and how Rex will play, but the defense will determine the Bears' success.

The truth of the matter this season is that the defense has fallen short in the Bears' losses.  Obviously our offense is functioning better with Orton in the game, but Rex should play better with a solid running game behind him.  Remember, we had Thomas Jones running well during the Super Bowl year and Rex played decent (sometimes) during that season.

He'll be good, he'll be bad -- but the defense needs to be good consistently.  The Bears' D is giving up way to many passing yards and is predicated solely on coming up with turnovers.  A lot of good offenses are on the horizon, and Lovie must get the D playing more consistently if the Bears are to stay atop the NFC North.

Lovie Smith, Bears D will be the key for the rest of 2008