The reason this weeks loss has created such a furor is simple:  the offense in all phases was what a lot of people thought it would be. 

* offensive line played poorly against an aggressive defense
* Cutler got rattled by the pressure and started missing some of the throws he should have made
* wide receivers couldn't get open or catch to save their lives
* Martz went crazy with the play calling
* defense laid an egg

It was like the perfect storm of all the weaknesses of the Bears hitting bottom at once.  But there is a light at the end of the tunnel.  It may be dimmer for some than others, but it is there. 

For starters, Earl Bennett and Roy Williams will be back in the lineup.  That opens up Martz's offense to do the things we saw in Week 1.  The first CB on Williams, the second on Hester, which means the third or a LB/S is on Bennett and Knox.  Against the Saints it was Sanzenbacher (who was good for a rookie but was still obviously a rookie) and Sam Hurd taking all those snaps because Martz saw no reason to change his plan of attack after his best receiver got injured. 

And of course Marian Barber will be back soon and hopefully he's everything he was in the preseason. 

The defense will also be better.  Chris Harris will be back and Meriweather should be solid, or hopefully at least more solid than Major Wright.  Every good defense lays an egg once in a while and if the Bears have to do it I'd prefer it be against a good team than a bad one. 

The offense line remains a concern, especially with Carimi injured.  Tice was quoted  as saying, "Hopefully it's not gonna be forever. But it's gonna be an extended period of time [that Carimi is out]."  I know Angelo isn't going to make any changes this week, but if the line has yet another bad showing against GB and he's not on the phone to try to bring someone in?  He's going to be rightfully crucified. 

That said, every good team lays an egg once in a while.  It sucks that the Bears had to learn the same lesson they learned last season. But if it means they learn it in Week 2 this year and improve as much as they did after they learned it in Week 8 last year, there should be good things ahead.

And just remember this:  if the very worst happens and the season tanks horribly?  The Bill Cowher era of Chicago Bears football may not be too far away.